Model 41 Guru

[JacMac]

Was looking thru old posts and would like to contact Tom Beckwith. Am new to forums and do not know the procedures. Thanks, J

 

[JacMac]

Was looking thru old posts and would like to contact Tom Beckwith. Am new to forums and do not know the procedures. Thanks, J

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

[email protected]

 

[JacMac]

Thanksgiving day and here I am asking questions about model 41's. That should explain my priorities. Anyway I am a new member and was going thru all the old posts about model 41's and saw one about a broken extractor on an early gun. I agree that it is a rare circumstance on a 41 and I wondered about the discussed "new extractor" that 22target mentioned. I have been intending to visit the factory as it is only a couple hours drive and will inquire into this. If you have any questions for them, let me know. I have been going there for years and always get better info, then on the phone. If there is a difference, do you have any early extractors left? I am wondering if the failure was due to metal fatigue after x number of years. If so I should probably have one, as I have been shooting mine for 40 some years. Thanks J.

 

[smithfan4152]

I have some model 41 extractors old stock, never mounted, but I would not be one to try to swap one out, Also I have seen instances when swapping barrels, that the barrel didn't fit properly, the extractor would then bind, or not even line up with the extractor slot in the barrel.
Trying to force things could weaken or crack it.
Not saying this is the answer, but it could also have just been a bad part.
Personally I have never had one break.
I have an old article on the model 41, plus a gunsmith's article on extractor mods, and complete detailed dis assembly. E-mail me if interested, to all, or anyone.

 

[Karl in NY]

I have been intending to visit the factory as it is only a couple hours drive

Well worth the trip...I have taken the tour three times, one time as a VIP...they had me confused with someone making purchasing decisions for a large PD...I didn't set the record straight, and spent the rest of the day on their range, shooting their guns, using their ammo...

I did blue-collar factory work during college 30 years ago, and it amazed me to see how much (and so little) has changed in factories since then. The technology is totally different (I operated a Monarch Hydroslide lathe, "programmable" with metal templates...now the machines are computer numerically controlled). But the factory "culture" seemed to be what I remembered...

S&W factory tours last a couple of hours, with lots of walking. Very tight security, expect to get scanned going in and going out. You need to make prior arrangements for a tour as they like to assemble groups, unless you get the VIP treatment, of course.

Also, ask to be allowed to "dine" in the factory cafeteria, an experience in itself...like a time-machine journey to 1957.

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

JacMac - suggest you list your e-mail address in your PROFILE

 

[JacMac]

O.K. Tombeck. As I said I am new to this and I appreciate the help. I expect I will see smithfan4152's e-mail in his profile. Thanks to Karl for his response, but when I lived in Mass. years ago; I used to visit S&W on a regular basis. Now I go on occasion, only to check things out. No more tours.