41-1 ruined

Aussie Collector · #1 04-12-2013, 06:09 AM

Here is one of my 41-1s. I purchase this sight unseen from an interstate dealer. The gun was described as 41-1 .22 short, 5 shot, in very good condition, no deep scratches, or damage with a 5 ½" barrel.
When it arrived it was not as described, the only good news is all the issues are with the barrel. The frame, slide and mag are all correct and good. The barrel has been tapped for a scope (4 holes) and the ejection port opened up by removing some of the metal behind the breach, and of course chopped down to 5 1/2". I have too admit the moving of the sight, someone did a great job.
To say I was disappointed is an understatement. Having to wait until the next day to contact the dealer I contemplated sending it back, I didn’t pay too much for it and decided to keep it as a shooter. You never know I may end up with a good barrel for it one day.
Cheers

civil1977 · #2 04-13-2013, 09:13 AM

Are the holes on top actually tapped or are they drilled all the way through to the bore like ports? I've seen aftermarket ports done like that a few times.

BillyMagg · #3 04-13-2013, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussie Collector

Here is one of my 41-1s. I purchase this sight unseen from an interstate dealer. The gun was described as 41-1 .22 short, 5 shot, in very good condition, no deep scratches, or damage with a 5 ½" barrel.
When it arrived it was not as described, the only good news is all the issues are with the barrel. The frame, slide and mag are all correct and good. The barrel has been tapped for a scope (4 holes) and the ejection port opened up by removing some of the metal behind the breach, and of course chopped down to 5 1/2". I have too admit the moving of the sight, someone did a great job.
To say I was disappointed is an understatement. Having to wait until the next day to contact the dealer I contemplated sending it back, I didn’t pay too much for it and decided to keep it as a shooter. You never know I may end up with a good barrel for it one day.

Cheers

and until you do, those holes could be plugged, and blued, most folks would never notice, and you could get as precise or be as casual as you desired. Or a nice red dot????? I know how you feel, it will get better in a few days, and that could end up being your favorite, you can carry and shoot it without guilt or concern..... Billy

Arik · #4 04-13-2013, 10:04 AM

I could understand a private seller might not know that those holes shouldnt be there but not a dealer

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

smithfan4152 · #5 04-13-2013, 01:37 PM

Cheers, I want to tell you someone paid Over 1,000 for a modified 7 inch 22 short barrel on GB recently, it had the rear chopped off behind the breach and a Bomar Rib mounted on the top.
So you have a modified 7 3/8 barrel, cut to 5 inch sport barrel length.
Also the holes were more for letting off steam, than mounting of a scope rail, as I have similar barrels with the holes in the top. Also cutting or relieving around the extraction port, as seen between the top of the barrel and the slide surface.
Depending on what you Paid USD. Would determine whether or not you suffered any.
I have a 7 3/8 22 short barrel that had a botched D&T job done to it.
My plan is to cut it down and make the 5 inch barrel from it.
mounting the front sight again as yours was done. I would like to get some additional photos from you, I believe you still have my e-mail address. Talk to you soon, Jim

Gunhacker · #6 04-13-2013, 08:59 PM

That shortened barrel just might of been a factory job... the shorter "field" barrels initially were the product of the factory figuring out what to do with the collection of standard length barrels they had with defects on the muzzle end that precluding them from being used "as is".

t-bird · #7 04-13-2013, 09:06 PM

Thanks for the pics and info Aussie. Best of luck and enjoy your new toy.

Guys1911 · #8 04-13-2013, 10:56 PM

How is it you have that gun, thought you guys went the way of the disarmed Brits.

andyo5 · #9 04-13-2013, 11:27 PM

Moving of the sight? Which one? The front sight is integral to the barrel and as such cannot be moved. I'm having trouble seeing how this is a shortened barrel, unless work was done on the rear of the barrel.
Are you guys down under allowed to purchase handguns remotely and have them shipped to you? I would not have thought you could do that.

Aussie Collector · #10 04-14-2013, 09:16 AM

civil1977. Yes the holes are vents not scope holes. Not noticed that before.

BillyMagg. I purchase the gun a few months ago and now happy with it and would buy another the same. I will keep an eye out for another barrel or leave it as is.

Arik. The gun dealer was the previous owner. The shortening of the barrel would be missed by most as it’s a great job, not the holes and the opening of the ejection area.

smithfan4152. $1000 for a modified barrel makes me feel better as this one was not that much. More photos attached here for all to see.

Guys1911 Our laws in Vic are tough however with the right licences you can own anything. The real restrictions come in firing and using them.

andyo5. Front sight can be moved when you chop up the barrel. On first glance its hard to tell, see the pictures here you can just make out the barrel was shortened, slot milled in the end, then the sight machined off the off-cut barrel tip to fit.
All interstate purchases need to go dealer to dealer. Repairs or loans can go person to person in most states anyway.

Cheers.

TOM BECKWITH · #11 04-14-2013, 09:01 PM

Front site work was enough to take a second look - but as noted- chopped 7 3/8". We tend to overlook our own decisions to modify, and then can not understand when someone else does it. Been on both sides of the equation - BUT NEVER on my 41s.

civil1977 · #12 04-14-2013, 09:09 PM

The picture of the muzzle sure proves it has been cut. Internal weight cut, no crown or muzzle recess and you can see the section that was milled out for the new front sight. Interesting piece.

22target · #13 04-15-2013, 10:59 PM

Had a hack sawed off -1 barrel for years and finally decided to have it modified to something I thought the factory should have done. Sometime will change the front sight. Fun to shoot and accurate as well (indoors anyway!)

Aussie Collector · #14 04-23-2013, 05:58 AM

Yes some modifications look good and when on the barrel or slide can be undone. All I need for mine is a new barrel.
Here is a picture of a 41-1 that was stolen and when recover the modification done by the thief has dropped the ($ and collectable) value somewhat. The good news I guess is that it was recovered.
Cheers.

Barrie · #15 04-23-2013, 09:58 PM

You would love to give the same kind of modifications to the thief if you could get away with it. He deserves it for doing such a terrible thing like that to a 41-1.

Aussie Collector · #16 08-25-2013, 07:30 AM

Just added to my 41 collection another 41-1 that is the most modified 41-I have seen.
It makes the one starting this post look really good.

The barrel has been shortened, the rear (of chamber) chopped off, drilled for porting and a shroud screwed to it.
The slide stripped of paint, 1” chopped off the rear, the top machined flat and the corners radius on half the remaining rear.
The frame modifications include, a little finger grove machined on the front strap exposing the mag, the rear opened up for the thumb webbing exposing the hammer and slits milled below the slide slots to accept the custom rear sight.
The ejector/slide stop removed (missing) as well as the original grips.

The good news is the magazine is intact.
Best of all I can fit my hand into the grips and they feel like they were made for me.

I thought this is a very unusual 41-1 and worth posting for all to see.

smithfan4152 · #17 08-25-2013, 08:39 AM

Very nice, Thanks for sharing, here is the Highly modified pistol I once owned, I purchased it mainly because of the C Prefix Serial #.
I was told this was not stamped by S&W when I lettered it. But I was also told it was shipped as a model 46, which was totally wrong, and later corrected. I still believe this was a Factory Stamped C Prefix, early guns with Duplicate numbers were stamped with an A, and reports of a few B's of which I have Never seen one, so I Can imagine there being a C.
The Rear sight looks like a Model 52 rear sight, but there was a Post on the underside, and it was held in place by a screw through the cocking indicator hole. Shot very nice.

Aussie Collector · #18 09-08-2013, 05:15 AM

I have added another 41-1 to my collection that has an interesting modification.
It chambers .22LR!
Pictures here with a cartridge going in, I painted black on the round to show it’s the same one.
Cheers.