Model 41 Problem..not firing last shot??

[dgb696]

I did a quick search and didn't find this problem. If this is not the place to post this question please direct me to where I should. Thanks!!

Pretty new to the 41. Bought it late Dec. and have been shooting bulleye with it. I have had the problem of when the last round of the magazine is chambered it will not fire. The firing pin drops, but it doesn't fire. To "fix" the problem I place a dummy round on the bottom and it works everytime. Any ideas on what is out of adjustment?
The magazines I have range from 1 "old" to 3 that I bought new in Dec. I have tried adjusting the lips of the mags with an adjustment tool to make sure there is not to much grab but it doesn't seem to help. Any input would be great.
The 41 was built back in 1968 and I'm using CCI standard. I have cleaned it before shooting and everything seems to be correct.
Thanks!!!

 

[fodder]

Try replacing the recoil spring. Slide stop may be may be slowing slide velocity down just enough to keep it out of battery. Try tapping the rear of slide before firing the last round,If this solves your problem you have solved the puzzle

 

[dgb696]

I have a Wolf recoil spring kit, I'll try the 7lb one and then replace the firing pin spring if that doesn't work.
I also have a recoil buffer in place. Do those cause a problem???
Thanks!!

 

[dgb696]

Well, tried to duplicate the problem tonight and it ran like a sewing machine. I took out the recoil buffer just as a precaution afterwards. I shoot a match this weekend so I guess we'll see. I'll bring the spring kit and if I have problems try replacing the stocker with the 7lbs spring.

 

[dgb696]

Where are all the Smith 41 gurus?? See in several post were someone buys a 41 and people say, "This is the place to be plenty of people here with knowledge on them". 211 view and 1 guy (thx fodder) gives an idea? Hmmmm, I can't be the ONLY guy that has ever had this problem.

 

[civil1977]

Read your post a couple of days ago.....I just haven't heard of this problem before. fodder's suggestions sound good. Did you try them? It sounds like your problem didn't occur last time out.

The Model 41 does have a magazine disconnect so if the magazine isn't in the gun, it won't fire. Given this, I wonder if your magazine is shifting when the last round chambers and somehow the disconnect is interferring the trigger pull on the last round. I guess you could try holding the magazine up into the frame with your off hand on the last shot. The magazine button is adjustable and it may have gotten loose.

Do you have more than one magazine and, if so, does the problem occur with all of them? Try marking your magazines and keep track of which magazine(s) the problem occurs with.

 

[dgb696]

Trying a different recoil spring. Yes, out of 4 mags (old to brand new, labeled 1-4) it was acting the same in all of them. Sometimes it works, othertimes it won't fire. I'll report back after a match this Wed.

 

[hunter3705]

I would also consider replacing the magazine springs, at least in the older mags. A slightly lighter recoil spring might also help - if - the recoil from round number 9 is not creating sufficient force to cock the hammer for round number 10.