Wanting a S&W Model 41

[65Whelen]

I've always wanted a nice (but a shooter) Mod. 41. Any advice on what to get? Which ones are better than the others and why?

I just bought a K22, 17-1 but it should be in someone's collection, it's in such good shape I hate to shoot it. Thinking I could maybe turn this K22 into a 41.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[824tsv]

This question gets asked frequently.

My personal observations:
I own 3 Model 41's. One from 1963, 1979, 1990. They all shoot the same and are far more accurate than I am. The only difference is cosmetic. The 1963 and the 1979 pistol have a more polished blue finish. The 1963 pistol has a cocking indicator that was deleted from production in the late 70's that the 1979 pistol doesn't have. My 1990 pistol (bought new) has a slightly less polished blue but is still nice and has varnished stocks. A couple of years ago I purchased a new 7" barrel (only the barrel) from S&W with a Keng rear sight. The barrel is drilled and tapped but has a matte blue finish. So, to sum up my rambling the earlier pistols look better but they all shoot way better than me.

 

[Camster]

I've always wanted a nice (but a shooter) Mod. 41. Any advice on what to get? Which ones are better than the others and why?

I just bought a K22, 17-1 but it should be in someone's collection, it's in such good shape I hate to shoot it. Thinking I could maybe turn this K22 into a 41.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Can't shoot or enjoy a nice gun? Change your thinking.With a minimum of care and carefulness,they can be enjoyed for years with no issues,cosmetic or otherwise,occurring.I can testify to that fact.
Keep the 17-1 and get a nice 41.The nicer the gun,the more that it will retain it's value.
I myself,have downsized a fairly large collection to just two handguns:A nice 17-4 and a nice 41.

 

[65Whelen]

Can't shoot or enjoy a nice gun? Change your thinking.With a minimum of care and carefulness,they can be enjoyed for years with no issues,cosmetic or otherwise,occurring.I can testify to that fact.
Keep the 17-1 and get a nice 41.The nicer the gun,the more that it will retain it's value.
I myself,have downsized a fairly large collection to just two handguns:A nice 17-4 and a nice 41.

As much as I would love to keep the 17-1, it's a matter of economics. I can afford one or the other and my preference would be the 41.

 

[ladder13]

My M41 would be the very last S&W semi-auto I'd ever sell, unless I could find a nice short barreled 945.

 

[Barrie]

The M41's are a great pistol, which I have been shooting for a few years now. Mine is a 1958 year issue. I also own a M46 which should not be overlooked as it basically the same gun as a 41 only with a few less options on it. You can live without the options easy enough because the Brand New 41's don't have the same options as well. Don't hesitate to look at the used M41's as it is almost impossible to buy a worn out one and parts are easy enough to obtain in to-days market place.

 

[gruntshot]

My M41 would be the very last S&W semi-auto I'd ever sell, unless I could find a nice short barreled 945.

I would love to buy one of those M41

 

[Aussie Collector]

I have a few and they all work faultlessly. I think your biggest decision is which barrel length. 5", 5-1/2", 7", 7-3/8". With the price of the new ones, any, old or newer, looked after they will hold or increase in value same as the 17-1. The older ones a little better then the new.
Your use for the 41 may help with the decision, for example if you want optics as an option down the track then the model 41s made after 1994 would be better as they are optic ready. Good luck.

 

[65Whelen]

I don't have a good 22 pistol for my occasional plinking. I have a 629 and a 1911 that I shoot now. Last time out I shot 18 rounds of 44mag and 21 rounds of 45acp. So the 41 would be a nice addition that I could afford to shoot more rounds. I like the 5-1/2" Models and open sights my preference.

 

[Barrie]

Any M41 made after 1994 will be drilled and tapped for a scope slide so thats something to think on as well for vintage buying. All those produced before that are not drilled unless a Gunsmith did it. Please remember when you buy one pics are in order on here.

 

[Tom S.]

Any M41 made after 1994 will be drilled and tapped for a scope slide so thats something to think on as well for vintage buying. All those produced before that are not drilled unless a Gunsmith did it. Please remember when you buy one pics are in order on here.

The pre-drilled and tapped barrel is exactly why I bought a later Model 41. I passed on several older ones simply because I didn't want to lower it's value by drilling and tapping the barrel. It's also why I bought a new 7" barrel as opposed to an early one, because the new one came drilled and tapped. I get queasy about modifying stock guns with changes that are permanent because I don't want to lessen their value should I decide to sell at a future date.

 

[Joe Hohmann]

The 41 I have was bought around 1995. It is a beautiful looking gun, and shoots better than I can. Best of all, you can take it apart, and put it together, for cleaning, in a matter of seconds ( Ruger MK owners are not so lucky). My 41 is fussy about what ammo it likes.

 

[Rick Bowles]

Buy the best pistol you can afford. You'll never regret it and it will hold it's value. Here's my two Model 41's and a Model 46.
At the top is a 1975 with a Clark Custom 5-1/2" STC match grade barrel. It's threaded for a SliencerCo Sparrow suppressor and carries a Burris FastFire 3. On the bottom is a 1957 (3310) with the 5-1/2" Heavy Barrel EFS, oversized trigger guard and smooth Rosewood stocks. On the right is a M-46 from 1959 with the 5" Field Barrel.

 

[65Whelen]

You guys are killing me here, excuse me I have to go wipe my chin off. The problem with looking at all this primo hardware, I get impatient. I want one now. Anyone want to trade a 41 for K-22?

 

[Rick Bowles]

Probably won't get any takers on that. Patience Grasshopper.

 

[Camster]

Probably won't get any takers on that. Patience Grasshopper.

As I mentioned earlier,I'm down to just one 17 and one 41.If I were to downsize again,the 41 would be the one remaining.It was my first handgun,it will be my last.
Clicking off a full magazine is just a hoot.
Shooting it more slowly,I'm more accurate with it than any revolver.
I love guns with a simple take down.That's the 41.
I like having both barrels-the 5.5 and the 7 incher.

 

[Rick Bowles]

Back in the day, I would hold my M-41 in my left hard while using my right index finger to engage the trigger as fast as I could. I'm guessing this was a rate of fire around 600-650. It was big fun and I never had a malfunction.

 

[TTSH]

As much as I would love to keep the 17-1, it's a matter of economics. I can afford one or the other and my preference would be the 41.

I can tell you aren't trying hard enough yet. You pulled off the 629. You pulled off finding a vintage K-22. Trust me, you'll figure out a way to get yourself a Model 41 too. Selling that vintage K-22 at this point would be a tragic mistake.

No one on this entire forum is more "economically challenged" than I am... but if I really wanted a Model 41 (or in my case, another Model 41), I'd figure out some way to pull it off without selling the single most desirable and valuable gun in my collection.

Come on now, admit it! You can do this!

Anyone want to trade a 41 for K-22?

Oh Lordy. As much as I'd love to own a vintage K-22/Model 17 (or 18)... neither of my Model 41's ain't going nowhere!

 

[Ed Fowler]

You can always buy additional barrels for what ever the year of manufacture is they are interchangeable. Sometimes you have to wait but they do show up.

I have two Mod 41's and 5 barrels, soon you will find a barrel that you like better.

 

[Aussie Collector]

I would trade a Model 41 for a good 17-1 not a problem at all. If it was mint in box 17, 41 + $. Mind you it would be one of the 2 later 5-1/2" ones pictured here, and its not like Im left without a 41. Im sure there are others that would do the same.