Older Model 41 safety notch in slide, etc. . .

[11Spot]

1. The Model 41 I am considering buying looks pretty old, but has the square cutout in the slide for the safety. It also has a VERY slim trigger (from the side view. . . thin like the blade of a butter knife), unlike the pictures of any other 41s I have seen. Any idea how old this gun might be? Aside from the serial number, what visual cues help to identify it?

2. I have heard that the older 41s were made better than the newer ones. For someone who wants a trouble-free, least-finicky 41, which years would you recommend?

3. Are there any significant differences between the older models and the newer models? How many different series are there?

4. Do all the internal parts interchange between the old and new guns? In other words, is it a parts nightmare when you buy an older M41?

5. Important! Do the new magazines fit and function properly in the older guns?

6. I know that the Model 41 is sort of a highly regarded standard in the world of .22 target-shooting. . . but is it a finicky pain-in-the-neck type of gun like a 1911?

I am a fan of the 1911. In fact I have a beautiful Les Baer that is reliable and highly accurate. However, I don't want to buy a Model 41 if I will need to go crazy trying to get it to run. One of the reasons I liked the idea of the M41 is the ease and simplicity of stripping it. If they are reliable without alot of babying, then it is worth the money to me to buy one. If not, then I would just get a brand-new Buckmark and be done with it (Yuc! I can't believe I just said that. I really want to get the M41, but I don't want to suffer).

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

1. Dropping cutout for safety in slide is fairly recent. Trigger - need pictures to see if we can ID. Other hints - cocking indicator, bbl 7" VS 7 3/8", lazy "&" on bbl or slide, etc., etc.
2. Opinion - older (below A465000 range) tend to be more ammo forgiving
3. Read the bible - Std Cat S&W - there are many fruits and flavors
4. Biggest interchange problems are due to quality control on later (Bangor) mfg. Except for safety change, and hammer for cocking indicator, basically should interchange. Old safety with new slide won't work.
5. Supposedly they will - again, QC issues.
6. My 1911s and my 41s function well - feed them **** and you will get what you asked for.

Feed it CCI Std or Fed std and it should run fine if clean and lubed with good springs,as any piece should get. The S&W 52 (like the Colt Mid-Range) are a little touchy.

The alternative HS Victor is great if you stick with Hamden pre Alphas - mags can be touchy. Good info on RimfireCentral also

 

[Engineer1911]

I have a 1984 M41. I have fired 10,000 CCI Blazers through it and another that is 10,000 higher in s/n. I say 1984 because that is when I bought it brand new from a sport shop in Minneapolis. I have not had any parts problems.

 

[11Spot]

Thanks for the prompt replies guys. How can I tell if it has a cocking indicator? I am only looking at pics, and they are not super great either. . .

Can you point me to a pic of the cocking indicator? Is it readily apparent?

 

[sceva]

Photo of the Cocking Indicator on my Mod 41. It is a pin in the rear of the frame that protudes when cocked.

 

[11Spot]

My friend has a HS Victor. I shot so well with it, that he had to ask me where I was shooting, and if I was hitting the target or not. I shot a nickel-sized 5-shot group with it at 10 yards with open sights the very first time I ever handled it.

However, it jammed several times, and he said he had ALOT of money in it with special attention from a gunsmith who specializes in them. I hated the mag-release (a couple times when it jammed, I couldn't even get the mag out).

When it ran, it was accurate and easy to shoot.

I have the general feeling that I would much prefer the M41

 

[11Spot]

Photo of the Cocking Indicator on my Mod 41. It is a pin in the rear of the frame that protudes when cocked.

Unfortunately, I haven't seen pics of it from the rear. . . but all of the metal on the pistol looks like old-school smooth blued instead of the rough-textured metal on the picture you have there.

What years had the cocking indicator on the gun?

 

[11Spot]

As for the safety notch in the slide:

I have seen them brand new with no safety notch cut in the slide, I have seen them old with a circular safety notch cut in the slide, and I have seen them with a square safety notch cut in the slide.

This particular one has the square safety notch cut in the slide.

 

[sceva]

Unfortunately, I haven't seen pics of it from the rear. . . but all of the metal on the pistol looks like old-school smooth blued instead of the rough-textured metal on the picture you have there.

What years had the cocking indicator on the gun?

The cocking indicator was used until the mid 1970's, the pistol pictured is from 1972/1973 The matte finish is only on the rear and top as a gloss finish there can distract in aiming by reflecting light. The rear and top ( the sighting planes) have a matte blasted finish while the rest has a higher polish blue.

 

[11Spot]

The cocking indicator was used until the mid 1970's, the pistol pictured is from 1972/1973 The matte finish is only on the rear and top as a gloss finish there can distract in aiming by reflecting light. The rear and top ( the sighting planes) have a matte blasted finish while the rest has a higher polish blue.

Your side-view picture looks exactly like the one I am considering except for the fact that the trigger is as thin as the blade on a butter knife from the side.

 

[11Spot]

Seller just finally gave me the serial # and confirmed that it does have the cocking indicator.

Serial# is 469XX

I guess that corresponds to around 1962 or 1963.

Any idea as to value?. . . in about 85% blueing condition?

 

[Barrie]

Usually these go for around $900.and up in US dollars. In some areas it may go for more or slightly less if it has the box and manuals, 2 mags with it. It all adds value to it as they are a extremely well made gun for sure.

 

[11Spot]

 

[11Spot]

One mag, no box or manual

 

[sceva]

Nice Mod 41 but I wonder about that trigger; I can not say for sure but it appears be a custom one or to have been modified from stock. The ones I have seen have the thicker trigger that sits further back in the trigger guard like the one on mine.

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

As for the safety notch in the slide:

I have seen them brand new with no safety notch cut in the slide, I have seen them old with a circular safety notch cut in the slide, and I have seen them with a square safety notch cut in the slide.

This particular one has the square safety notch cut in the slide.

I have never seen or heard of any slide with anything but NO CUT and SQUARE CUT - Never a Circle Cut

 

[Krogen]

I have to wonder how much custom "work" has been done on the pistol. The trigger has already been mentioned. Note that the safety lever is absent. Also, in one photo the barrel "extension" over the slide appears to have been relieved. Perhaps it was an effort to reduce the tendency of the 41 to catch a case in that area.

 

[11Spot]

GREAT resopnses. Can't tell you how much I appreciate your input THANK YOU!!

Anything else you can add is MUCH appreciated.

 

[11Spot]

GREAT responses. Can't tell you how much I appreciate your input THANK YOU!!

Anything else you can add is MUCH appreciated.