Model 41 very stiff trigger guard and mag release

[dondailey]

Went to the range today with a brand new model 41 7”. Had two problems right off

1. mags wouldn’t catch to stay in, release button not springing up, just loose.

2. Field stripped it, it has an almost impossibly stiff trigger guard pull down and up.


Finally got it back together and the magazine catch magically started working and it shot fine. The trigger guard is so stiff, I’m afraid I might break it. Anyone know what the problem is?

 

[505Gibbs]

That's the main part that locks up the barrel. It should be stiff and will loosen over time.

 

[wproct]

Yes, totally normal. "Stiff" equals a tight and precisely fitted barrel, which is a good thing. It will become somewhat easier after the pistol has been stripped down a number of times.

 

[dondailey]

Thank you both for your replies. In the videos that I’ve seen, it looked a lot easier. It is still a mystery as to why my mag release button was hung up. I also have a new unfired PC version, I’ll take it down and compare the difficulty in the trigger guard.

 

[TheLevelOne]

When I got my 41 used last year from an estate sale, it had not been fired for a many years by it's original owner. I experienced the same super stiff guard condition after removing the barrel.

I saturated the area around the pawl cam with some lube, let soak and lubed it again. Worked fine following that. I still lube it about every 5-10 cleanings, though I'm sure that might be a little OCD on my part.

Regards ------------

 

[blockislander]

My trigger guard would not close. I was afraid to break it so back to the dealer. He racked the slide a couple of times and it closed. Still very stiff but much better after 500+ rounds.

 

[Larks]

Don’t do anything to try and loosen the trigger guard, it will loosen up quite quickly with use as you strip and clean the gun. If you mess with it you’ll have more trouble keeping it closed later on than you do now getting it open.

 

[dondailey]

Btw, I took down the new PC model 41 also. It was only slightly stiff, just right I think…

 

[dondailey]

Btw, I took down the new PC model 41 also. It was only slightly stiff, just right I think…

 

[chief38]

The new M41's are more than likely not fit together as well as the older ones are. The good news is it will most likely break in over time. A little lube does help.

Not badmouthing here, HOWEVER I have found that the new Magazines are terrible. You could find someone with an old style all metal follower mag. and see how it works in your gun. I find the old mags work and fit so much better. If you find the same thing, get yourself some older style (in excellent condition) mags - they are not nearly as finicky as the new ones are. They are expensive these days, but worth the money in my opinion.

 

[dondailey]

Dumb question maybe, but is it ok to close the trigger guard with the barrel off? Just to see the mechanism and lube it.

 

[usedkid]

Yes it is okay to close the trigger guard without barrel in place...

 

[Larks]

Dumb question maybe, but is it ok to close the trigger guard with the barrel off? Just to see the mechanism and lube it.

I wouldn’t lube it. Any lube that you put in your firearm is going to attract unburned powder and carbon residue so only lube where the instruction manual says to lube - ie a single drop of very fine oil on the slide on either side.

One of the biggest causes of problems that I see at the range is over lubing firearms and lubing them in the wrong places - stick with what the OEM advises in the manual.

With the slide locked open your trigger guard will free up with use. Open and close it a few times and do not modify it.