What Makes a Magnum a Magnum?

[Palmer]

Ok, sorry if this is such an ignorant question, but my youngest son asked me what the difference was between a regular pistol (gun as he said it) and a magnum.

And I completely do not know. I thought maybe it was a higher load, but I don't want to give him the wrong information.

So what IS a Magnum, specifically?

[Konnie the Goat]

extra powder.

its from the giant french wine bottles that are also called magnums.

[OnyxY2KSS]

From my limited knowledge: With a magnum round the bullet and caliber remains the same size but the jacket is elongated which allows for more gun powder. Beyond that I don't know.

[Palmer]

Ok. That was my guess on it, but didn't want to tell him the wrong info. I know that the bullet weight itself can change, but the powder load is always the same, correct?

[TXRaider]

Well, I think S&W just picked it for their new .357 round. And like Konnie said, maybe since it has a much larger casing than the standard .38 and it reminded them of a Magnum of Champagne which is twice the size of a standard bottle.

Don't think there is an offical defintion. Just sounded cool!

[WhatsAHemi]

What baffles me is that some people think a handgun is a magnum when in fact it’s the cartridge. Dirty Harry’s famous words. “This is a 44 Magnum the most powerful handgun in the world” doesn’t make much sense:confused:

[Scurvy]

A magnum cartridge is a modification of an existing cartridge to hold more power. It's done by either elongating the case or bottle necking the cartridge.

EG:

.357 magnum is an elongated .38 special

.357 SIG could be looked at as a 9mm magnum.

[TLS_Addict]

Just a name.

For instance the Dodge Magnum. Doesnt have to be powerful to be called one....lol

[WhatsAHemi]

^ Or Magnum PI. We all know Tom Selleck is not the most masculine man in the world

[Napalm]

What baffles me is that some people think a handgun is a magnum when in fact it’s the cartridge. Dirty Harry’s famous words. “This is a 44 Magnum the most powerful handgun in the world” doesn’t make much sense:confused:

This is equally not true as the gun must be chambered for the cartridge.

As was said above

44-plain or 44 short = standard .44 caliber bullet and approiate gun, was orginally a pistol.

44 mag = 44 short lengthen by a 1/4 inch (IIRC) to hold more powder for the shot. Bullet weight remained the same, chamber lengthed for the new cartridge. More powder = more speed = more power.

Hope that helps.

[Brewster]

Or Magnum PI. We all know Tom Selleck is not the most masculine man in the world

WHAT! havent you seen Quigley Down Under. Man that guy can shoot.

[Napalm]

WHAT! havent you seen Quigley Down Under. Man that guy can shoot.

And IIRC in the movie he is shooting a Sharps 44-70 magnum.

[WhatsAHemi]

This is equally not true as the gun must be chambered for the cartridge.

As was said above

44-plain or 44 short = standard .44 caliber bullet and approiate gun, was orginally a pistol.

44 mag = 44 short lengthen by a 1/4 inch (IIRC) to hold more powder for the shot. Bullet weight remained the same, chamber lengthed for the new cartridge. More powder = more speed = more power.

Hope that helps.

So a 38 Special can only fire 38's But a 357 magnum can fire 38 specials and 357 magnums. And a 44 magnum can shoot both 44 specials and magnums correct?

[oodn-oodn]

So a 38 Special can only fire 38's But a 357 magnum can fire 38 specials and 357 magnums. And a 44 magnum can shoot both 44 specials and magnums correct?

Correct.

[A04GTO]

Just a name.


Not really. At least not in the firearms industry anyway...

[TXRaider]

So a 38 Special can only fire 38's But a 357 magnum can fire 38 specials and 357 magnums. And a 44 magnum can shoot both 44 specials and magnums correct?

Yeah that's fun. Take your 357 revolver and load a mix (four 38's & two 357). Close, spin reel, hand to buddy to shoot :)

Man can you tell when you hit the magnum load, BOOM!!!

[bear]

Yeah that's fun. Take your 357 revolver and load a mix (four 38's & two 357). Close, spin reel, hand to buddy to shoot :)

Man can you tell when you hit the magnum load, BOOM!!!


HAHA... i'm glad Im not the only one that enjoys that!!!

[Silver96Firebird]

Yeah that's fun. Take your 357 revolver and load a mix (four 38's & two 357). Close, spin reel, hand to buddy to shoot :)

Man can you tell when you hit the magnum load, BOOM!!!


To really mix it up, you should try two 38's two 357's and two empty chambers. You can see who is anticipating recoil REALLY easily:)

[Merle]

I think the .357 Magnum is one of the best revolvers there is for weight and power. I have a .44 Magnum and a .357 Magnum and I'd rather shoot the .357 any day of the week over the .44. My friend has a .454 Casull and it makes the .44 fell like a .22. Now that is what I would call a Magnum. 6 shots through that was enough for me.

[bondosgto]

I think the .357 Magnum is one of the best revolvers there is for weight and power. I have a .44 Magnum and a .357 Magnum and I'd rather shoot the .357 any day of the week over the .44. My friend has a .454 Casull and it makes the .44 fell like a .22. Now that is what I would call a Magnum. 6 shots through that was enough for me.

i just hate the "crack" of a .357 and .41

[bondosgto]

Yeah that's fun. Take your 357 revolver and load a mix (four 38's & two 357). Close, spin reel, hand to buddy to shoot :)

Man can you tell when you hit the magnum load, BOOM!!!

my freind did that to me once, only it was w/ his .454! he got a laugh out of it. he loaded his w/some rounds left over from a saffari he did a a couple of years ago. let me tell ya, 300 grain bullets was a hand full

[bondosgto]

And IIRC in the movie he is shooting a Sharps 44-70 magnum.

i am pretty sure it was a 45-70

[jonfor]

so does the definition work the same for condoms? i have to roll them up and use a rubberband to keep them damn things from sliding off. a bonus is the reservoir tip is HUGE!

ps.. i own several 357 magnums.

[bookemdano]

Pistols go POP, POP, POP,.....
Magnums go KA BOOM, KA BOOM, KA,BOOM....lol:)