41 magazine service.

[Friday]

I've been a supporter of S&W for years. Even commented positively on threads bashing S&W. I ordered four magazines for my 41. One was defective. Had to pry it from the gun when empty. Contacted S&W and they sent a new one. Very poor quality. Plunger so tight it wouldn't function. Would not feed even the first round. Called & was told that all 41 magazines must be fitted by a gunsmith. Even after working plunger with a brass rod until somewhat free,(over 200 cycles) it will not feed. Yes, I could go on, but the bottom line is that I'm darn disappointed. Never, ever, another Smith & Wesson for me.

 

[Jerry in SC]

I've been a supporter of S&W for years. Even commented positively on threads bashing S&W. I ordered four magazines for my 41. One was defective. Had to pry it from the gun when empty. Contacted S&W and they sent a new one. Very poor quality. Plunger so tight it wouldn't function. Would not feed even the first round. Called & was told that all 41 magazines must be fitted by a gunsmith. Even after working plunger with a brass rod until somewhat free,(over 200 cycles) it will not feed. Yes, I could go on, but the bottom line is that I'm darn disappointed. Never, ever, another Smith & Wesson for me.

That's very frustrating, was that with all four magazines? Also, what vintage is your 41?

 

[chief38]

I've been a supporter of S&W for years. Even commented positively on threads bashing S&W. I ordered four magazines for my 41. One was defective. Had to pry it from the gun when empty. Contacted S&W and they sent a new one. Very poor quality. Plunger so tight it wouldn't function. Would not feed even the first round. Called & was told that all 41 magazines must be fitted by a gunsmith. Even after working plunger with a brass rod until somewhat free,(over 200 cycles) it will not feed. Yes, I could go on, but the bottom line is that I'm darn disappointed. Never, ever, another Smith & Wesson for me.

I don't know if you have read any of many posts on this subject but I have been posting this exact case scenario time after time here on the Forum for years now. The new S&W M41 magazines (for at least 7-8 years now) ABSOLUTELY SUCK! I have tried many and not a single one worked as designed. All were returned and I found vintage mag's on eBay - the original metal follower type. Yes they are expensive but they all work flawlessly. Hell, I was even told outright by S&W reps that they would more than likely not work in an older M41. They were spot on! It's pitiful a major gun company can not even provide working magazines for their own models!!

ADDED: BTW, I have spoken to S&W's customer service dept. about the M41's magazine issue more than a few times however while they acknowledged the issue years ago, they have done zero to resolve it.

 

[cherrypointmarine]

I second what Chief states . My 41 dates to 1978 , and the new mags will not work in mine . I have enough of the older mags , even scored some 12rd mags here a couple of years ago . Don't waste your money on new mags , go hunting for some older ones .

 

[26betsam]

Sent my 41 in to S&W for failure to feed ( serial # A439572 shipped Apr 1977). They said to ship without the magazine. When I got it back ( 8 months later) problem solved ( believe they finish reamed the chamber) and a NOS magazine. Works perfectly.

 

[Drm50]

The slot that magazine locks is different on new magazines. A little jewelers file work on new mags will tune them right up. The old mags will work in old & new model guns. But this is not a rule, some older model guns will function with new magazines right out of package.

 

[bobsguns]

No clue who makes Smith 41 mags. I'm sure they took the lowest bidder, as most mfgrs (gun or otherwise) tend to do.

I'm not even going to bring up Triple K or ProMag options, as they're mostly junk.

A quick peek at Mec-Gar's web site shows they only do 9mm Smith mags.

I don't know of any good solution aside from the earlier mention of shopping for old mags? Maybe use the mag spring from a new one inside the old one? I don't know if Wolff Gunsprings makes mag replacement springs or not?

Maybe someone can whisper into Mec-Gar's ear that this is a golden opportunity? The 422/41/etc models should be enough that they'd make decent profit on them.

Lord knows *I* don't want the garbage Triple K/ProMag products.

 

[Jerry in SC]

No clue who makes Smith 41 mags. I'm sure they took the lowest bidder, as most mfgrs (gun or otherwise) tend to do.

I'm not even going to bring up Triple K or ProMag options, as they're mostly junk.

A quick peek at Mec-Gar's web site shows they only do 9mm Smith mags.

I don't know of any good solution aside from the earlier mention of shopping for old mags? Maybe use the mag spring from a new one inside the old one? I don't know if Wolff Gunsprings makes mag replacement springs or not?

Maybe someone can whisper into Mec-Gar's ear that this is a golden opportunity? The 422/41/etc models should be enough that they'd make decent profit on them.

Lord knows *I* don't want the garbage Triple K/ProMag products.

It's the magazine body that's the issue, the springs and followers are okay. The body on the latest run is too wide at the bottom, it won't fully insert into the gun. The use of brass punch and gunsmith hammer will fix it, some use a gunsmith vise to squeeze the bottom portion of the mag.

Some have an issue with the mag release slot but a file can fix that.