I acquired a Model 41, serial number is “A” series. It does not eject softer shooting match/target ammunition, but is fine with 50 gn “high velocity” ammunition by the same maker. My question - is this normal, or could it have an aftermarket xtra power spring? Or is there any other issue that might cause this?
Model 41 Spring Wt?
- Thread starter pmhayden
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Well assuming that you’re referencing recoil springs, and it appears that “those in the know” haven’t given you any help so far…..
Who knows what’s in your 41. Original factory weight was/is 7.5 lbs. Wolf offers a wide selection of recoil springs, from 6 lbs up to 8 lbs in 1/2 lbs increments. They offer a variety pack which might be beneficial to you for specific tuning needs.
Jim
Who knows what’s in your 41. Original factory weight was/is 7.5 lbs. Wolf offers a wide selection of recoil springs, from 6 lbs up to 8 lbs in 1/2 lbs increments. They offer a variety pack which might be beneficial to you for specific tuning needs.
Jim
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The M41 leaves the Factory with a 7 1/2 lb. spring finished on BOTH ends. There are instances that certain M41's will not work well with standard velocity ammo unless a lighter spring is used. Wolff Springs does make a half dozen or so different weight springs to tweak your pistol to the load you are using. I have found that usually dropping to a 7 pound (possibly a 6.5 if the pistol is brand new and really really stiff) spring resolves most issues if your pistol won't properly and reliably work with the factory 7 1/2 lb. spring.
Unless Wolff Springs has "fixed" their issue, their replacement springs are only finished on ONE end. That finished end MUST face the muzzle!!!!! If installed backwards, your M41 will jam up badly as the open end will work its way out of the hole for the guide rod. Again, finished end forward!
I have also found that after replacing the factory spring with a 1/2 lb. lighter one and shooting a few thousand round through the gun, many times you are then able to reinstall the 7.5 pound factory spring and because the gun has worn in and its parts have smoothed out, it works perfectly. That was the case with mine which has worked perfectly fine with the factory spring a few thousand rounds after breaking in.
IMHO, you want to have a 100% reliably functioning pistol but with the heaviest spring it will work that way with. If a spring of too light a weight and is used long term, yea the pistol will work reliably but excess wear could also be inflicted on the pistol. So if you do change to a lighter spring after a few thousand rounds, re-try the factory spring and see if it works. There is a fine line between 100% reliability and not beating up a beautiful target pistol more than necessary.
I find that after 4,000 - 5,000 rounds most M41's are well broken in and smoothed out to the point they will work well with standard velocity ammo. Many new ones will not with the factory spring. Instead of just using the high velocity ammo I like to lighten the spring first. I don't like firing much high velocity ammo through a target pistol. It does tend to accelerate wear, increase recoil, change point of aim and IMHO, high velocity ammo is just not as accurate as standard velocity. Accuracy is why I bought a M41 in the first place.
Factory 7.5 lb. M41 springs (finished on both ends) are available from S&W and the replacement spring assortment of different weights is available from either Brownell's or Wolff. Just be aware of any spring finished on ONE end only - orientation does matter. It's been while since I purchased any Wolff Springs so I am unaware of they still come finished on one end or not. Be aware!
BTW, for most model 41 owners, CCI standard velocity ammo is the most reliable and most accurate after the pistol is broken in. If you have a new M41 or one with a very low round count you might want to shoot a few thousand rounds through it before sending it back to the factory for repair. Just a suggestion as the round count breaks a gun in the best way possible.
Unless Wolff Springs has "fixed" their issue, their replacement springs are only finished on ONE end. That finished end MUST face the muzzle!!!!! If installed backwards, your M41 will jam up badly as the open end will work its way out of the hole for the guide rod. Again, finished end forward!
I have also found that after replacing the factory spring with a 1/2 lb. lighter one and shooting a few thousand round through the gun, many times you are then able to reinstall the 7.5 pound factory spring and because the gun has worn in and its parts have smoothed out, it works perfectly. That was the case with mine which has worked perfectly fine with the factory spring a few thousand rounds after breaking in.
IMHO, you want to have a 100% reliably functioning pistol but with the heaviest spring it will work that way with. If a spring of too light a weight and is used long term, yea the pistol will work reliably but excess wear could also be inflicted on the pistol. So if you do change to a lighter spring after a few thousand rounds, re-try the factory spring and see if it works. There is a fine line between 100% reliability and not beating up a beautiful target pistol more than necessary.
I find that after 4,000 - 5,000 rounds most M41's are well broken in and smoothed out to the point they will work well with standard velocity ammo. Many new ones will not with the factory spring. Instead of just using the high velocity ammo I like to lighten the spring first. I don't like firing much high velocity ammo through a target pistol. It does tend to accelerate wear, increase recoil, change point of aim and IMHO, high velocity ammo is just not as accurate as standard velocity. Accuracy is why I bought a M41 in the first place.
Factory 7.5 lb. M41 springs (finished on both ends) are available from S&W and the replacement spring assortment of different weights is available from either Brownell's or Wolff. Just be aware of any spring finished on ONE end only - orientation does matter. It's been while since I purchased any Wolff Springs so I am unaware of they still come finished on one end or not. Be aware!
BTW, for most model 41 owners, CCI standard velocity ammo is the most reliable and most accurate after the pistol is broken in. If you have a new M41 or one with a very low round count you might want to shoot a few thousand rounds through it before sending it back to the factory for repair. Just a suggestion as the round count breaks a gun in the best way possible.
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If you live close enough I would be happy to meet and let you try my 41 barrel to see if it functioned OK on your frame. If that combo worked, we know you had a problem with the barrel. If it jammed with my barrel, we could swap springs to see if that solved the problem.
Do you know another M41 owner you could try this out with? Other than that, I wholeheartedly agree with everything Chief38 recommended.
Do you know another M41 owner you could try this out with? Other than that, I wholeheartedly agree with everything Chief38 recommended.
Rick H.
Member
Wolf Springs are still unfinished on one end. They must have a specific reason for doing this but I don't know why myself. And yes the "finished" end must go towards the muzzle. Interestingly enough Wolfe doesn't give a warning on this that I saw on their packaging. Maybe I missed it.
Rick H.
Rick H.
Replace both the recoil spring, and find a new OEM mainspring.
Both of these heavily affect slide speed, and a strong mainspring helps with strong ignition. The slide has to push the hammer down, a weak mainspring creates the condition for excessive slide speeds, same as a weak recoil spring. Both take a set over time, both are easy to replace. Just do it.
Both of these heavily affect slide speed, and a strong mainspring helps with strong ignition. The slide has to push the hammer down, a weak mainspring creates the condition for excessive slide speeds, same as a weak recoil spring. Both take a set over time, both are easy to replace. Just do it.
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I am going to clean my new 41 thuroghly before I start changing springs. You are the second person to recommend this.
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