model 41 efs

[10xatten]

Hello, folks. What a fantastic forum! I'm a brand new member (after appropriate lurking), and I have a serious dilemma. About a year ago I was looking for a nice Model 41 to use as a shooter. What I found was a 1973 A series, loaded chamber indicator, efs. Owned by a Smith collector and barely shot-one magazine seemed unused. Only mark is a tiny vertical scratch on the side of the rear portion of the barrel over the slide. I'd say at least 98%+. The box is 95%, is numbered to the gun and states "efs". I got it for a very good price. Here is my question: I want to shoot informal bullseye and general paper punching, but my old eyes would prefer a red dot. Should I keep it as is, sell it, or save the efs barrel, buy a Clark Barrel, slap on an Ultradot and just shoot it?

Any input will be greatly appreciated, as my trigger finger is getting itchy....

Thanks in advance.
10xatten

 

[ENeup]

Get another barrel. Set it up the way you like and go from there. You could just buy another gun to keep your original gun company.

Neup

 

[JSR III]

I agree with Neup. Either solution is a good one. When I started shooting in a bullseye league, I purchased a second barrel that had been tapped and added a rail and a red dot. This way I can still keep my ogirinal 41 in pristine shape and reassemble it if I am displaying my collection.

 

[10xatten]

Thanks guys.

That is really where my heart is, anyway. I was looking for a nice 41 and found it! Actually neither myself nor the shop i bought it from realized that it was an efs!.......$630

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[jwax]

What is "efs"?

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Extended front sight.

 

[oldRoger]

As far as I know the EFS was made to exploit a loop hole in the target shooting rules. You could also get 1911s with EFS from some of the famous gunsmiths of the time. Since that loop hole is closed, or better no longer necessary, that barrel is something of a collector's item.
My advice, go get a barrel that you can put a Red Dot on and shoot it.

 

[gunnerbern]

Try the Simmons red dot currently on sale at Overstock.com for $42. IMHO it's as the Millett red dot at twice the price.

 

[ab4ka]

whatever you do, don't bubba that original barrel. New ones aren't that expensive and are d&t.

 

[10xatten]

Thanks, guys, for your input. I will definitely not touch the original barrel. Ironically, as the only mark on the gun is on that barrel, I would grade the rest as 99+ percent and maybe too nice to shoot, as it is an A model with cocking indicator.

Maybe the gods of Smith and Wesson would be happier if I sold the whole package (gun, box, tools, papers, etc.) to a collector and bought another one to shoot, maybe already d&t.

But it is already mine...... and it's beautiful.
Tough decision. Any thoughts?

Thanks, again.
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[br25004x4]

Post some pictures are my thoughts.

 

[10xatten]

Thanks, Carl.

That's a great idea. Give me a few days to do the shots and figure how to post.

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[drhenzler]

I bought my 41 (loaded chamber indicator) in 1973 for $145 at Fed Mart in Anaheim... Wow the prices have gone up !

 

[10xatten]

Hello drhenzler.

Do you still have it? If not could you give me a partial SN? I bought mine in W Covina.

 

[10xatten]

The pics

As I promised. Funny how sometimes, items in the safe seem to get prettier and prettier the longer they are left alone. As I was prepping this for photography, in harsh light, I noticed a number of very fine scratches that were not visible in normal light but I have MR-16s over my kitchen table. I guess these are normal "handling marks", and most don't show in the photos.

I apologize if I misled anyone, and it is now a solid 98%. I think I'll go to the range.

 

[perrazi]

if you decide to sell, would appreciate a pm. thanks

 

[butchd]

You don't have to d&t to install optics. My '58 vintage 41 is in LN condition and I remove and replace the rear sight at will. It requires the removal of one tiny Allen screw. No hammer or drift required. Finger pressure only.You do have to be careful not to lose the tiny spring under the screw. A guy at this forum who goes by Kend sells the mounts out of a shop in GA. The nice thing POA is uneffected when you replace the steel sights and only minor tweaking for the red dot. This may not work with every optic but I know it works Burris Fastfire. As has already been said any of these methods work. Enjoy

 

[rockhammer]

Maybe you could look for one of those mounts replace one of the grip panels. Sorta like this:

 

[10xatten]

Whoa. Butchd, what a great idea. I went to kend's site, and he's even got different models for the 52 sight and the later Keng.

The Smith sight really holds zero?

Thanks.

And Rockhammer: I was hoping to find a mount like yours for the 41 but so far, no luck. Lots of options, though.

Thanks all
Richard

 

[10xatten]

Hi guys.
I looked for another thread, but this seems to be an appropriate one. Re: butchd's post above, the sight mount he is referring to appears to be made by BME and is designed to replace the model 52 rear. There are two types; one a weaver rail for tube sights, and one specifically for the Ultradot LT.

Anybody else use either of these? They look like a good option.

Thanks,
Richard