Model 41 Magazine Question

[Goony]

About when did the transition from the folded metal follower to a plastic one occur?

 

[Exaviator]

I have no idea when exactly the transition took place, but plastic followers were certainly available some four years ago.

 

[chief38]

IIRC that happened in the mid to late 1980's.

 

[Tom S.]

According to Standard Catalogue of S&W 5th edition (which I highly recommend), 1985.

 

[chief38]

According to Standard Catalogue of S&W 5th edition (which I highly recommend), 1985.

The first generation of black plastic follower magazines were less expensive, thinner and cheaper but did actually work. The second generation had red plastic followers and were even cheaper but I will say most of them work too. After that, fast forward to the current crop of cheap crummy magazine's that 9 out of 10 times will not work in older guns and many will not even fully seat in older model 41's.

IMHO one who is looking for high quality M41 mag's should buy used, metal follow versions on eBay. Yes they are pricy but they will always work without fiddling with them and will last a lifetime. In the long run that would be the way to go!

 

[Exaviator]

The problem with the plastic followers is that the extrusion that operates the lock-out gets easily chipped and from then on it doesn't function correctly. Easy enough to replace, if you can find them...