Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Semi-Automatic Pistols > Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols
o

Notices

Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols Other Smith & Wesson Semi-Automatic Pistols from the 1950's to Present


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-30-2020, 04:34 PM
hmeier4799 hmeier4799 is offline
Member
S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Default S&W 41 dry fire

Is it okay to dry fire a model 41?
I can not find any info either way in the owners manual.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-30-2020, 04:41 PM
armorer951's Avatar
armorer951 armorer951 is online now
Member
S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire  
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Evansville, Indiana USA
Posts: 6,205
Likes: 481
Liked 11,335 Times in 3,505 Posts
Default

You should not dry fire any .22 rimfire S&W pistol or revolver. Check the "FAQ" section listed under Customer Service at the S&W web site.....


FAQs | Smith & Wesson


You can use snap caps, or just about any brand of plastic #4-6 wall anchors if needed, for dry firing. When the wall achors become dented, just replace with a new one.....


https://www.menards.com/main/hardwar...?tid=-1&ipos=1
__________________
Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Last edited by armorer951; 10-30-2020 at 05:01 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #3  
Old 10-30-2020, 05:03 PM
Infidel137 Infidel137 is offline
US Veteran
S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire  
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: ETX
Posts: 86
Likes: 802
Liked 151 Times in 51 Posts
Default

No. Plastic snap caps are very cheap.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #4  
Old 10-30-2020, 05:11 PM
gmborkovic gmborkovic is offline
SWCA Member
S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire  
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: VA & SoFL
Posts: 8,644
Likes: 469
Liked 5,697 Times in 3,186 Posts
Default

4799, that #4 drywall plastic anchor is the answer. And afterwards,
you can still use them.
__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #5  
Old 10-30-2020, 09:01 PM
chief38's Avatar
chief38 chief38 is offline
Member
S&W 41 dry fire  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 17,759
Likes: 7,836
Liked 25,616 Times in 8,661 Posts
Default

When using #4-6 yellow plastic wall anchors as snap - caps, turn them to a different spot often so that the firing pin doesn't "drill through" the plastic!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-31-2020, 07:44 AM
MJK-MOD-547 MJK-MOD-547 is offline
Member
S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire  
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 247
Likes: 446
Liked 296 Times in 137 Posts
Default

I like to use the BLUE trainer snap caps. They will cycle as long as you don't fire on them more than 6 to 10 times and distort the rim.

For me, here is the reason. I will chamber one live round then, I will put one blue one in the Mag at the start of loading. Then I will finish with nine live rounds.

I'll still get my ten shots in and dry fire the blue snap cap to protect the firing pin and the rim on the chamber for transporting home. Those barrels are expensive to replace and so are the firing pins.

I agree no dry firing a Mod 41 or any .22 LR
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-31-2020, 10:13 AM
ms ms is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Indiana
Posts: 249
Likes: 21
Liked 165 Times in 80 Posts
Default

I've shot mine in matches where you are required to remove the mag, show the empty chamber, and dry-fire at the end of the stage. Before I shot it in a match with those rules I checked to make sure the firing pin didn't reach the barrel. So mine has been dry-fired (by me, I got it used) maybe a dozen times, with no obvious ill effects. Other than at such matches, I don't dry-fire it.
__________________
Mark
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-31-2020, 11:19 AM
Dave Lively Dave Lively is online now
Member
S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire  
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 780
Liked 1,363 Times in 649 Posts
Default

I never intentionally dry fire mine.

But when I was trying to get CCI standard velocity to work in my gun about 2% to 3% of the time the gun would eject the empty but not pick up the next round. Not knowing that I would pull the trigger and dry fire the gun. Before I switched ammo I dry fired it dozens of times and cannot see any damage.

So no, you should never dry fire it if you can avoid doing so. But it isn't going to self destruct the first time it happens.

Last edited by Dave Lively; 10-31-2020 at 11:21 AM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #9  
Old 10-31-2020, 06:07 PM
72AV8R 72AV8R is offline
Member
S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire  
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
Liked 101 Times in 26 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by hmeier4799 View Post
Is it okay to dry fire a model 41?
I can not find any info either way in the owners manual.
I know the general rule that "thou shall not dry fire a rim fire", but my Model 41 that I bought new in 1964 for bullseye came from S&W with a dry fire target about post card size. At 15' it mimicked the standard 50' target. I remember I always shot better dry fire scores than I did at 50'. I have seen those targets on ebay.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Screen Shot 2020-10-31 at 6.10.22 PM.jpg (23.8 KB, 46 views)

Last edited by 72AV8R; 10-31-2020 at 06:15 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-31-2020, 07:57 PM
Rowlf Rowlf is offline
Member
S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire  
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Georgia, USA
Posts: 160
Likes: 15
Liked 135 Times in 72 Posts
Default

I dry fire my M41 often with dry wall anchor as I haven't taken the time to see if the bullseyesmith that worked on my pistol set up the firing pin to not hit the chamber. He probably did due to being a former Marine Corps target team armorer when the misguided children used M41s for competition shooting.

My other 22s (Ruger MKIII, Nelson Conversion, FWB AW93) are all safe to dry fire due to limited firing pin reach.

In target shooting competition if you haven't broken a firing pin or (on a 1911) a firing pin stop you are not dry firing enough in training. These are considered consumable parts.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 11-01-2020, 09:41 AM
Dave Lively Dave Lively is online now
Member
S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire  
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 780
Liked 1,363 Times in 649 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rowlf View Post
I dry fire my M41 often with dry wall anchor . . .
When I said I never intentionally dry fire my M41 I meant without an anchor.

We need another term to distinguish between dry firing without a snap cap or anchor and dry firing without one. Dry firing with a snap cap/anchor is very different than doing so without one. You can usually tell what is meant by the context but we sometimes talk past each other.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 11-01-2020, 10:28 AM
MP-5 MP-5 is offline
Member
S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire  
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Texas
Posts: 242
Likes: 62
Liked 541 Times in 179 Posts
Default

Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #13  
Old 11-01-2020, 10:57 AM
Dave Lively Dave Lively is online now
Member
S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire  
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 780
Liked 1,363 Times in 649 Posts
Default

You fire a round, the slide goes back far enough to eject the empty but not far enough to pick up the new round and goes forward just like normal. Pull the trigger and you have accidentally dry fired your gun.

Happened on a regular basis with my M41 and CCI std. velocity despite replacing the extractor and some other changes suggested here that did not correct the problem. Switching to MiniMags solved the problem but they are not quite as accurate as the standard velocity and high velocity ammo is hard on the M41 trigger guard but still better than all the dry fires with standard velocity.

I have had the same thing happen with my 22 Compact and bulk ammo that has an occasional weak round. Seen it happen with Rugers as well but they are designed to not be damaged but dry firing.

Semiauto 22s get dry fired this way all too often. Its not on purpose or the result of negligence so its an accident.

Quote:
Originally Posted by MP-5 View Post
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 11-01-2020, 11:50 AM
Rowlf Rowlf is offline
Member
S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire  
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Georgia, USA
Posts: 160
Likes: 15
Liked 135 Times in 72 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Lively View Post
You fire a round, the slide goes back far enough to eject the empty but not far enough to pick up the new round and goes forward just like normal. Pull the trigger and you have accidentally dry fired your gun.

Happened on a regular basis with my M41 and CCI std. velocity despite replacing the extractor and some other changes suggested here that did not correct the problem.
I had the same problems and home remedies did not solve the lack of reliability. That was why I sent the pistol to a bullseyesmith with excellent results. I only shoot CCI SV or Eley Club in the pistol, and prefer buying by the case for lot consistency.

Someone suggested somewhere dry firing with a business card between the slide and the barrel to check for firing pin protrusion. Since I have never seen any marks on the chamber rim from firing pin strikes I haven't gotten around to trying this. Another dry firing suggestion was to cut a business refrigerator magnet to have a strip that fits between the slide and barrel and stays in place, but on my pistol the strips have been too thick and the slide acts on the disconnector.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #15  
Old 11-01-2020, 02:24 PM
donk52's Avatar
donk52 donk52 is offline
Member
S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire  
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Western MA
Posts: 314
Likes: 9
Liked 427 Times in 156 Posts
Default

We always dry fired ALL of the semi autos when building them. Always ran dummy rounds through the guns to simulate feed, extraction and ejection. A few times with the 41 won't hurt but i would not over do it.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #16  
Old 11-01-2020, 03:53 PM
hmeier4799 hmeier4799 is offline
Member
S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Default

A post on Youtube shows retracting the bolt a minimal amount then pulling the trigger instead of dry fire!!!
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 11-01-2020, 10:03 PM
leinster lad leinster lad is offline
Member
S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire  
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 213
Likes: 106
Liked 87 Times in 47 Posts
Default

No, never.
Even if the firing pin does not contact the face of the chamber, ask yourself.
"what is stopping the firing pin from exiting the bolt " ???

The answer is the bolt cross pin.
This pin not only holds the bolt into the slide, but it locates the firing pin and stops it falling out the rear. ( that groove in the firing pin that the cross pin goes into is your clue here)
It also stops the firing pin from moving too far forward.

I have seen these pins break from supposedly "safe"dry firing.

When that happens, good luck removing the bolt from the slide.

(this also applies to centre fire pistols and rifles )

So yeh..... NEVER dry fire !!!!!
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 11-01-2020, 10:59 PM
Rowlf Rowlf is offline
Member
S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire  
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Georgia, USA
Posts: 160
Likes: 15
Liked 135 Times in 72 Posts
Default

Bullseyesmith Jerry Keefer on broken bolt pins: Model 41 Bolt Pin breakage

More from Jerry: Smith & Wesson 41 common repairs

Another Bullseye guide to M41s: Troubleshooting and Preventing Malfunctions

Last edited by Rowlf; 11-01-2020 at 11:11 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #19  
Old 11-02-2020, 11:21 AM
stu1ritter's Avatar
stu1ritter stu1ritter is offline
US Veteran
S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire  
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 2,259
Likes: 854
Liked 4,380 Times in 1,078 Posts
Default

Rowlf, thanks for those very interesting links.

Stu
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 11-02-2020, 03:04 PM
Rick H. Rick H. is offline
Member
S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire  
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Muskego, WI
Posts: 231
Likes: 7
Liked 246 Times in 108 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rowlf View Post
Bullseyesmith Jerry Keefer on broken bolt pins: Model 41 Bolt Pin breakage

More from Jerry: Smith & Wesson 41 common repairs

Another Bullseye guide to M41s: Troubleshooting and Preventing Malfunctions
These articles are extrememly interesting and a great source of information. Is Jerry Keefer still doing work on Model 41's? If so does anyone have contact info for him?
Rick H.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 11-02-2020, 03:40 PM
Gamecock's Avatar
Gamecock Gamecock is offline
Member
S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SC
Posts: 3,533
Likes: 589
Liked 3,637 Times in 1,627 Posts
Default

When I finish a range session, I close the slide, and pull the trigger. *click* Put the gun in the case. Been doing it for many years, and never had a problem.

Like above, I have had ammo feeding problems occasionally, resulting in some unintentional dry firing.*

I'm with Dave Lively. Occasional seems to do no harm.

*My favorite ammo is Federal Gold Medal Target, 711B. Std velocity. It does NOT feed well, unless I oil the cartridges while loading the magazine. A drop of oil on my finger, and rub the cartridges around in my fingers. Doesn't take much.
__________________
I've still got it made.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 11-02-2020, 03:46 PM
BLACKHAWKNJ BLACKHAWKNJ is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 1,224
Liked 5,805 Times in 2,355 Posts
Default

The yellow dry wall screws anchors work very well for me, yes, rotate them. Good for about 10 uses, at $5/100 cheap enough.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 11-02-2020, 07:38 PM
Rowlf Rowlf is offline
Member
S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire  
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Georgia, USA
Posts: 160
Likes: 15
Liked 135 Times in 72 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick H. View Post
These articles are extrememly interesting and a great source of information. Is Jerry Keefer still doing work on Model 41's? If so does anyone have contact info for him?
Rick H.
Unfortunately Jerry Keefer passed away. He did leave behind a lot of good posts on different forums. His information was very good due to all his years testing and tuning PPC and Bullseye competition pistols.

KC Crawford worked on my M41 and I have heard David Sams be recommended.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 11-09-2020, 11:41 AM
Rick H. Rick H. is offline
Member
S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire S&W 41 dry fire  
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Muskego, WI
Posts: 231
Likes: 7
Liked 246 Times in 108 Posts
Default

Thank you.

Rick H.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
5:26 Now playing Dry Fire Mag : Dry Fire Practice, Without Racking The Slide? trikerdon Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols 2 08-23-2020 12:38 PM
Slide Fire SSAR-15 SBS Rapid Fire Bump Stock Right Handed jasongt06 Accessories/Misc - For Sale or Trade 0 10-03-2017 09:46 PM
WTB SLIDE FIRE SOLUTIONS CONVERSION KIT Bump Fire Stock Four WANTED to Buy 0 01-07-2017 03:10 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:14 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)