Correct Mod 41 magazine

[gobbler]

What would be the correct magazine for a Model 41 serial # 11,XXX (5 digit serial #) without the A prefix? About when (year and/or serial #) did they start using magazines with the black plastic follower?

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

Should date to 1958 but Jinks can give correct ship date. The correct mag would be the standard steel follower made for many years after.

 

[gobbler]

Thanks for the reply Tom. I've read about the early magazines having "staked" backs. What part is staked and how do you recognize it (picture if possible). Do all the magazines with steel followers have the "staked" feature?

 

[GJH77]

There were several differences in the original 41 mags and the newer ones for the later .22 models. I figured this out by the old trial and error method of buying an original 41 mag to use in my 422. It did not work, but I cannot confirm that a newer 422 mag would not work in the 41's. For photos and comparisons see these two threads.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/289547-question-41-magazine-422-a.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/access...294077-model-41-22-s-w-magazine-sale-spf.html

 

[civil1977]

The very early ones were staked as in the first year or two. The body was two piece with the main part forming a U shape and then the back was staked in place. I don't have a picture but you can see where the sides were pushed in to hold the back in place. No, the vast majority of the steel follower mags have one piece bodies.

 

[gobbler]

Would a serial # 11,000 (~1958 gun) have a early "staked" back magazine to be correct?

 

[civil1977]

It's hard to say....Tom might know.

 

[Barrie]

I also have a 1958 year m41 and the standard mags from Brownells work just fine in it. Same in my m46 as well.

 

[civil1977]

I think the OP is trying to find the period correct mag for his vintage gun.

 

[22target]

model 41 magazine

Over the years I have seen several NIB in the 11k range -they had the staked back magazine. Keep in mind though that SW did not always ship
guns in numerical order-some were shipped years apart.

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

In my experience, the staked mags were only with the very early 41s. The 11XXX and up I am aware of had the standard steel follower mag. Hopefully CIVIL can show pictures of the difference between the two. I am not set up for good pictures and Civil is an artist with a camera. Not disagring with 22 target, just what I have experienced.

 

[gobbler]

Thanks guys. I've gained considerable knowledge from the people on this forum in this past....a much appreciated asset for a beginning accumulator / collector.

I purchased the 11,XXX range Model 41, which is about 98% overall, but came with a later S&W magazine with a black plastic follower. I had a spare steel follower magazine which I'll use with it. I've never personally seen a "staked" back Model 41 magazine and assume they may be hard to fine.

 

[civil1977]

Unfortunately I don't have a staked back mag to photograph. However this thread has photos:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...mith-wesson-model-41-magazines-1st-issue.html

 

[gobbler]

Thanks for the photo Civil1977. The edges on each side of the back of the magazine in the photo make it obvious that the back of the magazine is a separate piece. I now know what to look for. I am also a civil engineering graduate from Tennessee Technological University, 1972. I've worked in the environmental engineering field ever since graduation.

 

[civil1977]

I'm in water resources.