Octagon barrel and Round grip frame

[Adawi]

Hi everyone,

 Yesterday, I went in to my dealer, and had him ask F/A for the price on a M97 in .41 Mag with a 4.25 inch bbl and wood grips. I've been shooting my S&W M57 with a 4" bbl, almost exclusively, for the past 15 years or so, so caliber and barrel length aren't a question. But what I want to know is, are there any practical advantages to an octagon barrel? Also, is the round butt grip just narrower at the bottom, or is there another reason to consider it as an option? I'll be getting back to my dealer on Tuesday, so any help is appreciated.

Adawi

[Ken ONeill]

To put it in layman's terms, the rear of the grip is rounded, but not the front. Opinions will vary on such a thing of course, but personally I've never cared for the FA round butt. The standard feels much better to me. With regard to the octagon, it adds a bit of weight, which some will consider a slight recoil-reducing advantage, and others will consider a slight weight-carrying disadvantage. Mostly, those octagon barrels just make your heart beat faster...with delight.

[Adawi]

 Thanks for the info, Ken. I thought the round grip frame might've been more of a preference option, but I wasn't sure about the octagon barrel idea. Good to know!

[STJ]

I have the round grip on my 4.25" bbl M97 in 44sp.  I shoot 300gr LBTs at 1175fps and it handles well and packs good...Keep in mind I have smaller hands (size 8, if that helps)

[Adawi]

Thanks STJ, sounds like you have a fine gun there. Sounds like the round grip is a little narrower, which isn't a problem for me. I just got a call from my dealer yesterday with a quote of $1415 on the one I asked him about. I didn't ask if that was an OTD price or not, so I'll stop in on Saturday and ask. Does this seem like a reasonable price?

[Ken ONeill]

Yes.

[6.5BR]

I was handling some 97's recently, considering a round butt, unfluted 4.25 44 special or 41 mag, or octagon/std grip 5.5 in 41 mag.

Thoughts on choice? Caliber?  Also, express rear/gold bead front is my thought on sights.....feedback?  Use is for fun, back up, and short range deer/hogs ie 50-75 yds.

What load gets a 300gr at 1175?  Sounds like more than I need but is that a 97?  Also, how does it kick?

[Graybeard]

The round butt and octagon both add considerably to the price. I'm sure if you get both you'll need to add at least another $1000 to that price. No I've not looked at their site lately to verify that I'm just going on what I think I recall from previous visits.

I've heard some who got the RB say it doesn't handle recoil as well as the standard. I personally like the looks of the standard and the way it feels as well so doubt I'd go for an RB. I love the looks of an octagon on a rifle and more especially so a single shot but on a handgun it just doesn't do anything for me personally. I guess I'd have to get one at considerable discount to buy one altho on some heavy kickers if it added weight I might could be convinced otherwise.

[STJ]

Yes the round but has a slimmer grip which helps me.  The 97 kicks a bit at that load...the 260s and 280s at 1200 or 240s at 1225 are a bit sharper.  H110 will get the 300s to 1175.  Not too sure on how GB feels about posting upper end load data so I will PM you if you like.  I had to develop it myself as upper end 44sp data is scarce, John Tafflin and Brian Pierce had some good starting data...and $1415 is a great deal..I paid $1700 including tax for mine with a RB and micarta grips...

[6.5BR]

I am not sure if Adawi's price at 1415 is with round butt, sounds like not.  If a RB model can be had at that price, I may be interested.  I am also interested in a used 41 mag or 44 special in 4.25 or 5.5 if anyone knows where one is.

[tominboise]

I have a 5-1/2" 44 special, but I'm not selling.... .  I have a couple more, one 45 Colt 5-1/2" and one 357 mag w/ 4-1/4" Ocatogan barrel.  The shorter Oct barrel is the best handling of the bunch, to me anyway.  One thing about heavy loads - when I tried heavy loads, the knuckle on my middle finger gets rapped pretty darned hard.  I've finally had to go to wearing a glove, just to pad the knuckle a bit.  I wear the stretchy mechanics gloves (used to be called batting gloves, but they are cheaper at Home Depot).  It's helped.....

[JOE MACK]

I've got both a 97 and 83 FA in .41Magnum. The 97 is a 5.5 inch round barrel, fluted cylinder, and regular grip frame. I've got regular adjustable sights in the rear with ramp in front. The 83 is a six inch round barrel, unfluted cylinder, and regular grip frame. I shoot regular Ruger type loads in the 97. Ususally a 220grWFNGC at about 1150 to 1200fps. The 83 I'll load a 265 or 275gr.LFNGC at around 1350fps or a scosh more. Both are accurate as all get-out.

JOE

[6.5BR]

Love to hear about the accuracy you do get in those 41's, done any hunting with them, or just paper?

[Ken ONeill]

I've taken hogs, javelina, sheep, and turkey with mine. It's not a .44 Mag., a .475 L, or a .50, but it does the job. I've owned and used a number of .41's since the late 70's, and like them.