Model 41 - Buy new or risk old?

nathanours · #51 04-25-2025, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobsguns

The 5.5" tends to balance better for 99%-ish of shooters. The extra weight on the longer barrel tends to feel muzzle heavy.

Unless one is looking for a Camp Perry-level rimfire match, I can't see why one would opt for the longer barrel, IMO. The average shooter is not going to be able to tell the difference in accuracy (if any).

The good news is, you can get the 5.5" model & if you want it, buy the 7.5" barrel down the road. After shooting it, you might never want the 7.5", so why waste the $$$?

My .o2

I like this one I got because I can have the best of both worlds. The front sight extends out to the longer length.

bobsguns · #52 04-26-2025, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanours

I like this one I got because I can have the best of both worlds. The front sight extends out to the longer length.

I see a standard front sight in your pic. What am I missing?

Oldsalt66 · #53 04-26-2025, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanours

Here’s what I ended up with for $705. The serial prefix is A132XXX.

Looks great, best of luck with it.

ewills · #54 04-26-2025, 09:54 AM

That gun has an extended front sight. I'd say it was a steal! I paid a little more for an EFS model recently. Sadly when I slid the front sight forward, I found someone had poorly drilled and tapped holes for a mounting rail. Yours looks great for the money. Enjoy it

Nice score

nathanours · #55 04-26-2025, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobsguns

I see a standard front sight in your pic. What am I missing?

Here is a better pic of the sight when extended:

Narragansett · #56 Yesterday, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobsguns

I'll take that bet for $1.

I would contend the 41 will give you groups 1/2 the size of the Ruger.

Maybe so, but I want to say I am not going to shoot comp, so decent grouping is fine

chief38 · #57 Yesterday, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Narragansett

Maybe so, but I want to say I am not going to shoot comp, so decent grouping is fine

I completely disagree! I own a 1979 copy of the S&W M41 that I bought new back then and use it for competition and target practice, (extremely accurate, great 2# trigger, runs terrific) and I also shoot 1 of 3 of my friends Ruger Mark 4's quite often. The Ruger, assuming that is has the Volquartsen trigger kit installed, shoots just as well for me as my own M41. I am not comparing the build quality of the two pistols, the materials, the out of the box triggers, or the fit and finish - but saying that IMO a new Ruger Mark 4 with the Volquartsen kit will outshoot pretty much anyone here.

The targets below are not nearly my best, but considering it was not my gun we were shooting and at 50 feet, I would give the Ruger / Volquartsen combo a thumbs up! There are days I shoot my own M41 better and days I shoot her Ruger Mk 4 better - so don't discount the inexpensive Ruger with the trigger kit. Don't mind the flyer - that was just me! lol

NOTE: Without a Volquartsen trigger kit installed, the Ruger's are terrible - I will admit that!!! The Ruger BTW is also about 1/3 the price of the M41!

NARRAGANSETT:

Don't sell yourself short. With a few thousand rounds through the Ruger (especially if you do install the Volquartsen kit) you will tighten those groups up considerably - as long as you have the desire to do so and do everything else right.

nathanours · #58 Yesterday, 04:54 PM

Anyone have an idea of how many of these EFS guns we’re made?

T44spl · #59 Yesterday, 06:50 PM

That s/n range puts your gun as an older model 41 approximately mid 1970's? You did Good at that price. I hope this gun proves to be everything you wat and are looking for in a 22 semi automatic