Model 41 light primer strikes

[NSEGE]

I occasionally get a light primer strike with my 1992 model 41. I don't have a manual showing how to detail strip it. Short of a complete strip and proper cleaning/lubrication of the internals, any other ideas?

Thanks

[Dave Lively]

That could be some gunk in the firing pin channel and you will need to remove the pin to find out.

I recently replaced the extractor on my mid nineties M41 and had no idea how to do so. I could not find a good written description online but there were a couple of videos on YouTube. It is pretty easy but you will need a punch to drive a pin out.

YouTube

[NSEGE]

Thanks! That helps a lot. Off to the workbench.

[NSEGE]

Got the slide apart and back together OK. Didn't see any gronk in the firing pin channel or under the extractor, but they're now really-really clean. Now to the range and see if it's cured (any excuse to go shooting, right?).

[Dave Lively]

Originally Posted by NSEGE

(any excuse to go shooting, right?).

Right! I "have" to go to the range today to see if the CCI Clean-22 standard velocity ammo I bought is reliable in my M41.

[chief38]

The Guy in the video shows the basics but is a BIT rough around the edges with his technique (IMHO). A rubber or plastic Bench Block should be used to rest the Slide on - instead of the weeble - wobble technique he uses! Also I'd use a Nylon faced punch to nudge the parts back in and not use metal to metal as he did. I made this out of a simple Hockey Puck - takes only a half hour and will last forever! Nylon faced Punches are available from Brownell's.

[NSEGE]

I hear you there.... I use soft pine as a bench block, works fine.
The light strikes seem to be gone now...time will tell.

But! I get an occasional failure to extract with CCI Standard Velocity...the fired case just goes back into the chamber, so, the question: Is it possible to tell which recoil spring I have by visual inspection? # of coils, wire diameter?

[Barrie]

I night suggest giving your mags a drop of oil on the top bullet just before you load the magazine into the gun. That helps mine a lot with extraction issue"s. Also make sure your loading ramp area is clean as well.

[NSEGE]

I'm noticing that the "failure to extract/eject) happens on the first 2-4 rounds. After that everything is hunky-dory (yes, I'm that old). Even a second magazine works fine all the way through.

Back to my last question, is there a way to tell what rating the recoil spring by visual inspection?....length, # of coils, diameter of wire???

[boatbum101]

A Volquartsen extractor is a great mod . Factory one is a weak point . Springs are cheap , when in doubt change it . Factory is IIRC 7.5lbs . I run a 6.5lb in mine but I shoot only SV target ammo either Eley or SK / Wolf / Lapua in mine . It's not as strong as CCI SV . I also change my RS every season .

[leinster lad]

Originally Posted by NSEGE

Back to my last question, is there a way to tell what rating the recoil spring by visual inspection?....length, # of coils, diameter of wire???

Not really.

When the pistol is shooting / cycling fine, take note of where the empty cases are landing on the ground.

More than 2 meters ( 6 feet ) the recoil spring is too light and frame damage could occur if a recoil buffer is not used.

Less than 1/2 a meter (2 feet) the spring is too heavy and reliability could be affected.

Between 3 and 5 feet is good.
It shows that there is enough recoil energy to extract and eject the case reliably.

However, heavier springs give more recoil control = better accuracy. So it is a balancing act between ammo energy vs the dynamic operating forces of the pistol, to get it "just right".

other areas that affect this are;
slide weight ( should not be an issue on a m41. no red dot mounted etc. )
slide friction
recoil spring friction on its guide rod
slide over hammer friction ( cocking force )
hammer spring weight
hammer spring friction ( on its guide rod )
Hammer friction in the frame

A note on recoil springs ( search it up, there is a detailed thread here on this subject )

After market ( wolfe ) springs are only "finished" on one end, with the other end just the raw open coils.

It is VERY important to fit ANY RECOIL SPRING with the "finished" end ( closed (flat) coils and ground flat ) into the hole in the slide.
There have been instances of springs being fitted with the "raw" end inserted into the hole in the slide, and the end of the free coil wire working its way between the guide rod and the hole on the slide, causing major jamming, requiring the services of a gunsmith to rectify.