.41 Action Express
Historical Notes
The .41 Action Express (41 AE) was designed by Evan Whildin, vice president
of Action Arms, in 1986. The cartridge is unique among modern handgun cartridges
in that it has a rebated rim that will fit
9mm bolt faces
and can be used in guns originally designed for
9mm without
the need for extensive changes. The .41 AE is chambered in the Action Arms
AT-88, which is a beefed up copy of the Czech CZ-75 auto pistol. The cartridge
was originally developed with a 170 grain JHP bullet at 1130 fps initial
velocity. However, the first commercial ammunition, loaded by Samson in Israel
and imported into the U.S. has a 200 grain flat nose bullet with a muzzle
velocity of 1000 fps, and a 180 grain JHP bullet, also at 1000 fps.
General Comments
The .41 AE cannot be readily formed from any other brass case although it
is possible to make cases from
.41 Magnum
brass by trimming to .866 inch and turning down the rim on a lathe. This
is, in fact, how the first experimental cartridges were made by Evan Whildin.
According to Bob Olsen of Action Arms, the cross sectional area of the bullet
is 33 percent greater than the
9mm, and bullets
are one third heavier. He also says that the Samson brass cases have been
strengthened so as to prevent any bulging in blow back guns. Bullet diameter
is the same as the
.41 Magnum,
.410 inch.
The .41 AE delivers practically the same ballistics as the
.41 Magnum
police load which should make it an effective police or self defense cartridge.
The AT-88 pistol is based on well proven design and is accurate and pleasant
to shoot. Recoil of the .41 AE is quite noticeably less than the
.45 ACP.
The 180 grain load should be a good field load. However, one can handload
cases with lighter jacketed or cast bullets. Israel Military Industries (Samson)
is the only commercial manufacturer.
Source: Cartridges of the World
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