Model 41 Disassembly Question

[rimfireshooter]

I have had a 41 for about a year now and it shoots well. When I take it apart, it takes so much forced to rotate the trigger guard downward that it feels like I'm going to break it off. I thought that was normal until I tried a different gun recently and it was not nearly like this. Would you send it back to Smith to take a look at it or would you just send it back if it actually breaks?

 

[Larks]

They do start out very stiff but usually free up after being opened and closed a few times - ie I could feel mine starting to free up gradually after half a dozen to ten opening and closings.

Do not try to file anything down or come up with any repairs yourself (it sounds like you wouldn't anyway but in case someone else is reading this). If it doesn't feel like it is gradually freeing up after opening and closing it a dozen times perhaps do consider sending it back but I suspect S&W will just say that they are tight when new.

Either way it's better over tight than too loose, which is why I say don't file anything.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Mine is fairly hard to lock up when reassembling, but not too bad when unlocking to disassemble. If you don't have everything lined up correctly when reassembling, the trigger guard will not go past a certain point and feels like it bumped up against something solid. You'll know it from its proper movement, so I wouldn't worry too much forcing it when you shouldn't. It's supposed to be rather hard to lock up, otherwise it won't stay together, since there is no "take-down pin", etc. that has to be removed or inserted to ensure it doesn't come apart. Be glad it's not a Ruger MkIII pistol, those are a real bear to reassemble.

The M1A rifle takes down in a very similar way, you pull the trigger guard down to unlock the trigger group from the rest of the action to remove the stock.

 

[rimfireshooter]

Thanks a lot. I think I will just leave it alone for now.

 

[chief38]

I have a M41 and many of my friends do as well. I've never encountered one that was so difficult to disassemble. Check the catch for burrs, roughness or and heavy markings. They should not be "gorilla tight" but they should be resistant enough to properly lock up and hold the barrel securely after reassembly.

If it is really super tight to the point of absurdity, I would send it back.

 

[BB4XL]

Mine has always been no problem. I don'n think this will help but check it out.
Model 41 maintenance