My first 41

[rwadley1]

In my area, interesting guns have been hard to come by. Thanks to relichunter451, that changed this week. He let me know about a small collection that recently became available locally and he was gracious enough to let me get a couple pieces from it.

One of those pieces was a pristine model 41 with 5.5 inch barrel, cocking indicator and all the case candy. The serial number starts A135, so I'm guessing early 70s?

At any rate, I'm excited to add this to my accumulation.

 

[Usmc5811]

I believe you will like it. The 41 was the first semiautomatic pistol I ever fired and I was able to purchase that gun. A 1958 version with a little holster wear but otherwise in excellent shape and it shoots like a dream. Let us know how it shoots.

 

[SVT28]

The best rimfire semi auto ever produced! You will enjoy yours I have no doubt.

SVT28


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[Scharfschuetzer]

Congrats on finding that fine target pistol.

I just picked up a 7" Model 41 today. No box, but it's in pristine condition also. Sadly, I have to suffer a waiting period before I can pick it up.

 

[teletech]

Some folks experience reliability issues, including myself. I find it's a bit particular about what ammo it likes. Still, despite the occasional alibi or bad day, the 41 brings me a really substantial amount of joy, more than any other .22, even ones costing rather more.

 

[rwadley1]

Can anyone help with a ship date? I saw a thread for one with a slightly earlier serial number (A132) that was said to have shipped in June '71.

If mine shipped in '71, it is my first "birth year" gun.

 

[sceva]

Probably 1971

Did a search in the SWCA area and found
A1341xx shipped July 1971
A1373xx shipped Dec 1971
A1396xx shipped April 1972

My later A1948xx shipped August 1973

 

[Psy]

That is a good find, congrats!

 

[lkabug]

What's the going price on a 95%, 1978 edition model 41 with box?

 

[Bastogne71]

Let me add to sceva's list:

A134478. 7/71
A135109. 9/71

Your M41 is most likely from the fall of 1971. It's a beauty! Probably one of the last to ship with the lazy ampersand.

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

Nice .22s, I found my 5.5 inch barrel M41 at a moving sale a mile from my house. Came with 2 mags in an aluminum case, I've since picked up 4 more new mags. SN UBN56XX Have a Burris FF red dot on it. Scary accurate.

 

[jim1K]

I have a bad experience with a new 41 it had a bad barrel and I sent it back to S&W after over 4 months they sent it back with a bad second barrel. The first barrel I shot 8 times and it key holed every shot and the replacement barrel had two lands that didn't make the muzzle by a I/2". It is like rolling dice sending it back to S&W for repair and you had better look the new one over before you buy it..... and for sure look down the barrel with a bore scope. The lifetime warranty is worthless.... Jim

 

[Hair Trigger]

What's the going price on a 95%, 1978 edition model 41 with box?

I'm getting ready to pay $1200 for a 1985 7 inch M41 with box, tools and papers, so probably in that range. Hope it stays on the shelf another week, it's been there several months. Not a lot of rednecks around here want to shell out $1K+ on a .22 pistol. I've got to complete the deal I have going now, first.

 

[Kp321]

There don't seem to be any issues with 70's vintage 41's, I have two that function flawlessly. Current manufacture is a different story. You should be good to go.

 

[Rick H.]

Let's be honest here, older M41'S have problems too, it's not limited to just new production ones. I can attest to the older ones having issues as well as new ones. Do a search and see what you come up with in this area.

Rick H.

 

[chief38]

Looks like a real beauty!! Doesn't even look like it was fired - ENJOY IT!

 

[22shtur]

Let's be honest here, older M41'S have problems too, it's not limited to just new production ones. I can attest to the older ones having issues as well as new ones. Do a search and see what you come up with in this area.

Rick H.

I have owned every variant of the S&W model 41, from very early to a mid 1980 model. They functioned pretty good, but not flawlessly.
I have a model 46 that shoots excellent with almost any standard velocity competition ammo brand.

 

[Troystat]

Nice, I have a 41 from the early 70's and it is a joy to shoot. I shot it today. When I do everything right mine is an amazing shooter I shoot mine off hand at 25 yards and today I picked it up and put the 1st 3 shots in side of a quarter, the next was a 7 (insert eye role) and the next was with the 1st 3 shots. Then a guy two lanes down from me started shooting a 12 gauge riot gun and my scores went to hell.

 

[BongoBoy]

Congratulations! Back in the Ancient Times of the late 60s thru early 70s my only exposure to 'civilian' firearms was thru the gun rags Dad brought home from time to time--and there were few I longed for more than the cool .22 automatics. Always wanted a Model 41, and it wouldn't be until just a few years ago I found one that looks nearly identical to yours...a UBD-prefixed one.

So, as for 'reliability', it was bad through the first 200 rds, if I've even fired that many thru it, but it has greatly improved. Mine was listed as used, but it clearly had never been fired. On mine, the safety seems to engage during normal shooting every so often, and from time to time it fails to cycle and extract/eject. But again, I'm hoping I just need to run it more.

You'll will find its sweet spot, and I do believe the experienced often recommend CCI standard velocity for it--although I've been shooting Colt, Aguila, Federal and CCI in a random mix. Enjoy!

 

[oysterer]

Congrats on one of the finest handguns in my book. My 1967 is a true work of art. My 1979 goes to the range almost every time I go. The way they balance and shoot, you got to love them.