I'm thinking about possibly buying a Model 41. This would be my first pistol purchase as I've always been a revolver fan. There's a brand new Performance Center available and the price will be in the ballpark of a little wear, with box, papers etc. older version. I'm sure the overwhelming opinion will be buy an older Model 41 but I'd like to hear some opinions anyways.
Thanks.

Ask yourself if you really need a pistol of the level of a model 41. I had a 41, it was a wonderful gun. Accurate, well made, reliable.....and expensive.

I found the limiting factor in my target shooting was the Indian, not the arrow, and that the 41 was over kill for my shooting. I sold the 41 and bought a Browning Challenger that I shoot just as well (or badly) and had some ammo money left over. Rugers and Buckmarks are also quality pistols.

If you do decide on a 41, I'd go with the older one. I am told the ones with an "A" prefix on the serial number are the best.

-Z-

The PC versions are too ugly for my taste,but bottom line is that you should buy what you like.
This gun sounds like the easy route,something you're considering,just because you found it in a dealer's case.
It can take time to find the right older one,with a risk that it's not quite what you think,as you'd be shipping it in ,via an online sales site.
Personally,I'm fine with the newer models(if you consider my two 1998 guns as newer models)-I don't need to hunt down the early versions.

If you like it buy it, worse case in a few years you sell it for what you paid for it. I have an 1970's era 41 and I think it is a really nice pistol but the new ones are nice and I am sure it will shoot well. Who knows how long they will keep making them and there are a lot of the older ones out there but not that many of the performance models. I would say buy it and shoot it as often as possible. Also read up on cleaning them, the 41's seem to shoot better when clean, especially the chamber and extractor areas. Let us know how it goes.

Right now the market seems to be flooded at this time with model 41s, both current production models, and the older models, Early A and Pre A series.
This means you don't have to spend as much as you would have a few years back. I would not buy the PC version, but it's your money.
The nice thing about the model 41 is the versatility of switching barrels, from fixed sights to optics, in a moment's time. So it really depends on whether or not your willing or wanting to spend the money to indulge in one of the finest 22 pistols of all time.

Assuming excellent condition (few 41's I've seen have ever been seriously abused), the older the better for sure.

But as Zonker says, it's a big investment vs. the average, everyday .22 target or plinking pistol so make sure it fits your needs, uses and expectations well. I own two of them... but I also own a bunch of other .22 pistols too, which I generally get to enjoy more often. Unless serious competition shooting is in your future, it might be better to start off with something a bit less costly. I'm personally very big on the S&W 422/622/2206 pistols if you want something similar.

I suggest test firing a M41 first before you buy one. We all know you will like the pistol as they are a great product altho expensive. You do get your moneys worth when you buy one as mine is a 1958 year model which still shoots really well. I have a M46 also which is very close to being the same gun also as a bckup gun. There are less expensive Smith products on the market as well which shoot as well as the M41, TTSH has suggested some of them plus there is the models such as the22A and the Talo and others that have some nice options on them for a much lessor price. They all preform very well for their price levels. Just make sure it feels good in your hands and looks good there as well. Thats the gun to buy.

i owned and shot an A series with cocked indicator on frame in BE competition for years with very few alibis do to FTE or FTF, I just recently sold it to upgrade to a Walther GSP Expert.
You can't go wrong with an old 41 a few members on my team have had problems with FTF in the new ones.Good luck

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thats wicked pissah

You will not regret buying one. I bought an A series slightly used in the early 80s and it will be one of the last guns I ever sell (if I had to). The kids will be fighting over it while others are throwing dirt on my casket.

Thanks for all the input. I'm in the market for a .22LR handgun. Looking over the revolver models that I liked such as versions of the Model 34 and Model 18 having minimal wear, box, docs, etc. they were priced around the $800-$1000 level. That's within striking distance of a Model 41. That's what started me thinking about a Model 41.

I have a model 41 with a 7" barrel from the late 80's. If I had to pare down to a bare minimum of firearms the 41 would be one I would keep. My dad, son, nephew, and I all love that gun. I will be biased in my endorsement of your decision to buy a model 41 if you should decide to do so. I imagine about any vintage will be just fine.

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Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well

I've downsized quite a bit.My first handgun purchase,a Model 41,is still here.
I just like quality stuff.I don't buy cheaper stuff on the basis of my less than great shooting skills.

I'd recommend against it for a first gun. The thing with buying a gun is, you'll soon want something else. There are plenty of 22lr semi autos out there that would be great first guns for a fraction of the cost, that you can shoot a ton of standard bulk ammo through. While not as popular, you could just as easily cut your teeth on a S&W 422.

I'm assuming that you have looked over the appearance and features of the new PC 41, as they look somewhat different than the older 41 pistols. Some folks like the look and some don't. As far as quality of the newer models is concerned, I have never been dissatisfied with my 2007 model, I think that the quality is quite good. As far as spending more money than you should based on how much you will shoot it or how well you might shoot with it, there are more ways to enjoy a fine pistol that just shooting it. Pride of ownership can be quite enjoyable. Look forward to hearing what you buy.

Shenandoah Sharpshooter,

Why don't you come on down I-81 to Roanoke and try out my model 41's?Mine are a 1965 with indicator and a mid 1980's model. Five barrels we can swap around to see which suits you best. Sorry, but I, as many do, prefer the older models so I can't help much with a hands on with the PC edition.

Try as I might, I simply cannot shoot my old 14 as well as I can a self-loading pistol. When I shoot the M41 I simply get tighter groups.

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Ipsis Rebus Dictantitbus

I got to see a Model 41 at a local shop today. I'm probably going to go for one. Most have advised buying the older versions. Are parts etc. easily available for all or is there a point where earlier versions are more problematic for parts?
Thanks for any opinions.

I have not heard that parts for new or older ones being in short supply. If the one your looking at looks nice (new or used) and your reasonably happy with the price go for it. If it is used and the shop has a range maybe you can get them to let you test fire it. Let us know how it goes and show us pictures if you get it.

I have had absolutely NO problems ever getting parts for 1958 M41. Basically even a new barrel should fit onto my old gun and shoot fine. Same goes for the extractors and spring kits as well. Grips or any other part replacement that is required.

I have a Model 41 with both the 5.5 and 7 inch barrels. Great gun and I really enjoy shooting it. But as others have mentioned, I'm not capable of bringing out its true potential.

I am a firm believer of if you gotta have it get it. At the same time it is a very expensive .22 pistol and one of the best in my opinion. As others have stated it depends on what your looking to do with it. So if you want a Honda buy the buckmark. If you want the Rolls Royce buy the 41. Personally I'll go for the Rolls Royce every time.

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S&WCA #2892

I've been looking at various Model 41s. Most of them are older production but one is manufactured in 2002. The grips have that laminated wood look to me. Is there a year when S&W went to laminated wood in the Model 41 line? Thanks.

Good choice, you won't regret it. I have a PC model now, yes it's ugly but it eats the 10 ring out of the target every time and has zero failures w/ CCI and Norma TAC ammo. It gets better looking every time I shoot it. I don't think you are any more likely to have problems with a new model than an older gun. I've owned 41's from 1958, 1960 something mid 70's and mid 90's, actually found the older guns to be more problematic but not enough to prevent me from buying another oldie if the right one came along. With an older one you there is a greater chance that someone has messed with it simply because it has been around longer. On the other hand the older guns have a beautiful polish and bluing that you don't see with current production. These are solid steel pistols, carefully fitted, I've never seen one actually broken or worn out. Maybe you have to replace a few springs and an extractor. No big deal, parts are readily available both factory and aftermarket. Remember they did not start drilling and tapping barrels for optics mounts until 1992 or '93 so if you plan to shoot with a red dot you will need to get a newer barrel or have the older one D&T.
Good luck, let us know what you decide, no wrong answers!

My Model 41 is my favorite gun. If I had to get rid of every gun but one, it'd be what I keep. It's accurate, it's reliable, it's well built, and it's nice looking gun. Mine's from the early 2000's before the laminate grips. Older ones are even better finished.

You need to stay with good quality standard velocity ammo in a 41.

Even though this is a S&W Forum, I have to admit that I have a soft spot for Ruger's .22 autos. I have a half dozen of them in various configurations, and they're a lot of fun. You can upgrade the Ruger's with Volquartsen triggers and sears, and they're great. Add a Volquartsen upper receiver, and it's really close to a Model 41.

Posted on 8/24/15, in the "trade or sell" section is a 7" model 41. Purchased in 1969 it was used for 10 years in 'timed' and 'rapid' fire competition (a Morini was used for 'free' pistol) in what used to be an NRA sanctioned event (can not find it on the NRA competition web and hurricane Ivan took away my score books!). In 1981 it was used as the rim-fire gun in NRA Bulls Eye (along with a 1944 Colt 45 ACP and a Hammerli 280 in 32S&W). In 2000 the model 41 got a 5.5" bull barrel, the Hammerli was sold, and the Colt was nabbed by a collector (I had no idea that the Singer sawing machine made Colt 45s and that collectors groove when they see one) and replaced by a S&W 4500. In 2005 I gave up on Bulls Eye and concentrated on Metallic Silhouette (and, yes, the 7" model 41 did good up to 75 meters; after that the shooter was not up to open sights). The model 41 is an expensive gun, partly because collectors like them and partly because it is an accurate gun, but it seldom appears in completion other than Bulls Eye. Over the many years I have owned this 'old' 41, a 1980 5.5" model 41, a 2000 7" model 41, and they were all superb guns; BUT as 'Dirty Harry' said-"a man has got to know his limitations"- and I know that I will never shoot this 'old' 41 as good as I used to. Instead of it sitting in the safe I am selling it in the hope that someone will use it in competition.

I collect rimfire handguns. Between my wife and I, we have many Ruger Mark pistols, a couple of Buck Marks, several revolvers, some other miscellaneous stuff, and a Model 41. Aside from my TC Contender .22LR Match pistol, the 41 is the most accurate for me though my Clark Custom MKII is very close. The problem is, it has never been very reliable for me. It runs pretty well with CCI Standard Velocity but even then it's not 100%.

It's a 2009 model and I've tried the factory 7" barrel, a factory 5.5" barrel, and a Clark barrel. Same results with all. It only even wears the Clark barrel now so I can use a silencer with it. When it runs it is one of the most fun guns I own with the silencer. The Rugers and Buck Marks are much more reliable though. Unless you need the precision, I would save the money and go with either a Ruger Mark or Browning Buck Mark. I favor the Ruger but either will serve you well. There are many upgrade options and accessories for the Ruger if you get bored with it.





So many options of models and aftermarket stuff for the Rugers.







I shoot this Ruger almost as well as my 41 but it takes some money to get it there.



My wife prefers Buck Marks.