M41 Mag Disconnector

[Trifle]

I purchased a new Model 41 with 5.5" Barrel in 2011.
It functioned perfectly until last year. It was returned twice to S&W for repair. First time in March and the second in November. The gun would not fire when the trigger was pulled. The problem was a damaged mag disconnector. I am preparing to return the pistol for the third time in little more than a year. Has anyone else experienced this type of problem? The gun is one of my favorites and between practice and club level plate shooting I put about 3000 rounds through it in a year, all pretty much CCI standard velocity. Talked with other Model 41 owners, none have had any problems with their pistols.

 

[Barrie]

Its not all that common of a problem with these guns. Mine has been changed only once since it was produced in 1958. That was about 2 years ago now. I have fired at least 3000 rounds thru it in the last year as well myself. Nothing but CCI SV 40gr is all I use.

 

[johngalt]

Mine is about 25 years old, has many 10,000s of rounds through it. A few years back, it quit working. Pull the trigger, nothing happened. No click, nothing. It just needed a good cleaning, which required disassembly beyond just the usual field stripping.

Gunk had built up in the disconnector mechanism, preventing it from engaging.

 

[Trifle]

Thanks for the responses. I am pretty thorough with cleaning, but do not go beyond normal field stripping. Any recommended ways for cleaning the disconnector. Documents with previous repairs mentioned the disconnector was replaced. Could a gunk build up damage the disconnector?

 

[kidcom]

Thanks for the responses. I am pretty thorough with cleaning, but do not go beyond normal field stripping. Any recommended ways for cleaning the disconnector. Documents with previous repairs mentioned the disconnector was replaced. Could a gunk build up damage the disconnector?

I'm a collector of 41s. Whenever I receive a new addition for the collection, I strip the pistol down to the last screw. I thoroughly clean every part and then reassemble it. You'll be amazed how much of a difference this does for the functioning of the pistol. I recently received a 41 that was cleaned with extra amounts of Frog Lube. Now I'm no fan of Frog Lube as I find it to be way to messy and a pain to use. For me it's G96 all the way. It took me a bit longer to disassemble and thoroughly clean the 41. I also had to replace the extractor spring, firing pin spring and the firing pin itself as it was well worn. Check Brownells as they may have the magazine disconnecter in stock which would make for a good do it yourself project. Once you've done it once, stripping down a 41 is easy as long as you have the patience to do it carefully while keeping track of all the small parts. The following websites give complete visual instructions on disassembly and reassembly of the S&W 41. Good luck...

https://picasaweb.google.com/116590779301281658338/SWModel41Disassembly

https://picasaweb.google.com/116590779301281658338/SWModel41Assembly

 

[Tom S.]

kidcom - I wish I could give you more than just one like posting the assembly / disassembly links! Thanks!!

 

[Joe Hohmann]

I have no idea what a "mag disconnector" is, but my model 41 would fail to fire once in a while. Switching to a slightly higher velocity ammo (like Remington Golden Bullet or CCI Blazer) has solved the problem. I'm not very "handy", so forget me taking it apart.

 

[Tom S.]

I have no idea what a "mag disconnector" is, but my model 41 would fail to fire once in a while. Switching to a slightly higher velocity ammo (like Remington Golden Bullet or CCI Blazer) has solved the problem. I'm not very "handy", so forget me taking it apart.

Mag disconnector is short for magazine disconnector, which renders the pistol incapable of firing if the magazine is removed. It's another one of those questionable safety features, but not a new one. Browning HP 9mm have had them for a very long time. Often they can be disabled if desired.

 

[Trifle]

https://picasaweb.google.com/116590779301281658338/SWModel41Disassembly

https://picasaweb.google.com/116590779301281658338/SWModel41Assembly

Thanks kidcom, good advise. Our plate shooting season restarts in September. Have plenty of time for a complete teardown and clean. This will allow a thorough inspection of parts and replacement of worn components.

 

[Barrie]

Trifle pull the grips 1st and you will see how much guck actually can hide under them. You just might be surprised how much.

 

[Beerjman]

I'm a collector of 41s. Whenever I receive a new addition for the collection, I strip the pistol down to the last screw. I thoroughly clean every part and then reassemble it. You'll be amazed how much of a difference this does for the functioning of the pistol. I recently received a 41 that was cleaned with extra amounts of Frog Lube. Now I'm no fan of Frog Lube as I find it to be way to messy and a pain to use. For me it's G96 all the way. It took me a bit longer to disassemble and thoroughly clean the 41. I also had to replace the extractor spring, firing pin spring and the firing pin itself as it was well worn. Check Brownells as they may have the magazine disconnecter in stock which would make for a good do it yourself project. Once you've done it once, stripping down a 41 is easy as long as you have the patience to do it carefully while keeping track of all the small parts. The following websites give complete visual instructions on disassembly and reassembly of the S&W 41. Good luck...

https://picasaweb.google.com/116590779301281658338/SWModel41Disassembly

https://picasaweb.google.com/116590779301281658338/SWModel41Assembly

Thanks for providing these MOST HELPFUL links.
Now my magazine disconnector is working again