Dear Forum, I'm new to shooting and just jumped-in with both feet by purchasing a Model 41. It is a MUCH better gun than I am shooter, but I'm looking forward to the fun of closing that gap. I live in CA so I'm waiting now the obligatory 10-days before I can actually shoot the gun (Bummer). In the mean time I will need to buy some ammunition. My questions are: 1) What ammo works best in this gun? 2) What ammo should I stay away from? 3) Should I stick to "standard" velocity ammo? Thanks! Gene
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Model 41 - Recommended Ammo
- Thread starter Gstangel
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I only shoot standard velocity target ammo in mine.
I am almost sure that any modern 22LR firearm would be safe to use hi-velocity ammo. I don't think I would use "ratshot" or Stinger because of the longer case.
I checked the original paperwork in my box and could not find any reference to type off ammunition.
I am almost sure that any modern 22LR firearm would be safe to use hi-velocity ammo. I don't think I would use "ratshot" or Stinger because of the longer case.
I checked the original paperwork in my box and could not find any reference to type off ammunition.
CCI Standard Velocity is all I use in my Model 41. It performs perfectly with this ammo. I have tried Mini Mags and they usually get a feed issue on the 3rd round or so.
Stick with the standard velocity is you best bet.
Stick with the standard velocity is you best bet.
CCI standard velocity works the best in mine, but it can be difficult to find. You should buy lots of different brands and see what works best in yours. Standard velocity is more accurate, S&W told me not to shoot high velocity. Remington had been very poor quality, I'll never buy it again.
FlyFish
Member
The 41, as with target .22s generally, is intended to be used with standard velocity ammunition. I've heard that S&W specifically "designed" the 41 to be used with CCI SV, but I can't confirm that and it's not entirely clear to me how (or why it should be necessary) to design a gun around a single brand/type of ammo. I do think that most shooters find the CCI SV to work pretty well, regardless of whether the gun was actually designed for it.
I shot a 41 in Bullseye competition for many years before switching to one of the high-end European target guns. I still compete using the 41 occasionally, and several of the shooters on my pistol team use them. From seeing dozens of 41s over the years, my observation is that each is a law unto itself - some are exceedingly picky, both in terms of function and accuracy, about ammo while others, including mine thankfully, digest pretty much anything.
The advice from earlier posters is spot on - stick with SV ammo and buy a box of as many brands as you can (not as simple these days as it once was), then test them in your gun for function and accuracy and hope that you can find more of what the gun likes. And especially hope that your 41 isn't exceedingly fond of Eley Tenex, unless you're independently wealthy.
I shot a 41 in Bullseye competition for many years before switching to one of the high-end European target guns. I still compete using the 41 occasionally, and several of the shooters on my pistol team use them. From seeing dozens of 41s over the years, my observation is that each is a law unto itself - some are exceedingly picky, both in terms of function and accuracy, about ammo while others, including mine thankfully, digest pretty much anything.
The advice from earlier posters is spot on - stick with SV ammo and buy a box of as many brands as you can (not as simple these days as it once was), then test them in your gun for function and accuracy and hope that you can find more of what the gun likes. And especially hope that your 41 isn't exceedingly fond of Eley Tenex, unless you're independently wealthy.
elpac3
Member
Used to use Remington standard velocity, 40 grain RN exclusively. As noted, 41's can be very picky about the ammo they like. Had a lot of problems with Federal SV and failures to eject. Seemed there was an issue with the cartridge rim the extractor did not like.
Lately have been shooting CCI SV, 40 grain in the HS Supermatic 107 and functions without fail.
Typically you want to avoid HV stuff in high end target pistols as that is not the ammo the gun was designed around.
Lately have been shooting CCI SV, 40 grain in the HS Supermatic 107 and functions without fail.
Typically you want to avoid HV stuff in high end target pistols as that is not the ammo the gun was designed around.
I've only owned one 41 and one 46, and both shot anything I tried, which was mostly CCI SV and Winchester Match Mk III.
I think that FlyFish summed it up pretty well.
I think that FlyFish summed it up pretty well.
OP
Thanks!
Thanks to you all! These are all very helpful suggestions and recommendations! I will lay-in a variety of .22LR and see how picky my new Model 41 is, and what diet it likes the best. Just found some of the CCI SV. So I'm on my way to closing that gap!
This was a very helpful first visit to the S&W Forum! Gene
Thanks to you all! These are all very helpful suggestions and recommendations! I will lay-in a variety of .22LR and see how picky my new Model 41 is, and what diet it likes the best. Just found some of the CCI SV. So I'm on my way to closing that gap!
This was a very helpful first visit to the S&W Forum! Gene
OLDSTER
Member
All I shoot in both my 41 and My Volquartsen Trophy is Federal Auto Match 
Florida Guy
Member
I have read that S&W test fires the model 41 with CCI SV and that is the recommended ammo.
That is what I use in my model 41, and both of my High Standard Victors, and it performs perfectly. Lucky for me I bought a case about 2 years ago, and still have plenty left.
That is what I use in my model 41, and both of my High Standard Victors, and it performs perfectly. Lucky for me I bought a case about 2 years ago, and still have plenty left.
27 Man
SWCA Member
I shoot CCI SV in my 41, HS Supermatic Trophy and Browning Challenger from the sixties. Have very few alibis and accuracy is good--for my shooting level.
Geo. T.
Member
My 2 Cents!
I have done a lot of testing and in both rifles and pistols if you want better accuracy than the CCI standard velocity hollow point you will need to spend 12 to 15 per 50! It is good and consistent.
When it's supply catches up the price will be reasonable again.
I have done a lot of testing and in both rifles and pistols if you want better accuracy than the CCI standard velocity hollow point you will need to spend 12 to 15 per 50! It is good and consistent.
When it's supply catches up the price will be reasonable again.
REM 3200
US Veteran
In my older model (1970) Browning Challenger I use CCI SV. It's a ammo hog, feeds any thing I have tried in it, but it's best accuracy is with the CCI SV LRN 40 grain. I know it's not a S&W 41 like you ask about, but I can recommend ammo I think you will like.
My 41 does not seem to picky, my go to ammo is CCI Standard velocity. I would stay away from Remington thunderbolts. The various brands that I have used are CCI SV and CCI minimags, federal champion HV bulk, and SK SV all of which worked well.
shootingisfun
Member
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22 ammo for 41
Mine loves wolf match target. I think the ammo is actually manufactured by eley. If you can find it buy it, its about seven bucks a box of fifty. If you dont.like it, I will buy it from you. I also had some lapua pistol king and it was disappointing. Cci is my next favori t e after wolf.
Mine loves wolf match target. I think the ammo is actually manufactured by eley. If you can find it buy it, its about seven bucks a box of fifty. If you dont.like it, I will buy it from you. I also had some lapua pistol king and it was disappointing. Cci is my next favori t e after wolf.
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For for most of the 36 years I've owned my M41 it was shot with Hi Velocity Winchester and Federal 40 grain RNL which has a velocity in the low 1200 range. Over the last few years I have switched over to CCI standard velocity and it shoots better than with the Hi Vel. stuff.
According to S&W the M41 will NOT be hurt in the least with regular high velocity ammo. I would however NOT shoot HYPER vel. stuff. That said, the most accurate IS the CCI std. vel. in my gun at least.
According to S&W the M41 will NOT be hurt in the least with regular high velocity ammo. I would however NOT shoot HYPER vel. stuff. That said, the most accurate IS the CCI std. vel. in my gun at least.
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swinggrind
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Model 41
I own a pair of 41's and they are approx. 20 years apart. Though I have tried numerous brands of ammo in both guns CCI's work best. With all other brands I have issues. Both guns shoot excellent provided I feed them what they like. You will love your new gun and be amazed on how accurate it is. Good Luck
I own a pair of 41's and they are approx. 20 years apart. Though I have tried numerous brands of ammo in both guns CCI's work best. With all other brands I have issues. Both guns shoot excellent provided I feed them what they like. You will love your new gun and be amazed on how accurate it is. Good Luck
