Do all magazines that say for use with model 41 pistols work for all M41 pistols? I know there are metal follower and plastic follower types. Also some 12 shot mags. I also read reviews on new magazines that say they do not eject well in older models. I have a 1968 pre A series coming. Should I be looking for a specific magazine for spares?

Thanks

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

I can only give my experience, but here is what I find while selecting and using mags for my 1958 model 41:
-All 10 shot mags that are numbered with a 5 and 10, and have the S&W emblem stamped on the lower corner, and also have the S&W emblem on the floor plate, have been flawless in operation, readily eject after slide lock back, and are reliable in locking back the slide when empty. Regardless of plastic follower or metal follower, these are great mags.
-Mags that have all of the attributes listed above, yet are missing the S&W stamp on the lower corner, typically do everything well, except lock back the slide on empty. I use a few of these, but not for steel challenge.
-New mags are often derided, due to their “cheaper” construction, but I have found them to work fine and lock back. I have swapped the followers from plastic to metal, and had no issues, so I will continue to use them
-I don’t use non-S&W mags. Some may be fine, but I haven’t found any.
Good luck in your search!
Arman

I have a mid 1970's 41 and have one metal follower mag and 5 newer 10 shot mags with plastic followers and they all work fine.

I have a late 60's, pre-A M41. All but 1 of my magazines are 10 shot, plastic follower types. They eject without difficulty in my pistol. Over the years, I can imagine that both pistols and magazines may have varied in their dimensions causing fit issues. Fortunately, that's not a forgone conclusion. Otherwise, we'd be hearing more about it than we do.

In my experience, finding ammo that suits the 41's quirky personality is more of a headache than magazines.

So I have read. I do not have my gun yet, but the seller made a point of telling me that it likes cci sv

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

That's good info and a good place to start. I understand CCI SV works in many 41's. It's often deemed the "go-to" ammo for a 41. Mine doesn't like it though. It prefers "greasy" ammo like SK or Eley. SK Standard works fairly well, but does have some hiccups from time to time. With Eley Target, my problems went away. Thankfully it's happy with "cheap" Eley and doesn't have a taste for Tenex!

The S&W magazine which came with my Model 41 will accept only 9 rounds. The tenth round won't fit in the magazine as it has "bottomed out" and won't depress any further. The tenth round is hand loaded into the gun and the mag with 9 rounds is inserted so I get 10 rounds without reloading. Is that how it is suppose to work?

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Bill

Something's not right if your magazine accepts only 9 rounds. The bottom end of the spring has an insert with a nub that fits into a hole in the floorplate. Maybe it's not quite in place. On older mags you could see the hole from the outside to see if the nub was in place. On newer one, you have to peer inside the magazine with a good light.

That's all I can think of. Maybe others will have better ideas.