Model 41 Changes
- Thread starter Vern21
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What I Know about the Model 41
9/17/1957 First M41 shipped
1958 False muzzle cap
1959 Relief cuts behind trigger about SN #16200
1959 Two piece magazine replaced by one piece
9/2/1959 First 5” Field Barrel shipped
9/29/1960 Model 41-1 in 22 short introduced
1961 Model number moved to right side of frame about SN 27500
1962 Shipped with two magazines
8/26/1963 5 1/2” Heavy Barrel introduced about SN 43500
1965 5 1/2” Heavy Barrel with extended front sight introduced
1970 Begin “A” prefix serial numbers at SN A115001
1973 End production of M41-1
1976 End production of 5 1/2” EFS
1976 End production of 5” Field barrel
1978 End production of 7 3/8” with comp barrel
1978 Eliminate cocking indicator
1978 Introduce 7” barrel
1980 Reintroduce 5” Field barrel as an accessory only
1984 Begin 3 alpha serial numbers with TAA0001
1985 Magazine followers changed from metal to plastic
1992 Introduced the 12 round magazine
1992 Model 41 discontinued
1994 Model 41 reintroduced
1994 12 round magazine discontinued (assault weapons ban)
1994 barrels drilled and tapped for sight mounts
1994 Change to safety selector and slide
1996 5” Optics only barrel introduced
1997 Change to laminated hardwood stocks
2007 50th Anniversary model
2012 Performance Center model 41 released
If anyone has any additional information or corrections to this list, I would welcome anyone that can add to my knowledge of the Model 41.
9/17/1957 First M41 shipped
1958 False muzzle cap
1959 Relief cuts behind trigger about SN #16200
1959 Two piece magazine replaced by one piece
9/2/1959 First 5” Field Barrel shipped
9/29/1960 Model 41-1 in 22 short introduced
1961 Model number moved to right side of frame about SN 27500
1962 Shipped with two magazines
8/26/1963 5 1/2” Heavy Barrel introduced about SN 43500
1965 5 1/2” Heavy Barrel with extended front sight introduced
1970 Begin “A” prefix serial numbers at SN A115001
1973 End production of M41-1
1976 End production of 5 1/2” EFS
1976 End production of 5” Field barrel
1978 End production of 7 3/8” with comp barrel
1978 Eliminate cocking indicator
1978 Introduce 7” barrel
1980 Reintroduce 5” Field barrel as an accessory only
1984 Begin 3 alpha serial numbers with TAA0001
1985 Magazine followers changed from metal to plastic
1992 Introduced the 12 round magazine
1992 Model 41 discontinued
1994 Model 41 reintroduced
1994 12 round magazine discontinued (assault weapons ban)
1994 barrels drilled and tapped for sight mounts
1994 Change to safety selector and slide
1996 5” Optics only barrel introduced
1997 Change to laminated hardwood stocks
2007 50th Anniversary model
2012 Performance Center model 41 released
If anyone has any additional information or corrections to this list, I would welcome anyone that can add to my knowledge of the Model 41.
41 changes
Great list, should be a sticky for folks interested in the Model 41. A couple of additional items: the elegant original style frame forging used from 1957 changed in about early 64 (sometime after s/n 46k range) to the current style which in the rear grip area has a more pronounced downward hook like the Model 46 frame . Several running changes to grips include early grips checkered all the way down up until about 11k, after which the rear portion had a more distinct flare. Satin finished grips on early guns. Lead lapping barrels until 1968,elimination of the cocking indicator late 70's etc. The list can get quite long if we include instruction sheet variations (57 and very early 58 are pre model number) box changes, barrel markings, sights, weights etc. There are more items other folks will hopefully be adding which only add to the enjoyment of studying this great gun.
Regards
22target
Great list, should be a sticky for folks interested in the Model 41. A couple of additional items: the elegant original style frame forging used from 1957 changed in about early 64 (sometime after s/n 46k range) to the current style which in the rear grip area has a more pronounced downward hook like the Model 46 frame . Several running changes to grips include early grips checkered all the way down up until about 11k, after which the rear portion had a more distinct flare. Satin finished grips on early guns. Lead lapping barrels until 1968,elimination of the cocking indicator late 70's etc. The list can get quite long if we include instruction sheet variations (57 and very early 58 are pre model number) box changes, barrel markings, sights, weights etc. There are more items other folks will hopefully be adding which only add to the enjoyment of studying this great gun.
Regards
22target
ol777gunnerz
Member
Attachments
41 changes
Nice gun and good picture of the early stocks which I think were the best looking of the bunch. Documenting the changes by date or serial number is most of the time a generalization as guns were not shipped in serial number order and parts were used as available. Thanks for sharing!
22target
Nice gun and good picture of the early stocks which I think were the best looking of the bunch. Documenting the changes by date or serial number is most of the time a generalization as guns were not shipped in serial number order and parts were used as available. Thanks for sharing!
22target
Thank you 22target for the information about the change in the frame. That is something that I’ve never heard of before so I had to get #188xx and #760xx from the safe to compare. Sure enough, although the difference is slight, there is a difference! That new information has been added to my list.
If you go to rimfircentral.com and find the sub forum for the model 41, you will see that civil1911 has posted three stickies with a lot of photos on the different stocks, the muzzle breaks, andthe barrel weights.
There are things I left out because I just don’t have definite answers for. Any history of the oversized trigger guard, for example, will be welcomed. Don’t even think about all the variations (13 so far) of the 5” field barrel! That alone will add another page to my list and much of the data is conflicting between model 41 authorities.
Anyway, thanks again and I hope someone else will chime in with more information on our beloved model 41.
If you go to rimfircentral.com and find the sub forum for the model 41, you will see that civil1911 has posted three stickies with a lot of photos on the different stocks, the muzzle breaks, andthe barrel weights.
There are things I left out because I just don’t have definite answers for. Any history of the oversized trigger guard, for example, will be welcomed. Don’t even think about all the variations (13 so far) of the 5” field barrel! That alone will add another page to my list and much of the data is conflicting between model 41 authorities.
Anyway, thanks again and I hope someone else will chime in with more information on our beloved model 41.
Rowlf
Member
I can't resist: When was the first reported jam while firing a M41?
I'm new to guns and had the opportunity to buy a model 41. New though I may be, I grabbed it. First trip to the range last week, loved it. A few ftes but I read that the 41's don't love HV so I've ordered some SV ammo.
I'm curious to find out the year it was made. I'm assuming it's a more recent gun b/c serial # begins with UEJ followed by 4 digits. Can you shed any light on this for me? Or direct me to a resource?
Many thanks
I'm curious to find out the year it was made. I'm assuming it's a more recent gun b/c serial # begins with UEJ followed by 4 digits. Can you shed any light on this for me? Or direct me to a resource?
Many thanks
Very good information! One question, 2007 is identified as the anniversary model, does that indicate anything different about the pistol, or just recognizing that that was the 50th year of production of the model 41?
ol777gunnerz
Member
info
The pin is in correctly, as noted earlier, it cannot go in from the opposite side.
The pin is in correctly, as noted earlier, it cannot go in from the opposite side.
Documentation
Normally, the countersink in the left side of the slide is square-shouldered, the one on the right side angled. The intended left side of the pin has a square-shouldered head, the other side is hollow, so it can be flared with a tapered punch to match the slide. The pin will go in and function correctly installed from either side, but the square-shouldered end of the pin will match the slide only if installed from the left.
Normally, the countersink in the left side of the slide is square-shouldered, the one on the right side angled. The intended left side of the pin has a square-shouldered head, the other side is hollow, so it can be flared with a tapered punch to match the slide. The pin will go in and function correctly installed from either side, but the square-shouldered end of the pin will match the slide only if installed from the left.
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Aussie Collector
Member
There are 100s and 100s of changes during the production of the model 41. Way to many to mention here.
The list of changes is made harder by errors in books and places like Wikipedia. SCSW4th from memory had two errors (mixup any printers?). Wikipedia last I looked had at least 6 errors. I find these errors anoying, only way to get a full picture would be to get a complete collection of model 41 variations, a challenging feat, or good discussion here. A discussion on changes we see is what is needed to nut it out.
Here's one change...the magazine cutout was changed in 1987 so to allow the mag to be used in the 422.....
The list of changes is made harder by errors in books and places like Wikipedia. SCSW4th from memory had two errors (mixup any printers?). Wikipedia last I looked had at least 6 errors. I find these errors anoying, only way to get a full picture would be to get a complete collection of model 41 variations, a challenging feat, or good discussion here. A discussion on changes we see is what is needed to nut it out.
Here's one change...the magazine cutout was changed in 1987 so to allow the mag to be used in the 422.....
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Can't Find This Serial Number
I have the 41 with the muzzle brake and a serial number of 3158. Where can I find the date of manufacture?
Semper Fi
I have the 41 with the muzzle brake and a serial number of 3158. Where can I find the date of manufacture?
Semper Fi
Hair Trigger
US Veteran
In the SCSW, there are few listed SN's of rimfire pistols with the three letter prefix, so a letter from SWHF would be the only definitive way to date it. From looking at what prefixes are listed yours looks to be after 2014 or so.
SCSW says the SN's started in 1954 with #1001 and continues to #115000 in 1970, and applies to modern autoloaders in models 39, 41, 46, 52, 59 and into the 3-digit model numbers. The SN range after 1970, and through 1984 have an "A" prefix. In 1984, the three-letter prefixes started. Since yours is a low-4-digit number without a prefix, you could guess it was made in the late 1950's; since the model wasn't released until 1957, you have a pretty early model. A SWHF letter would get you the shipping date.
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Hair Trigger
US Veteran
Back to the stocks for a moment. I notice some posted pictures here show stocks with a sharper edge on the finger reliefs near the top; others have more rounded edges, like they were not carved as deeply, or the sharper edges were sanded more round when they were made. When were these sharper edged stocks made? Mine has the more rounded ones and was made in 1985.
Number 3158 almost certainly was shipped from S&W in 1957, the first year of production. Number 3193 was the first model 41 shipped by S&W on September 17, 1957 and only 679 units were made in 1957. But they did not ship in number order! Number 3089, the lowest number I’m aware of, was shipped in November 1957 and number 3878 was shipped in December 1957 for example. Only a Historical Association letter can give the exact date and who it was sold to.
Your M41 would have shipped with a 7 3/8” barrel with a muzzle brake as that was the only option available in 1957. Do you have the box and/or accessories? Pictures are appreciated but start a new thread to get better response.
ordnanceguy
Member
One variant that has not been mentioned so far are those pistols shipped to the U.S. military. Most, but not all, were marked U.S. on the left side of the frame at the S&W factory.
Regards,
Charlie
Regards,
Charlie
