Hello from a new M 41 owner!

[paladin5469]

Hello all,

After deciding to trade in a less than loved H&K P-7, I was left with the wonderful task of finding an appropriate replacement. I have wanted a good, accurate .22 of some sort for a long time now. After nearly settling on a Ruger mark II with a bull barrel and red dot, a strange pistol caught my eye. It looked a bit like the love child between a 1911 and the freakishly long barreled revolver the Jack Nicholson's Joker used in the first Batman movie. After picking it up, I can honestly say I have never held a pistol that felt so good in the hand. After giving it the onceover, it was apparent that it had been a well used and well loved gun. A previous owner had chromed the barrel and the frame showed multiple scratches in the bluing. Despite the cosmetic imperfections it was clear that the level of machine work was obviously a great deal higher than anything else in the case. After trading the P-7 for the M 41 and a pristine 1967 Finn m-39 and it was off to the range where I proceeded to shoot the best groups of my life for pennies a shot. Oh, what Joy!

Everything is not perfect though. I had a few instances where the slide did not go fully into battery. This could be crud I missed during the initial cleaning or a cry for a new recoil spring (on the way). Additionally, the pistol has the scariest, lightest trigger I have ever felt. I attempted to adjust the trigger pull adjustment lever only to find the lever missing! Hrmm.... perhaps this is why the trigger is more sensitive than my girlfriend's feelings? (that's pretty damn sensitive, let me tell you) A quick call to S&Ws customer care center had a new lever on the way. Despite the initial drawbacks, I consider it a 450 dollars well spent.
Future plans might include a new 5in barrel as the current chrome 7in barrel looks a bit… how you say… pimpish.
Question: From research, older 41s should have cocking indicators. Where is it? I can see no discernable difference in the pistol when it's cocked or not cocked. I know my pistol should have it as I'm pretty sure my pistol was built in the late 50s or early 60s (2xxx serial number). Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

CI protrudes thru small hole in rear of frame when piece is cocked.On some older models the pin was removed to"improve trigger pull". The bbl should be equipped with a brake or a false muzzle protector, either one held by a screw from the fron end. There should be no finger cut in the frame on either side of the trigger - this assumes an actual 2XXX SN. Some pictures would be appreciated to better ID what you have.

 

[another41]

Congrats on the 41. Fix it and enjoy it.

 

[paladin5469]

This isn't the most graceful way to post pictures to the internet but it'll have to do.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_IaORc-8vVYM/Sw4uau7OUxI/AAAAAAAAAEY/EohSySqXcWQ/s800/IMG_0294.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_IaORc-8vVYM/Sw4ukmRsbHI/AAAAAAAAAEc/f4CGxEhkvwU/s800/IMG_0286.JPG

I was wrong in my initial post. The serial number is not 2XXX rather it's 3XXX. TOM BECKWITH-is there any significance to having a pistol that does not have the finger cuts other than it was a variance in production design? Additionally, there is no cocking indicator present. A hole exists at the back of the slide where I assume it should be. Perhaps a previous owner did take it out to improve trigger pull as mentioned. There seems to be pretty clear evidence that the pistol was home smith'ed to some degree. Markings in the bluing indicative of sloppy attempts to punch out pins coupled with the fact that the trigger adjustment pin is inserted from the opposite side of the frame would seem to support this. I'm not too concerned. The simple and modular nature of this pistol gives me somewhat of a plan ahead should I decide I need to replace parts in the future. She ain't pretty but I'll make her run like a sewing machine!

 

[smithfan4152]

You can still pick up a Cocking indicator and spring, drop me an e-mail, I have a nice article on the model 41-46 pistols that you will enjoy reading.
You can also pick up the false muzzle cap, and muzzle break if you wish to dress it up a bit. Plus they help to protect the crown of the barrel.

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

Paladin - most interesting pistol. The bbl is a 7 3/8" one with a 5.5" rear site adapted to it. It is a very early frame and bbl (as noted by the SN and lack of finger grove cuts). As Smithfan noted, it would be good to add a false muzzle to protect the bbl muzzle. There should be a screwed in weight below the bbl and a screw hole to hold the FM or the alternative Brake. Take another look and you will see the hole is in the rear of the frame - not the slide. Smithfan or I can provide a cocking indicator and spring. A little tricky to install, but not a big deal. The SN indicates 1958 (2nd year production). Take Smithfan up on his article offer (would like a copy for myself) He is a good and knowlegeable person in the 41 area. I'll bet he can provide the website for some great 41 maintenance information also. The present bbl is not of collector value, but interesting for illustrating an example of "home remedys" to "improve" the S&W 41.

Spring replacement and breaking down the slide as part of a complete cleaning sounds in order. Take the time to read the many postings concerning the S&W 41/46 and you will learn quite a lot and see that there a number of real knowledgeable folks in this web site (on S&W and many other areas).

CORRECTION - I was in error as pointed out by Smithfan - the rear site is definitely not a S&W 52/S&W 41 5.5" rear but probably a Bomar or Micro. - thanks Smithfan.
Enjoy

 

[tcc]

smith fan, can I have a link to that article too?
T

 

[maggie]

How about a Sticky for it ?