How to find mf date

[sascphlounge]

Planning to buy a mod 41.
Is there any way of findind the manufacturing date if you only have the serial?

Skickat från min SM-G930F via Tapatalk

 

[colt_saa]

Welcome to the Forum

There is a list of serial numbers in the back of the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson that will give you an approximate date of manufacture.

If you do not own a copy of the SCSW just post the serial number here with the last few digits xxed out and we can look it up for you

 

[sascphlounge]

Thanx
Sweet. The number is A1150XX


Skickat från min SM-G930F via Tapatalk

 

[Muss Muggins]

1970-1971, according to SCSW 4th. The serial number series starts with A115001 in 1970, so yours is likely one of the first made in 1970, although that is not a given. Others may have better information, and they might be along shortly . . .

 

[sascphlounge]

Thanx.
I have not tested it yet. What to thonk of?
Can the barrel be worn out?

Skickat från min SM-G930F via Tapatalk

 

[Sevens]

Normal use or even heavy, regular use will just not ever wear out a .22 barrel.

Misuse, a barrel obstruction, over-zealous cleaning methods and that sort of thing can damage a barrel.

Not knowing otherwise, I personally would be 0% worried about it.

 

[sascphlounge]

Ok.
The gun is cheap, 100 USD, and classic.
It is my first buy and I am in doubt. I am a beginner, started 6 month ago in a club shooting then revolver S&M 17 which is a gun I really like. I shoot regular 42 or better (48-49) with it at 25 yards.
I really like it but i also like 'fast" shooting and there that gun has its disadvantage.
I am also a sucker for classics and retro design (my cars are oldies) and i really like the 41 estetically and i need a pistol for the fast shooting.
Is it a bad deal?
You know "cheap" can be expensive.
I will of cource touch it up with new springs, ultrasonic cleaning and general furbish.

So! Any suggestions on what to look for?

Skickat från min SM-G930F via Tapatalk

 

[Muss Muggins]

For $100, I'd buy it sight unseen . . . .

Ok.
The gun is cheap, 100 USD, and classic.
It is my first buy and I am in doubt. I am a beginner, started 6 month ago in a club shooting then revolver S&M 17 which is a gun I really like. I shoot regular 42 or better (48-49) with it at 25 yards.
I really like it but i also like 'fast" shooting and there that gun has its disadvantage.
I am also a sucker for classics and retro design (my cars are oldies) and i really like the 41 estetically and i need a pistol for the fast shooting.
Is it a bad deal?
You know "cheap" can be expensive.
I will of cource touch it up with new springs, ultrasonic cleaning and general furbish.

So! Any suggestions on what to look for?

Skickat från min SM-G930F via Tapatalk

 

[Sevens]

That pistol is worth more than $100 simply in parts... even if it was MISSING the barrel. If someone offered me a S&W Model 41 for a hundred bucks, I would ensure it wasn't stolen. Next, I would want to make sure it wasn't a widow who has no idea of it's value.

Understand that even if it was beat to snot-- if it is all there and functional, it's probably at least $500 minimum in this market... and likely higher than that.

I'm wondering if your $USD 100 wasn't a typo and perhaps you meant $1,000.

 

[sascphlounge]

It was a currency conversion type-o
The correct amount is 229 USD - still cheap i guess.
The thing is that in my country shooters only use FWB, hämmerli and unique.
Therefor such a gun is cheap.
Especially if it is a bit older.
The more i read about it the more i like it.
I have a friend working with metallization so he will give it back the original finish.
Grips and stuff will be ordered from US.
So I really hope that it works OK when I test it (will be next next week - out travelling now).
I'll be back

Skickat från min SM-G930F via Tapatalk

 

[Muss Muggins]

At $229, I'd buy it sight unseen . . .

It was a currency conversion type-o
The correct amount is 229 USD - still cheap i guess.
The thing is that in my country shooters only use FWB, hämmerli and unique.
Therefor such a gun is cheap.
Especially if it is a bit older.
The more i read about it the more i like it.
I have a friend working with metallization so he will give it back the original finish.
Grips and stuff will be ordered from US.
So I really hope that it works OK when I test it (will be next next week - out travelling now).
I'll be back

Skickat från min SM-G930F via Tapatalk

 

[sascphlounge]

At $229, I'd buy it sight unseen . . .

Gudt to know that i am not alone liking the model.
I saw on youtube the world championship in fast shooting that one of them used a 41 (very rebuilt but .....)
So. Any suggestions on how to try it? Except shooting on the target.
One thing I have in mind is to use very cheap ammo (less gun powder) to see how it reload or is that meaningless because I will replace the springs anyway.
Any other suggestions or should I just buy it?

Skickat från min SM-G930F via Tapatalk

 

[Barrie]

If you don't buy it for that price you are virtually crazy. Thats a steal on that gun. The only ammo to put thru that gun as well is CCI SV brand. These guns are ammo selective and work the best with the CCI SV in them. Using cheaper ammo will only give you problems that you won't like and dirty it up as well. Mine was built in 1958 and my barrel shoots perfect still as its had lots of rounds thru it but never anything but CCI-SV ammo.

 

[Sevens]

Okay, sorry but I can't agree with that. Would CCI-SV be a fine one to try? YES! Is it the only thing that anyone, especially a shooter in Europe should even TRY? Ugh, nonsense.

Generally speaking, "standard velocity" ammo will most likely return the best accuracy results. Understand that the average, low cost, mass-produced bulk rimfire is not standard velocity, but rather high velocity. The S&W 41 is fine to run high velocity also but will likely return more accurate results with standard velocity target ammo.

Do avoid HYPER velocity ammo such as Stinger, Velocitor, Yellow Jacket, etc etc. If it's 29-32gr bullet and advertised to run maximum speed, it is not friendly to a fine target pistol.

 

[RShaw]

I am living in the Netherlands, and got hold of a 41 several months ago-
SN A674237, as far as I know- built in 1980. Most Smith enthusiasts know that the 41 is a workhorse, and now I can attest to that- mine has shot many rounds and the barrel looks fine.

Your price of $229 is a STEAL- no question. They sell new here for EUR 1895 - our LGS has 5 of them. I looked at one- in the box, and I have to say that I prefer mine with the lighter walnut grips and broken-in but not abused look to it. Mine also shoots without a hitch- I have no complaints at all!! They are hard to find here.... expecially a quality used gun. If you can find one at all I would say buy it!!

 

[sascphlounge]

Ok.
I love this forum.
Testing planned to tuesday next week.
I'll be back

Skickat från min SM-G930F via Tapatalk

 

[Welshman]

Welcome to the Forum

There is a list of serial numbers in the back of the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson that will give you an approximate date of manufacture.

If you do not own a copy of the SCSW just post the serial number here with the last few digits xxed out and we can look it up for you

Hello. I'm new to the forum.
I own a Mdl. 39-2 with a serial no. A4495XX. Can someone please help with a mfg./ship date?
Thanks.

 

[murphydog]

Ok.
I love this forum.
Testing planned to tuesday next week.
I'll be back

Skickat från min SM-G930F via Tapatalk

Not surprising Smith & Wesson not being the most popular brand in Sweden . Please let us know how the new pistol works out.

 

[Welshman]

Hello. I'm new to the forum.
I own a Mdl. 39-2 with a serial no. A4495XX. Can someone please help with a mfg./ship date?
Thanks.

BUMP! Did I post in the wrong place?

 

[824tsv]

BUMP! Did I post in the wrong place?

It's not that you posted in the wrong place, you tagged onto someone else's thread. It's better to start a new thread with a question. Your serial# dates to about 1978 according to the Standard Catalog. Welcome to the forum BTW...