Not Happy With My 41

[jrallo3789]

I just got back from repair from S&W. I spent 90.00 for repair and it's doing the same thing I sent it in for! They put a part in it and never tested it after putting it in? It's early 41 with the cocking indicator. I used the same ammo as they recommend. On the very first shot it did the same thing! Problem: the fired case does not come out all the way after being fired. It happens alot on the first round mostly and then on others in the clip. I need help. Can anybody recommend someone good for repair think I'd give up on Smith again.
Jerry

 

[RGPM1A]

Try the following:

Assuming your gun is otherwise clean disassemble the magazines and clean them. Many times when mine acts up its the problem.

Check out this link about extractor tuning:

Model 41 maintenance

Try lightly polishing the breech face with a little Flitz polish and a Q-tip until its shiny. This allows the round being picked up by the slide from the magazine to slide up under the extractor easier.

Never lube the slide with grease. Only oil.

BTW my gun will almost always stove pipe or fail to feed one or two times for the first 10 or 15 rounds after its cleaned. It then goes away until the gun has about 300 to 400 rounds through it It will then start to get FTFs or FTEs. Always a clue to consider cleaning it again.

 

[wantmoresmiths]

I would send it right back to S&W. No sense paying for the same repair twice. Since you will need to call and have them issue a return authorization, I suggest asking to speak to a supervisor in the customer service department, and let him know that the problem was never properly fixed. I would also ask if they test the gun after making a repair, and if so, ask if he has any thoughts on why the problem persists after they supposedly corrected the situation.

 

[rck281]

Does this only occur with a full magazine of 10 rounds? I have seen some M41s that only seem to function well with 7 or 8 rounds in the magazine. With that said, I agree with wantmoresmiths - send it back.

 

[Leonard]

Have you tried other ammo I have one that will only function with Fiochee 320 and it eats it flawlessly.

 

[JKeefer]

I just got back from repair from S&W. I spent 90.00 for repair and it's doing the same thing I sent it in for! They put a part in it and never tested it after putting it in? It's early 41 with the cocking indicator. I used the same ammo as they recommend. On the very first shot it did the same thing! Problem: the fired case does not come out all the way after being fired. It happens alot on the first round mostly and then on others in the clip. I need help. Can anybody recommend someone good for repair think I'd give up on Smith again.
Jerry

The extractor tension is a consideration, and should be checked and adjusted.. The sited article on extractors, is incorrect in my opinion. I do not advocate bending the extractor. Bending adversely changes the cam out timing, which is a compromise on stock barrels to begin with...a mire .022 +- is not much for the extractor to grasp. The case should be held, not pinched, or jammed up by the extractor. Very often overlooked is the ejector.. It must be adjusted to make solid contact with the case at the proper location. Minimum upward travel clearance, and minimum clearance with the side of the breechface is required for consistant function. Small spots tig welded on the bottom of the ejector can be used to adjust the upward positioning, and spots tigged to the ejector where contact with the case is made can be adjusted to make solid, hard contact with the extracted case base.
Good luck
Jerry Keefer

 

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

Model 41 ejection problem

Perhaps this will seem too simple, but in shooting a number of Model 41s over the years, failures to eject have happened to me as well. On one occasion, shooting Eley ammunition did exactly what you describe -- with some regularity. I attributed this to brass that was too soft, because the same ammo stuck in the chambers of my model 63. This was really just a guess, but I save the Eley for my rifles and use CCI in the 41s.

The other times this has happened to me, I was able to resolve the problem my cleaning the chamber of the gun thoroughly. I had the problem years ago, particularly with the Federal ammo I was shooting at the time, and believed -- again just a guess -- that the very hard, almost plastic like lube was causing residue and friction in the chamber, particularly near the case mouth area.

In any event, cleaning the chamber well did cure the problem. I also found that if I rolled the ammo on a cloth with a little BreakFree, the problem stopped.

The gun I shoot most often dates to 1971. The problems I mentioned above were with that same model 41. Now shooting CCI -- std velocity, Green Tag and Pistol Match, it runs quite well.

Hope this is useful.

Jeff

 

[What the]

I tend to agree with wantmoresmiths, sounds like you need to micro-manage your repair...it's a shame they didn't test it but Smith has great CS. Send a note and call a supervisor in the repair department, no need to be annoying but you gotta make your dissatisfaction apparent.

You didn't mention if this is a new problem with a familiar gun or a new gun to you that's acting up. While the pistol is at repair do as others have mentioned and disassemble and clean the magazines. Buy a couple boxes of different brands and weights of ammo, keep notes as you shoot. Also try only loading 8 or 9 rounds to see if that helps.

I know it's no fun having problems with any gun especially a high value target gun but sometimes the very things that make them finicky make them accurate as well. It may take some time to sort it all out but don't get discouraged, when it's running proper you'll forget these problems and smile every time you shoot that pistol.

 

[DHENRY]

Jeff makes an excellent point about the Eley (and some others), which belong in rifles and revolvers ONLY, IMHO.
The trend towards thinner cases is an economy measure, and it does nothing good.
The suggestions about cleaning the magazines is also valid.
Don

 

[JKeefer]

Jeff makes an excellent point about the Eley (and some others), which belong in rifles and revolvers ONLY, IMHO.
The trend towards thinner cases is an economy measure, and it does nothing good.
The suggestions about cleaning the magazines is also valid.
Don

I know that most folks on this forum are general use shooters, but for informational purposes, for the small minority that might be interested.. Tens of thousands of rounds of Eley are fired in target pistols annually.
I concentrate solely on BE guns and consume a fair amount in testing alone. Eley is beyond reproach for dimensional consistancy, and performance. If a gun will not function with Eley, there is likely a mechanical issue that needs addressed. 22 pistols in and of themselves are prone to function issues because of the diminutive size of the cartridge. .22 ammuntion in general, is a collage of size, shape, and ballistic performance. .22 chambers, of which there is a maltitude of configurations, combined with the ammo issue, further contribute to function/accuracy issues. The 22 target pistol is a fascinating study, and very rewarding when chambers and ammo are matched, the pistol is adjusted and properly tuned..
Good luck
Jerry

 

[oldRoger]

I have no doubt that Jerry is right.
I have both Laupa and Eley on hand for rifles, and except for the varieties of these brands made for auto-pistols, I experience both failures to feed and eject. Failure rate is about 1 in 50. My aftermarket barrels which do not have the rear extension are much better, perhaps 1 in 100.
My WAG is the heavy wax doesn’t suit my M41s.

As far as precision in .22lr ammunition, clearly you get what you pay for. However at my level of accuracy with a handgun CCI–SV is all I need to pay for.

 

[rbert0005]

Before you send it back, try putting a small drop of oil on the first round in the mag.

I don't know why, but it worked for me.

Bob

 

[Leonard]

rbert0005 suggestion raises a question.

The idea of oiling the 1st round has been suggested on the rim fire forum and most posts even those suggesting the oil are adamant about not using HV rounds in a 41.

Oil gets in the chamber does not allow the case to stick to the chamber walls and increases back thrust?

 

[rbert0005]

HV rounds should NOT be used in a M41.

If that's what you want to do it opens up the posibilities of all kinds of issues.

I know, you will hear from guys that "have been using HV ammo forever in thier 41s", but if it doesn't work , it doesn't work.

Bob

 

[Leonard]

Bob

I agree with you on not using HVs but my question is with oil in the chamber you create more back thrust I wonder how this compares to HVs

Len

 

[rbert0005]

I don't profess to know any reasons for the success of using a drop of oil, or any ramifications of it. All I know is that an old timer suggested it and it worked.
Absolutely the last feeding or extraction issue I ever had.

Bob

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

The ammo and related ideas are first line, BUT on a borderline situation, "limp wristing" or a loose hold can contribute. Not likely, but try a couple of mags held tight on a rest.

 

[jrallo3789]

OK here's the story. I purchased this gun LNIB from GunBroker. I went and purchased a few different brands of ammo all standard vel. etc Remington, Green Tag, Fereral Match and Winchester. All malufunction it didn't matter. The very first round fired only comes out of chamber 3/4 of the way and then of course it jams. Lets say I only load 7 rounds it's a 50/50 chance that it'll be ok but by the end of clip it'll jam. Oh did I mention I also purchased 2 new mag's Genuine S&W's that when put up into mag well they are very hard to push up and forget about pushing release button you must be a gorilla to try to pull mag out from well. Only the two new mags are like that, the one that came with gun drops right out. I'm too the point were I don't want this pistol anymore. I did not call Smith yet. This is my second Model 41, the first one I bought new in mid 80's and worked flawless. It loved Federal Champion standard vel Code # 711 red and white box. Out of 1000 rounds fired I'm lucky if I had two failures. That pistol just kept on going! Ok I will clean chamber, oil first round and see what happens. Why are those mags tight? I'm at my wits end!!!

 

[jrallo3789]

 

[Troystat]

sounds like you have shot a 41 before, you might check the springs. If it is an older 41 maybe the spring is fatigued. Also a friend of mine was having problems with his and he figured out that his thumb was high and was dragging on the slide.

Good luck

Thanks