So, I finally broke down and ordered a M41 barrel from Clark Custom. They are supposed to fit "90%" of 41's.

Well it arrived this past Monday and of course it didn't fit mine. Instead of sending it in and taking advantage of their offer to fit it for free (except the shipping charges) I watched a couple You Tube videos and decided I was a gunsmith. Heck I have a bunch of files!

Got off the phone with the nice fellows at Clark yesterday; I’m going to send it in to see how bad I messed it up.

My question to the group is that I was thinking of add the $200 “reliability package” to the gun as long as they have it there.

I don’t shoot competition anymore but who’s to say I won’t start it up again. Has anyone had this done to their gun and is it worth it?

Thanks

Vic

I look forward to reading responses. In the mean time, I’m curious of why you decided to get a Clark barrel in the first place? Was something wrong with your original S&W barrel or did you want the rail for easy added optic?

Both of my factory barrels, one in each length, will out shoot me all day long. My short one wears a tube red dot in a solid mount. It’s kinda heavy. I have an extra vortex viper and had been drooling at the Clark website for a while. One day I had some extra cash from selling a few guns so I just went for it. But I was still to cheap to send it in to be fitted. Turns out I’m paying for that and maybe more if I filed too much off. If so I’ll just have to consider that stupid tax.

Same reason I’m considering the reliability package I’m always trying to make good even better.

Certainly not bashing Clark Custom - however I've not seen a M41 yet (new or old) that won't outshoot anyone of its owners!!! BTW that goes with any high quality .22 pistol, Colt, High Standard and alike.

I do understand we all like to fiddle-futz with our guns once in a while, but the M41 barrel is pretty damned good right out of the box.

I hope they can straighten out your fitting attempt without too much cost to you.

I guess we’ll see soon enough. Shipping it out today. They said about two week turn around time.

Ic

A target trigger job , reliability package and red dot sight mounted on 1974 model 41 with two factory barrels ... about 8 years ago .
Worth every penny ... the trigger is a magical thing to enjoy .
Reliable ...100% they even tune your magazines so send them
Too bad you didn't let them fit the barrel ...
I live within driving distance of the shop and learned a long time ago ... to just drive up there , drop it off and let them do it ... I'm not much of a "smith" but they preform miracles .
Some of the best money I ever spent ...the joy of that sweet trigger is ...priceless !
Gary

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Since both the original Jim and Jimmy have both passed away, who currently is running the shop? I know they do all kinds of custom work, I recall watching an episode on TV where they created a side by side double rifle based on a shotgun action. Mounting and regulating two barrels is something only an expert should try.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Jim's Grandsons ( Jimmy's Sons) Logan Clark and Jess Clark are steady at the helm .

Kay Clark married some bum from down the bayou..Miculek or some name like that and left the shop ...I hear he's OK with a S&W and she likes him .

Gary

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My 41 with a Clark barrel shoots good. I did not buy the barrel, it came with the gun. That being said, my Ruger MKII Govt Target will out shoot both the 41 and a HS Victor from a Ransom Rest.

If I recall, the Clark match barrel is guaranteed to shoot 1/2" at 50 yards. It's hard to believe that the MKII can beat that.

I have shot a friends 41 that has a Clark barrel and it shoots very well. I am tempted to get one for my 41.

Send it into the shop for "free fitting" and while there have a target trigger job done ...those boy's know what to do and it will make a big difference in shooting .

Fitting and target trigger job = Smile on my face .
Gary

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Rick B
Nice picture of your 41s. If I read the middle SN correctly - early first year - but ended up with a 5" bbl? Guess the 7 3/8 is the original bbl.

PS Your mailbox is full

Bottom one - ??EWK bbl?? Looks like a real fun shooter.
Thanks for sharing

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TOMBECK

Sorry Tom, I've emptied my mailbox (I think)
As you know S&W started serial numbering the Model 41 in 1957 at #1401. Then there was a block of numbers that were reserved. I have heard my #3310 is in the first dozen or so. The 7-3/8" was the only barrel available at introduction. The 5" light (or field) barrel wasn't available until 1959.

Hey Rick B,

Is that pistol with the black grips a 46? Are those 46 grips? I have some like that on a 41 I bought and was trying to figure out where they came from.

Thanks,
Jeff

I ordered a Clark barrel for my 41’s. It was a good tight fit on one frame, wouldn’t even start going on the other, but the factory barrels interchange nicely??? Made the decision easy as to which gun got the new barrel. I am very pleased.