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Old 02-17-2020, 05:17 PM
ignacj ignacj is offline
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Brand new Model 41 - is this normal? Brand new Model 41 - is this normal? Brand new Model 41 - is this normal? Brand new Model 41 - is this normal? Brand new Model 41 - is this normal?  
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Default Brand new Model 41 - is this normal?

I have a brand new m41 purchased December 2019. 300 rounds through it. The extractor seems misaligned within extractor cavity at the breech-face. See attached photos. S&W service had it for 4 week and sent it back with replaced recoil spring!? The CR told me that everything else was expected wear&tear! Is this really possible? I have number of SW firearms and have never seen extractor hitting the cavity edge like that. Perhaps I am expecting too much from a 50 years old design?

Thanks
ig
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Old 02-17-2020, 05:23 PM
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That isn't right and you need to insist on a repair. Best of luck!
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Old 02-17-2020, 05:35 PM
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That would not be right on any properly machined and fitted pistol, S&W or otherwise.
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Old 02-17-2020, 05:46 PM
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Demonstrated fact that the 50+ year old design is not the problem. The shoddy manufacturing and missing QC is today’s virus in Springfield. Their customer service has often been the saving grace but these days it often reflects their QC.
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Old 02-17-2020, 07:58 PM
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There should be a circular clearance cut for the cartridge rim and extractor. Yours does not appear to have it. And the feed ramp looks awful. I think someone called it 'good enough' before the barrel was finish machined.
Here's what it should look like.
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Old 02-17-2020, 08:29 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sevens View Post
Demonstrated fact that the 50+ year old design is not the problem. The shoddy manufacturing and missing QC is today’s virus in Springfield. Their customer service has often been the saving grace but these days it often reflects their QC.
I couldn't agree more. There is basically no QC at S&W. I bought a brand new Model 41 around 2012 and the frame, barrel and slide were all misaligned. It was sent back to S&W because the warranty centre here said that there is no way they could even fix it. Took almost 3 years to get it replaced only to receive another one with the worse bluing ever. It looked like they forgot to decrease it first and was spotty all over. The end of the barrel was also damaged. Sold it for a huge loss and will never buy another S&W again.
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Old 02-25-2020, 10:52 PM
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I couldn't agree more. There is basically no QC at S&W. I bought a brand new Model 41 around 2012 and the frame, barrel and slide were all misaligned. It was sent back to S&W because the warranty centre here said that there is no way they could even fix it. Took almost 3 years to get it replaced only to receive another one with the worse bluing ever. It looked like they forgot to decrease it first and was spotty all over. The end of the barrel was also damaged. Sold it for a huge loss and will never buy another S&W again.
I feel for you and what you bought was a disgrace on S&W's part. No matter what new firearm I'm purchasing, I give it a thorough going over before I lay my coin on the counter.
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Old 02-25-2020, 11:13 PM
HOUSTON RICK HOUSTON RICK is offline
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S&W also has to eventually hire the kids that we decided should get participation trophies. I am confident that your gun will be made right eventually and feel sorry for your inconvenience in not having what should come out of the box. Fact is, we get the quality and QC that we collectively choose to pay for. When we reward that type of quality we say that we miss (put our money where our mouths are), S&W will comply.

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Old 02-26-2020, 09:27 AM
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QC starts at the top. Apparently, what's happening now is S&W's current corporate policy.
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Old 02-26-2020, 10:47 AM
Jim Watson Jim Watson is offline
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My 1970s Model 41 is a jewel.
When you get tired of dealing with the corporate warranty clerk, pay a real gunsmith. This high volume shooter knows who to call.
1911Forum - View Single Post - S&W model 41 school me
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Old 02-26-2020, 12:25 PM
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Send that thing back ! The machining in the same area on my $300 Ruger MKIII with north of 15000 rounds, is far better than that.
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Old 02-26-2020, 12:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ignacj View Post
Perhaps I am expecting too much from a 50 years old design?

Thanks
ig
You are not. But next time you buy a 50 year design... Buy a 50-40 year gun.
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Old 02-26-2020, 08:14 PM
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BERETTA is the way.
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Old 02-26-2020, 09:59 PM
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I think the price just went up on my 1964 vintage.
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Old 02-29-2020, 07:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kidcom View Post
I feel for you and what you bought was a disgrace on S&W's part. No matter what new firearm I'm purchasing, I give it a thorough going over before I lay my coin on the counter.
Thanks, bought this one online because nobody had one in stock. Noticed that the barrel, frame and slide were misaligned as soon as I opened the box. Called the place I bought it from and they refused to take it back or exchange it. Told me I had to send it BC for warranty. Long story short, paid almost $1600 for it and was unfired by me, sent it for warranty and took 3 years to get it replaced. Never fired the replacement because I was so pi$$ed off getting a 2nd bad one and sold it on CGN for a huge loss.
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Old 02-29-2020, 07:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OLDSTER View Post
Send that thing back ! The machining in the same area on my $300 Ruger MKIII with north of 15000 rouinds, is far better than that.
There was no way I was going to send it back for warranty/replacement and go through this BS again. It would turn into a 6 year process and who knows if they will send you a good one or not. I'm in Canada not the US and it takes forever for them to send it back across the border.
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Old 02-29-2020, 10:04 PM
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Looks like it was cut a bit off center. I had to fix the cut out in my 41 purchased about a year ago. Mine was not off center but just not deep enough along with being a bit cocked. The right file and about an hour should get it fixed.
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Old 03-01-2020, 09:02 AM
HOUSTON RICK HOUSTON RICK is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jackrabbit000 View Post
Thanks, bought this one online because nobody had one in stock. Noticed that the barrel, frame and slide were misaligned as soon as I opened the box. Called the place I bought it from and they refused to take it back or exchange it. Told me I had to send it BC for warranty. Long story short, paid almost $1600 for it and was unfired by me, sent it for warranty and took 3 years to get it replaced. Never fired the replacement because I was so pi$$ed off getting a 2nd bad one and sold it on CGN for a huge loss.
Sorry that you had such a negative experience. I have over a dozen third and a second generation S&Ws gathered used from pawn shops, local gun shops, Cabella's, and one from the internet and all of them have been flawless (after a good cleaning). Good luck with whatever you buy now.
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Old 03-09-2020, 07:46 PM
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Quick update guys - received my m41 from S&W repair center second time. They acknowledged that "the extractor is gouging slide". They returned the pistol with the same gouged barrel/breech face and the extractor is still sticking. Not sure if I should call and send it in third time - it's a 3 weeks wait. Amazingly lousy service, they really don't giove a damn. As somebody suggested, I should probably take this to a gunsmith and have them widen the extractor channel.
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Old 03-09-2020, 10:12 PM
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Sorry to hear this has not been resolved. Do you have a way of checking the alignment of the casing recess in the boltface with the chamber?? It looks like the cutaway in the barrel for the extractor is low enough, but perhaps the barrel itself is not sitting low enough in the frame? Maybe the barrel itself has not been fit properly in the frame cavity? (low enough) Is that a possibility?
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Old 03-12-2020, 03:18 PM
PALEFACE_SASS PALEFACE_SASS is offline
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I just bought an older model 41 with a Millett red dot scope. It's been used a lot but not worn out. It is a single shot with standard ammo and only works properly with CCI Velocitor. A little oil helped but not much. Going to try cleaning next. Any suggestions?
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Old 03-12-2020, 05:47 PM
PALEFACE_SASS PALEFACE_SASS is offline
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I have an older 41, number A135683, how do I find the year of production?
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Old 03-12-2020, 05:53 PM
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I just bought an older model 41 with a Millett red dot scope. It's been used a lot but not worn out. It is a single shot with standard ammo and only works properly with CCI Velocitor. A little oil helped but not much. Going to try cleaning next. Any suggestions?
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Old 03-18-2020, 09:33 PM
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ignacj.....

I wonder if it would help to send some photographs of the issue to Clark Custom? They have a custom shop, and have been gunsmithing the Model 41 for a long time. They may be able to help resolve the issue for you, and make the gun reliable.

Clark Custom Guns | Established 1950 | Princeton Louisiana
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Old 03-25-2020, 11:04 PM
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You paid good money for a perfect gun. I would accept nothing less from S&W that what I paid for. Send it back to the Pres. of the company with a note. Is this the best you got?
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Old 03-25-2020, 11:51 PM
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My 1979 M41 that has had tens of thousands of rounds through it looks to be in far better shape than the new one you have. I'd raise hell with them (politely of course) but that is just NOT right!
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Old 05-25-2020, 09:36 AM
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Just a quick update. Third time at S&W service center resulted in no solution. They did absolutely nothing and declared that extractor damage is wear&tear from normal use. I purchased brand new m41 Early January 2020, shot around 200 rounds through it and have been ever since out of use.
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Old 03-19-2021, 09:37 AM
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Final update as of March 19, 2021 - I took SW to the court and they agreed to issue full refund (purchase price + court costs) while stating that my m41 was up to their factory standards. It has been a year long struggle and I am glade it's all over. I'll keep my M&Ps and Bodyguard, but I am done with S&W products.
Thanks everyone for all your advice.

ig
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Old 03-19-2021, 10:08 AM
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I can assure you that Clark can take care of your problem but they won’t want to get involved with a defective poorly machined barrel. There is no percentage in trying to clean up the factory’s mess so they will sell you a new barrel that if the receiver is within spec will be fitted up and function much more accurately than stock

Sorry just read your final post and resolution. Good for you my friend you did it. Its so disappointing to hear about a guy having to jump through all the hoops just for equitable decent treatment.

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Old 03-19-2021, 06:31 PM
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What a terrible story about S&W and their lack of customer service.
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