How well suited is M41, suggested modifications. Suitable optics.

You might want to read the rule book (scsadotorg/rules) to see what's allowed first. I had to do a search to realize they actually have a rimfire class/division.

Rimfire rifles and pistols are a very big deal in Steel Challenge shooting these days; both pistols and rifles with separate classes for iron sights and red dots. Over the last 10 years or so Ruger has made a big effort to get young people interested in Steel shooting.

At this year's Steel Challenge match held at a range near Talladega, Alabama, young people won first place in most classes going head to head with pro shooter adults. Turns out that video games hand eye coordination can transfer to 22LR shooting. One of of champions is a young man from Iowa that I know. His Dad is a retired state Trooper and is also a shooter too(but he can't beat his son).

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

been shooting steel challenge for years with rimfires. I use a pair of 41s and a a 422 and a 622 since they all share the same mags...

I shoot a LOT of steel challenge, I have seen a few 41's that didn't seem to work too well but those situations were most likely operator error and lack of maintenance. The very few 41's that I have had the privelage to shoot were all well cared for and ran very well.

I would expect a 41 to do quite well until you get to the point where the weight of the gun is affecting your transition speed.

Rimfire pistol irons and rimfire pistol open are by far the two most highly competitive divisions in Steel Challenge.

My preferred optic for my Steel Challenge open guns is Vortex Razor with 6 moa dot. A smaller dot for 'precision' won't typically be helpful and can lack sufficient brightness in certain situations. I don't know what, if any, trigger modifications are available for M41 but enhance that to your liking if you want to make a steel shooter out of it.

The key to success with any rimfire division in Steel Challenge is RELIABILITY. If you have a gun that doesn't light one off every other mag or so, or magazines that don't feed properly, that makes for some bad stage times when you have to deal with cycling the slide to clear a malfunction.

I shoot a M41 at RFPI.
It is reliable with CCI and Aquila SV if not too clean.