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10-10-2017, 11:30 PM
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BOUGHT TWO NEW M41 MAG'S TODAY, AND GUESS WHAT-------
I purchased two brand new S&W model 41 Magazines today and when I got home and opened them up I could not believe how chincy they felt and looked. Then I got my M41 out of the safe and found that both of the new Mag's would not even seat into the gun! I was really P'd -off and was going to send them off to S&W in the morning and request two new replacements be sent out - but then I figured they'll probably just send me two new ones that are exactly the same.
After studying the Mag's for a few minutes I figured I'd just fix them instead of the hassle of returning and exchanging. I had to tighten up the base of the Mag's in a Vise with wooden jaw protectors (the bases were not sitting flush with the sides), file off the excess metal on the bottom and de-burr. OK, so now the Mag's would move up into position but would not release when the Mag. Release was pushed. I worked on properly shaping & polishing the engagement notch and had to de-burr that as well. Bottom line was that after a little over an hour I got them to function correctly but this is just plain wrong!
I would bet that S&W does not even make their Mag's anymore and just farm them out to the lowest bidder. That in it self would not have bothered me so much if they actually worked! Many Company's do the same these days. The M41 is no cheap entry level gun and you would think they would at least sell quality made Mag's for it.
So now I got them functioning 100% but will say that if I knew this morning what I know now I would have found some vintage Magazines instead. They probably would have cost even more but at least they would have been better quality and worked properly.
I remember reading some rants about the M41 Mag's a few weeks ago here on the Forum but did not realize this was not an isolated incident. So anyone looking for some spare M41 Mag's might want to consider buying older ones in good shape.
Rant over.........
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10-10-2017, 11:44 PM
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Maybe the new vendor is Promag?
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10-10-2017, 11:47 PM
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Or maybe the 2017 Smith & Wesson offers products at a "Pro Mag" level, hmmm?
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10-11-2017, 12:28 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HCH
Maybe the new vendor is Promag?
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I don't own any Promag's so I don't know their quality. All I can tell you is they are cheap junk compared to the originals.
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10-11-2017, 06:06 AM
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The M41 mags that MidwayUSA had on sale about 2 years ago fit perfectly in either of my guns.
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10-11-2017, 06:38 AM
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If you're in a pinch for a few OEM S&W vintage 41/46 mags with the steel pushers, e-mail me.
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10-11-2017, 07:37 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by model3sw
If you're in a pinch for a few OEM S&W vintage 41/46 mags with the steel pushers, e-mail me.
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Thank you Sir, - but after Smithin' & fixin' these two "el cheapo's" I now have a total of five, (3 being originals) so that should be fine. I have no patience to drive almost two hours to bring them back to the GS where I bought them yesterday - and since they now function I'll just chalk it up to another one of life's little learning experiences. I did not check them out in the store and I'm mad at myself about that. At the time I was focused on buying another vintage S&W and didn't give much though to the Mag's as they were Factory Fresh S&W's and never thought about them being junk.
Last edited by chief38; 10-11-2017 at 07:44 AM.
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10-11-2017, 07:46 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chief38
Thank you Sir, - but after Smithin' & fixin' these two "el cheapo's" I now have a total of five, (3 being originals) so that should be fine. I have no patience to drive almost two hours to bring them back to the GS where I bought them yesterday - and since they now function I'll just chalk it up to another one of life's little learning experiences. I did not check them out in the store and I'm mad at myself about that. At the time I was focused on buying another vintage S&W and didn't give much though to the Mag's as they were Factory Fresh S&W's and never thought about them being junk.
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that I understand this ... the mags you purchased were New OEM S&W mags of recent manufacture or generic replacements ?
I, too, would believe it they are S&W OEM they were properly manufactured to quality and function standards.
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Last edited by model3sw; 10-11-2017 at 07:48 AM.
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10-11-2017, 08:16 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by model3sw
that I understand this ... the mags you purchased were New OEM S&W mags of recent manufacture or generic replacements ?
I, too, would believe it they are S&W OEM they were properly manufactured to quality and function standards.
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Yup - Brand new Genuine S&W Mag's. Who actually makes them - I have no idea.
I know Colt uses Chip McCormick for theirs and they are pretty damned good.
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10-11-2017, 09:18 AM
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I doubt very much if S&W ever made their own magazines. Glad you played with yours and got them working. I'd definitely let S&W know what troubles you had with their "new" magazines. They can't fix a problem, if they don't know about it.
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10-11-2017, 10:43 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BE Mike
I doubt very much if S&W ever made their own magazines. Glad you played with yours and got them working. I'd definitely let S&W know what troubles you had with their "new" magazines. They can't fix a problem, if they don't know about it.
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You are right and I intend to - but have sort of just about given up on them -nothing but disappointments lately!
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10-11-2017, 02:22 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chief38
Yup - Brand new Genuine S&W Mag's. Who actually makes them - I have no idea.
I know Colt uses Chip McCormick for theirs and they are pretty damned good.
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I'd be concerned enough to take up the complaint directly to S&W Company. That S&W logo is supposed to represent quality.
Can I ask how much you paid for a new S&W Model 41/46 magazine ?
I agree on the 1911 mags. If it doesn't have the McCormick shooting star on the follower, I won't use it. I suppose there are people counterfeiting the McCormick mags, too, but I just haven't encountered one yet.
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Last edited by model3sw; 10-11-2017 at 02:24 PM.
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10-11-2017, 03:36 PM
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A couple of years ago I purchased two new S&W Magazines from Midway. They did not work correctly. I sent them to S&W and S&W replaced them with two magazines that worked just fine.
What S&W is doing these days in re the old Gen 1-2-3 pistols I dunno.....
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10-11-2017, 05:13 PM
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Well I don't know where Smith & Wesson's head is at these day but it sure isn't quality control. Shame on them for selling these ****** defective mags.
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10-12-2017, 10:01 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by model3sw
I'd be concerned enough to take up the complaint directly to S&W Company. That S&W logo is supposed to represent quality.
Can I ask how much you paid for a new S&W Model 41/46 magazine ?
I agree on the 1911 mags. If it doesn't have the McCormick shooting star on the follower, I won't use it. I suppose there are people counterfeiting the McCormick mags, too, but I just haven't encountered one yet.
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I paid about $27 bucks each.
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10-12-2017, 10:22 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chief38
I paid about $27 bucks each.
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OF the 2 previous types I know of is the ORIGINAL type with the metal follower. Then in the early 1980s S&W made the same mag with a plastic (orange ?) follower.
How much do the older types go for, used in excellent condition ?
I have never had a problem with any older (steel follower) magazine.
Someone stated that S&W "NEVER" made their own magazines. I disagree. The most surely did make their own magazines, "in house". When they stopped making their own magazines ... I don't know. If I had to guess I'd think in the mid 1990s sometime. This is from my own experience with magazines for a 5906. The after market mags were just no good. The factory S&W mags were perfect. For sure all the mags up to 1970 were made "in house" IIRC.
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10-12-2017, 10:23 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by model3sw
I'd be concerned enough to take up the complaint directly to S&W Company. That S&W logo is supposed to represent quality.
Can I ask how much you paid for a new S&W Model 41/46 magazine ?
I agree on the 1911 mags. If it doesn't have the McCormick shooting star on the follower, I won't use it. I suppose there are people counterfeiting the McCormick mags, too, but I just haven't encountered one yet.
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Different strokes for different folks. I have always been a fan of Metalform 1911 mags. I used the 7 rounders for many years in bullseye pistol matches. I now have a SA Trophy Match that wouldn't function with the mags. from SA. I just bought three 8 round stainless Metalform mags. and they function like a well-oiled sewing machine. The only drawback is that my Maglula loader is necessary if I want to load all 8 rounds. BTW, the price is right on Metalform mags. I wouldn't be surprised if we found out that Metalform makes magazines for other companies.
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10-12-2017, 11:12 AM
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From what I've seen on Auctions, the original metal follower type sells for around $46 bucks.
I also have one that I picked up somewhere about 20 some odd years ago with the plastic orange follower. It is a bit cheaper (not too bad thought) than the original metal version however I've been using it all this time with absolutely no issues.
The new ones with the plastic black colored follower are visibly and physically cheaper and thinner. They are not as smooth and at east the two I bought, did not even seat into the gun before I fiddled with them.
Like I mentioned above, I believe I read another post recently here on the Forum regarding this same issue with the new ones too.
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10-12-2017, 08:43 PM
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I doubt that there are many gun company's left (if any at all) that actually make their own Mag's anymore. I truly have no problem with that. What I do have a problem with is when the Gun Co's. go with the cheapest, crummiest ones to save a buck or two. Remember, the M41 is NOT an entry level bargain .22. As we all know, a Magazine is one of the most important components in determining how a gun functions, its reliability and perceived over-all quality. Weather S&W makes it or just sells it - it still has the S&W logo on it and I would have hoped whoever they contracted with was capable of better.
I did call them and they did offer to replace them if I sent mine back, but I told them that I was successful at figuring out the problems and correcting it. I am actually going to the Range tomorrow to test them out with live fire. That's me, but what about the average guy who is not able to do fix them?
So they are now aware if for any reason they did not know before.
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10-12-2017, 09:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chief38
From what I've seen on Auctions, the original metal follower type sells for around $46 bucks.
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Interesting. I would have thought the old metal follower ones would go for more but it seems the market is flooded with new production ones lately so perhaps that is keeping prices down.
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10-13-2017, 09:55 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TTSH
Interesting. I would have thought the old metal follower ones would go for more but it seems the market is flooded with new production ones lately so perhaps that is keeping prices down.
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Well there is one on ebay as we speak for $100, another for $68 so on and so forth. Whatever the buyers are willing to pay. If you are persistent and do your homework, you can get them for around $46 + a few bucks shipping.
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10-14-2017, 07:50 AM
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UPDATE 10/14/2017:
Yesterday I went out to the Range and tried the two new S&W M41 magazines and the results were ..........
#1) Worked well just as they should have to begin with.
#2) Did not feed more than 1 round without jamming. When I worked on them initially ,it was to get them to seat and drop, I did not really pay much attention to the feed lips of the magazines. This second one had it's feed lips to close together and were also very rough. Since I did not have the proper tools with me at the Range, when I got home I filed and sanded the Feed Lips into their proper shape and removed all burrs. It seems to be smooth now and we'll see if this magazine works properly next time I head out.
This is really a joke! No one should have to mess with a Model 41 magazine for so long just to get it to function. I did call the Factory on Thursday but I am not holding my breath for them to do much about it. I suppose we'll find out here on the Forum when others post problems or not.......
PS: Just in case someone asks WHY I did not send the magazines back to Smith I will address that by saying I was afraid they would just send me the same junky ones I already have - so I figured I'd just fix them myself. Hopefully I now have.
Last edited by chief38; 10-14-2017 at 07:53 AM.
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10-14-2017, 09:28 AM
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I just got two S&W mags from Midway, for the 5906, but I haven't even pulled them from the packaging and handled them yet. Should I be concerned that these are also going to be cheaper than originals ?
(BTW, Midway had a sale on their last 4506 mags a couple years ago, and I got one, and it was fine.)
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10-14-2017, 10:08 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chief38
Well there is one on ebay as we speak for $100, another for $68 so on and so forth. Whatever the buyers are willing to pay. If you are persistent and do your homework, you can get them for around $46 + a few bucks shipping.
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Okay, so my old man's memory wasn't/isn't that bad after all. I thought I had seen them much higher priced somewhere but then I thought maybe it was Model 52 magazines that I was thinking of. One shop near me has four of them (old metal follower Model 41 magazines) he wants to sell me but the price is a little steep and they all have some surface rust in spots that would have to be fixed. I do not use my Model 41's enough to justify that kind of money when brand new Model 41 magazines are available for as low as $20 each.
But given your report about the newer ones, maybe I should reconsider.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark IV
I just got two S&W mags from Midway, for the 5906, but I haven't even pulled them from the packaging and handled them yet. Should I be concerned that these are also going to be cheaper than originals?
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Because Massachusetts, I am not allowed to own any post-ban hi-caps, but I've compared the newer ones against old ones in shops outside of MA and the difference in quality is not worth worrying about IMHO.
Oddly enough, I may be buying some of those post-ban 5900 series magazines out-of-state in order to trade for some used 5900-series 10-rounders in a different out-of-state shop that has them for sale with a used Model 5906 pistol. The crazy thngs we have to do in order to procure discontinued 3rd Gen parts and accessories.
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10-14-2017, 10:09 PM
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I have 10 mags for my M41 and M46. I usually buy 2 every year to add to the pile. Been lucky so far with all the new ones but would try to fix them if I had to. Here new ones are around $35.00 each in Canadian funds.
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10-15-2017, 07:58 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TTSH
Okay, so my old man's memory wasn't/isn't that bad after all. I thought I had seen them much higher priced somewhere but then I thought maybe it was Model 52 magazines that I was thinking of.
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Perhaps you were thinking about the more elusive 12 round magazine. IIRC, they tend to command premium prices.
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10-15-2017, 09:21 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom S.
Perhaps you were thinking about the more elusive 12 round magazine. IIRC, they tend to command premium prices.
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No, because those don't have metal followers and I'm sure the premium value had to do with metal follower magazines.
Anyway, I use my vintage Model 41's so rarely that I have zero need for additional magazines. I'd only be buying those metal follower magazines to clean up and flip... most likely not worth the trouble.
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10-18-2017, 06:20 AM
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FINAL UPDATE 10/17/2017:
I was out at the Range again today and the second Magazine (that was the real hard case) now functions correctly after using a few different Jeweler's Files and 2000 grit wet dry paper smoothing out the burrs.
These two Mag's now function 100% however had I realized they would have caused so much grief I'd have looked around for a few more originals.
If you fully understand how Magazines function and how they are suppose to fit and interact with the ammo they fire, then you can probably get them to work as I did. If you don't have the tools, skills, understanding and patience to "fiddle-futz"with them as I had to, I'd probably recommend procuring older magazines over the new ones. I do have one that is old but is not the original metal follower type. I believe it has an orange follower and is slightly cheaper than the real original but has always and continues to work fine. Those can still be found at reasonable prices.
I would sincerely hope S&W realizes and addresses this issue by either finding a better supplier or at least has who ever the heck is making these Magazines do a better job.
I also hope that any magazines shipped with new M41's are at least corrected and tested before they get shipped with the gun.
Anyway, glad that 's all over and glad the magazines now function.
Last edited by chief38; 10-18-2017 at 06:22 AM.
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