I have a nice M41 and have been shooting it with standard velocity ammo for a few years. The gun shows little wear. Due to the increasing cost of standard velocity ammunition, I have considered shooting less expensive HV ammo such as the Federal 550 pack ammunition (1260 FPS with a 36 grain bullet). I called S&W customer service and the rep who I spoke to said it was OK, because the Model 41 is an all-steel gun and "can take it". The owner's manual says nothing about this subject. The model 41 which I owned ten years ago seemed to show alot more wear, and I was shooting HV ammo in it.
What are your thoughts about this, Model 41 owners?

I have been using Federal Value Pack HV ammo 36 gr for more than a year( probably 600-800 rounds with no evidence of any problems.

CCI Standard Velocity is all I use in mine.

I used to shoot it in mine but I put a buffer in it just in case.

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"I'm your huckleberry."

I have used nothing but SV ammo in mine. I recently purchased a case of Aguilla SE SV ammo from the CMP for $249.95 including shipping.
When I was at Camp Perry earlier in the week I believe the CMP had Centurion branded SV ammo for $200 per case. Check the CMP website for details and availability.

I have shot many different varieties of ammo through my 41.
Federal value pack had many stovepipes.
CCI Minimags had feed problems, and they weren't even hollow points.
CCI Blazer worked okay, but had some feed trouble.
Remington value pack of 525 worked well, but it was very dirty.

The best I have found is CCI Standard Velocity. I have shot 300 rounds so far with this ammo and had zero problems. Aguilla Standard Velocity is also supposed to work well, but I haven't tried that yet.

i shoot CCI minimag without problems

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I tried CCI SV, but had many FTE's....not quite enough recoil. I have since installed a buffer and use Federal Auto Match exclusively. Function is 100%; they are also accurate and readily available at WallyWorld.

I may eventually get a spring calibration kit and try some other stuff, but what I'm doing now works so I'll stay with it.

Some standard velocity is nearly as fast as
some of the so called high velocity .22 LR loading.

I have shot thousands of rounds in my model 41 of mostly
high velocity as it was the least expensive ammo.

The pistol shoots better than it was new and I have noticed
no noticeable wear and the barrel shows no noticable wear and
I think it is even more accurate now than when brand new.

The model 41 is the best auto pistol that Smith and Wesson has
every designed and manufactured, and now for over 50 years it
is still being manufactued.

One day I would like to see a stainless steel version model 41 with
real walnut grips and a light weight 5 inch field barrel option.

Yes if you want to save $$$s, NO if you value and appreciate the 41

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TOMBECK

I shoot only standard vel target ammo in my 1968 Mod.41. I'd put a fresh set of springs in it if I was gonna shoot HV. didn't know a buffer was available.

I use CCI mini-mags for shooting static steel, but I do have a buffer installed to minimize the potential for damaging the frame. I only use the mini-mags for matches. I use CCI standard velocity for practice and casual plinking.

Ditto to what Alfonzo and others say. The 41 does fine with anything that feeds O.K. You will not damage the frame or slide with .22 rimfire ammo. No need for a buffer, but one certainly does not hurt anything. Remember that the high velocity loading does it by using a rather light bullet. The recoil impulse is all that the gun "feels", and with light, high velocity bullets in the 30+ grain range, it is about the same as with the standard 40 grain bullet at 1040 to 1150 FPS.

It appears to me that the main reason for these wonderful "high velocity" light bullet loads is that they generate an advertising benefit and cut down on the amount of (expensive) lead used, increasing the profit margin. Light, high velocity .22 rimfire bullets do nothing good for us, the users. They are inherently less accurate, have less range, poorer sectional density, higher trajectory, and I sense that they may be more prone to feeding jams...especially the hollow point versions. I'd like to see reasonably priced 40 grainer high velocity bulk pack ammo widely available again, but it looks like the fix is in...not to have it available.

You can play around with custom springs to make the 41 digest just about anything. But ctg. dimensions, especially rim diameter, must be on the button, or you may get jams, no matter what spring is used. And the magazines must be right. I would not use an aftermarket mag in a 41, although some may be just fine.

The only improvement I would make on the 41 is that there should be a few thousandths more clearance on the underside of the barrel extension, to minimize ejection jams. I guess an owner could have this done. And there might be some changes in extractor design, also to improve reliability. But this is one of the finest mass produced .22 rimfire pistols out there...ever...in my totally biased opinion.

PhilOhio -- I've never seen aftermarket mags for the 41 other than those marketed by S&W themselves. Sometimes feeding problems can be overcome by putting a drop of oil on the first bullet in each magazine or by wiping the nose with an oily patch.

I've always used CCI hi-velo in my 46's and the 41.
Also feel the buffer just makes good sense regardless of what you're shooting.
Don

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OGCA Life
NRA Life

Alfonso,
If you find that stainless 41, light weight barrel and real walnut grips, I'll take two.

The Model 41 is a real classic from the Hellstrom years. Gun manufacturers don't like to make guns like this anymore! Too much precision machining and hand fitting. Takes a lot of time, and skilled hands are hard to find nowdays I'm not sure but I think it's the only handgun in the line that really hasn't changed much in fifty-six years.

S&W told me to quit shooting HV after I sent it in for repair. SV is more accurate, it seems silly to me to buy a premium target pistol and then shoot inaccurate ammo in it.

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Common sense isn't so common.

You should never shoot the Higher speed Ammo in a M41 or a m46. If you value the gun at all don't do it no matter what others say. You will eventually suffer cracks in the housing of the gun from too much pressure of the higher charge. Neither of mine will ever see this type of ammo as long as I own them. I shoot only the 40 gr stuff from CCI which cycles great in both models. ASK any gunsmith who has taken the Smith&Wesson guncourse what they were taught. Never use the high powered ammo in these guns.

Call me old fashion or from the old school but when I was shooting my M41 in bulls eye comp back in the late '60's, no one ever used any type of HV ammo in them.
The guys that I shot with would have never even thought to do so.
Back then the M41 was considered a "target gun" and target guns used SV ammo, period.
I practiced with Win. SV ammo in my M41 and used their pistol match for matches.

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JimC

There is a small group of individuals at S&W that build the 41. I spoke to them last week and they said there is nothing wrong with shooting CCI MiniMags, they will not hurt the pistol. However they do recommend SV and Green Tag if you're shooting competition due to the improved accuracy. They mainly think that those who purchase a 41 are those that shoot competition. If you look at the S&W website you will notice that there are no restrictions to only using SV ammo, and they also give you a link to CCI MiniMags as a acceptable round along with the Green Tag and SV.

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"Certified Glock Armorer"

I've seen several references to a buffer in the Mod 41.

I'd be very interested in hearing more about it.

My 41 is a mid 80's model and I finally broke the firing pin retaining pin last week. Mostly shoot CCI SV, but with the ammo availability I've found myself shooting some mini-mag.

Not sure the mini-mag caused the failure, or just wear, but the idea of a buffer (if available) sounds interesting.

I replace the fiber buffer in my 22A Target on a regular basis and that item takes a beating.

I've owned five 41's over the last 40 years and have shot HV, standard, and high priced target rounds and never damaged any 41I owned. Super X seemed to be the most accurate in anyone of them. 41's are tough pistols.

I have a customized M41, with ventilated rib heavy barrel, and hard-chrome finish. It's a field gun and plinker, not used for bullseye shooting.

Steady diet of CCI Minimags exclusively...many thousands, both before and after the custom work. Will use bulk Federal when the CCI Minimags are nowhere to be found, like right now, however, but reliability is marginal with them, vs. 100% with the CCI Minimags...

At least in Northern NYS, right now, there is no .22 ammo available except from countries I have never heard of before...and brands I don't recognize, and they smell really odd when shot...if they even fire, that is.

I suspect the shortage is the result of panic-hoarding, since .22 rimfire is not being bought by the military, or Homeland Security.

Yesterday I picked up several boxes of Remington Sub Sonic 22 LR. I never took this ammo seriously, but figured I would try it in my Mod 41.
In still air with good light it proved to be as accurate as my last box of Federal Target. The sub sonic ammo fed perfectly.

Anyone else have a similar experience?

I had a M41 which I shot competitively years ago. I tried many kinds of ammo. I would have no qualms whatsoever about shooting HV ammo BUT it will not be as accurate as target ammo. I found the Remington "blue box" standard velocity target ammo was noticeably more accurate than even the best HV ammo. The most accurate ammo I ever tried in it was Eley target ammo. which was quite pricey.

Good quality HV ammo will not hurt the M41; it is all steel, heavy and very solid, as you know. If you are a serious target shooter, you will find that HV ammo is not accurate enough to polish your competitive target shooting skills.