If I want to install a 7in barrel on my 41 will I need the factory or a smith to do it? Is there a lot of fitting to do?

I've never had a M41 but found the owners manual in pdf format on S&Ws website.
Here's the Link, It took a bit of time to download..
http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore...r/Model_41.pdf
Hope this Helps!!
Gary/Hk

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MightShowYouHisSmith&Wesson

I have two Model 41's, one is 1962 vintage with 7" barrel, the other is 2007 with 5" barrel. I have purchased a new S&W barrel with optics rail from Gil Hebard Guns and it fits both frames with no fitting or fuss.

However I have heard rumors of Model 41's made sometime in the 1980's and 1990's that did require a bit of minor fitting to a new barrel to get the trigger guard/latch to work properly. What I have heard is this fitting is minor, a small amount of work with a file on the notch in the barrel tang. However for my part this is rumor, I've never run into the need for this fitting of a barrel myself.

Happy Shooting, Y'all...
Mitch & Shadow...

Thanks guys for your help. Special thanks to headknocker for finding the owners manual on-line.

Your Most Welcome dd698

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MightShowYouHisSmith&Wesson

I purchased a new model 41 in 1984 with the 5 1/2 inch bull. Several years later I purchased a new 7" barrel from smith with no fitting required. The factory told me there would be not fitting required. It was just as tight as my original and removes and installs with the same fit as the original bull. But, being somewhat factory hand finished due to tight tolerances, another acquired 7" may need 'minor' fitting although I don't think it would be an issue for you.

The quick change barrel was a selling point for me. I just got a 7" now to use with irons and am now putting a red dot on the 5.5" Can switch from irons to red dot in under a minute.

It's not always Peaches and Cream. Here's a link to an old post about my A-series Model 41. My comments are a ways down:

Model 41 barrel ? - RimfireCentral.com Forums

The fitting of the model 41 barrel usually results in many stories - both good and bad! In my case ,no problems, but as you can read it not always the case.