Initial delivery is your one chance to inspect and refuse it. If you take it home, it's your problem. Sounds like most of the guns discussed were likely mishandled by the distributor/dealer.

The Model 41 is actually a pretty solid value.

A custom 1911-22 will set you back $1650-$1800, if you can stand the 6-18 month wait times from a good pistolsmith. And the 41 is competitive with more rarified match pistols, while being less selective about its ammunition diet (yes, really--CCI SV @ $400/case is a lot easier to stomach than $600/case Euro-spec .22LR).

But frankly, the price is inflated because so many people that are...well, not in the target market for a $1000+ match .22LR.

That price inflation is making the 41 a non-competitive option. I saw a Feinwerkbau AW-93 with an Aimpoint R-1 already mounted (fitting an optic to an AW-93 is very expensive) for $2000--it was up on auction a few weeks ago. Now, it's hard to make a direct comparison (an ultralight Euro-gun that demands Euro ammo, vs the brick-muzzled 41)--but given that choice, I'd buy the FWB every time.

But then, I know why the FWB's worth lusting over. If you don't need what it's selling, the 41's a steal--very nearly as accurate, with a lower cost of living.