6" Model 41

[Doug627]

I just purchased a Smith Model 41 with a 6" barrel. I understand these were made only for a few months in 1991. The Model 41 was then discontinued for a couple years. When brought back, the barrel lengths were 5.5" and 7". Do any of you have one of the 6" models and does anyone know how many were made?

 

[wproct]

Picture please.

 

[Doug627]

I haven't got it yet. I will post when it arrives.

 

[Hair Trigger]

The Standard Catalog doesn't mention a 6" barrel. There was a 5-1/2" heavyweight barrel introduced in 1963, and in 1965 there was a 5-1/2" barrel with extendable front sight introduced. The extendable sight barrel was discontinued in 1976, no mention of when the other barrel was D/C'd. The 7" barrel was introduced on 1978, the 7-3/8"barrel was D/C'd the same year. There was also a 5" lightweight barrel introduced in 1959.

The chronology is pretty thorough on the M41 from its inception in 1957 through 2012, the last date the SCSW 4th Ed has data for. There is no mention of a cessation of production for any length of time. I'm not a M41 expert, but there are several here who might chime in. I do have one though, a 1985 7" model.

 

[Doug627]

I did a search on the internet about a 6" Model 41. I am not saying Wikipedia is any kind of authority but this is what I found:

"Production history
In July 1947, two prototypes—numbered X-41 and X-42—were produced, tested, and improved for the next 10 years. In 1957, the Model 41 was made available to the public for sale when Smith & Wesson produced 679 units.[2] At the end of 1958, they had built 9,875 Model 41 pistols. A lighter 5-inch (130 mm) barrel was offered in 1958 for field use. The Model 41-1 was introduced in 1960 and was chambered in .22 Short for International Rapid Fire competition. Only 1000 were made using light aluminum slides necessary for function with the lower powered .22 Short.

In August 1963, the 5-inch heavy barrel version came into the market. Stoeger's Shooter's Bible of 1964 shows a 7+3⁄8-inch (190 mm) barrel grooved for Olympic center weights. The cocking indicator and 7+3⁄8-inch barrel were dropped in 1978. The 7-inch (180 mm) barrel was introduced in 1978 with no provision for a muzzle brake. A 6-inch (150 mm) barrel was offered for a few months in 1991. In 1992, the Model 41 was dropped from production. In 1994, Smith & Wesson returned it to production as the Model 41 (New Model).[3]"

This is why I am inquiring in this thread. I will probably need a letter to confirm if the barrel was actually 6" from the factory.

 

[Hair Trigger]

I did a search on the internet about a 6" Model 41. I am not saying Wikipedia is any kind of authority but this is what I found:

It's interesting Wiki includes the comments about the 6" barrel and production halt from 1992-1994 but SCSW doesn't. Wiki is a reader-contributed site and I've always used it as a go-to for most things I want to learn about. The info can be debated sometimes and it is frequently updated and changed according to newer info that refutes the old. The bottom of the Wiki webpages has a list of citations about where such-and-such data comes from and sometimes the citations are conflicting.

The SCSW is considered the "Bible" for all things S&W, and the info that goes into it is thoroughly researched. Much of the information that reaches print is from serious and long-time collectors and present/former S&W armorers and gunsmiths who have actually built the guns.

That said, I sometimes find the SCSW wanting for details. Each edition is improved over the one before it, and a 5th Edition is forthcoming, maybe it will have updates on the M41.

FWIW, when the M41 was first designed in 1947, it did not go into production at that time partly due to WWII. Many models already in production were halted to increase production of military orders, and Post-war I guess the focus was on improving and restarting production of models halted during the war, which might help explain the delay in starting M41 production until the late 1950's. At any rate, they sure got it right, I love my M41, it is a fine pistol.

 

[H Richard]

Be sure to measure the barrel when you get it. Verify it is actually 6". Then pictures of course.

 

[handejector]

I am highly skeptical..........

 

[M29since14]

Me too. But 1991 was a time in my life when I was very busy and had not much money to spend on guns. Nevertheless, I always tried to keep up on anything S&W, and I never heard a peep about a 6-inch Model 41.

 

[glenwolde]

The Wiki reference is:

Supica, Jim; Richard Nahas (2007). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (3 ed.). F+W Media, Inc. p. 279. ISBN 978-0-89689-293-4.

 

[Doug627]

I looked that up but did not see a reference to a 6" Model 41. So, I too am skeptical. Oh, well. Wait and see. I wanted a Model 41 (I've had three) and I think a 6" would be interesting even if customized.

 

[SlamFire]

It is a could be. S&W made variations, not all made it in catalogs.

Call S&W, give them the serial number, and learn if their records tell you anything about the barrel.

Clark Custom guns makes uppers for M41's, I am sure other custom shops did to. An aftermarket upper is probably a quality barrel. Without a picture of the upper, can't make a comment about stamping, etc.

A very well made Ruger MK1, that never left the Ruger factory like this:

If Mr Shockey had not stamped his name, it would be a mystery where it came from

 

[chief38]

AFAIK THE M41 came with either a 7” standard weight, a 5.5” bull barrel and an extendable sight version. They also made some 5” sport/field barrels which were basically a shortened version of the 7”. If there was ever a 6” barrel actually made and sold by the factory I am unaware of that.

 

[Bastogne71]

The Wiki reference is:

Supica, Jim; Richard Nahas (2007). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (3 ed.). F+W Media, Inc. p. 279. ISBN 978-0-89689-293-4.

There is no such reference for a 6” model 41 barrel on page 279 in my third edition.

 

[Doug627]

I said that earlier.

 

[Doug627]

Here are photographs from Gunbroker. You can see Smith & Wesson on the barrel. If you pull up a 7" Model 41 the barrel appears longer. I've added a photograph of a 7" for comparison.

 

[huthike]

Looks like a 7” to my eyes, but…

 

[wagwan]

Yep, looks just like my 7 inch (note: not the older 7 3/8).

 

[SlamFire]

Camera lens distortion cause all sorts of trouble when you attempt to determine how long something is, based on a picture without a measuring device next to the item.

 

[03Fatboy]

That’s a typical 7” and if advertised otherwise was likely due to incorrectly measuring.