Model 41 is Not Ejecting Casings

[SWFan27]

My 1972 Model 41 was given to me by my dad, and it was working fine with CCI Low Velocity ammo. But recently it started having trouble cycling. It is not ejecting the casing after each shot, and if it does, then it is not feeding properly.

My dad gave me a replacement ejector and spring that I just had a local gunsmith install, along with a new recoil spring that he ordered. But I went to the range yesterday hoping it was fixed and there is still the same problem.

I called Smith and Wesson today and I can send it in, but it could be 3-5 months to get it back. I am hoping that you experts might have some thoughts concerning my Model 41.

 

[Yendor357]

Try CCI MM 40 grain solids. Your pistol acts like the ammo is too wimpy for the way your gun is sprung.

I don’t know for sure, but I’ve often heard extractors in blow-back actions are for extracting unfired ammo.

 

[Krogen]

Be sure the chamber is clean, really clean. Use a 25 caliber bore brush with solvent to clear out any crud on the chamber walls. It can be tenacious and hard to remove. If the crud causes drag on the extracting case, the gun can fumble the empty case.

 

[SWFan27]

Try CCI MM 40 grain solids. Your pistol acts like the ammo is too wimpy for the way your gun is sprung.

I don’t know for sure, but I’ve often heard extractors in blow-back actions are for extracting unfired ammo.

It was loving the CCI Low Velocity up until I started having trouble. I believe the gunsmith got the recoil spring from Wolfe. I think the parts my dad had may have come from S&W. They did have the factory part numbers on the package they were in. Is it possible that I have too much or too little tension on the new recoil spring. The gunsmith said the old one was catching on something.

 

[SWFan27]

Be sure the chamber is clean, really clean. Use a 25 caliber bore brush with solvent to clear out any crud on the chamber walls. It can be tenacious and hard to remove. If the crud causes drag on the extracting case, the gun can fumble the empty case.

Thanks and I will try that.

 

[Krogen]

I don’t know for sure, but I’ve often heard extractors in blow-back actions are for extracting unfired ammo.

Blowback actions use the empty case and residual gas pressure as a piston to push the slide back. The extractor helps hold the case rim in place during this process so it can be kicked out by the ejector. As you say, the extractor will also pull out unfired rounds when you pull back the slide.

 

[Yendor357]

It’s hard telling why it stopped working properly. Maybe it was barely running, then got just dirty enough to start to malfunction.

Maybe it was barely running on the old lot of ammo. Then the new lot of ammo is loaded a bit lighter, and now doesn’t have enough power to run the gun.

Clean it. Lube it. Run full power ammo. Report back.

 

[nll401]

What do you mean by "CCI low velocity"? If you mean their Standard Velocity 40gr .22LR, that should work in your 41. If it doesn't something needs fixing (or cleaning).

But if you perhaps mean CCI Quiet .22 - which comes in a box that looks just like the Standard Velocity - it's not enough to reliably cycle the action. Ask me how I know.

 

[Exaviator]

As previously mentioned, the first step is a thorough cleaning of the chamber. You need to eliminated that as the possible cause before seeking an alternative answer.

 

[SWFan27]

What do you mean by "CCI low velocity"? If you mean their Standard Velocity 40gr .22LR, that should work in your 41. If it doesn't something needs fixing (or cleaning).

But if you perhaps mean CCI Quiet .22 - which comes in a box that looks just like the Standard Velocity - it's not enough to reliably cycle the action. Ask me how I know.

Sorry, long day and I have a cold, so my brain is not firing on all cylinders. And yes, I meant CCI Standard Velocity. The chamber is gunked up and I am in the process of cleaning it. I expect it to work when I take it to the range again later this week.

 

[Golddollar]

Be sure the chamber is clean, really clean. Use a 25 caliber bore brush with solvent to clear out any crud on the chamber walls. It can be tenacious and hard to remove. If the crud causes drag on the extracting case, the gun can fumble the empty case.

I went from having a 40% failure to eject/extract rate to near perfect extraction by doing just this.

 

[Rule3]

In case no one mentioned it. Clean the barrel really good.
Clean and lube the whole gun, If you have any high velocity ammo try a few and see if they work it's not gonna hurt the gun
When mine was new it had the same issues.

 

[chief38]

You said you had a LGS replace the ejector. Do you mean extractor?? If not, get yourself a Volquartsen extractor which solves many people's issues and is better than the factory extractor IMO. Make sure you are using 7.5 pound factory spring for starters and are using CCI 40 grain standard velocity ammo. Sometimes a slightly lighter 7 pound spring helps. They are made my Wolff Spring Co.

Stepping up to high velocity CCI 40 grain Mini-mags can help solve feeding and extraction issues however accuracy will usually suffer. Without the gun in front of me that's about all I can say.

 

[rck281]

Clark Customs recommends to clean the chamber thoroughly then after loading the mag, put a drop of oil on the top cartridge. Continue putting the oil on every few mags.

 

[reedybart]

Be sure the chamber is clean, really clean. Use a 25 caliber bore brush with solvent to clear out any crud on the chamber walls. It can be tenacious and hard to remove. If the crud causes drag on the extracting case, the gun can fumble the empty case.

A friend is coming over today to shoot. I will look for a 25 caliber brush.

 

[reedybart]

In case no one mentioned it. Clean the barrel really good.
Clean and lube the whole gun, If you have any high velocity ammo try a few and see if they work it's not gonna hurt the gun
When mine was new it had the same issues.

I do not have any high velocity on-hand, I will have to buy some

 

[Rick H.]

If you are running a Wolfe recoil spring be careful how you install it. There is a right way and a wrong way for installation on these. Also I only use a .25 cal. brush on the chamber , not in the barrel.

Rick H.