Model 41 warped frame, out of the box.

[gr8guns]

I just picked up my new 41 performance center today. I got it home, and was getting ready to clean it up, and noticed it did not appear
to be as it should. The front of the frame has a noticeable warb downward , about an eighth of an inch. It looks like this:

. I think it will be replaced. I don't see them just replacing a a frame, but I suppose it could happen.
heck of a way to welcome home an expensive toy. I hope they replace it quickly. I am going to ask for a supervisor to look it over, no, that might be a mistake. Any suggestions before I contact them ?

 

[sceva]

Look it over carefully; any marks where it could have been dropped? It would have never left the gunshop if it was me.

 

[Legendarylawman]

I know absolutely nothing about the 41. With that said, it looks like to me it's not put together correctly. Can we get a side picture of the whole pistol..

 

[tlawler]

Did you not have a chance to inspect it before accepting? I would have refused it on the spot. Totally unacceptable for a brand new firearm.

 

[Tom S.]

Doesn't look like the barrel is properly latched or fitted perhaps.

 

[gr8guns]

Purchased on line, new, new guns being defective are the problem of the manufacturer. Buyers are warned up front defects in new guns are warranty issues, not the sellers problem. The pistol is correctly assembled. The frame is warped, no impact marks. This is on Smith and Wesson. I am sure they will make it right, with a new firearm. Smith Wesson customer service will get it right, not always on the first try, but eventually, they fix it.

 

[cp1969]

I just looked at mine and it is the same but not to this extent. As suggested by another member, it may not be assembled correctly? I would disassemble and reassemble it and see if that makes any difference.

 

[rwsmith]

I was just read a thread that is a year or so old where someone's mod 41 was inoperable and it's been back to the factory several times without being fixed.

 

[chief38]

I just shot my M41 last Friday and it appears below with my Sports / Field barrel in place. I MUCH prefer the shorter and lighter barrel to the original 5.5" Bull barrel that it came with when I purchased it new in 1979 or 1980. That said, BOTH barrels fit perfectly parallel and perfectly fit onto the frame.

IMHO, yours needs to go back to the Factory! Do not settle! I do not know how many parts they have left as the M41 was just recently discontinued. Don't let them give you a "factory second" either. If they are incapable of replacing your M41 with a perfect example, just insist on a full refund. Then you can look around for a vintage version or a different brand altogether. There are many vintage M41's on the market - you just need to know how to check them out and select one that won't give you fits. There are also some great vintage Colt's and High Standards to look at as well. Don't feel pressured into settling as the M41 "ain't cheap"!

I was on my Club's pistol team for decades and there were quite a few M41's on the firing line. I never remember seeing one like that.

 

[Rick H.]

Well that certainly isn't the way a M-41 is supposed to look when assembled correctly. Besides the frame extending downward at an angle in the front, the slide looks to have no operating clearance between it and the bottom of the barrel. Have you tried to take the pistol apart? Without seeing the pistol I don't know if I would condemn the frame, the slide or the barrel at this stage. There are far too many things that could be wrong to guess at the problem. I have to wonder if you will even be able to field strip the pistol the way it is, or if it will be locked up. Does the slide move and lock back? The problem could even be in the tenon on the barrel not being correctly machined and forcing the slide and barrel into an upward angle.

I would be on the telephone with Smith and Wesson immediately today about this issue and yes, talk to a supervisor if you can and get NAMES of people you talk to. Getting names of people puts THEM on the hot seat directly and they are not just another nameless, faceless entity. If this pistol is assembled correctly and I have no doubt it is from the OP's description, this pistol should never have been allowed out of the Mothership. Be polite, but be direct.

I am picking up a new PC M-41 later today and will be interested in seeing if it has a similar problem or not. My first new PC M-41 needed a new ejector straight out of the gate, but it was repaired by the factory and has been flawless ever since. Buying any new firearm is like picking something you like from an expense box of individually wrapped chocolate covered candy. Sometimes you like the piece you picked and other times you don't. Good luck in your conversation and interaction with Smith and Wesson. Remember to get names of people you talk to and try your best to speak with a supervisor.

Rick H.

 

[maxfam]

Appears the customer is also quality control, after the fact. Now you have to go through please, please with the manufacturer. So sad.

 

[gr8guns]

I have four other other Model 41 , one is a PC as well. This is number five. It is assembled as it should be, one side is worse than the other.

The slide locks back. A straight edge on the frame shows the warped slide.