New-to-me Model 41

[mikegc]

Back in the early 1970s, I stopped in a Roanoke, VA pawn shop and saw a Smith & Wesson Model 41 sporting a 7½" barrel with a muzzle break. The price was just $90 so I took it home. I kept that fine pistol for a long time. In the mid-1990s, a friend of mine was just getting into target shooting and really enjoying his new Ruger. I mentioned he needed to try a Model 41 and loaned him mine. He was impressed with it, to say the least. Well, tragedy happened and he didn't survive a massive heart attack. I tried to get the Model 41 back but his widow never found it.


A few days ago, I was looking around at some of the firearms sites and came upon a Model 41 like my old one. He prices was pretty good so I placed the order. I should see it sometime early next week:

I look forward to getting it out to the range.
Mike

 

[Bald1]

I once bought an early 41 with cocking indicator as part of a group of estate guns. I had no interest in it and intended to sell it. But then I shot it. That was 10 yrs ago. I still have it. Most accurate handgun ivevever shot.

 

[teletech]

Surely not the most reliable .22 out there, but they sure do shoot!
I've got sub 3" 10-shot groups for 100yd targets from a 41.
Lovely guns too, though I understand that's subjective.

 

[wproct]

Welcome to the forum Mikegc. That was an interesting story and glad that you have a nice Model 41 back in your possession.

 

[KalamazooKid]

I have two older ones (1965 and 1971) and while I'm well aware of the issues with certain magazines and ammo, I've never experienced them. I run 10-12 magazines (used in both guns) using Federal Match and CCI SV with zero problems. These bring huge smiles to my face every time I bring them out!

 

[chief38]

Welcome! I purchased my M41 new in 1979 at yes it was finicky about ammo at first. It would not shoot SV ammo very well and I had to use HV ammo for a while. After shooting a full brick of 500 rounds HV through it, I then went back to the SV and all was perfect!! The gun had broken in & worn in and it cycled the CCI SV ammo 100% which is what I still use in it today.

Some have reported that changing the factory recoil spring from 7 1/2lb to a 7lb spring also helps with SV ammo. Remember, springs and moving parts will wear in and have less resistance over time.

I get much better accuracy with the CCI SV ammo than I can get with HV ammo and that is why still use it today. At 70 I can still shoot descent grouping with one hand at 50 feet. Not as good as I used to be able to, but I suppose at 70 I should be happy. The targets below were from a few weeks ago.

BTW, I no longer use the original 5 1/2" Bull Barrel because I wound up buying a NIB factory "Field/Sport" lightweight barrel a few years ago. I have never looked back and the original barrel has never been put back onto the gun.

 

[mikegc]

I ordered new mags to add to the two that came with the pistol. I moved the followers up and down on all of them and they felt a bit "gritty." Next, I pulled them apart and got a diamond file for cleaning the follower races. They function just fine.


Mike