New Model 41 versus old?

[Inspector-Callahan]

Considering the purchase of a current production 5.5 inch Model 41 and was wondering if there are any reasons to avoid current models versus buying an older production model? Looking for physical reasons such as build quality differences, accuracy, etc since this will be a shooter. The new models appear to be identical to the older ones other than the type of rear sight, however both appear to be very good target sights with lots of adjustment.

Any input/opinions would be helpful.......

Thanks

IC

 

[SweetMK]

I like looking at the extra holes in some of the old ones;

and you get the cocking indicator for free!!

 

[sceva]

Buy whichever you like and can get the best deal on. New ones have a lifetime warranty and are already drilled and tapped. The older one's have a beautiful polish. No accuracy problems with either.
I like the older S&W's myself but that's because I am older myself.

 

[civil1977]

I didn't know Dirty Harry liked rimfires. Well anyway, the Model 41 is one of the best rimfires ever made. I prefer the older ones because of the older features (muzzle brake, cocking indicator, more barrel choices) but there is nothing wrong with the new ones.

 

[sophie]

I prefer the older Model 41's also but there is nothing wrong with the later or newer production guns. I have a friend that purchased a new one with the 5.5" barrel last year and it is a good shooter.

_________
James

 

[Barrie]

I bought a older one only due to the price being cheaper to get at the time. Mine is 1958 and has all the old style options which I like as well. I would enjoy a new one as well of course for the warranty part.

 

[dbltapster]

An interesting tid-bit you may or may not find useful...I contacted S&W customer service a couple of weeks ago to find out the manufacture date of my 52-2. Part of the conversation included the new 41. According to the rep. S&W has one (1) gunsmith in Maine who performs the custom work on all of the new 41's produced.

 

[Barrie]

I would suspect he's a very busy man for sure. There should be enough work to keep him busy for many years yet I would think.

 

[gdauth]

Buy whichever you like and can get the best deal on. New ones have a lifetime warranty and are already drilled and tapped. The older one's have a beautiful polish. No accuracy problems with either.
I like the older S&W's myself but that's because I am older myself.

Ha! That is why you are old, I like the newer ones myself.

 

[cameraman2]

Model 41

I really don't think it matters.
I have an old one, 1967 manufactured, and a newer one, 1997 manufactured.
The only difference is the cocking indicator and different sight on the older one. Nicer grips on the '67 gun. Otherwise they shoot the same.
By the way i bought both of them new, one in 1967 the other in 1997.

 

[vdmccarty]

I bought my 41 used in 1965 and shot it in bullseye matches for 10 years (Roy Jinks shot in that league, in fact, he sent it to the factory for me for a tune-up). The gun shot most anything, mostly Remington. Early this year, I sent it back to the factory. It had gone down hill in terms of jams. They did the extractor, ejector, springs etc and sent it back. It was no better. Wouldn't shoot Federal or Winchester. I sent it back. I get a call from a guy who says he just shot 60 CCI thru it with no problem. I said, it used to shoot anything. He said he didn't care. If I don't want it to jam, shoot CCI. Sure, right next to my buddy who can put anything in his Ruger.

 

[EdSy]

SweetMK: Those aren't extra holes. If you look closely you will see that they contain set screws. Loosen the set screws and you can slide the front sight forward for additional sight radius. It is dovetailed into the barrel, length-wise. Neat trick, no? -Ed

 

[trigtechr]

In the mid-1970's I was active in NRA Bullseye competition, with a pre-war Colt National Match .45 and a S&W Mod 41, both of which would shoot a group at 25 yds with all shots touching. My 41 frequently mis-fired. No firing pin mark on the primer. The chamber was clean, the ammo was not suspect, the lock mechanism of the pistol was properly lubricated and seemed okay. Another shooter, a professional machinist and gunsmith, bought and used a Mod 41. He had the same problem, and was never able to correct it.I finally traded for a High Standard.
Anybody else ever had this problem?

Trigtechr

DVC

 

[mcshot]

41, 624 and Roy Jinks experience.

I bought my 41 used in 1965 and shot it in bullseye matches for 10 years (Roy Jinks shot in that league, in fact, he sent it to the factory for me for a tune-up). The gun shot most anything, mostly Remington. Early this year, I sent it back to the factory. It had gone down hill in terms of jams. They did the extractor, ejector, springs etc and sent it back. It was no better. Wouldn't shoot Federal or Winchester. I sent it back. I get a call from a guy who says he just shot 60 CCI thru it with no problem. I said, it used to shoot anything. He said he didn't care. If I don't want it to jam, shoot CCI. Sure, right next to my buddy who can put anything in his Ruger.

Years ago I contacted S&W regarding possible cylinder defects in my 624. The very knowledgeable lady informed me the serial number was part of the Lew Horton run and close enough to enough to have checked for metallurgical issues. I then asked a question about a 41 just taken in at the local gun shop. I was directed to Mr. Jenks and he advised that this model was very desirable and would be hard to find as only three in the plant knew how to make them. I enjoyed talking to this S&W historian. I then called a gun club famous for rimfire shooting. I ask about the durability of the 41 and their range officer said they had one in use with over 200K through it and it was shooting great. Needless to say I snapped the 41 up and love it. It shoots everything.
mc

 

[dgludwig]

I have an older Model 41 that shoots about anything, though I generally use CCI standard velocity ammunition. I've looked at quite a few Model 41s (both older and newer) over the years and, although I don't think you can go wrong with any Model 41, the older ones came with nicer grips and a superior finish.

 

[MShambarger]

I had problems with my 41, purchased new in 1965. It would not cycle with standard velocity ammo. I bought a Wolff spring pack and tried lower weight recoil springs with no success. Last week I put in a new main spring and it seems to be cycling with a 6.5 lb. recoil spring and the new main spring. The force to cock the hammer must be the problem. I am now using CCI standard velocity ammo but I had one jam in 30 rounds at our match this week. I'll put in the 6 lb recoil spring and see if that helps.

 

[h38/44]

I bought my 41 used in 1965 and shot it in bullseye matches for 10 years (Roy Jinks shot in that league, in fact, he sent it to the factory for me for a tune-up). The gun shot most anything, mostly Remington. Early this year, I sent it back to the factory. It had gone down hill in terms of jams. They did the extractor, ejector, springs etc and sent it back. It was no better. Wouldn't shoot Federal or Winchester. I sent it back. I get a call from a guy who says he just shot 60 CCI thru it with no problem. I said, it used to shoot anything. He said he didn't care. If I don't want it to jam, shoot CCI. Sure, right next to my buddy who can put anything in his Ruger.

My experiences w. 41's are similar. A 60's model would shoot anything I put in it. When I got back into bullseye shooting in 2000, a 1980's model was just as you describe with the same S&W factory reply: "just shoot CCI in it and it will be fine". Well, IMHO, CCI standard velocity is not match-winning ammunition. On a tip from Clark I put a drop of oil on the top cartridge in each of the magazines (at the shooting bench) and then it runs pretty well, even with low power CMP Aguila ammo. Somewhere in this great country of ours is a gunsmith that knows how to fix these guns so they operate as my 60s-era one did. Let me know if you find this treasure. -H

 

[cat328]

41 missfires/jams

i have a relatively new 41 (2009) that is still being broken in at about 1500 rounds. it had missfires and "stovepipes" for awhile that were very frustrating. one day at the range i stripped the gun looking for some hint as to why it would do that after several mags in rapid fire. when i reassembled the gun i put a few drops of lube on the rear of the slide. even got some oil splatter on my glasses with the first few rounds but had no issues after that. i have always used winchester dynapoints in all the 22's since i buy by the case. tried other stuff (rem. cci wolf) but no high $$. they all function well if i keep the slide well lubed.

 

[LongColt45]

I have a 41 which I bought new in 1980, 7-inch barrel, from Big 5 for $294. Earlier this year I put it in a Ransom Rest and fired 22 different types of .22 LR ammo (one 10-shot group per type at 25 yards, calm day), everything from cheap bulk ammo to some of the more expensive match grade stuff. I was delighted when the gun shot its best groups with relatively inexpensive CCI Mini-Mags. Needless to say I now have about 3,000 rounds of these sitting in my ammo locker. To the case in point of reliability, I experienced zero failures to feed, fire or eject from any of this vast array of ammo (see attached spreadsheet).