Model 41 Question

[SIAD MP]

Scored this 41 a while back. It has a 5.5 inch barrel but is a little unusual. It is not like any other 5.5 I have run across. The frame is tapered slightly around the muzzle for a lighter feel and look. I have heard of a sporter model of the 41. Can this be one. I got it last summer for 400. It is in 90%+ condition. It is the most accurate .22 pistol I have ever shot. Dime size bulleyes at 50ft are a no brainer.

 

[fyimo]

I can't answer your question other than to say it was a steal at that price.

 

[Programmer]

Cut down 7" barrel?

 

[SIAD MP]

Now that I think about it, it may be a 5 inch barrel. No not cut down, bought it from the original owner as is.

 

[824tsv]

It's a 5" barrel. Looks good to me. Excellent price. Would need a pic of the muzzle to determine if it's a cut down barrel.

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

Per 824 - more pictures
Top of bbl
Front end
Left side showing Smith & Wesson on bbl
SN range
these will tell a lot

 

[SIAD MP]

Barrel is not cut. It was purchased new by the old gentleman I bought it off of. He shot it in a club where they would shot small bore pisto Bullseye then turn out their tricked 1911's back in the early sixties.

 

[kimporter]

i believe that is whats called a "field" bbl,was offered as an option if you didnt want a target weight bbl,

 

[824tsv]

I wouldn't be so quick with that assumption. Without pic's it's impossible to tell if the barrel has or hasn't been cut. There is a lot of good reading here about 5" field barrels (correct description Kimporter) that were born from original 7" barrels. Check the links from previous posts. As Tom Beckwith says "Remember the S&W "RULE" - with S&W there are NO rules".
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...123338-model-41-lightweight-field-barrel.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/261332-model-41-field-barrels.html

 

[kimporter]

it has the field bbl style rear sight on it,thats what my clue was

 

[civil1977]

That rear sight was used on the 7 3/8", 7" and 5" field barrels. The gun appears to have the oversized trigger guard and the front sight appears to have a gold bead.

 

[chief38]

My M41 is the very first gun I ever bought back in 1979. At that time there were THREE different barrels to chose from.

1) 5 1/2" Bull barrel but no relief cuts at the muzzle
2) 7 1/2" tapered barrel with Olympic style weights
3) a 5 1/2" Bull barrel with an extendable front sight. - Does your front sight slide out about 2" ???

If it's not #3 then it's new to me, but I love learning about things I never knew before. Thanks for posting!

Chief38

 

[SIAD MP]

It is not cut. Came from Smith as a 5 inch. I thought I heard the term Sport model but Field Model sounds right. I plan to pot some rabbits and acorn eatere with it this fall.

 

[kimporter]

just looked at the pic again and it does look like a gold bead on the front sight,is there one on it?

 

[SIAD MP]

No gold bead, patridge front sight.Just a reflection

 

[JERRYB1127]

$400?... WOW, FABULOUS PRICE!

 

[JERRYB1127]

You made a great purchase! 'Not surprising that it is a great shooter. That's what the Model 41 is all about! I own several and they are absolute tack drivers.