7" barrel on 41

[hmeier4799]

What difficulties might I encounter when installing a new 7" barrel on my 5.5" model 41 which is only 2 tears old?
I plan to initially inspect the bore then try to measure the locking lugs as compared to the 5.5" barrel.

[colt_saa]

You should have zero difficulties

I have had 3 Model 41s (still have 2) and 8 or 10 different Factory barrels over they years.

The 5" Light Weight barrel
The 5 1/2" Heavy barrel
The 7" barrel
and
The 7 3/8" comp barrel

7"

All Factory barrels worked on all my frames with no fitting required


I have never tried any of the aftermarket barrels

I thought I had more photos of barrels but can not find them

There were 2 versions of the 7" barrel . . .
An older version with the traditional Bomar rear sight and a newer variation with a Keng rear sight like pictured above

[Mike0251]

For your reference in case the slide does not go all the way into battery. My comments are in post #5
Model 41 Barrel Fit

[gmborkovic]

Mr. 4799, you should not have a problem. It may be a little more stiff than the original barrel. Just make sure all surfaces are clean and dont force it.
And lock up all the files.

[505Gibbs]

The barrel 'should' fit but posts over the years would say that it might require some fitting. My experience was for no issues BUT they can occur.

[Troystat]

Most fit without issues but some require fitting.

[gwpercle]

Out of all three factory barrels I have

5" light weight
5 1/2" heavy weight
7" standard weight w/ compensator

I thought the longer 7" compensated barrel would be the most accurate but in NRA Bullseye Match competition the heavy 5 1/2 " barrel out scored the longer one every time .
The heavy barrel was more steady , the sights would "hand" on the target and always shot tighter groups and higher scores .
The long barreled standard weight barrels had front sight wobble ... the sight didn't want to stay still like the heavy barrels .
That adage about longer barrels with greater sight radius being more accurate ... sounds good on paper but a heavy 5" barrels shoots better on my S&W model 41 and my friend's Ruger MK I Target , w/ 5" heavy barrel shot tighter groups than my Ruger MK i Target with 6 7/8" tapered barrel... The longer barrel wasn't the most accurate in both cases .
Gary

[gmborkovic]

Gary, great post. My 5.5 heavy shoots better also. What ammo are you using?

[hmeier4799]

Thanks for the replies.
The new 7" barrel dropped in with no problem, only slightly tighter than the original 5.5" barrel.
The feed ramp looked good.