Price Check for a 1972 Model 41

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SWFan27

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My dad just gave me a very near mint Model 41 from 1972 with the original box and paperwork. It is the long (7 3/8) barrel model and has the compensator, but it also has some additional/alternate weights and end piece if I want to remove the compensator.

And he also gave me a S&W 5.5 inch barrel for it that he bought a long time ago. My dad is the original owner. I was not expecting this huge blessing early birthday present. I think he bought the short barrel for it at a gun show a million years ago. This is my first vintage Smith & Wesson. I am very grateful and excited to own it. I shot through both barrels at the range with him and they both shot great.

I have seen a GB listing for something similar for over $4000, but a guy on YouTube was saying they can be had for under $1000. I figured that the folks on the forum would know best about a realistic price/value for something like this. I can post pictures. All of that being said, I have no intention of ever selling it. I am guessing that in reality it would be around $2500-$3000 to the right buyer.
 
I would basically agree with Murphydog on his assessment. If you found a collector who wanted the safety indicator dimple on the rear and a pristine collectible from what is probably their highest quality production period, maybe I'd push it to $2k. The second barrel is a nice feature.

Hopefully, you will cherish it as an inheritance and it will never be for sale, so if that is correct, the value is priceless! Shoot it well and in good health!
 
The only thing that would push a model 41 to the 3K range and beyond would be a 41-1 (22 short) in a rare barrel length with extra magazines. Model 41 magazines in 22 short are very valuable.
 
Both barrels and all the paperwork and box , I think is $2000 easy. Especially for early model with cocking indicator.
 
I now have 2 Model 41s for sale. $3K a piece.

I don’t understand why people do these “Price Checks”. Go to Gunbroker and see what people are actually paying for a similar item.

Prices are arbitrary. If you have no intention of selling it you can put your own price on it.
 
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I know of at least five used ones for sale in my area. Average price is about $1200, and they're not moving. Niche market, almost no one shoots conventional bullseye, at least not around here. Having both barrels helps and hurts. Nice to have but adds to the price.
 
Yendor357 said:
Prices are arbitrary. If you have no intention of selling it you can put your own price on it.
Click to expand...

Also it should be noted, if someone has no intention of buying, their estimates will be higher, than someone who is planning on buying.

Non buyer advisers are always a pain to deal with as they will drive the price up, to the point that you have to walk away.

Gunbroker prices reflect what someone at a National Level will pay for the thing. What someone locally will pay is an entirely different matter. Just this month, at a local match, a shooter brought out a late model M25-2 for sale. It was a nice pistol, and he wanted $1,500 for it. I offered him $800, which he did not accept. No one else made any offer. At that price, if I want to buy a $1,500 pistol, I would either get a new Python, or Anaconda. (I also did not have a means to measure the chamber mouth, some of those 45ACP's had chamber mouths 0.458"!) No one else made him an offer on his pistol box, or the other pistol he had. No doubt he got his prices from Gunbroker.

Another shooter tried selling a 1950 five screw S&W 45ACP target pistol, and he wanted thousands. No bites in the area, so he has shipped it to Rock Island for an auction. It is not this one, Rare S&W Model 1950 Army Revolver with Box | Rock Island Auction, but you can get the idea what Rock Island thinks one of these is worth. Owner will pay 20% or more to sell with an auction company. Assuming the thing sells. There are a high number of greater fools at a National Level, than at a Local Level.

Something to consider for a M41 pistol from the 1970s, does the buyer want to shoot the thing, and want to shoot competitively, which requires an optical sight.

Smith and Wesson would not drill and tap this 1968 pistol, because they don't have parts if they mess up.

HTsKjB7.jpeg


Smith and Wesson did drill and tap this 1988 M41 for a sight base. I was very happy that they would. Don't know if they would do that now.

xAXDbQb.jpeg


This will add about $150 in costs, if not more, having to go through an FFL.
 
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murphydog said:
Please thank your dad!

As you describe it, a value of less than $1000 is far too low and $3000 (even in CA) is high. I would guess in the range of $1500-1700. Enjoy!
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Thank you for the information. My dad has a lot of very nice old Smith & Wessons. I was talking to him about his nickel Model 19 from 1972 and he said it probably does not have 500 rounds through it. My dad is 86 and still reloads and goes to the range. He is doing pretty darn good overall thank God. He said he wants to give me some of this stuff now while he is still around to get to watch me enjoy them.
 
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I bought one locally a couple months ago, both barrels, compensator and end cap with the original box, made in 1964. I paid $1000. Yes, I sprained my hand trying to get my wallet out fast enough. $1500 sounds reasonable to me.
 
It's been a while , but I bought a 1978 m41 for $1000 . It was lnib , a really nice piece . I've been wanting a 7 3/8 model with the comp , but they ain't cheep ! Noticed another S&WCA member had a barrel for sale , so I don't have to buy the whole gun now . We worked out a deal , both are happy . So , I'll have about $1400 into mine , a little high , but I'm happy . Maybe this'll help . But I have to say , if my dad would have given me that , they'd be putting it in my coffin when it's time for the big dirt nap .
 
cherrypointmarine said:
It's been a while , but I bought a 1978 m41 for $1000 . It was lnib , a really nice piece . I've been wanting a 7 3/8 model with the comp , but they ain't cheep ! Noticed another S&WCA member had a barrel for sale , so I don't have to buy the whole gun now . We worked out a deal , both are happy . So , I'll have about $1400 into mine , a little high , but I'm happy . Maybe this'll help . But I have to say , if my dad would have given me that , they'd be putting it in my coffin when it's time for the big dirt nap .
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I am not selling it. I am just curious about the value because I have seen or heard estimated values and online asking prices from under $1000 to just below $5000 for a M41 22LR with the long barrel and compensator.

Ultimately, it is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it, and what someone is willing to sell it for. Mine is not for sale. I am only curious about the new pistol in my safe. I recently bought a Model 617 revolver, and my dad said he had planned on giving me his Model 17 before I did that. So, since I bought a 22 revolver to save money at the range, he just gave me a pistol also. It will be a range gun and not just sit in a safe.
 
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I purchased the 5.5" this year for $1300.00
It was drilled and tapped for a rail when I bought it. Came with two mags. I might add this was NIB. Model 41 is still being made new. $1700.00 or so from S&W. My mistake earlier in stating they are no longer made.

From what I've seen, the ones that sell are generally in the 12-1500 range.
Precision pistol shooters don't use the 7" barrel due to the weight.

It's a very nice pistol your Dad gave you and extremely accurate. Shoot it often and enjoy.
 
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Model 41s are very special. The older ones were virtually hand made. I got this one from an old bullseye shooter who no longer shoots in competition. It has all the goodies including the cocking indicator. The box was made on Okinawa.

John

 
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I’ve got a few 41s and kind of specialize in them. I’ve bought 3 in last 2 months. One in box with all the fixings, like new but shot…$1100 old model
one 85% for $425 old model with compensator and one new model 7” at $750. So high condition 41 with 2 barrels, I would say $1500 to $1700 realistically. I look at GB and 41s aren’t flying off the shelf. Most don’t factor sales tax, buyers fee 1% I think, shipping and transfer. Don’t take much to roll up another $100 on top of hammer price.
 
Wow, I guess the value of my collections has risen

41's on the Right, 46's on the left, new and old mags on the bottom.
 

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