Hello to all. I am new to this forum…..this is my first post. I bought a new Performance Center Model 41 about 3 weeks ago. I read up about it and watched some videos about it. The problem is that it jams frequently with SV ammo…..either trouble feeding or stove piping the ammo. I am using CCI SV ammo 40 grain 1070 fps ammo with these issues. Seems that using Federal ammo 40 grain 1200 FPS ammo and CCI tactical 40 grain 1200 FPS ammo work much, much better……very few jams. Basically, the HV ammo works much more consistently than the SV ammo.
My questions…….why? From what I read, the CCI SV ammo should be the best ammo to use. Does HV ammo of 1200 FPS damage the gun with long term use? Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thank you.

I do not own a Model 41, though I congratulate you on getting one, I only know what I read here and have experienced with friend's guns, I do they are excellent target guns but some specimens can be picky about ammo and the problem is that there does not seem to be a "one size fits all" best ammo for every Model 41. It often comes down to a trial and error process. Those who have had more experience than I will undoubtedly chime in with ammo suggestions. Some of my range friends have had good shooting results from Thunderbolt. Guns and their springs are designed with certain ammo tolerances, heavier bullets create more wear. Welcome to the forum.

Congratulations on your new toy. Hope this helps. Do you only have the one magazine? Sometimes magazines can make a big difference in how autos run. I have an older model 41 so I can’t tell you much about your new one. Contact S&W customer service if it doesn’t break in after the recommended x number rounds as that will probably be their response. New autos are tight, there shouldn’t be any burrs or rough spots but you never know. The springs are new and at their strongest. Probably why sv is problematic and hv runs ok. Keep up with your round count. Sit there and just cycle it while you’re watching tv, no live ammo near you and don’t dry fire it. Good shooting.

Do HV ammo damage the gun/gun parts? If the 40 grain 1200 FPS ammo keeps doing well, why not use it? Also, how often should I disassemble and clean my model 41? Thank you.

Looking on line it sounds like its ok to use hv but a buffer might be a good investment until it breaks in enough that sv runs ok. The sv will be the most accurate. Look on line for new M41 reviews.

Having to "break it in" with HV ammo is not unusual. Light oil and it will loosen up.

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Foster Positivity.

What you have learned is that semi autos can be picky about ammo. That means ALL semis, including your 41. Continue shooting what works for a while, after a couple of thousand rounds you can try some others and see if things have changed. At some point you'll know what works and what doesn't. Don't try and figure out why, just accept it and enjoy shooting what is a great pistol.

My 41 won't shoot anything reliably.

SO . . . I shoot Federal Premium Target 711B, a standard velocity round, and lubricate the cartridges. A drop of oil on my fingers spread around on a handful of cartridges before loading magazine.

Works every time. The gun is accurate with HV Match, but I'm reluctant to lube HV ammo.

So what is the problem? I speculate that the surface of the chamber is rough, such that obturation of the case on firing results in it sticking too much to the chamber wall, preventing proper extraction. Since lubing cases fixes the problem, I can't imagine what else it could be.

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I've still got it made.

A new '89 model I had took 200-300 rounds of CCI minimags before it was reliable with sv. A drop of oil on nose of first round of mag also helps.
My used '73 model has had nothing but sv.

How often should the model 41 be disassembled and cleaned?

I shoot a late 1990’s Model 41 for bullseye competition with CCI SV or Aquila SV ammo. Modifications were new Rink stocks, Volquartsen extractor, Wolff springs and a buffer. I clean my 41 approximately every 300 rounds. It is very reliable and don’t need to put oil on ammo.

It is a great gun. As others said, probably needs to be shot more and further broken-in. My gun has tens of thousands of rounds fired through it. Enjoy!

To the OP: I didn't see in any of your posts how many "total" rounds you have put thru your PC41. It can take a lot of rounds thru a brand new firearm before it becomes reliable. There is no set number for this, but I look at anywhere from 300 to 500. By that time the firearm should have settled in and started a good break-in. Each and every firearm is different though. Yours may take more break-in rounds or perhaps less. If by the time you reach +500 rounds you are still having problems you may want to contact the Mothership. It can be a hassle sending it back though with the current shipping problems so be warned. If you are going to shoot HV rounds buy yourself a buffer and install it. Even with regular ammunition a buffer can be a good idea.

Cleaning is a somewhat personal event. I clean after I have fired the pistol/rifle even if it's only a few rounds. I never shoot more than 50 to 60 rounds thru any firearm without at least running a solvent covered cleaning brush and a couple couple of patches thru the barrel. .22's leave a ton of junk in the barrel after being fired. A clean firearm runs best, but use proper cleaning methods. Guys have ruined barrels by improper cleaning or using improper cleaning tools. I only use nylon Iosso brushes unless a carbon ring is visible, then I use a bronze brush. Solvents can help in this regard. Once a true carbon ring develops they can be difficult to remove, but not impossible. When brushing a barrel try to use a coated rod and keep the rod straight to the barrel and only clean from the chamber end if at all possible. Remember, the barrel crown is the last thing a bullet passes on the way to the target. A worn or damaged crown can have bad results at the target.
Realize too that I am anal about keeping my firearms clean, some people not so much. That is their choice.

Lastly get yourself some spare magazines and use them in rotation with the originals. If a problem develops with a reliable firearm many times if can be traced to a dirty firearm or faulty magazine on a semi-auto. And yes, magazines need TLC too. Remember, a new firearm is just that...new. It needs time to break-in and wear parts together for proper functioning. HV ammunition can help this accelerate this process, but can also wear a firearm out faster or cause breakage. Model 41's usually don't need HV ammunition except for break-in. Good luck, I love my PC41 and it runs great. It did need to go back to the Mothership one time after purchase which was no big deal for me.

Rick H.

Just a quick note on sending it in for repair, I recently sent my new pistol (not an M41) back to the mothership and it sat in receiving for a week, then I was told to expect a 6 week turnaround for repair. It's heartbreaking not to have your new toy for that long. OK, that's a little dramatic, but if you can work out the issues on your own you can learn its likes and dislikes and try to enjoy the process.

I have had the same PC 41 for three years and have not experienced any problems. I try to use ammo labeled as “target” velocity. I have not used CCI yet. It likes the SK ammo target velocity.


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Thank you everyone for your replies…….I have learned much valuable information!

Hear are some great maintenance tips on the Mod 41.

Model 41 maintenance

"Cleaning is a somewhat personal event. I clean after I have fired the pistol/rifle even if it's only a few rounds."


I agree with the above previous comment and clean all my firearms after use, regardless of number of rounds fired.



My Model 41 gets a work out twice a month firing on an average of 100 rounds each shoot and use a variety of different brands with very few issues, usually none.


After cleaning I insert an empty cartridge case to dry fire against to unload the return spring.



My choice of lube is Inox.