I've always wanted a nice (but a shooter) Mod. 41. Any advice on what to get? Which ones are better than the others and why?

I just bought a K22, 17-1 but it should be in someone's collection, it's in such good shape I hate to shoot it. Thinking I could maybe turn this K22 into a 41.

Any advice would be appreciated.

This question gets asked frequently.

My personal observations:
I own 3 Model 41's. One from 1963, 1979, 1990. They all shoot the same and are far more accurate than I am. The only difference is cosmetic. The 1963 and the 1979 pistol have a more polished blue finish. The 1963 pistol has a cocking indicator that was deleted from production in the late 70's that the 1979 pistol doesn't have. My 1990 pistol (bought new) has a slightly less polished blue but is still nice and has varnished stocks. A couple of years ago I purchased a new 7" barrel (only the barrel) from S&W with a Keng rear sight. The barrel is drilled and tapped but has a matte blue finish. So, to sum up my rambling the earlier pistols look better but they all shoot way better than me.

Can't shoot or enjoy a nice gun? Change your thinking.With a minimum of care and carefulness,they can be enjoyed for years with no issues,cosmetic or otherwise,occurring.I can testify to that fact.
Keep the 17-1 and get a nice 41.The nicer the gun,the more that it will retain it's value.
I myself,have downsized a fairly large collection to just two handguns:A nice 17-4 and a nice 41.

As much as I would love to keep the 17-1, it's a matter of economics. I can afford one or the other and my preference would be the 41.

My M41 would be the very last S&W semi-auto I'd ever sell, unless I could find a nice short barreled 945.

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Sure you did

The M41's are a great pistol, which I have been shooting for a few years now. Mine is a 1958 year issue. I also own a M46 which should not be overlooked as it basically the same gun as a 41 only with a few less options on it. You can live without the options easy enough because the Brand New 41's don't have the same options as well. Don't hesitate to look at the used M41's as it is almost impossible to buy a worn out one and parts are easy enough to obtain in to-days market place.

I would love to buy one of those M41

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S&W 40VE M&P 40 SHIELD
USMC

I have a few and they all work faultlessly. I think your biggest decision is which barrel length. 5", 5-1/2", 7", 7-3/8". With the price of the new ones, any, old or newer, looked after they will hold or increase in value same as the 17-1. The older ones a little better then the new.
Your use for the 41 may help with the decision, for example if you want optics as an option down the track then the model 41s made after 1994 would be better as they are optic ready. Good luck.

I don't have a good 22 pistol for my occasional plinking. I have a 629 and a 1911 that I shoot now. Last time out I shot 18 rounds of 44mag and 21 rounds of 45acp. So the 41 would be a nice addition that I could afford to shoot more rounds. I like the 5-1/2" Models and open sights my preference.

Any M41 made after 1994 will be drilled and tapped for a scope slide so thats something to think on as well for vintage buying. All those produced before that are not drilled unless a Gunsmith did it. Please remember when you buy one pics are in order on here.

The pre-drilled and tapped barrel is exactly why I bought a later Model 41. I passed on several older ones simply because I didn't want to lower it's value by drilling and tapping the barrel. It's also why I bought a new 7" barrel as opposed to an early one, because the new one came drilled and tapped. I get queasy about modifying stock guns with changes that are permanent because I don't want to lessen their value should I decide to sell at a future date.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

The 41 I have was bought around 1995. It is a beautiful looking gun, and shoots better than I can. Best of all, you can take it apart, and put it together, for cleaning, in a matter of seconds ( Ruger MK owners are not so lucky). My 41 is fussy about what ammo it likes.

Buy the best pistol you can afford. You'll never regret it and it will hold it's value. Here's my two Model 41's and a Model 46.
At the top is a 1975 with a Clark Custom 5-1/2" STC match grade barrel. It's threaded for a SliencerCo Sparrow suppressor and carries a Burris FastFire 3. On the bottom is a 1957 (3310) with the 5-1/2" Heavy Barrel EFS, oversized trigger guard and smooth Rosewood stocks. On the right is a M-46 from 1959 with the 5" Field Barrel.

You guys are killing me here, excuse me I have to go wipe my chin off. The problem with looking at all this primo hardware, I get impatient. I want one now. Anyone want to trade a 41 for K-22?

Probably won't get any takers on that. Patience Grasshopper.

As I mentioned earlier,I'm down to just one 17 and one 41.If I were to downsize again,the 41 would be the one remaining.It was my first handgun,it will be my last.
Clicking off a full magazine is just a hoot.
Shooting it more slowly,I'm more accurate with it than any revolver.
I love guns with a simple take down.That's the 41.
I like having both barrels-the 5.5 and the 7 incher.

Back in the day, I would hold my M-41 in my left hard while using my right index finger to engage the trigger as fast as I could. I'm guessing this was a rate of fire around 600-650. It was big fun and I never had a malfunction.

I can tell you aren't trying hard enough yet. You pulled off the 629. You pulled off finding a vintage K-22. Trust me, you'll figure out a way to get yourself a Model 41 too. Selling that vintage K-22 at this point would be a tragic mistake.

No one on this entire forum is more "economically challenged" than I am... but if I really wanted a Model 41 (or in my case, another Model 41), I'd figure out some way to pull it off without selling the single most desirable and valuable gun in my collection.

Come on now, admit it! You can do this!

Oh Lordy. As much as I'd love to own a vintage K-22/Model 17 (or 18)... neither of my Model 41's ain't going nowhere!

You can always buy additional barrels for what ever the year of manufacture is they are interchangeable. Sometimes you have to wait but they do show up.

I have two Mod 41's and 5 barrels, soon you will find a barrel that you like better.

I would trade a Model 41 for a good 17-1 not a problem at all. If it was mint in box 17, 41 + $. Mind you it would be one of the 2 later 5-1/2" ones pictured here, and its not like Im left without a 41. Im sure there are others that would do the same.

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I'm just getting started on my 41 family. I picked up both of these last month. Ship date on the top 41 is Jan 59 and Jan 94 on the other. Keep the 17-1 and donate a kidney or pinky finger for the 41.

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Dan
Ps 96 SWCA 2930 SWHF 524

They all shoot well. Left is my 1980-era 41, with a BoMar rear sight. Right is a new PC gun with an UltraDot.
Bob



Newer PC 41 (top) with my old 1980 41. Bottom pistol has a BoMar rear on a 5.5" barrel

Do I see at least four Model 41-1's? Wow!

You guys are just killin' me! I love it! Can you imagine a summer barbecue with this group in attendance?

My daughter likes 41s, too. She's become quite an accomplished bullseye shooter using my old BoMar-sighted gun.
Bob



The new guns are as good (or better) than the oldies:

Here is my A-prefix 41 w/ its original 7" barrel and a 5.5" barrel that has been threaded and had the vent rib machined. Everything is coated in Robar NP3. Love this gun.

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I have had my 41 for over 5 years and it was obtained with the 5.5" & 7" barrels. aaboth barrels are high polish blue and the pistol is w/o cocking indicator. The longer barrel has a rail but I can never decide which optic I want.

It does not always go to the range as the High Standard HD Military and Ruger Gov't Slab Side make satisfactory alternates. I am in the process of down sizing my collection and like previous posters have said the 41 will be last (almost to go)

The HD Military 4 1/2" Will be the last. (1949 manufacture but still new in box)

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0IF2 - Way to go Dad, looks like she is doing great and maybe has a great coach?

Lethal combination - she looks pretty and shoots pretty too!

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

I highly recommend a M41.My M41 is a newer one with the built-in rail. Currently, it has a Burris Fast Fire 3 mounted. Not a bad sight, but I've been using C-More red dots on a couple of other pistols; and find them better. So, I have a C-More on order for the M41.I don't know the other pistols OP mentioned, but I'd be cautious about selling a gun I like.

I had a S&W 442 (?); I think (or 422?). Very much like the M41. Sold it. Mistake!

I've got three Rugers: Mark ii Government Target, Mark iii Target and a Mark iii Competition Target. They aren't in the same league as the M41, but they're 1/3 the price; and almost as accurate.

The most accurate .22lr handgun I've owned and fired in recent years is a Hammerli Xesse Sport. 2/3 the price of a M41, better accuracy; at least for me.

Thanks! She likes to shoot anything...here she is on an FN 240B 7.62mm, shooting a qual course several years back.
Bob

one year owner model 41 , one year shooter I use cci SV ,it is what the 41 was designed around . im shooting inside a 7 inch circle @50 yards except for fliers. BTW ONLY shoot SV @1080fps, anything higher and you can damage the gun . save your coins and buy one . I average 4 to 500 rounds a week rain or shine @ an outdoor range

Probably not the best place to mention it, but there's nothing wrong with a High Standard. The older, Hamden-made guns were excellent. Still like a 41, though.
Bob

This is one of the newer, Houston-made guns. Not bad.

The older High Standards, Hamden and Springfield both very similar and about equal in accuracy and reliability. I find the new outfit pretty tough to deal with, have left messages with the Huston outfit answering machine and never got a call back.

Both the older High Standards and the mod 41 are delightful, for me it all depends upon which one I am shooting as to what I like best.

I was able to score 5000 rds of Aguilla SV thru CMP before their .22cal ammo dried up and I buy CCI SV every time I am able to - brick by brick or box by box. Have used Remington Target (1080 fps or is it 1060) with good results.

These are the photos from the article in last years American Handgunner Annual. Are you the author? If so, thanks for a great article, you are responsible for my purchase of a new 41 PC. I have to agree, the new ones are every bit as good as the older models (metal finish aside), I also have a 1970 vintage w/ 5" lightweight barrel. The PC is a 10 ring eating machine!

S&W is not really pushing the Model 41 these days and parts can be difficult to come by. I have a Model 41 that needs a new slide, because over time the original slide has worn down where the face makes contact with the slide release. The slide will not stay open without the magazine in place, which is a real pain when it comes to routine operation and maintenance.

I have attempted to purchase a replacement from S&W, but they stated that they don't know when, if ever, they may get another one in stock. I was told to just keep calling back every month or so and maybe someday I'll get lucky. So if you want a well made, accurate gun, by all means buy it if you can find it, but be aware that if you ever need parts, you may be out of luck....

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US Navy Vet, and NRA Life Member - America is still the greatest country in the history of the world!

I ordered a new barrel for my 41, S&W Customer Service told me it would be years and to keep calling. Finally I asked them to charge a new barrel to me and when they had one for sale to just send it. About 8 months later there was a package from S&W on my door stop, the barrel had arrived.

In the mean time I figured out my old barrel and it now shoots great, still have not used the new barrel.

I would... but being in CA puts the 17-1 pretty much out of reach due to our handgun purchasing laws.... unless by any stroke of luck you're local to me.

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

Started this thread in April of '16 and finally. I love it when a plan comes together. Bought this at a local gun show today. Can't wait to get it out and shoot it. Soon, very soon.

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CONGRATULATIONS

Now you have a friend for life, hope she meets your expectations.

Congrats on picking up a 41 almost two years from the original post--that's a great acquisition!

Let us know how she shoots.

You finally got one. Good for you. CCI SV is now its favorite food more then likely as well. That gun will last you a lifetime of shooting Happiness.

Good for you, have fun and be safe.

Graydog

I was thinking I might have traded you for my M46. which is a Beautiful gun that I keep for a backup only if my M41 ever gets sick. That never happens even after 60 years of constant use. I have other cals as well 45APC, 357 magnum and 9mm. to play with. I shoot Black Powder a lot as well.

Whew.... it only took you 2 years to nail it down. Congrats on a fine acquisition. As Barrie stated, use CCI SV and ONLY CCI SV. By doing so, your new 41 will remain strong and healthy

My two M41 like REMINGTON TARGET, nothing else. I have tried about every brand. (both from the seventies)