I lucked into a NIB, unfired, 1979 manufactured Model 41 a couple weeks ago. This one is not drilled & tapped for a scope mount, but I want to use my UltraDot for bullseye shooting.

So after doing some poking around on the web, I called up Gil Hebard today and ordered a new 5.5" barrel, w/o the Millet sights and tapped for a scope base.

The incredibly nice lady that took my order wasn't able to tell me if the barrel would need fitting or if it would drop right in. I've read some accounts that say the barrel will need to go off to S&W for fitting.

Does anybody know, based on the age of my particular gun, if the barrel is more or less likely to drop-in?

SN is A716xxx. It came with a 5.5" heavy barrel as new.

Thanks!

There really is no way to tell, it's really a **** shoot, S&W charged $75.00 to fit a barrel to my frame, you may find a local gunsmith to do the fitting for you with less trouble than sending it in.

I agree with smithfan4152, there is no way to tell except trying.
That being so, I think from my personal experience and previous discussions here, the odds are in favor of it fitting.
It may lock in tighter but I don’t consider that a problem.

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Ipsis Rebus Dictantitbus

I think you mean you ordered a new slide, not a barrel? The barrel is integral to the slide. Take the old slide off, put the new slide on. All done.

I bought a slide from Gil Hebard too. Took a couples of tries, but mine fits fine.

Well, the folks at Gil Hebard referred to it as a "barrel" and all of the parts lists at Numrich, brownells, etc. refer to it as a barrel, so that's what I went with =)

Hopefully it will drop right in!

Gee I have 4 model 41's and over the years I have interchanged all the barrels to each frame with little or no problem but the all went and functioned perfect. If Gil Hebard manufactured their barrels to Smith & Wesson's dimensions I can't see why it wouldn't fit right of the box. Well just in case Best of Luck to ya.

Pop

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IN GOD WE TRUST     ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

I bought a new barrell for my '78 model 41 from Midway last year when they had a sale for $198. Fit was tight but good to go.

I bought a Clark barrel 'cause I didn't want to drill and tap my 7". It was a perfect fit.

Just to clear up a couple of things:

The barrels that Gil Hebard sells are manufactured by Smith & Wesson.

The slide remains on the frame when the barrel is removed: you just have to buy a new barrel, not a barrel & slide unit.

Like others above, I bought a 2002 era 41 with a 5" barrel and then found a 7" for sale with a weaver base on it. Perfect since I wanted a scope on that barrel. Fit just fine. Yours probably will too. If not it should be an easy task for a gunsmith.

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Jim
Many K and N Frames