Model 41 magazines in different pistols

[Golddollar]

I had acquired 4 Model 41 magazines, 3 used and 1 new factory replacement (a whole 'nother story). I decided to test the magazines through my primary bullseye gun, a Model 41 .22 with a 7 3/8" barrel, factory muzzle brake and optical sight. I used nothing but CCI Standard Velocity shells.

One used magazine worked perfectly. The new magazine and the other used magazines would lock the slide back while firing, anywhere from two rounds to just about every round in the magazine.

Since I always like to have a backup gun, I brought along another Model 41, this one with the 5" heavy barrel. I fully loaded each of the magazine that caused the slide lockbacks in the first gun, and each of those magazine fired perfectly through the 5" Model 41.

Do I have a problem with the gun or the magazines, and what should I do to resolve the problem(s)?

 

[chief38]

OK - my experience with vintage model 41's is that they basically only work properly with vintage magazines. My M41, circa 1979 will not work at all with newly manufactured magazines. I have tried 5 of them and two would not even fit into the gun completely. The other three would not feed more than 2 bullets without a stoppage. When I called S&W they told me that is the unfortunate reality and suggested finding vintage mag's - I did!

I returned all 5 new magazines, got a full refund, then went and bought 3 used vintage mags on eBay. All the vintage mag's worked flawlessly and still do. They are the metal follower type. Yea, they were not cheap but will last forever and work 100% - worth it in the long run!

So do the new M41's work with the newly manufactured mag's? I can't honestly answer that one.

 

[Golddollar]

OK - my experience with vintage model 41's is that they basically only work properly with vintage magazines. My M41, circa 1979 will not work at all with newly manufactured magazines.

How vintage is vintage enough? Both of these guns are from 1997. I guess I'll have to mark the magazines that work in the 5" gun with a silver Sharpee.

 

[ggibson511960]

What is the Difference

If both old and new mags are made by S&W what is the observable reason that new mags won’t work? Surely the mag wells are the same. Do new mags hold the top shell at a different angle? Is there some observable, dimensional difference? I need some spare mags for my old 41 and don’t want to do developmental work unless it’s easy like bending feed lips or smoothing mag innards.

 

[chief38]

How vintage is vintage enough? Both of these guns are from 1997. I guess I'll have to mark the magazines that work in the 5" gun with a silver Sharpee.

I believe that the 1997 versions were black plastic followers but still made to descent quality standards. I have two of them as well and they do work in my vintage 1979 M41 just fine. The best of all of them are the metal follower type and they are only available used on eBay and alike. AFAIK they are the original style and the highest quality. If you get them they will last forever. Yes, they are a bit pricey but IMHO worth every cent.

The newly manufactured ones in the S&W blister pack are made of very thin metal and you can actually feel the cheapness by handling them. Those are the ones to stay clear of and have had nothing but problems with them, all returned!

 

[Kp321]

My M-41 is 1962 vintage. One new magazine was too fat and had to be squeezed and honed but now functions correctly. I have two new mags ordered, will see how they do. I feel sure over the 60+ years of production, some dimensions have changed slightly as tools wear and are replaced.

 

[Oldbird13]

Over 60+ years...I imagine the pencil pushers had something to do with "save money/costs, build cheaper".