Model 41 (1971) – Slide Doesn’t Lock Back – Follower Wear?

[PeKron]

Hi everyone,
I'm Phil from Germany – happy to join this community of like-minded enthusiasts!


I'm a long-time shooter and recently added a classic to my collection:


a Smith & Wesson Model 41, serial number A140482A, which – as far as I could research – places its production around 1971. The German proof marks date from 1979, which suggests it was imported and proofed a few years later here in Germany.
Mechanically, the pistol is in beautiful condition and a joy to shoot.


However, I'm currently facing a small issue:

• When the magazine is empty, the slide does not stay open.
• I’ve disassembled the gun and observed the slide stop lever – it works perfectly when manually pushed.
• I also tested the system by pushing against the slide stop from inside the magazine well (with a tool), and the slide locks open correctly.
• With the magazine inserted, however, the follower does not reliably engage the slide stop lever.

I’ve attached a photo of my magazine, where you can see the small side tab on the follower, which I believe is supposed to actuate the slide stop. In my case, this little tab barely protrudes and doesn’t make enough contact. I even tried a temporary fix using some aluminum tape to build up the surface – it confirmed the theory but obviously isn’t a long-term solution.

The pistol came with three original magazines, all of which show identical wear on the follower tab. None of them reliably engages the slide stop anymore – which makes me believe it's not just a one-off issue, but likely age- or design-related.

• Have others experienced this issue?
• Is it possible to buy replacement followers with a properly dimensioned slide stop tab?
• Or is my best bet to get a new magazine altogether?

I’ve heard that the newer Model 41 magazines, which are still available here in Germany, sometimes have compatibility or reliability issues, especially with older production pistols like mine.


So before I invest in a new one, I’d love to hear your experiences, recommendations, or any tips on which generation or brand of magazines (or followers) work best – especially for a 1970s-era Model 41.


Thanks in advance – looking forward to learning from you all!
Best regards from Solingen (City of Knives)
Phil

 

[PeKron]

Hi everyone,


just wanted to kindly follow up on my recent post regarding my Model 41 and the issue with the slide not locking back after the last shot.
I realize it’s a bit of a niche topic, but I’d really appreciate any thoughts, experiences, or suggestions.

Thanks again in advance – looking forward to any input you might have!

 

[Texasref]

Phil,
There is a little spring that rides on the top of the slide lock lever. After removing the safety you can remove the slide lock and "reset" the spring so that it has more tension. To test before you do all that manually press the slide lock and it should remain up with some springy feel.

Not saying this is the problem, but it is something to look for. Also give it a good cleaning if you have not.

 

[Krogen]

One common reason for your difficulty is weak magazine springs. The fact that three magazines give you trouble implies it's something else. However, I wouldn't discount the springs. Replacement springs are cheap, in the US anyway. If you can replace the springs or find another magazine you may find the issue.

 

[McGregor]

The tab on magazine I have is 4mm tall from the surface it was bent from. You may want to check that. the other thing I see is it looks as though the end of the tab has been ground where the one on my follower is as it was stamped. This may be the cause of your issues.
A weak spring as Krogen has mentioned may also be the problem or contribute to it.
A new magazine may be the only other solution.

hth, Greg

 

[Onomea]

I would try posting your question in the S&W Smithing sub forum.

There are a lot of smart and helpful fellows there who are very familiar with these guns and how to repair and maintain them: https://smith-wessonforum.com/forums/s-w-smithing.25/

 

[Exaviator]

A broken or worn tab on the magazine follower will cause the problem that you are experiencing. It is a problem that occurs particularly with the plastic followers, which become chipped. The answer is to either replace the magazine, or if you are lucky enough to find some, replace the followers.

 

[PeKron]

Hi everyone,


just wanted to say thanks for all the helpful responses – I really appreciate the time you took to share your knowledge.

It seems the issue is now quite clear: the follower tab on all three of my original magazines appears to have been ground down – they are definitely not anywhere near 4 mm tall, as McGregor showed in his helpful photo. I honestly suspect someone may have intentionally modified them at some point – perhaps to disable the slide stop function.

I also want to thank those who suggested checking the magazine springs and the slide stop spring. I’ll inspect both carefully during the next cleaning – great suggestions either way.

Since I live in Germany, getting individual followers or springs might be tricky, so buying a new magazine will probably be the most straightforward way forward for now. Hopefully the newer ones are compatible with my older Model 41 – I’ll find out soon enough.

That said, I noticed someone mentioned that the follower tabs in newer magazines are made of plastic.
Is this true for all current production Model 41 magazines?
If so, since when has that been the case?
Are there specific magazine versions I should prefer (e.g. older, certain production years or suppliers)?
Or are the current factory S&W mags generally fine, even with the plastic follower tabs?

Thanks again to all of you – this has been very helpful!

Best regards,
Phil

 

[Rick H.]

I read once long ago that there are some European shooting disciplines that don't want the slide to lock back after the last shot is fired and they intentionally disable this function. CZ sells some slide lock arms that don't allow slide lock back to take place on the last round in a magazine. The claim was they can run a pistol faster without slide lock back but I am not so sure of that. I never followed up on this to find out if it is true or not, but that may be what your problem is. If so you would need to replace the followers or the magazines to obtain slide lock back. From the OP's pictures it certainly looks like someone intentionally ground the followers down to eliminate slide lock back from happening.

Rick H.

 

[gwpercle]

I've been wondering if this vintage model 41 has a hold-open on last shot feature . I have a 1970's (maybe 1972) but can not remember if it had a hold-open on last shot feature .
I do remember my Ruger MKI Target Pistol did not have a hold-open feature ... I had to count my shots in competition .

Ask these questions in the Gunsmithing Section ... someone should remember ... Getting old sucks rocks !
Gary

 

[Krogen]

Since I live in Germany, getting individual followers or springs might be tricky, so buying a new magazine will probably be the most straightforward way forward for now. Hopefully the newer ones are compatible with my older Model 41 – I’ll find out soon enough.

If parts are difficult, but obtaining complete magazines is less so, there's a possible work-around. Certainly more costly, but you can harvest springs and followers from the new magazines and put them in the old magazine bodies. Compatibility issues have been discussed, but they center on the body's fit into the frame. Using your old bodies with new internals could work. That assumes the feed lips aren't worn on the old bodies.

 

[72AV8R]

Hi everyone,


just wanted to say thanks for all the helpful responses – I really appreciate the time you took to share your knowledge.

It seems the issue is now quite clear: the follower tab on all three of my original magazines appears to have been ground down – they are definitely not anywhere near 4 mm tall, as McGregor showed in his helpful photo. I honestly suspect someone may have intentionally modified them at some point – perhaps to disable the slide stop function.

I also want to thank those who suggested checking the magazine springs and the slide stop spring. I’ll inspect both carefully during the next cleaning – great suggestions either way.

Since I live in Germany, getting individual followers or springs might be tricky, so buying a new magazine will probably be the most straightforward way forward for now. Hopefully the newer ones are compatible with my older Model 41 – I’ll find out soon enough.

That said, I noticed someone mentioned that the follower tabs in newer magazines are made of plastic.
Is this true for all current production Model 41 magazines?
If so, since when has that been the case?
Are there specific magazine versions I should prefer (e.g. older, certain production years or suppliers)?
Or are the current factory S&W mags generally fine, even with the plastic follower tabs?

Thanks again to all of you – this has been very helpful!

Best regards,
Phil

Another possible solution would be to find someone with a 3d printer and print replacement followers. My son has one and made some +one followers for a couple of my 41 mags. Worked fine.

 

[PeKron]

Hi,
Good idea! I have one too! Could you ask your son if he could provide the files to me? Thank you very much!

 

[jemo4570]

If you know someone with a tig welder, the tabs could be built up and then worked back down to the correct dimension.

 

[72AV8R]

Hi,
Good idea! I have one too! Could you ask your son if he could provide the files to me? Thank you very much!

He is looking for the files.

 

[chief38]

Before printing, I'd opt to Braze it and trim to length. I believe that would be a more permanent solution. Try one and see! You could even use Map gas and a cheap Bernz-O-Matic torch (or similar brand) with low temp brazing rod. personally I don't know how long a printed piece would last.

 

[WR Moore]

If someone could post a clear closeup of a good follower with a scale beside it to give dimensions it would probably help. If the plastic follower is worn in that area, restoring the dimension with a good epoxy should solve the problem. Maybe with a pinch of atomized aluminum to improve the wear characteristics.