Model 41

[4696Lock2024#]

Howdy folks, I am the proud owner of my fathers Model 41. I grew up shooting it with my father and so a family legacy.

I also have a 22 cal suppressor and want to find a gunsmith that can do work on my Model 41 7" slide barrel to accept the suppressor. This way I can enjoy target practice in my backyard...outside...the way GOD intended people to enjoy their guns. I also have the 10" but will keep that untouched.

Any advise or referrals to the gunsmith that knows these pistols would be helpful.

Stephen

 

[Heinz]

I would suggest you buy a Ruger Mark IV target and put the muffler on that. Keep the Model 41 in original condition.

 

[BB57]

I agree with Heinz. They don’t make Model 41s like they used to. Don’t mess with an old one.

Either buy a new one to suppress, or better yet get a Ruger MK IV and have it threaded. Alternatively get a Mk IV Tactical, a Browning Buckmark or S&W 22 that is already threaded.

 

[oldrookey617]

You might try the CCI Quiet-22 Semi Auto, 835 FPS.. You may not need a suppressor.. and you might try the CCI Quiet-22 710 FPS, but they may not run in your automatic, but they will all work in my M617 revolvers.. lots of fun to shoot..

 

[72AV8R]

You might do what I did and get a threaded barrel from Clark Custom Guns. Most accurate barrel of the three I have for my 41, with or without a suppressor.

 

[Tom S.]

Modifying a 41 barrel for a suppressor can be done if you can find a competent smith who is willing to do it but be prepared to pay. Because the front sight is attached to the barrel, it needs to be removed. I don't know how it attached but may be brazed or silver soldered into place. Then the barrel would have to be centered, most likely in a 4 jaw lathe chuck and the barrel diameter cut down to the thread size of the suppressor. Then the sight would have to be reinstalled. An alternative would be to leave the sight alone, drill into the barrel, tap it, chamfer the rifling to remove any burrs, and then Loctite an insert in place to accept the suppressor. In short, nothing about the factory barrel lends itself to be easily converted and I don't like either option.

Clark barrels aren't cheap. A threaded version will run $550, but you can sometimes find them used for less. And they are every bit as accurate as the factory barrels.

 

[SlamFire]

I had many function issues with a 1968 mgr M46 and a 1988 M41 that when away when I replaced the old main springs with new OEM main springs. And, replace the recoil spring.

I have had fewer failures to ignite with the new mainspring, (with rimfires and pistol ignition systems, you will always have squibs and failures to fire) and it also affects the timing of the slide. The slide has to push the hammer down, a weak mainspring creates excessive slide speeds, as does a weak recoil spring. Excessive slide speeds create all sorts of stove pipes and failures to feed.

I talked to Clark about their M41's. They guarantee under an inch at 50 yards. Most shoot ten shot groups form 5/8 to 3/4 inch. Fresh ammo makes a huge difference.

I would not modify a vintage barrel original to the pistol. If you have to have a silencer, get an eBay M41 takeoff.

 

[Hair Trigger]

I agree with getting a Ruger to suppress. There are models that already have a threaded barrel and are suppressor-ready. My M41 is probably not as nice as yours but I would never have it modified, it's too nice a pistol. I've also owned a couple of Ruger .22's and they are fine shooting guns, even though the triggers aren't quite as good as the M41's.

The only other thing I might consider is to pick up another M41 barrel and have it modified; keep the original one untouched. One other thing to consider is, once you suppress whatever you decide to do, it's likely to become a single-shot pistol due to gas loss for recoil. You'll have to manually cycle it.

 

[Shutthefrontdoor]

Be a proper caretaker for your 41, and...

Go grab a Victory. I am having a blast with mine along with my Erector suppressor. Easy to break down and clean and cheep and easy to find...

 

[Tom S.]

The only other thing I might consider is to pick up another M41 barrel and have it modified; keep the original one untouched. One other thing to consider is, once you suppress whatever you decide to do, it's likely to become a single-shot pistol due to gas loss for recoil. You'll have to manually cycle it.

I have not experienced that with any of the suppressors and I have 5 in .22 caliber.

 

[bobsguns]

You might do what I did and get a threaded barrel from Clark Custom Guns. Most accurate barrel of the three I have for my 41, with or without a suppressor.

Did the bbl need to be fitted?

 

[chief38]

I have not experienced that with any of the suppressors and I have 5 in .22 caliber.

I would also strongly suggest getting another barrel and modify that one instead of the original.

As far as functioning with a suppressor goes - the model 41 is a somewhat ammo finicky gun to begin with. We are usually restricted to CCI standard velocity 40 grain ammo or similar and a suppressor might change the dynamics enough to effect proper functioning. Of course you will not know that until the modification was done and to possibly correct the issue spring changes might be required as well. Just another reason to not modify the original barrel. I'd hate to see you ruin your Dad's vintage M41 or take a perfectly functioning pistol and create issues. Get another barrel if you are determined to suppress it.

 

[72AV8R]

Did the bbl need to be fitted?

I sent the pistol to Clark for their “reliability” tuning. I had issues with it and now it runs 100%. I had them add a 5 1/2” STC threaded barrel that they fit. According to Clark most of their barrels will fit a 41 without a problem. Best money I have spent on any pistol.

 

[SlamFire]

I sent the pistol to Clark for their “reliability” tuning. I had issues with it and now it runs 100%. I had them add a 5 1/2” STC threaded barrel that they fit. According to Clark most of their barrels will fit a 41 without a problem. Best money I have spent on any pistol.

The gunsmith I talked to, had worked on over 200 M41's, and claimed he had gotten M41's that had gone through the S&W Customer Service shop, and were still unreliable till he fixed them.

And interesting quote about M41's was "modern M41's are better built, and made of better materials than old ones, even though that does not mean they are more accurate or more reliable"

He had seen a M41 fired so much that the slide was bent like a banana I have met shooters with ungodly number of rounds through their 22lr auto pistols, one had been using his High Standard since the 1964 Olympics, and had fired it enough that the barrel lug, used to hold the barrel to the frame, had cracked. I am sure there are M41 shooters with tens of thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands of rounds through the things.

The All Guard gunsmith told me the most frequent failure mode he had seen with M41 was a loose part # 6508, the bolt. The bolt holds the firing pin and extractor, is pinned inside the slide, and it is the part that receives the thrust from the cartridge head. While the bolt is pinned in the slide, the bolt is located in the slide by flanges/rails that mate with slide grooves. Apparently the bolt gets loose, wiggles, and that causes issues with cartridge retention during extraction. The Gunsmith's cure was peening the slide so the bolt rails are tight inside the slide grooves.

 

[Digitaldave]

I searched for a gunsmith to replace the grips on my 1967 M41. The only one I could find is Clark Custom Guns of Princeton, Louisiana. Phone: (318) 949-9884.
Clark does all kinds of M41 work, and I'd trust them for advice on what your M41 needs to be can-ready.
Can't disagree with those who suggest you simply buy a newer pistol for a suppressor. On the other hand, I understand your love of the M41 grip and trigger you've shot for so many years.
Your gun, your choice. Good luck!

 

[SweetMK]

I was walking through a gun show,
and saw a dealer refuse to offer a guy $250 "trade-in" for this Ruger 22/45

As he started to walk away, I offered him the $250,
he grinned, I brought it home,,

I have two model 41's, this gun will shoot as accurately as either of them, and it is "can-ready",,

Buy a Ruger for use with the can,,

 

[SlamFire]

I searched for a gunsmith to replace the grips on my 1967 M41. The only one I could find is Clark Custom Guns of Princeton, Louisiana. Phone: (318) 949-9884.
Clark does all kinds of M41 work, and I'd trust them for advice on what your M41 needs to be can-ready.

The gunsmiths at Clark know how to build reliable and accurate pistols. The shop is off Hwy 80, an old historic coast to coast Highway established in 1926 known as the Dixie Overland Hwy. Google Maps It was a hoot to drive on this road and see remnants from its heyday, before the Interstate Highways.

The 50 yard tunnel in which their rimfires are tested for function and accuracy. Note the ATV, someone had been mudding.

Mr Clark's pictures and trophy's are on shelves inside the salesroom.

Mr Clark as a USMC during WW2, note the worn pants legs. Clothing wore out quickly in rain, humidity, and under brush in the South Pacific and supplies were for rear line guys.

His NRA Bullseye National Championship