Mod 41 misfires

[sandygun]

I shot my Mod 41 using CCI Mini-Mag 22 LR HP. I had 8 out of 30 rounds (using 3 differsnt clips) that did not fire....NO firing pin mark on the shell. Anyone got an idea what's going on?

 

[505Gibbs]

I shot my Mod 41 using CCI Mini-Mag 22 LR HP. I had 8 out of 30 rounds (using 3 differsnt clips) that did not fire....NO firing pin mark on the shell. Anyone got an idea what's going on?

A bit more info would be helpful.
New or old? If old, how old.
If old, did you give it a cleaning before shooting it? Sounds like dirt/crud in the firing pin area if you're gettin no witness marks.

 

[rbert0005]

First off you may want to try using mags instead of clips.
Secondly, Mini Mags are NOT recomended for use in a Model 41. CCI Standard Velocity CCIs are the way to go.

Bob

 

[sandygun]

41 misfires

I cleaned the gun very good b4 shooting, used a brush and solvent around pin. My 41 was made in 1987 5 1/2". I read that the shell casing is a little thicker on the CCI. Has anyone measured the casings? I have read many times on this forum that SV is the way to go with the 41. I haven't been able to find SV ammo in my town. I went to another gun shop out of town all they had was "Olin Corporation, 50 cartridges caliber 22 ball long rifle standard velocity" only 3 boxes. It's the same ammo used by the USAF pistol match team. I'll try that and see how it does.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

Standard velocity 22LR ammo is readily available on the internet and most likely at a cheaper price than your local gun shop. I lost my links a few weeks ago so I can't give you much help. One place you might look is Midway USA. Of coarse you can do a Google search. Don

 

[cat328]

sandygun

it is possible that the firing pin needs replacement. check to see if it moves freely and if it could be bent. also it should protrude from the housing well into the recess. ammo related issues usually are failure to eject or to feed rather than no fire. also check the ejector to see if it might be stuck or bent, keeping the slide from closing all the way or the case from seating. perhaps a good soak in solvent and a good lube will help.

i have used winchester dynapoints for many years in several auto loaders with few issues. they are sv, plated and 40 grain hp. midway sells by the 50 rd box, 500 round bulk and at a discount for 5000.

 

[H Richard]

Did you remove the firing pin and clean the entire recess it fits into? You can use a pipe cleaner to scrub out the entire length of the firing pin recess. Residue and crud can accumulate in this recess, and the length of travel of the firing pin can be affected. May also be time to replace the spring on the firing pin if it has never been replaced.

 

[TSQUARED]

The S&W Model 41 is designed for standard velocity ammunition. I have always used either CCI SV or Aguilla SE SV ammo and have never had any reliability issues.
Personally I would avoid using any HV ammo in my S&W 41. Wolf does offer a higher weight recoil spring for the S&W 41 which would be required if one was using HV ammo.
The Federal bulk packed copper washed/plated HV HP ammo has been a good performer for me in several other pistols.

 

[TSQUARED]

I cleaned the gun very good b4 shooting, used a brush and solvent around pin. My 41 was made in 1987 5 1/2". I read that the shell casing is a little thicker on the CCI. Has anyone measured the casings? I have read many times on this forum that SV is the way to go with the 41. I haven't been able to find SV ammo in my town. I went to another gun shop out of town all they had was "Olin Corporation, 50 cartridges caliber 22 ball long rifle standard velocity" only 3 boxes. It's the same ammo used by the USAF pistol match team. I'll try that and see how it does.

If you are an NRA member and have a shooting classification then you can purchase SV ammo by the case from the CMP. Last month I purchased Aguilla SV for $230 plus $19.99 shipping. Currently they are offering Centurion SV for $200 per case plus shipping

 

[ol' geeser]

An officer once brought a Model 66 to me that would not fire. Quick examination revealed a rather large dust bunny in the channel the hammer rides in....over time, oil and imacts had hardened it to the point it would no longer collapse enough to to contact the primer(s). A dental pick and a couple of pipe cleaners soon remided the situation.

 

[USBP SW]

Actually, one of the most common problems that causes what you describe is the slide not being fully closed when the hammer falls. This can be caused by a carbon build up in the chamber or a weak recoil spring, etc.. It can be from the slide not fully returning to battery and I believe it can also be kind of a bounce back out of battery. Basically, it is a safety mechanism so the pistol will not fire out of battery, which would cause the case to rupture and result in a very unpleasant release of hot gases. It is something else to check that I don't think was mentioned before. However, do switch to standard velocity ammo, the pistol was designed to function with it and the pistol will last longer using it.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out,
Steve