Model 41 at Olympics

[Aussie Collector]

I have seen it called an Olympic pistol, the barrel weights are call Olympic counterweights by the factory however I cannot find any references of the Model 41 actually being used at an Olympic event.

The Model 41 could only be used in: 25 mtr pistol for woman (sports pistol) or Rapid Fire (.22 short upto 2004 then .22lr since).
It could be used for the 50 mtr pistol (free pistol) event however most if not all use single shot pistol for this event. The last S&W to win an event was back in 1923, 50mtr free pistol with a Perfected Third Model.

The Model 41-1 was developed as a pistol for Rapid Fire and again I cannot find any mention of it being used at the Olympic level.

Anyone aware of the Model 41 being used at any Olympic games?

 

[Barrie]

I have heard that years ago they were used at the games. I do not know when or for how long tho. We all know they are a very high class pistol for the price involved so it would not totally surprise me at all. We also know just how accurate they are as well.

 

[Aussie Collector]

Thanks Barrie. I have heard the same.
A while back I looked at the 1960s rapid fire event and could not find a single Model 41-1 with any competitors. The US competitors mostly used High Standards in the Olympics.

 

[Ignatz]

There's a nice older (1985) book called Pistol Shooting written by Laslo Antal and Ragnar Skanaker. Its about International shooting and there's no mention of a 41 in it. They mention the High Standard, but say the "high" barrel line of the older pistols are harder to control in rapid fire.

 

[Salty RI]

They used to use the HS ISU, I used to have one, I wish I still had it.

https://www.google.com/search?q=high+standard+isu+olympic&tbm=isch&imgil=k3VvUiT1su1rPM%253A%253Bz4QkDVQAIrGcOM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.armslist.com%25252Fposts%25252F1488389%25252Fsoutheastern-pennsylvania-handguns-for-sale--high-standard-model-107-olympic-isu-military--22-short-target-pistol&source=iu&pf=m&fir=k3VvUiT1su1rPM%253A%252Cz4QkDVQAIrGcOM%252C_&usg=__cnc95Acd3p4Qk5-dZZkzXH_9-ZI%3D&biw=1366&bih=653&ved=0ahUKEwjb-qKOw4bLAhWCcj4KHWstAz8QyjcIJg&ei=YHTIVtvKK4Ll-QHr2oz4Aw#imgrc=k3VvUiT1su1rPM%3A

 

[Joe Hohmann]

It is my understanding that production of the 41 was on and off over the years...which may account for them not being mentioned as "quality target pistols" during the "off" years.

 

[Barrie]

I have never heard any one who owns a M41 or 46 as well complian about them on here to speak of. If they do complain its always a minor issue very easiley fixed. Even my old 1958 year model still shoots as well as the day it was built let alone any gun newer and it dosen't seem to matter which barrel as well.

 

[22shtur]

Since the 1940's the only US made pistol used in Olympic shooting has been the High Standard, which Bill McMillan won a gold medal using one. I like the model 41, but it's not an Olympic tier gun.

 

[22target]

41 Olympic

In decades past there were line counts of equipment used and most of these are hard to find.....one mention I remember is in a AR March 1960 article S/Sgt John L. Keyser USAF mentioning intending to use one in International competition. It would also be interesting to know more about the special International Rapid style pistols S&W built.
Regards
22target

 

[t-astragal]

I shot international pistol in college 88-92 tamu pistol team. The team had several 41's and a couple Walther GSP's. No serious shooters at that time shot smiths. My buddy Brian shot a hi standard quite well. My other buddy Mark bought my Ruger mkII and did well. I got a Walther GSP. I seem to remember Pardini, Hammerli, Steyr, and a few I can't recall being shot by some top shooters. The 41 was just ergonomically inferior to the European guns. At that time collegiate shooting was standard pistol at 25 meters (5 shots in 2 1/2 min, 5 in 20 sec, 5 in 10 sec X 4 at each time limit). Free pistol -60 shots @ 50 meters. 2 1/2 hours. 10 ring about the size of a quarter. (Freaking tough event), and 10meter air pistol. 60 shots in 2h 15 min. 10 ring about 3/8".

I was wanting a Russian gun for free pistol at the time. The wall had come down and the Vostok (sp?) was a great buy. I never got one and life moved on.

FYI. International pistol (shotgun and rifle for that matter) shooters are good. Maybe not fast, but deadly accurate. I shoot half as good as I used to and twice as good as anyone I shoot with these days. Thanks to a few years training with Curtis Burns and the guys back in the day.

Back to topic though. The 41 is a fine target gun. It will shoot as good as 99% of the guys holding it.

 

[chief38]

Hammerli, Olympic Arms and a few High Standards were the most common pistols I have seen at the Olympics - but admittedly I haven't really watched Olympic shooters in a while. I still own and love my 1979 M41 but would say it falls a bit short of what I would consider an Olympic ready pistol.

Since Olympic target shooting is so much a mental game as much as skill, I'd think that most serious competitors would have their pistols custom built or at least modified to their likes as much as the Olympic rules allow.