M41 optic ready question?

[Drm50]

What is 1st model of 41 that came factory drilled for optics?
Serial number or prefix? Also if Factory drilled for optic does that mean Red Dot scope will work. I know nothing about optics on handguns. Don’t use them.

 

[Larks]

It might be easier to ask which “years” did not come drilled for optics, I’m not aware of any particular seperate “model” designations for Model 41’s.

And I may stand corrected but the answer to the question would be all over the place as I’ve seen so many with the holes tapped but then others with them tapped in different patterns.

Finding a red dot to fit the pattern of tapped holes is a whole different question......

 

[AveragEd]

I can't tell you when Model 41s were drilled and tapped for optics - my 2022-vintage one was - and the 4th edition of the SCoSW is no help but I can tell you that a Weaver #48062 rail works. It's way too long but the holes nearest one end align perfectly with the holes in the barrel extension. Being made of aluminum, cutting off the excess rail takes little effort.

I am not fond of the appearance of optics on handguns but at age 75, open sights are not my friend.

Ed

 

[tlawler]

Does anyone know what the hole spacing on a factory drilled M41 is? I’ve got a 1981 vintage that was before factory drilling and my holes were drilled and tapped by a gunsmith at some point for a previous owner and are spaced at .875”. I’ve been looking for a Weaver rail that will fit, but I have yet to see hole spacing dimensions in the specifications or descriptions. Is .875” a standard dimension that the rail mentioned by Ed in the previous post would fit?

 

[AveragEd]

Ask and ye shall receive. When measured inside edge to inside edge, the closer holes measure 0.465" apart and the ones spaced farther apart are 0.716" apart. I set my digital caliper at 0.875" and that is just a tad farther apart than as close as I could come to the center of those holes. That's good news for you as one of the holes could be elongated just a bit to work for you.

The rail is available from MidwayUSA, probably among other places.

Ed

 

[Drm50]

Somewhere I saw a listing of #SNs on 41s that gave a date of when S&W factory drilled and tapped. I think it was in 90s. The one I want to know about has two plug screws and at rear sight would have to be removed for rear base screw or screws and UAT prefix. I don’t run optics on handguns so I never cared about such. Only reason I do now is for trading purposes.

 

[Larks]

I don’t think you’ll find much “trading” value-add in going to the effort of adding a red dot to a Model 41.

 

[824tsv]

Weaver #62

Mid 90's is when S&W offered Model 41 pistols with barrels in a D&T configuration. In about 2013 S&W offered separate D&T barrels in 7" and 5 1/2". I picked up a 7" D&T barrel and mounted a Weaver #62 rail but found the supplied screws too short. I cut my mount down for a smaller optic and only used the 2 rear holes with longer screws and red locktite. They've been secure since. I had a Bushnell TRS25 mounted first and have since gone to a Bushnell RXS-100 which I'm quite happy with. I had to remove the rear sight for the RXS-100.

 

[Drm50]

Mid 90's is when S&W offered Model 41 pistols with barrels in a D&T configuration. In about 2013 S&W offered separate D&T barrels in 7" and 5 1/2". I picked up a 7" D&T barrel and mounted a Weaver #62 rail but found the supplied screws too short. I cut my mount down for a smaller optic and only used the 2 rear holes with longer screws and red locktite. They've been secure since. I had a Bushnell TRS25 mounted first and have since gone to a Bushnell RXS-100 which I'm quite happy with. I had to remove the rear sight for the RXS-100.

Thanks for info, I knew there would be someone who knew what they are talking about. This 41 is only one I own with this type rear sight. All mine are older models. Just sold a late model that was factory D&T. Actually factory drilled models are what guys are looking for. When asked if it is factory ready for optic, it’s nice to know what you are talking about.

 

[Bastogne71]

The model 41 barrels were drilled and tapped starting in 1994. The hole spacing is for the Weaver #62 base. Weigand also makes a similar base for the 41.