Acquired S&W 41-Experts chime in

[eddieE76]

I just got an "A series" 41. Now trying to get some CCI sv ammo (good luck!).

My question to the experts is, should I get a recoil buffer? Is this modification going to diminish the collector value of the gun?

This gun is a 1979 model. Were they shipping them drilled and tapped?

Thanks

 

[bbqncigars]

The recoil buffer is just a drop in rubbery plastic part that will not affect the value of the gun (maybe if you glued it in..). My sixties era 41 runs all ammo fine with a buffer, even CCI SV and Eley Match. I think a buffer doesn't hurt the gun, but a gun may not run lower velocity ammo with it. YMMV.

 

[Jaymo]

You got a 41?
Lucky bastich.
I'm jealous.

If I can ever find one I can afford, I'm getting it.

 

[824tsv]

I just got an "A series" 41. Now trying to get some CCI sv ammo (good luck!).

My question to the experts is, should I get a recoil buffer? Is this modification going to diminish the collector value of the gun?

This gun is a 1979 model. Were they shipping them drilled and tapped?

Thanks

Hello,
First off, I'm no expert, and I don't profess to be an expert in/on anything.

If you replace your recoil spring (which I believe would be a good idea anyway as it's 35 years old) and shoot standard velocity ammunition in it, the buffer is not required. I bought a new 1984 M41 with a 5.5" barrel that was not drilled and tapped. I purchased a new 7" barrel last year that was drilled and tapped. If your's is a 1979 vintage 7" barrel I don't believe they were D&T back then. All barrels are interchangeable (for the most part) and the barrel on your pistol may be a different vintage than the frame.

 

[g8rb8]

I am not an expert on model 41's. I have a model 41 with 7" barrel from about 1990 and it has no problems with any ammo I have tried in it - Fiocchi, Winchester, Remington, Eley, Aguila, Federal, CCI. It does not have a buffer.

The SCSW suggests S&W started drilling and tapping the model 41 in 1994.

I am somewhat familiar with recoil buffers, in general, but not with model 41's but since all seem to be a slip-in device that does not permanently alter the gun I doubt it would affect the value at all.

The model 41 is one sweet pistol. Any of you revolver shooters who have not tried it should.

John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well in Training

 

[armorer951]

Good maintenance tips and other info on the model 41 on the web site listed below.......(link)

Model 41 maintenance

 

[eddieE76]

Thank you all for your comments and advice. I'm looking forward to this one. It has been on my wish list for a while. I don't have a problem dropping $1k on a 9mm or 44 mag, but couldn't bring myself to drop it on a 22....I worked up the courage to this weekend.

I think I may end up getting a 7" take off barrel from Clark. Where can I get a replacement OEM spring for it?

Thanks

 

[824tsv]

Wolff Springs would be my first choice

 

[eddieE76]

is the standard OEM 7 lbs?

 

[824tsv]

The standard according to the Wolff Gunsprings website indicates 7.5lbs

 

[mbliss57]

In case you interested there's an A series for sale in WTS section...

 

[eddieE76]

Short of drilling/tapping the original barrel on this gun (don't want to molest an A series gun), what are my options for installing a red dot?

eagerly awaiting my new toy....should have it next week.

thanks

 

[Drew816]

Buy another barrel that's already drilled and tapped. EWK Arms has his cool second generation Bully Barrels, Stockers are around though tough to find new the majority of the time, and of course Clark's are awesome.

It's a long term investment with a 41, barrels aren't cheap but it's fun to have a few to choose from. I have a 7" vented/ribbed by EWK and FO front sight installed, and a stock 5.5" both D/T'ed and I run a Burris FF2.

I ONLY shoot low powered ammo through my 41, it's too expensive a weapon to put a lot of pressure on it but that's just my opinion. I have several Ruger Mark III's (set to Mark II specs) that I run cheaper, fast ammo through; the 41 only gets the good stuff. WHEN I can find it that is, otherwise it's cleaned and put away... I do run a buffer though it's hardly necessary...

Good luck and congratulations on your purchase!!!

 

[eddieE76]

Buy another barrel that's already drilled and tapped. EWK Arms has his cool second generation Bully Barrels, Stockers are around though tough to find new the majority of the time, and of course Clark's are awesome.

It's a long term investment with a 41, barrels aren't cheap but it's fun to have a few to choose from. I have a 7" vented/ribbed by EWK and FO front sight installed, and a stock 5.5" both D/T'ed and I run a Burris FF2.

I ONLY shoot low powered ammo through my 41, it's too expensive a weapon to put a lot of pressure on it but that's just my opinion. I have several Ruger Mark III's (set to Mark II specs) that I run cheaper, fast ammo through; the 41 only gets the good stuff. WHEN I can find it that is, otherwise it's cleaned and put away... I do run a buffer though it's hardly necessary...

Good luck and congratulations on your purchase!!!

Are the new 41s being shipped drilled/tapped? Clark has take off barrels at a reasonable price. I was thinking about getting one that I can use with an optic. If they are not factory d/t, I would be fine with having it done locally.

As far as ammo, I will only put CCI sv through it, but I will have a hell of a time finding it.

 

[824tsv]

"Are the new 41s being shipped drilled/tapped?"

As i stated previously, I purchased a new 7" barrel last year from S&W, it was drilled and tapped. I'm unsure about the 5.5" barrel.

 

[eddieE76]

"Are the new 41s being shipped drilled/tapped?"

As i stated previously, I purchased a new 7" barrel last year from S&W, it was drilled and tapped. I'm unsure about the 5.5" barrel.

I was talking to the dealer I got the gun from and he had said they don't come d/t'ed from the factory. Obviously he is wrong. I just checked the S&W page and the images show both lengths are d/t'ed

 

[Beruisis]

where does one find these buffer?

 

[eddieE76]

where does one find these buffer?

You can get the buffers from brownels, Clark guns, and Midway (I think?).

I understand that unless you plan on shooting high velocity rounds, the buffer is not needed (according to someone at Clark Custom guns I spoke with today).

 

[wproct]

All that any of us are doing here is just sharing our opinions, so here goes mine. There is absolutely no harm that can come from installing a buffer in your model 41 Smith & Wesson pistol. I purchased two of them from Brownell's, and shoot Federal bulk ammo through my pistol with complete confidence that I am doing no harm to my model 41. All the buffer is doing is cushioning the impact of the steel slide against the steel frame when firing the pistol. This can only be a positive thing, IMO.