Model 41, 5.5” or 7” ??

[Dave686]

I’m trying to find a Model 41. I haven’t had much luck, but another forum member PM’ed me that I might want to try the 5.5” before dismissing it. That probably won’t be possible.

So I thought I’d put of a poll of what you 41 Owners think.

This will be a shooter, not a collector item or safe queen. So I’ll probably just order new, based on what I’m seeing and being offered.

This will be shot with open sight, no optics.

What say you folks? As you can see "Both" is not an option.

 

[Skeet 028]

I have 3. I prefer shooting the 7 3/8 gun. I also have a 5 1/2 inch that I put a reflex sight on and it is fun to shoot. The 7 inch gun is probably the most accurate one but it is the one that is going to the gun show next weekend to get sold/traded....om something S&W of course

 

[Sevens]

Coolest thing here is that you truly can do both without breaking the bank. Buy whichever deal presents and then be on the lookout for an upper in the other size.

Ahh, to the question! I wanted the 5.5” and that’s what I was fortunate to find. I can’t really say which is better for shooting, but I really love the look of my 5.5”.

 

[rkittine]

I was able to find one with a 7 3/8" Barrel and the muzzle break. Was easy to find a 5.5" Barrel for it after that. The longer barrel appears to be harder to find on its own.

Bob

 

[Kp321]

For iron sight use, the extra sight radius on the longer barrel is good.

 

[rkittine]

Although Rare, you might find one of the 5.5" Barrels with the sight extension. Then you have the same sight radius. which is a real advantage, even with the 5.5 bull barrel. The only barrel I never had any interest in was the 5" sport barrel.

Bob

 

[Bastogne71]

My favorite barrel is the 5” field barrel for a fun day at the range. Second choice is a 7 3/8” because it’s the classic model 41 to me. But since your poll doesn’t include them, I’ll have to go with the 7”.

Whichever you get, it is the start of the hunt for the other barrel length.

 

[Walter Rego]

I got lucky with this one. It shipped as a 5.5" gun but the previous owner added the 7 3/8" barrel with muzzle break, false muzzle, a couple of the counterweights and inlet the longer barrel into the box with an X-acto knife. It was priced for about what a new one was going for and is old enough to still have the cocking indicator. The 5.5" barrel is quite muzzle heavy. I think S&W missed the boat by not making a larger quantity of the sport barrels available, I'll bet that just feels ideal. I think the longer barrel is a little earlier than the gun as it still has the "lazy ampersand".

 

[Grayfox]

I have both. But I also use optics. A scope on the 7" and a red dot on the 5.5. I like the balance of the 5.5 better.

 

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

I have all of the barrel lengths, but much prefer the 5-1/2 barrel’s balance. With Herrett “Trainer” grips, it balances like a 1911 for me.

 

[D Brown]

Hi Dave686,

I have one of the newer ones, shipped June 20, 2016 and purchased November 27, 2016, with the 5 1/2" barrel and I couldn't be more pleased with it!

Many of our members are very partial to the older models due to their better finish, solid wood stocks, and overall quality. I'm sure that's a valid point; but I've never had an issue with my newer one, and the trigger is absolutely perfect!

Best of luck in your search!

Sincerely,

 

[Skullaero]

I have factory 7", 5.5" and 5.5" Clark Custom barrel. They are all very accurate and work flawlessly on the same frame. The 5.5 Clark balances the best.

 

[M29since14]

If I could only own one, I’d buy the 5.5” heavy barrel - and I agree that the new production guns I have seen look very nice.

 

[Troystat]

I have a 1970's era one with a 7.375 inch barrel and I got both a field barrel and a 5.5 inch heavy barrel. The field barrel gives the gun a very different feel. I just got the heavy barrel and I think I will put the original longer barrel back on. From a bench the longer barrel that I have is more accurate than the heavy barrel. I thought at first the heavy barrel would be easier to shoot but I think I will be switching it back to the longer barrel. I usually shoot offhand (bulleye style). I really like the pistol and it is fun to shoot.

 

[MixmodelA]

I have 4, two 7.375" (1959 & 1960) and two 5.5" (1987 & 1997) and they all shoot lights out better than I can shoot them. I shoot the 1959 best of the four. However, I seem to shoot my comparable High Standards better. But that's just me. Hope this helps. Thanks! Mick

 

[Model52guy]

I have all 4 barrels and have shot them except the 5” field barrel as I just added that one to the fleet. My go-to is usually the 7” field barrel. I’m not really sure why, it is possible the 7” is a bit “cosmetically challenged” and I don’t worry about it. The EFS barrel was hard to find and I would worry about bending or breaking the sight.

 

[gwpercle]

I have both , shooting NRA Bullseye Match (Precision) , one handed , my scores were always better with the 5.5" bbl. It just seemed to hang steadier . The 7.5" bbl. , in theory , should have produced better accuracy because of the longer sight radius ... according to the "experts" ...
Well guess what ...don't bet the farm on the experts or their theories .

Same thing happened with a Ruger MKI Target , the 5" bull barrel consistently gave me higher scores than the longer tapered 6 3/4" bbl !
I really liked the looks of the longer barrel ... but the scores don't lie .

Maybe shooting two handed would even the score but at that time Bullseye matches were shot standing , one handed .
Gary

 

[Jim Watson]

I bought the 5.5 to get the "barn door" rear sight, same as on the M52.
Now it has a Bomar copy. OK.

 

[Dave686]

Hi Dave686,

I have one of the newer ones, shipped June 20, 2016 and purchased November 27, 2016, with the 5 1/2" barrel and I couldn't be more pleased with it!

Many of our members are very partial to the older models due to their better finish, solid wood stocks, and overall quality. I'm sure that's a valid point; but I've never had an issue with my newer one, and the trigger is absolutely perfect!

Best of luck in your search!

Sincerely,

Thanks to you for the picture and info, and also the rest of the members for taking time to post. I’m looking for a shooter. So far, my offers have been more than I can buy new for. So, it looks like I’m going the new route. Glad to hear they are good to go.
I hate to pay nearly twice the price of a Ruger Mark IV Competition, but hopefully it will be worth it.

 

[chief38]

I purchased a M41 NIB 40 years ago and it had the 5.5" Bull bbl. I shot it that way for 38 years and always thought it was too heavy! Two years ago I purchased a 5" Field/Sporter bbl. NIB from the 1950's still wrapped in the S&W packaging! I paid more for the 5" barrel than I did for the entire gun brand new - but rather happy I got it anyway. It is almost a half pound lighter and I have never shot my M41 as well as I do now!! Sub 1" groups in 10 ring at 50 feet - Factory iron sights.

BTW the 7" bbl. (while thinner) is really not really much lighter than the 5.5" Bull bbl. is - just FYI. If you only have a choice between the 5.5" and the 7" I'd suggest the 5.5". HOWEVER...... to me the 5" Sporter / Field is the Cats Meow!!!