Competition M41

[Rowlf]

Shown is a 1978 S&W M41 used in NRA Precision Pistol (Bullseye), CMP 22 Excellence In Competition, and ISSF Standard Pistol competitions.

Details are a Lothar Walther barrel liner, trigger job, modified ejector/slide stop, bolt has been tightened, trued and aligned, headspaced at 0.042", trigger bar has been adjusted for timing, rear sight notch has been widened. A Volquartsen extractor was modified to allow sliding over the cartridge rim for single shot loading like a Hammerli X-esse. The magazine disconnect was deactivated. Mainspring weight was reduced. Grips are Herrett H41s with additional checkering.

Behind the pistol are some 50 yard Ransom Rest tests. The circles around the groups are the size of the X ring on NRA Bullseye targets as I was looking to measure worst performance I could expect.

 

[armorer951]

Very nice. Looks like the ammo in the location at the top right was the most consistent, but I can't read the name. Can you share the ammo brand please? Can you also comment on the reference you made to "timing" of the trigger and what that refers to, thanks.
Carter

 

[Old_Cop]

Nicely done, it's a pleasure to see someone serious about BE shooting.

 

[Rowlf]

The bottom two groups are CCI SV. The group under the barrel is Wolf Match Target (SK Standard Plus). The Wolf was a little tighter than Eley Club but didn't consistently cycle the action like CCI SV and Eley Club and Target would. I think we were trying for 30 round groups but some may be 20 rounds. I should also mention the Ransom Rest was clamped to a wooden rifle bench and not a dedicated solid stand.

The pistol is a combination of US Army and US Marine Corps practices to tune up the pistol for competition, with most of the work being done by a retired USMC armorer. The trigger bar timing is USMC and I think it was to control how the disconnector works. The pistol will not fire if the slide is more than a business card thickness out of battery. I tried to use the Bullseye dry firing trick of using a cut down business refrigerator magnet between the slide and the chamber, and the hammer would not fall.

I forgot to mention the firing pin was trimmed to not strike the chamber.

I'd love to have the front strap of the frame air chisel stippled AMU style but I have a restricted budget at the moment, so skateboard tape will have to fill in. It's a good pistol but not as easy to shoot well as my Feinwerkbau AW93.

 

[Dale53]

I bought my Model 41 a number of years ago and used it in Bullseye Competition for many, many years. I was also able (soon after I acquired it) to add a second 4" barrel for field use. It is one of the "Classic" Target Autos of all times, IMO.



FWIW
Dale53

 

[Domino1]

OP, Who did the work for you? KC Crawford?

 

[Rowlf]

I bought my Model 41 a number of years ago and used it in Bullseye Competition for many, many years. I was also able (soon after I acquired it) to add a second 4" barrel for field use. It is one of the "Classic" Target Autos of all times, IMO.
FWIW
Dale53

Where did you get the trigger shoe?

 

[Rowlf]

OP, Who did the work for you? KC Crawford?

Yes, KC did the majority of the work. I recommend him highly.

The barrel liner was Alex Hamilton at Ten Ring Precision. The grips are Herrett production stocks with custom work added.

 

[Domino1]

I have tried to get KC to do some work for me but, he keeps saying he is too busy with complete new pistol order. I get that he prefers that to service type work.

 

[Rowlf]

I have tried to get KC to do some work for me but, he keeps saying he is too busy with complete new pistol order. I get that he prefers that to service type work.

I think the work on my pistol was five or so years ago as he was getting his shop up and running. Even then I think he had the pistol for four or five months.

Most of the bullseye pistolsmiths take a while to work through their backlog. I think that is the only way they can keep the lights on. A full wadgun takes about one or two years to receive.

 

[armorer951]

Trigger shoes are available here, among other places:

Tyler Manufacturing and Distribution Company, Inc