I purchased a new SW model 41 8 years ago. I hadn't shot it much because I traveled. Now that I'm home, I've put about 2000 rounds through it in the last 6 months. I can't go 5 shots without the spent round failing to eject and getting stuck on the new round being fed into the chamber. I sent it back to SW and they replaced the bolt and several other things. I got it back and it is still failing to eject. I tried all ammo, premium to bulk and it jams with all ammo. I just called customer service again (Mark) and he told me the gun was 8 years old, what did I expect? I guess SW thinks their products should only last 8 years. I have SWs from the 1940s that still work. Has anybody had this problem and what did you do to fix it? Thanks.
Model 41 ejection issues
- Thread starter TLO24
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Model 41 maintenance
I don't know what the factory replaced....I would start with a new recoil spring, chafing on the recoil guide?, check the extractor and spring for damage and proper function/movement, and check the chamber mouth for damage. (with a magnifier) Damage to the ejector?
The magazines would also be a suspect....perhaps a thorough cleaning inside and out. New mag springs, if needed. Perhaps you could order a new magazine or borrow a magazine from someone to eliminate the mag as the possible origin of the problem.
Ammunition....try other brands. Most here on the forum specify CCI standard velocity as the best for that model.
Proper lubrication and cleaning?
Model 41 maintenance
I don't know what the factory replaced....I would start with a new recoil spring, chafing on the recoil guide?, check the extractor and spring for damage and proper function/movement, and check the chamber mouth for damage. (with a magnifier) Damage to the ejector?
The magazines would also be a suspect....perhaps a thorough cleaning inside and out. New mag springs, if needed. Perhaps you could order a new magazine or borrow a magazine from someone to eliminate the mag as the possible origin of the problem.
Ammunition....try other brands. Most here on the forum specify CCI standard velocity as the best for that model.
Proper lubrication and cleaning?
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boatbum101
Member
Model 41 extractors have always been a poor design . S&W refuses to do anything to change it . I've had to reline the barrel in mine , clip 2 coils off the mainspring & go with a 6lb recoil spring so it would shoot real match ammo . The factory barrel would keyhole @ 50yds . The gun will now put 10 rounds of cheap Aguila SV in 3/4" @ 50yds . KC Crawford is a retired USMC armorer who spent many years as Chief Instructor at the Rifle Team repair facility Pistol Division . He aint cheap , just the best on the Model 41 . His phone is 843-267-3773 , email is [email protected] . He's located in Maysville , NC . He also builds 1911's & does all kinds of excellent work .
Joe Hohmann
Member
I have not had a problem with ejecting, but I had a few others after not using it for a while. At first, a new round would jam at a angle going into the chamber now and then. I kept trying different ammo, and some jammed more than others. A new magazine fixed that problem.
I then had problems with the hammer not getting cocked now and then. The cartridge would eject OK, and new round went in OK, but pull the trigger and nothing happened. I have found some higher power ammo (like Remington Golden Bullet and CCI Blazer) that work fine after 200 rounds.
So yes, the 41 can be very finicky...which is one reason I just bought a 617 revolver. Too bad because I love the 41's feel, and the fact that you can field-strip it in 10 seconds.
I then had problems with the hammer not getting cocked now and then. The cartridge would eject OK, and new round went in OK, but pull the trigger and nothing happened. I have found some higher power ammo (like Remington Golden Bullet and CCI Blazer) that work fine after 200 rounds.
So yes, the 41 can be very finicky...which is one reason I just bought a 617 revolver. Too bad because I love the 41's feel, and the fact that you can field-strip it in 10 seconds.
smithfan4152
Member
extractor issues
I'm surprised S&W Said that about it being 8 years old. I have been shooting my pistols for years with no problems and they are a minimum of 45 years old. I shoot nothing but CCI Standard velocity, and Federal 711-B.
I only use steel follower magazines. Another company is making the extractor for the model 41, they would probably be a better extractor.
I have also yet to change out any of my recoil springs, but maybe the later model 41's spring's were not as good as the old ones. Try changing the spring.
I'm surprised S&W Said that about it being 8 years old. I have been shooting my pistols for years with no problems and they are a minimum of 45 years old. I shoot nothing but CCI Standard velocity, and Federal 711-B.
I only use steel follower magazines. Another company is making the extractor for the model 41, they would probably be a better extractor.
I have also yet to change out any of my recoil springs, but maybe the later model 41's spring's were not as good as the old ones. Try changing the spring.
I personally think your ammo choice has been the biggest problem for your gun. The tolerances are extremely tight on these guns and CCI SV is the best medicine they can get. My 1958 M41 and my 1963 M46 shoot great still because of it or Blazer. Made by CCI as well.
I have a M41 from 1969 and it too had trouble with ejecting spent cases from time to time. I think mine went 3 to 5 rounds per magazine full before a casing would jam.
I switched to CCI Standard Velocity and have had zero problems since.
I switched to CCI Standard Velocity and have had zero problems since.
One of the biggest design flaws of the S&W 41 is the ejector. It is nothing more than a ridge on the slide stop lever. As this is a stamped part, I personally feel that it is a cost cutting expediency that is out of place for a pistol of this price.
The 41 was derived from the Hammerli/Walther Olympia, which had been in production since the 1930s. Even the magazines, with a bit of modification are interchangeable. S&W made a number of design changes, with the elimination of a separate ejector being one of them.
Over the years, S&W has changed the exact location of the ejector notch. Earlier models have the notch further to the rear of the slide stop lever. Ejection problems were common if the slide did not reach near full rearward motion during recoil. S&W then decided to move the ejector notch further forward. The alleviated the problem to a degree, but it is still a far too common issue.
One of the problems is that the bend in the upper arm of the slide stop lever has to be low enough to clear the relief cut in the bottom of the slide. If it's too low, however, the empty case is bumped upwards, rather than out to the right. The empty then ends up between the top of the next round and the bottom of the barrel's rear sight extension. When the slide is driven forward by the recoil spring it really can jam that empty in there!
Try to examine for a gap between these parts.
If there is much of a gap, my recommendation is remove the slide stop lever, place it in a vise so you can get to the underside of the ejector notch, and use a ball peen hammer and drift punch to raise it slightly. Reassemble and check it for drag on the slide. You can dress down the top of the slide stop lever for minimum clearance if you go too much. This will likely fix things up, assuming you follow the other advice here regarding recoil springs and the like.
More extensive modification can involve adding metal to the ejector and/or deepening the relief cut in the slide. The former is not too hard, but the latter will need the work of a machinist/gunsmith.
Best Regards,
Jim
The 41 was derived from the Hammerli/Walther Olympia, which had been in production since the 1930s. Even the magazines, with a bit of modification are interchangeable. S&W made a number of design changes, with the elimination of a separate ejector being one of them.
Over the years, S&W has changed the exact location of the ejector notch. Earlier models have the notch further to the rear of the slide stop lever. Ejection problems were common if the slide did not reach near full rearward motion during recoil. S&W then decided to move the ejector notch further forward. The alleviated the problem to a degree, but it is still a far too common issue.
One of the problems is that the bend in the upper arm of the slide stop lever has to be low enough to clear the relief cut in the bottom of the slide. If it's too low, however, the empty case is bumped upwards, rather than out to the right. The empty then ends up between the top of the next round and the bottom of the barrel's rear sight extension. When the slide is driven forward by the recoil spring it really can jam that empty in there!
Try to examine for a gap between these parts.
If there is much of a gap, my recommendation is remove the slide stop lever, place it in a vise so you can get to the underside of the ejector notch, and use a ball peen hammer and drift punch to raise it slightly. Reassemble and check it for drag on the slide. You can dress down the top of the slide stop lever for minimum clearance if you go too much. This will likely fix things up, assuming you follow the other advice here regarding recoil springs and the like.
More extensive modification can involve adding metal to the ejector and/or deepening the relief cut in the slide. The former is not too hard, but the latter will need the work of a machinist/gunsmith.
Best Regards,
Jim
I have actually had pretty good luck with nothing more than extractor tuning. If it grabs the round firmly to give a good pull it works fine, if the extractor really isn't holding the rim in the breechface the brass still comes out from pressure but isn't kicked out the side properly.
Put a round or spent brass in the chamber and see how well the extractor pulls on it (put a little side load on it as it comes out), that might tell you something. I notice aftermarket extractors on the market, might be worth looking into at $15.
Put a round or spent brass in the chamber and see how well the extractor pulls on it (put a little side load on it as it comes out), that might tell you something. I notice aftermarket extractors on the market, might be worth looking into at $15.
Here is a link to one of the aftermarket extractors....there may be others.
Volquartsen Exact Edge Extractor S&W Model 41
Volquartsen Exact Edge Extractor S&W Model 41
boatbum101
Member
+1 on the Volquartsen extractor . Much better design . Factory mainspring is same weight as a 1911 , too much for a .22 . Same with factory recoil spring as it batters the breechface . .22 are notoriously finicky due to inconsistent case dimensions mainly . Better quality ammo will negate this , but most Euro match ammo is softer loaded . Hence the lighter springs . CCI SV is pretty consistent if you get the 100 round plastic pack , the paper pack aint . A drop off oil on the top round raises chamber pressure & helps blow the empty case out the chamber , but the extractor has to have a good purchase on the case rim , then the ejector has to kick it clear before the slide returns to battery . Something the factory extractor & ejector have problems with .
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Are there any trusted/proven alternatives to the OEM mainspring and recoil spring?
boatbum101
Member
Yes as stated above . Bullseye shooters have had to tweak the 41 to have alibi free performance for many years . Gun has to function or it costs you points . Not to mention messing with your head . Competition is mostly mental anyway . If one has doubts about gun &/or ammo it'll definately affect your performance . S&W 41 barrels are dimensionally not the best . Add extractor / ejector issues & it gets worse . Gun is oversprung & most won't function with Eley , SK , Lapua , RWS match ammo . Military shooters are issued Eley 10X & in cooler weather one has to keep it inside their blouse so it'll function even with a tuned 41 . If the 41 was trully a match pistol out the box custom barrels , extractors , springs wouldn't be made or used . We're talking about a target pistol not a duty weapon . Even when one sets up a 1911 lower for a 22 conversion a 17 or 19lb mainspring is used rather than the 23lb one .
boatbum101
Member
No doubt that the older ones were better made . IMHO when the letter prefix guns came out quality dropped off . If you got a good one count your blessings . Go to Target Talk or the Bullseye-L forums just for grins . Search all the threads on Model 41's . I assure you it's enlightening . For ISSF the Pardini is king . Good pistol if the Euro grip angle works for you . Same with the Hammerli 208 & Walther GSP . The AW93 was popular for some too . Bullseye one sees mainly these plus High Standards & 22 conversions on 1911 frames . Some shoot the 41 it's true , but the vast majority have been tweaked . I mainly shoot a Marvel conversion or a H-S 107 Citation . My 41 has a Walther barrel , Volquartsen extractor , lighter main & recoil springs . It's now quite accurate & dependable , but the trigger isn't anywhere near what the other 2 are .
I haven't shot my newest 41, but my other one, made in 91 has functioned with two kinds of Eley, Federal SV, CCI SV and Norma SV without any issues. Just got some Aguila SV but have not made it to the range yet. I did try some powderless 21 grain SV's just out of curiosity, and one out of 5 failed to eject, but the group size was horrendous.
Model 41 Ejection Issues
I have a 1962 flawless model 41 handed down from my dad. Serial number starts with 78XXX. Build date and ship date confirmed with Roy Jinks. Mine shoots Ely fine only rare eject issues and are specifically with WW cheap ammo in the 500 round box. Many duds in them. No igniter material in the case. Shoot CCI SV and all others. I shoot 50 rounds once a month since I enjoy shooting a fine gun and have since 94. No telling how many rounds he and I put through it as in 62 as I was 16 then, now 66. My 41 shoots flawlessly. Wouldn't part with it.
I have a 1962 flawless model 41 handed down from my dad. Serial number starts with 78XXX. Build date and ship date confirmed with Roy Jinks. Mine shoots Ely fine only rare eject issues and are specifically with WW cheap ammo in the 500 round box. Many duds in them. No igniter material in the case. Shoot CCI SV and all others. I shoot 50 rounds once a month since I enjoy shooting a fine gun and have since 94. No telling how many rounds he and I put through it as in 62 as I was 16 then, now 66. My 41 shoots flawlessly. Wouldn't part with it.
Sconie
Member
I'll second (or third....or fourth) the recommendation to use CCI Standard Velocity----that is one of the few makes of .22 that consistently seems to work flawlessly in my 41. Another good one---at least in my shooter-----Federal AutoMatch.
The problem with CCI Standard Velocity is finding it. The second problem is fainting when you see the price. 
Yes, I have some. And yes, I'm eating PBJ's this week to make up for it. Probably next week too.
Yes, I have some. And yes, I'm eating PBJ's this week to make up for it. Probably next week too.
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