Jack Pender's .41 Magnum

by JimT, Texas, Wednesday, June 08, 2022, 17:50 (835 days ago)
edited by JimT, Wednesday, June 08, 2022, 17:53

As I said in the lower posts, Jack Pender left me his Bowen .41 Magnum. John Taffin and I had flown to Savannah and we did Jack's funeral. It was a large affair. Jack was well known and respected there. After the funeral Jack's son presented John and I with sixguns that his Dad wanted us to have. It is one of my most cherished guns.

I had never owned a .41 Magnum before this but I quickly became a convert. Gunner's posts on the internet with tons of loads and data were a big help. I still have them and use them from time to time.

The gun was a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 Magnum. It was worn and tired and Jack sent to Hamilton Bowen. He wanted a custom gun and Hamilton built it for him. He even Taylor-throated the barrel.

The sixgun carries Bowen's sights front and rear.

The barrel is an "ovate rib" and tapers 3 directions. Bowen made the .41 Magnum cylinder also. It also has a "3rd screw" added. It is actually a cylinder bolt stop that keeps the cylinder bolt from battering when the gun is cocked rapidly.

When I got the gun it had the Super Blackhawk grip and hammer with a set of Charles Able grips on it. I have never cared for the SBH grip shape or hammer and I had Milt Morrison of Qualite' Pistol and Revolver install the Bisley gripframe and hammer. Paul Persinger made the Ebony grips and hand checkered them.

I had Gary Reeder make a new cylinder. I had been testing some factory ammo sent to me and one round bulged the bolt stop slot in the cylinder. I sent the ammo back with a note but never heard anything from them. I fired some in my Marlin Model 94 .41 Magnum and it blew the hammer back to half cock and went through the chronograph at close to 2000 fps.

While Gary had the gun I had him install his "Set back" trigger. The trigger stays at the rear of the trigger guard like God intended and the action does not sound like a cap pistol when you dry-fire it.

The cylinder pin has a nice locking feature and has never worked loose, even with the heaviest loads.

The sixgun is wonderfully accurate. 26 years ago when I was younger and still could see well I shot some groups that amazed me.

25 yards from a rest

110 yards sitting, resting my back against a fence post, gun between my knees held with both hands. 3 3/32" center to center.

It is still accurate. I am not as accurate as I was. When younger I never worried about a 100 yard shot on deer. These days I would pass. The eyes just don't work like they used to.

I feel very honored to have been given such a treasure. I have written the story of the gun for my kids and they know it stays in the family.

At Jack's funeral service, John Taffin and I slipped some loaded .41 Magnums into his suit pocket. We felt it was fitting. I would like 45 Colt's at my funeral. I am going to be cremated so you may have to get creative as to where you put them.