Model 41 5" Field barrel

[Ken W Johnson]

When did S&W stop making the 5" field barrel. The one I have does not have the plug or slits from the weight area. It also has a ramp front sight with red insert that is an integral part of the barrel.

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello Ken, and welcome. Is your barrel NOS or used?

 

[Ken W Johnson]

Used, I have had it for 25 years

 

[gmborkovic]

Ken, I have an old NOS 5" field barrel with no red insert. But Im not sure that means anything. Some other 41 collectors will chime in.

 

[Drm50]

3 variations, partridge blade, Baughman type ramp & the red ramp was last. I don’t know when they ceased manf but none being made now.

 

[Yendor357]

I bought my Red Ramp 5 Field from Gil Hubbard in ‘87 ish. $115.

That barrel on my beloved old M41 rode about a thousand miles on my hip (no horse) in a brush scarred Bianchi holster. I killed a groundhog at 87 yards with that gun one summer day. Elmer Kieth would have been proud! lol

 

[Ken W Johnson]

Thanks for all the info. This barrel has the lazy & mark and does not appear to be a cut down 7 3/8. There are no marks where the weight hole would be and the muzzle has a 1/2 donut shaped protrusion. The gun was made in 1977 and the 5.5 and 7" barrels have the new & mark. I assume this is an earlier barrel.

 

[chief38]

When did S&W stop making the 5" field barrel. The one I have does not have the plug or slits from the weight area. It also has a ramp front sight with red insert that is an integral part of the barrel.

That is one question I can't answer about M41's. From what I understand they originally made them out of unsold 7" barrels and then supposedly purposely made some as demand increased. They made several different variations and even sold some years later as they found some "laying around" unfinished. Sights vary, plugs vary and muzzles vary.

I purchased mine about 8 years ago because I was never thrilled about the 5 1/2" Bull barrel I bought my M41 with in 1979. I always thought it was just too heavy. I stopped into a LGS to look at a 7" barrel I heard they had in stock and after looking at it I did not care for that either as it weighed pretty much the same as my Bull barrel. When I was about to walk out, he said wait.... I have some special barrels for the M41 and brought out 3 brand new Sport /Field barrels still wrapped up in their original S&W wrapping paper. All 3 were slightly different configurations and I chose the one I liked best.

I am so happy I found a brand spanking new one, however I will admit that I paid more for the damned S/F barrel than I paid for the M41 brand new in 1979! I paid $445 for the M41 and $500 for the S/F barrel. I know I got hosed a bit but after fitting it to my gun at the store I fell in love with it! They are very difficult to find new in the original box and if you do find one they are usually pricy - especially brand new! My Bull barrel has not been back on my M41 since that day! I shoot my M41 better than ever with the smaller and lighter barrel. To me it seems more accurate however it could just be I shoot it better because it weighs almost a half pound less.

The target below was from last August at 50 feet. Not my best, but not bad.

 

[Bastogne71]

Ken,
The field barrel was authorized by Smith & Wesson on May 8, 1959 with the first shipped on September 2, 1959, These were available as a complete pistol or as an accessory for an existing model 41. There were several production runs over the years where barrels were made and stocked in inventory until supply ran out. When demand built up enough, another production run was made. In 1980 the last run was made and they were still cataloged up to May 1984.

Each production run had several small variations in the barrel. Some were forged as 5” but more were from cut down 7 3/8” barrels. Other differences are various front sight blades, muzzle crowns, front sight bases, and top strap checkered versus grooved for example.

I believe that the red ramp front sight version is from the 1980’s production that were sold as an accessory only until inventory ran out about 1985(?).

 

[flintsghost]

I have a 46 with an original field barrel on it. I don't use it much but that particular 46 has a 41-1 top on it for 22 shorts in my basement. I got it 10-12 years ago from "Jack the Dog".

 

[larryofcc]

I have one with the field bbl. that I have never fired. It has the plain ramp front sight. Put custom stocks on it with the intention of shooting it, but never have, yet. Big Larry

 

[chief38]

Ken,
The field barrel was authorized by Smith & Wesson on May 8, 1959 with the first shipped on September 2, 1959, These were available as a complete pistol or as an accessory for an existing model 41. There were several production runs over the years where barrels were made and stocked in inventory until supply ran out. When demand built up enough, another production run was made. In 1980 the last run was made and they were still cataloged up to May 1984.

Each production run had several small variations in the barrel. Some were forged as 5” but more were from cut down 7 3/8” barrels. Other differences are various front sight blades, muzzle crowns, front sight bases, and top strap checkered versus grooved for example.

I believe that the red ramp front sight version is from the 1980’s production that were sold as an accessory only until inventory ran out about 1985(?).

Thank you for the more specific answer than what I posted above. I kind of knew this but was certainly not as precise or specific as your reply.