Model 41

[Model 41]

I recently purchased a Model 41 and found that the pistol was in excellent condition and fired well for a few rounds. Then the pistol started to misfire and failed to eject every 20 rounds. After a thorough cleaning, the handgun cycled well for the first 50 rounds then started to fail to eject and occasionally the cartridge would not chamber. The gun was manufactured in 1960 and is an excellent accurate pistol, but the dreaded "stove pipe", misfire and malfunctioning cartridge in the chamber are all frustrating.

I have ensured that any crud was removed from the chamber, the extractor groove, the breach, barrel and feed ramp, as well as the firing pin area.

I understand that the type of ammo can cause some issues. A long bullet shoulder and short chamber can prevent a cartridge from chambering completely, keeping the bolt from closing fully. I also, understand that if I am experiencing occasional misfires and the struck rim on these have a good firing indent, then it is the fault of the cartridge and not the pistol. If all of this is correct, then what is the recommended ammo to use with the Model 41?

I also, understand that properly tuned magazine is in order to prevent feeding malfunctions. How do you tune a magazine? Are there new magazines available that are compatible with an older Model 41?

How can you tell when it is time to replace the recoil spring? Is it recommended to use 7.5 lb replacement spring?

Thank you.

 

[Lorelei]

Pics or it didn't happen!

 

[Rick Bowles]

I shoot Remington High-Speed ammo and I've never had one problem.

 

[nutsforsmiths]

Many have found, me included, that Model 41s shoot best with CCI Standard Velocity 22 ammo.

I used to get stove pipes and FTF with other types of ammo. Once I changed to nothing but Standard Velocity, all feed and ejection problems disappeared. It now shoots like a dream.

 

[wamalo]

The gun was originally designed to use standard velocity ammunition. Given your pistol's production date, I would use standard velocity exclusively. I've used numerous standard velocity rounds with great success over the years. Until the mid 1990s, Winchester T22, Remington Target, and Federal 711B served me well, but since then they've become inconsistent. I agree with the previous poster, CCI Standard Velocity is now my preferred choice.

 

[Barrie]

CCI-SV is really what you want. On occasion even it will give you the odd stovepipe. I was firing mine earlier this evening and encountered the stovepipe problem 3 times with the CCI-SV but overall its the best ammo for our guns. Even the new mags will do this on occasion as well as the ones I was using earlier to-night are all new ones. I can live with a few minor problems like this in comparison to the guy next to me with his new Ruger which was terrible for him. He was firing Federal ammo.

 

[OIF2]

Eley Tenex or RWS R50. What the military teams use. You won't have any more problems.

 

[Barrie]

Thank You and Welcome back. Glad you are safe and sound.

 

[Troystat]

I just got one from the early 70's and it has had no problems. I have used both the original mag and two new mags. No ammo issues either but I would try CCI SV and see what happens.

thanks

 

[Budnjax]

get a new factory mag and see if you

still have the same problems. I've found that about 90% of handgun feed and fire problems are related to bad magazines. I believe that the current S&W magazines that fit the 422 622 and 41 will work in any vintage 41. Buy a bunch of them if you find new ones....I have had no problems with my 41 with any ammo I've tried...

 

[7cstevan]

I have nowhere near the M 41 experience of others here, but I'm on my second one now. CCI SV worked and works in both of mine. Advantages are; Burns clean, never any duds, relatively low cost, fairly accurate, fairly easy to find even in these times. Another plus is it's the preferred ammo in High Standards too.
A few other options, IMHO, are;
Federal 711B (Champion Shooters Supply has some now). Rem. Target is accurate too, IF you can stand about 2 duds every 50 rounds, and it burns dirty too.
For slightly pricier ammo that has worked for me in both makes of guns, there is;
CCI Green Tag, CCI Pistol Match, RWS Target Rifle, SK Jag'd Std+. I've not tried the various Eley's

 

[Lorelei]

Two of mine happily eat Federal Automatch all day long. I have one that I have yet to shoot and another that I've only fed with Wolf ammo. The ones that eat the Automatch only act up if I let them get way too dirty.

 

[Barrie]

The Wolf ammo is pretty good but usually expensive where I live. I can not get the R-50 up here as yet in Canada as well as some of the others mentioned so we all try to use the CCI-SV when we can get it. Blazer is also made by CCI and works fairly well in both of my guns.

 

[thebit]

CCI Standard Velocity is the right one

Hi guys,
my M41 is from 1963 and is a fantastic pistol;
https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=267BE0C635E0D1C2!17601&authkey=!ABw6Sdr-MQADnRM&v=3&ithint=photo%2cjpg

It works absolutely nice with the CCI SV but you really have to be careful when loading the magazine. If the rounds are not in the right position you will get malfunction.

Regulary I get 1 to 2 malfunctions per 500 shoots. You should see the guys next to me with their Walther Sport Pistols. They work incredibly bad.

 

[civil1977]

If you don't know the age or round count in the current recoil spring then replace it. It's cheap and easy to do. Check Wolff's website for pricing.

I've never had a problem with the mags I have and I don't think tuning mags is a big issue since these guns have a feed ramp unlike the High Standards.

Stick with CCI SV ammo.

 

[chief38]

Model 41's can be finicky with ammo brands, types and lots. Just because it works with a particular lot of ammo does not guarantee that the same sku # from another lot or year will function similarly. Form what I hear most shooters use and have great success with the CCI standard velocity ammo. Thankfully my personal M41 is a bit less finicky than some I have seen and it shoots just about anything I feed it with the exception of Remington promotional stuff. I recently shot Remington Standard Velocity Target ammo and it operated flawlessly. Experiment with different brands and see how that affects performance.

If you can not get it to reliably extract and eject any ammo, then you might have an extractor issue. There is an excellent guide on how to fix this issue if you are mechanically inclined and have the proper tools. If not I'd suggest sending it back to S&W.


http://guntalk-online.com/Model41maintenance.htm

 

[Diplomat1981]

Most members in the forum recommend CCI-SV. I totally agree. On the other hand CCI-Mini Mags are a little hotter and my 41's love them. I would do as civil1977 says first. Replace the spring and try some CCI-SV. If this doesn't work fire some CCI-Mini Mags through it after the spring has been replaced. Also use a period magazine and lubricate it with some MPRO-7.

 

[2241]

I have a newer 41 that was quite prone to jamming due to its magazine. I took an older magazine from my "A" series 41 and put it the newer model and haven't had a problem yet.

I shoot only CCI Standard Velocity of Green Tag when I can find it on sale.

Yes, 7.5 lbs is the standard spring that ships with the gun. If you want to try replacing your recoil spring, I would suggest Wolff gunsprings (gunsprings.com).

 

[chief38]

There are still some older (all metal, including the follower) magazines available on Fleebay & GB. I have found that they are better than the newer ones with the plastic followers.

If the CCI std. vel. (1070 fps) is still causing stovepipes, then yes a lighter 6.5 or 7 pound Wolff Spring might help or the CCI Mini Mags (1235 fps) or Remington TARGET (1155 fps) might help, but used with the original 7.5 lb. spring.

I find that the M41 functions best when used with a light application of lubricant and not globbed on like some guys do on 1911's. I use the Rig +P Grease sparingly on my M41 slide and frame grooves. Works for me.

 

[adwjc]

I recently purchased a Model 41 and found that the pistol was in excellent condition and fired well for a few rounds. Then the pistol started to misfire and failed to eject every 20 rounds. After a thorough cleaning, the handgun cycled well for the first 50 rounds then started to fail to eject and occasionally the cartridge would not chamber. The gun was manufactured in 1960 and is an excellent accurate pistol, but the dreaded "stove pipe", misfire and malfunctioning cartridge in the chamber are all frustrating.

I have ensured that any crud was removed from the chamber, the extractor groove, the breach, barrel and feed ramp, as well as the firing pin area.

I understand that the type of ammo can cause some issues. A long bullet shoulder and short chamber can prevent a cartridge from chambering completely, keeping the bolt from closing fully. I also, understand that if I am experiencing occasional misfires and the struck rim on these have a good firing indent, then it is the fault of the cartridge and not the pistol. If all of this is correct, then what is the recommended ammo to use with the Model 41?

I also, understand that properly tuned magazine is in order to prevent feeding malfunctions. How do you tune a magazine? Are there new magazines available that are compatible with an older Model 41?

How can you tell when it is time to replace the recoil spring? Is it recommended to use 7.5 lb replacement spring?

Thank you.

You didn't state what type of ammo you were using initially or after cleaning, like many others here, I use CCI Standard Velocity ( Blue label 0034 or 0035) or Federal 711B. These are the only trouble free ones I have found.

Another thing I have found, especially with the CCI, is a wax buildup in the magazines, it collects about .025" down from the top edge and that grabs the nose of the rising second or third bullet in line and causes a FTF.

I have a ten year old 41 and have not changed any springs yet, firing about 2500 rounds per year.