Model 41 Take Down Issues

[Jerryatric3]

Just picked up a Model 41 made in 2003. Been in a safe for all these years--PERFECT. Well almost perfect.....trigger guard is almost impossible to operate for takedown. Brute force finally got it down, cleaned it up and brute force got it back together. This can't be right??? Anyone else with this issue???

[Joe Hohmann]

Mine is 20 years old, and was unused in a case for 16 years. No problem with what you speak of.

[Tom S.]

The 'problem' is caused by the fit between the notch in the barrel and the piece that fits into said notch. Judicious work with a fine file and a black sharpie can correct it, but be advised, going to far can result in a loose fit.

[Jerryatric3]

Originally Posted by Tom S.

The 'problem' is caused by the fit between the notch in the barrel and the piece that fits into said notch. Judicious work with a fine file and a black sharpie can correct it, but be advised, going to far can result in a loose fit.

Just the pawl notch Tom or both sides of barrel notches??? Should there be any fore/aft movement in barrel prior to lockup? Mine has zip/nada/zero.

[Tom S.]

When I did mine 41's, I cleaned the blue off in the barrel notch, then used a Sharpie to coat the surface. Let the ink dry, then latch/unlatch the barrel. The ink will wear off where the metal to metal Conant is the tightest. This process is what I used for one gun that was tight like you describe, and one I bought a pre-drilled barrel for. As soon as I got a fit I was happy with, I gave the surface a light stoning and a light coat of grease.

[leinster lad]

Firstly, does the trigger bar move up and down freely when there is NO BARREL in the frame ??

Knowing this will identify a mechanism issue, rather than a fit issue.

For a "Fit" issue.....

The front edge of the barrel locating lug ( where it pushes against the frame ) sets the fore/aft position of the barrel in the frame.
This is very important as it also consequently sets the fore/aft position of the slide in the frame.
The rear of the slide must be perfectly aligned with the rear edge of the frame to allow the sear disconnector, slide lock etc to operate correctly.

The tightness you have mentioned is rectified by very carefully ( like a thou or two at a time !! ) making the Vee shaped notch at the rear of the barrel locating lug a little deeper.

Use a sharpie or bearing blue to see the contact points.

Take your time and go VERY slow. ( or get a competent smith to do it for you )

[Jerryatric3]

Originally Posted by leinster lad

Firstly, does the trigger bar move up and down freely when there is NO BARREL in the frame ??

Knowing this will identify a mechanism issue, rather than a fit issue.

For a "Fit" issue.....

The front edge of the barrel locating lug ( where it pushes against the frame ) sets the fore/aft position of the barrel in the frame.
This is very important as it also consequently sets the fore/aft position of the slide in the frame.
The rear of the slide must be perfectly aligned with the rear edge of the frame to allow the sear disconnector, slide lock etc to operate correctly.

The tightness you have mentioned is rectified by very carefully ( like a thou or two at a time !! ) making the Vee shaped notch at the rear of the barrel locating lug a little deeper.

Use a sharpie or bearing blue to see the contact points.

Take your time and go VERY slow. ( or get a competent smith to do it for you )

Works freely with the barrel out. Pawl moves with no binding. Everything perfect except scary tight opening and closing of trigger mechanism. I think the issue is as you guys are saying the notch needs to be relieved...gonna try it so hope we're all right..