Model 41 purchase.

Diplomat1981 · Aug 3, 2015

I am a firm believer of if you gotta have it get it. At the same time it is a very expensive .22 pistol and one of the best in my opinion. As others have stated it depends on what your looking to do with it. So if you want a Honda buy the buckmark. If you want the Rolls Royce buy the 41. Personally I'll go for the Rolls Royce every time.

Shenandoah Sharpshooter · Aug 5, 2015

I've been looking at various Model 41s. Most of them are older production but one is manufactured in 2002. The grips have that laminated wood look to me. Is there a year when S&W went to laminated wood in the Model 41 line? Thanks.

Fullmetaljacket · Aug 6, 2015

Shenandoah Sharpshooter said:
I got to see a Model 41 at a local shop today. I'm probably going to go for one. Most have advised buying the older versions. Are parts etc. easily available for all or is there a point where earlier versions are more problematic for parts?
Thanks for any opinions.

Good choice, you won't regret it. I have a PC model now, yes it's ugly but it eats the 10 ring out of the target every time and has zero failures w/ CCI and Norma TAC ammo. It gets better looking every time I shoot it. I don't think you are any more likely to have problems with a new model than an older gun. I've owned 41's from 1958, 1960 something mid 70's and mid 90's, actually found the older guns to be more problematic but not enough to prevent me from buying another oldie if the right one came along. With an older one you there is a greater chance that someone has messed with it simply because it has been around longer. On the other hand the older guns have a beautiful polish and bluing that you don't see with current production. These are solid steel pistols, carefully fitted, I've never seen one actually broken or worn out. Maybe you have to replace a few springs and an extractor. No big deal, parts are readily available both factory and aftermarket. Remember they did not start drilling and tapping barrels for optics mounts until 1992 or '93 so if you plan to shoot with a red dot you will need to get a newer barrel or have the older one D&T.
Good luck, let us know what you decide, no wrong answers!

Rawhyde · Aug 7, 2015

My Model 41 is my favorite gun. If I had to get rid of every gun but one, it'd be what I keep. It's accurate, it's reliable, it's well built, and it's nice looking gun. Mine's from the early 2000's before the laminate grips. Older ones are even better finished.

You need to stay with good quality standard velocity ammo in a 41.

Even though this is a S&W Forum, I have to admit that I have a soft spot for Ruger's .22 autos. I have a half dozen of them in various configurations, and they're a lot of fun. You can upgrade the Ruger's with Volquartsen triggers and sears, and they're great. Add a Volquartsen upper receiver, and it's really close to a Model 41.

dimitri1919 · Aug 28, 2015

Posted on 8/24/15, in the "trade or sell" section is a 7" model 41. Purchased in 1969 it was used for 10 years in 'timed' and 'rapid' fire competition (a Morini was used for 'free' pistol) in what used to be an NRA sanctioned event (can not find it on the NRA competition web and hurricane Ivan took away my score books!). In 1981 it was used as the rim-fire gun in NRA Bulls Eye (along with a 1944 Colt 45 ACP and a Hammerli 280 in 32S&W). In 2000 the model 41 got a 5.5" bull barrel, the Hammerli was sold, and the Colt was nabbed by a collector (I had no idea that the Singer sawing machine made Colt 45s and that collectors groove when they see one) and replaced by a S&W 4500. In 2005 I gave up on Bulls Eye and concentrated on Metallic Silhouette (and, yes, the 7" model 41 did good up to 75 meters; after that the shooter was not up to open sights). The model 41 is an expensive gun, partly because collectors like them and partly because it is an accurate gun, but it seldom appears in completion other than Bulls Eye. Over the many years I have owned this 'old' 41, a 1980 5.5" model 41, a 2000 7" model 41, and they were all superb guns; BUT as 'Dirty Harry' said-"a man has got to know his limitations"- and I know that I will never shoot this 'old' 41 as good as I used to. Instead of it sitting in the safe I am selling it in the hope that someone will use it in competition.

fotoman12001 · Aug 28, 2015

I collect rimfire handguns. Between my wife and I, we have many Ruger Mark pistols, a couple of Buck Marks, several revolvers, some other miscellaneous stuff, and a Model 41. Aside from my TC Contender .22LR Match pistol, the 41 is the most accurate for me though my Clark Custom MKII is very close. The problem is, it has never been very reliable for me. It runs pretty well with CCI Standard Velocity but even then it's not 100%.

It's a 2009 model and I've tried the factory 7" barrel, a factory 5.5" barrel, and a Clark barrel. Same results with all. It only even wears the Clark barrel now so I can use a silencer with it. When it runs it is one of the most fun guns I own with the silencer. The Rugers and Buck Marks are much more reliable though. Unless you need the precision, I would save the money and go with either a Ruger Mark or Browning Buck Mark. I favor the Ruger but either will serve you well. There are many upgrade options and accessories for the Ruger if you get bored with it.