Pistol · Obsolete / Non-standard
.41 Short
Small rimfire cartridge developed for pocket pistols and derringers of the Civil War era.
- Caliber
- 0.405″ · 10.287 mm
- Introduced
- 1863
- Case
- Rimfire
- Primary use
- Self-Defense
- Status
- Limited
- Introduced
- 1863
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Remington Arms
- Manufacturer
- Remington Arms
- Standard
- Obsolete / Non-standard
- Status
- Limited
- Availability
- Specialty
- Case capacity
- 13 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:20
- Primer
- Rimfire
- Case type
- Rimfire
- Max pressure
- 12,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 25 yd
- Max range
- 50 yd
- Recoil
- 1.5–2.5 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Introduced by Remington Arms
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .41 Short.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 10.29 | 0.405 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 10.31 | 0.406 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 10.31 | 0.406 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 11.89 | 0.468 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | — | — | |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 11.86 | 0.467 | · |
| Overall length | 23.19 | 0.913 | ~ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .41 Short is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Introduced around 1863 for the pocket pistol market. The Remington Model 95 double derringer — one of the most produced American handguns ever — was chambered exclusively in .41 Short for over 80 years (1866–1935). The cartridge's modest power was appropriate for a derringer: it was a contact-range self-defense round, not a fighting cartridge. CCI produced it for collectors into the modern era, though availability is now extremely limited. Antique Remington derringers chambered in this round are a staple of American arms collections.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .41 Short use?
- .41 Short typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .41 Short?
- .41 Short uses a 0.405″ (10.287 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .41 Short still in production?
- .41 Short is limited; typical availability is specialty.
- What is .41 Short used for?
- .41 Short is primarily used for self-defense.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — .41 Short archived
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawings archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 2 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →