Exciting 41-1 finds.

[lowriderfxr]

I was so excited to find 2 Model 41-1s. One is an ultra rare 5.5" , (verified by shipping invoice). It has an additional 7 3/8ths barrel. The other is one of the last 28 to leave the factory in 1976. The last of the 41-1s. It's NIB. I'm very excited to say the least.

 

[Sicumj]

Congratulations. I have a 285xx with a 7 3/8 barrel and I also have the 5.5. They are real shooters.

 

[Aussie Collector]

Great find, well done on the purchase. I believe there were around 50 5 1/2 HB 41-1s. A lot of these were not stamped 41-1 like yours. Some will letter as 41s so lucky you have the sales receipt to prove it.
I have notes on a dozen or so including serial numbers. I have quite a few 41-1s my avatar picture is probably seen as model 41s when in fact they are all 41-1s. To date this barrel length has eluded me. Again well done.

 

[lowriderfxr]

Great find, well done on the purchase. I believe there were around 50 5 1/2 HB 41-1s. A lot of these were not stamped 41-1 like yours. Some will letter as 41s so lucky you have the sales receipt to prove it.
I have notes on a dozen or so including serial numbers. I have quite a few 41-1s my avatar picture is probably seen as model 41s when in fact they are all 41-1s. To date this barrel length has eluded me. Again well done.

I think we communicated before and I was searching for a 1963 Model 41. This one is 1963, is a -1 and 5.5". Definitely a keeper.

 

[Aussie Collector]

....The other is one of the last 28 to leave the factory in 1976. The last of the 41-1s. It's NIB. I'm very excited to say the least.

There are so many questions around these guns. I have serial numbers and photo confirmation of at least 35. I would like to know your serial number to see if I already have it in my list, please pm me if you don't want to list it here. Posibally the last lot was 28, that is the last lot assembled with other lots assembled from parts. Or was it the last lot shipped, containing 28 of the 35plus assembled from parts...

 

[lowriderfxr]

There are so many questions around these guns. I have serial numbers and photo confirmation of at least 35. I would like to know your serial number to see if I already have it in my list, please pm me if you don't want to list it here. Posibally the last lot was 28, that is the last lot assembled with other lots assembled from parts. Or was it the last lot shipped, containing 28 of the 35plus assembled from parts...

Pm sent to your inbox.

 

[41aficionado]

Great find, well done on the purchase. I believe there were around 50 5 1/2 HB 41-1s. A lot of these were not stamped 41-1 like yours. Some will letter as 41s so lucky you have the sales receipt to prove it.
I have notes on a dozen or so including serial numbers. I have quite a few 41-1s my avatar picture is probably seen as model 41s when in fact they are all 41-1s. To date this barrel length has eluded me. Again well done.

Aussie sir,
I was wondering if you might be able to shed some light on the 41-1 with me? Obviously you know your stuff and have an excellent collection. I am an avid shooter and collector and am familiar with many different calibers, the recoil impulse, etc etc.

In your experience, how does the 22 short compare to the regular 22 lr? I get that its a 22 either way out of a pretty hefty gun, so recoil is almost non existent. But is there much a difference? Accuracy? I'd like to pick up a 41-1, as a shooter at first and then get some rare ones as collectables. Just trying to gauge if its worth getting as a shooter. Any insights would be very welcomed.

Thank you

 

[41aficionado]

Congratulations. I have a 285xx with a 7 3/8 barrel and I also have the 5.5. They are real shooters.

Would you be willing to describe or compare the shooting characteristics of the 41-1 vs the regular 41? Is there that much of a difference?

 

[Jim Watson]

I don't know how the designations shake out in the collector's market but...

Target pistols in .22 Short from Smith, High Standard, and the major European makes were meant for ISU Rapid Fire.
Five targets at 25 metres, either turning target frames or more usual now, green and red signal lights.
Targets face (or get a green light) for 8, 6, and 4 second strings.
Absolute minimum recoil is important, so .22 Short, many with ports and compensators.

BUT
In 2005 the minimum caliber was raised to .22 LR.
Wiki says scores dropped off.

Which makes a Short-shooter pretty much a novelty now.

 

[lowriderfxr]

It is pretty unlikely that you will find a 41-1 shooter , unless you happen to run across one in very poor condition. All 41-1s are considered collectible.

 

[lowriderfxr]

Also , magazines are 5 rounds and usually north of 200.00!

 

[41aficionado]

It is pretty unlikely that you will find a 41-1 shooter , unless you happen to run across one in very poor condition. All 41-1s are considered collectible.

Thank you for the input. I found a shooter already. Ones opinion on what a shooter is probably varies from person to person.

Here is my opinion on what a Smith and Wesson shooter is:
Something you cam take to the range and not worry about using it. A colle tor piece is one I never shoot or only shoot once in a great while. In all fairness, I love all 41s, so to me they are all collectable.

This one I found is a little used, but definitely not beat up. That's why it is so appealing to get as a shooter. So many others are pristine and I'd have a hard time actually using them.

 

[lowriderfxr]

Well if it's a -1 for a price near a standard 41 , buy it , now , if you haven't already.

 

[Sicumj]

Would you be willing to describe or compare the shooting characteristics of the 41-1 vs the regular 41? Is there that much of a difference?

I didn't notice any difference in shooting. Both pistols were quite good on trigger and accurate.

 

[41aficionado]

Well if it's a -1 for a price near a standard 41 , buy it , now , if you haven't already.

It is about 7 to 800 more then a new 41. And it might be a pieced together model, meaning it might be a regular 41 with the 41-1 barrel, slide and mag. Either way, i think it would be awesome to own and shoot. I imagine it would feel like shooting a BB gun.

 

[paplinker]

I know someone who has a 41-1 7 1/2 in 22 short. Box and like new.

What would a package like that realistically bring?

Looking on GB I found some for sale but no bids.

 

[Aussie Collector]

.., how does the 22 short compare to the regular 22 lr? I get that its a 22 either way out of a pretty hefty gun, so recoil is almost non existent. But is there much a difference? Accuracy?....

Thank you

I have not ransom rested to see a difference. I would say unless you are chasing x-rings or doing very fast shooting there will be no difference in .22 or .22 short.
As already said, the 41-1 was for issf (uit up to a few years ago ) rapidfire competition. Because of the 5 timed shots on 5 different targets the top shooters scores droped.
Rapidfire was popular in Australia, with the change to .22lr, .22 short became obsolete overnight. Thus I've managed to get quite a few 41-1s. I would be extremely surprised if anyone here has half as many as me

 

[Onomea]

I think we communicated before and I was searching for a 1963 Model 41. This one is 1963, is a -1 and 5.5". Definitely a keeper.

Congrats on the find, Many! That's great!