Model 41 Slide Stuck

ziggystar · Apr 28, 2025

Hello, I hope someone can help. I was reassembling and the slide is stuck and cannot move. I have attached a picture.

Update: I sent the Model 41 to S&W for repair; I will update when I have word from S&W. I would like to thank everyone for their help.

Txs,
Bill

SVT28 · Apr 28, 2025

It’s very likely your slide top backed out a little during reassembly. The slide probably caught itself on the protruding metal. But without seeing in person I can’t make any recommendations.

It’s likely other more experienced 41/46 owners will be by soon to help.

SVT28

Hair Trigger · Apr 28, 2025

ziggystar said:
Hello, I hope someone can help. I was reassembling and the slide is stuck and cannot move. I have attached a picture.

Txs,
Bill

The slide is in a bind and you'll have to pull back on it to unbind it, hopefully without damaging the rails. When you get it loose, keep it pulled back until the breech is at the back of the magazine well and then lower the rear of the slide and engage the slide rails into the slots of the frame. Ride the slide forward to ensure it moves freely, then pull it back and latch it in the open position. Set the barrel down over the slide and seat the latch assembly into place, then close the trigger guard by pushing up on it until it locks closed. Then you can pull back the slide to release it and close the gun. Cycle the slide several times to make sure it moves freely.

ziggystar · Apr 29, 2025

Hair Trigger said:
The slide is in a bind and you'll have to pull back on it to unbind it, hopefully without damaging the rails. When you get it loose, keep it pulled back until the breech is at the back of the magazine well and then lower the rear of the slide and engage the slide rails into the slots of the frame. Ride the slide forward to ensure it moves freely, then pull it back and latch it in the open position. Set the barrel down over the slide and seat the latch assembly into place, then close the trigger guard by pushing up on it until it locks closed. Then you can pull back the slide to release it and close the gun. Cycle the slide several times to make sure it moves freely.

Thanks for the help, slide will not move.

Hair Trigger · May 1, 2025

You got it there somehow, it should be removable the same way. You might have to tap it with something to get it loose, but if you choose to, use a brass punch and hit it on the breech face. The slide has to go backwards to come apart. I've disassembled mine half a dozen times since you posted, and for the life of me can't figure out how you got it stuck.

H Richard · Saturday at 12:56 PM

Do you have the clearance to remove the barrel? Do not use a metal hammer or punch to tap the slide to the rear, use a plastic, or hard rubber hammer or punch. Had you lubricated the slide rails, and if so, what did you use? The slide has to move to the rear for the gun to ever operate. If you are reluctant to hit the slide, take to a gunsmith.

Hair Trigger · Saturday at 11:17 PM

H Richard said:
Do you have the clearance to remove the barrel? Do not use a metal hammer or punch to tap the slide to the rear, use a plastic, or hard rubber hammer or punch. Had you lubricated the slide rails, and if so, what did you use? The slide has to move to the rear for the gun to ever operate. If you are reluctant to hit the slide, take to a gunsmith.

The barrel comes off before the slide on the M41, and from the picture he posted, he's got the barrel off. On the M41, the barrel does not move when the gun cycles, designed this way so the sights don't shift between shots. The slide is basically a pair of rails with the breech and firing pin, extractor and ejector assemblies and actually fits below the barrel.

Baxter6551 · Sunday at 8:38 AM

I agree with above. The slide needs to move to the rear to become unstuck and then it will go home into the slide rail slots. If you can’t move it to the rear by hand then a couple of gentle taps with a nylon or brass hammer in the breach face area should get it moving. As noted if you are reluctant to do so take it to a gunsmith.

Oldsalt66 · Sunday at 8:59 AM

I believe you may have attempted to lift the slide off of the frame before you moved it sufficiently to the rear.

Try forcing if forward and downward to reinstall it back onto the frame and then reassemble it.

Since it's bound in position and you can't move it adequately the rear for removal, I don't recommend applying any more rearward and upward force to bind it further.

Model 41 Slide Stuck

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