Model 41 1970’s vs New Performance Center

[Willeys]

I no longer have my 1974 Mid 41 in 7 3/8” and now am considering buying the new Mod 41 from S&W Performance Center. I know how good the 1974 Mod 41 was, however, does anyone have hands on experience with the older 1969/70’s 7 3/8 inch and the new 5.5” PC version. What are your thoughts?

 

[larryofcc]

I no longer have my 1974 Mid 41 in 7 3/8” and now am considering buying the new Mod 41 from S&W Performance Center. I know how good the 1974 Mod 41 was, however, does anyone have hands on experience with the older 1969/70’s 7 3/8 inch and the new 5.5” PC version. What are your thoughts?

I am more a collector than a shooter, but I have heard there have been plenty of problems with the new M41's. I have 3 older pistols, and to tell you the truth, I have not fired any of them. I have had some older M41's in the past, and none had problems. Like any semi-auto 22, it must be kept clean to properly function. My vote is for an earlier pistol. Good luck. Big Larry

 

[chief38]

I still have my very first handgun - a 1979 M41. I bought it with the 5 1/2" Bull bbl., then bought and eventually sold a 7 3/8" bbl. and 5 years ago I picked up a 5" light weigh "field/sport" bbl. for it. Hands down I like the field/sport bbl. the best by far. I also shoot it better than the others.

That said, I do believe it is an individual preference. If you have the opportunity to do so, I'd shoot different M41's with different bbl. lengths before purchasing.

Personally, if I was in the M41 market now, I'd only consider a well maintained vintage model. The newly made ones seem to have way too much baggage! Sorry to say that, but there are a plethora of horrible reports for every good one I hear about new production and PC guns.

 

[JOliver]

Limited knowledge on the 41s as well but I had this same dilemma come up a few years ago when I wanted to replace the one I sold many years ago. I looked and studied them for a few months but finally found a deal on an older model (5.5") and it's like my other Smiths I just like the older ones better.
Now I did help a friend find a new one, he wasn't as patient as I am and wanted one now. He bought one for a good deal and has shot it many times and has had no problems.
I was a little disappointed when comparing a newer M41 to the newer Performance Center, I don't remember the price difference off the top of my head but it was quite a bit. He even called the factory allegedly and asked them what the performance center model offered over the regular one and the answer he said they gave was "pretty much nothing" now obviously it looks different and some cosmetics but mechanical enhancements were lacking. There again I'm limited on these but I don't think I'd personally spend the extra for the performance center model over the base if I went with a new one.

 

[505Gibbs]

The extra 'bells and whistles' on the Perf. Center model don't make it shoot better than the 'plain Jane' variety. Save your money - IMO!

 

[ken158]

A new PC model will never be as collectible as a vintage gun. Every time I think of selling a vintage gun, I put an asterisk beside it on my computer inventory list. I review my list every few months and see some marked guns and wonder what was I thinking? A few have left but always in favor of a better one.

 

[Drm50]

The first ( and only ) m41 I bought new was in 72 and it was the heavy barrel. Just few years ago got back into 41s. On old Vs new models I think not that simple. I think it is connected to a time frame of skilled workers putting them together.
Buying used Target Pistols is like buying Corvettes. You don’t want one the neighbor Motörhead owned. You want one the guy who brought it out on sunny days. Many Target guns out there, I would hunt up an old model in hi condition. Money will be about the same and will be better investment in long run.

 

[larryofcc]

A friend gave me a minty, early, Sport bbl. Both my M41's are collectors so I bought a 1978 M41 with the 7" bbl. for a donor gun. Looked for a good price as I just wanted it to put the bbl. on. Most of the older guns were from $1,400 to over $2,000. I got my new one for $1,025 shipped. Best price I could find. With S&W's, older is always better. Big Larry

 

[BE Mike]

There seem to be a lot of complaints posted regarding the new Performance Center S&W model 41's. If I were in the market, I'd buy a nice used model 41 for hundreds less. I have no personal experience, just my observations.

 

[Fullmetaljacket]

I have a 1969 5" sport barrel, a 1970 7 3/8" version and a recent production Performance Center model. Functionally I can't tell much difference, internet reports notwithstanding. They all like to be kept clean and tend to shoot the "greasier" high end target ammo most reliably. Think Eley, SK Standard Plus etc. All of mine get finicky with CCI SV though I think that may have something to do with recent production ammo more so than the gun. Rampant speculation on my part. I did have to replace the ejector assembly on the PF model after the tiny staked-in leaf spring broke. What does that tell us about the reliability of the newer models? Nothing really, statistically speaking that's a sample of one. I bought the PC as a dedicated bullseye gun for our weekly matches. Mounted an Ultradot and off we went. It has performed very well for that purpose. Great trigger but no better or worse than the older models. I like the built-in picatinny rail on the PC model, easy to mount optics. Of course all 41's since the mid-90's are drilled and tapped for optics so no particular edge to the PC model unless you just like the unique barrel length and the built-in rail. If you don't intend to mount optics I would find a 60's - 70's vintage specimen. The polish / finish on those older guns is exceptional. Now you get a much more utilitarian finish.

 

[larryofcc]

Due to my new found handicap, I no longer can shoot with any degree of accuracy, so I just buy older, collectible, guns. Condition is everything to me. Not 100% but sometimes a 95%+. I just started collecting semi-auto S&W's. 3, M41's, 2, 39-2's. and one M52-2. Not as shooters, but collectors. One is a 1968 vintage M41 with the EFS. Unfired, and will stay that way. These will go with my near 60 revolvers. Big Larry

 

[Bald1]

I have an early 41 with cocking indicator. I had to buy it as part of an estate. All or none kinda deal. I was an acquaintance of the original owner. It came with 2 factory mags. I intended to sell it immediately. But then I shot it. Absolutely the most accurate handgun I’ve ever fired. One hole groups at 20yds from a rest. I’d love to see what a bullseye shooter could do with it. I’m sure it’s way more accurate than I am……… after about 7 yrs or so I think I am finally going to sell it. I’d like an Outdoorsman.

 

[Model46]

I collect and shoot 41's and 46's. I shoot most with the exception of some NIB examples. My 1960 7 3/8" barrel pistol gets the most use. I've had it for years, shot through cases of ammo and had no problems. It's bone stock. As others have said, you need to maintain them and keep them lubed. It likes CCI and SK ammo, but will digest others with some complaints. I can't compare it to a newer version as I don't have one newer than 1978.

 

[Willeys]

Thank you all. The information is helpful and reassured my own thought. The older model, if well maintained and cared for is more desirable to buy but not necessarily any better shooter. I will continue to search for a well cared for 7 3/8” w/mb but keep an eye on th
E M41 PC.

 

[Crew Leader]

I too am a fan of the older Smiths. There is nothing more pleasing then listening to a pre 1982 revolver cocking. Like a swiss watch, as opposed to a dime rattling in a beer can on the new stuff. There IS a reason for preferring the older stuff. Quality!

As for the model 41's, recently I bought a late 60's with a 5'5" barrel from a friend. As of today, he has also sold me a 7" unfired barrel, and a 5" sporter barrel. Now I am just missing a 7&3/8 barrel and a barrel with extendable sights. Rest assured the quality is exceptional. I would not be afraid of a new one or a PC model, but I believe without looking too hard, you can find an exceptional used one for perhaps less money. The old ones will for sure hold their value if maintained correctly. Heck, just buy one of each and send the report back to us.