Optics for Model 41 for Target Shooting?

[Barrie]

I believe there was some barrels from the factory that came drilled and tapped ready to have a small Red Dot or scope installed on them. Being factory should not hurt the value I would think. Both of my old Beauty's are way to old to have this done to them.

 

[tozan]

I have a Burris fast fire on my 41 I drilled just two holes and used a low profile mounting adapter for the fast fire. It works great.

 

[Hognfrog]

Optics for Model 41

Thanks for all the great ideas, I do have my choice of pistols as you can see.
I have a very old red dot as you can see on one of my 41's.
I really don't want to drill and tap any of my guns. I think I have enough to choose one that is already tapped.
Again, Thank you for all advice, I will sort through all of it and see what is going to work for me.

 

[CEra]

barrel replacement & fitting

I was recently told by a S & W customer support person that changing barrels on a model 41 requires fitting. It was part of a broader conversation and I didn't pursue the point.

I assumed it meant that I can't just pick up a new barrel and expect it to work. Instead, I assumed, a gunsmith or similar would need to work on it.

I'm thinking about changing barrels. I'm interested in your comments about this (aside from my having assumed too much ).

 

[Wise_A]

If you think a 41 is muzzle heavy , you've never shot a Pardini or Walther GSP .

They are. Hence why I qualified it as "one of" and "common".

My 1911-22 is actually 8-9 oz heavier than a 41, but I find it far less fatiguing to shoot.

I was recently told by a S & W customer support person that changing barrels on a model 41 requires fitting.

Sometimes. I've heard of a few cases where it was a real pita. Do a search on the forum and you'll find some.

But I don't personally know anyone that's swapped a 41 barrel and run into fitting issues. I will say, however, that many/most were aftermarket barrels.

 

[H Richard]

I have had Mod 41's with multiple barrels bought as different times and never had a problem mounting them. I know of others that have two barrels one with irons ant the other with red dot and switch back and forth.

One of the lightest options is the heads up type red dots (or green dots), such as the Burris FastFire, Vortex, Leupold, Doctor etc. especially if you are still shooting Bullseye (one handed) competition.

 

[smitholdtimer]

CEra

I've tried several barrels on my M-41 frame and they all functioned & fit properly, although with some barrels the trigger guard wasn't as easy to put back to it's normal position after replacement or exchange. I think that could produce a situation requiring a little fitting if it was worse. I also believe the older M-41's must have been more consistent as to fitting or, at least closer to fitting properly since all mine are elderly. BUT: All this is personal opinion based on personal experience with no technical basis so it's only worth what it cost.

 

[tozan]

I have a 60 year old M-41 and recently picked up a new shorter barrel and it swaps out just fine with no fitting. As mentioned above if the trigger guard is hard to close a little fitting may be needed and there may be some other fitment issues but mine have been no problem.

 

[CEra]

Thanks for sharing your slide changing experiences. Once I solve the FTF problem with my M41 described in another thread, I'll think about getting a barrel for optics.