S&W 41 tight chamber

[hmeier4799]

Using CCI SV. Cases are sticking in the chamber and causing ejection failures. Can anybody suggest which Brownell Chamber Reamer to get?

 

[armorer951]

Not trying to dictate your response to the problem, but I wouldn't do any reaming until all other possibilities have been explored and exhausted. You can't go back after cutting.

 

[H Richard]

I suggest putting a chamber "brush" on a cordless drill and using whatever your favorite cleaning solution spending several minutes running it in and out. I've never known 41's to have the same type problems as the Mod 17 had with tight chambers.

 

[Dave Lively]

In your other thread about this it sounded like your gun was running fine and then suddenly stopped working. If that is correct I doubt it is your chamber that is causing the trouble.

When I first bought my 41 in the 90s it locked up solid before it made it through the first box of ammo. It could have been a more severe case of whatever is wrong with yours. I cannot remember what the problem was with mine but it was not the chamber suddenly becoming tight.

One thing you can try is loading a snap cap or dry wall anchor into the chamber, use the slide release to let the slide snap forward like it would if the gun had been fired, pull the trigger and see if the slide is hard to pull back. A plastic case with no powder will not stick in the chamber so if you still have the problem it must be something else.

If you missed it in the other thread and are using aftermarket recoil springs checkout the warnings in this thread.

 

[teletech]

I'd consider reaming as a last resort as well.
I'd give it a good cleaning as a starting point. After that I'd try a fine polish on a cleaning cloth.
After that, perhaps a polishing burr on a Dremel...

 

[oysterer]

The whole entire point of the model 41 is that it has a tight chamber. Otherwise it be a ruger Mk instead.

Ejection problems are common and have nothing to do with a tight chamber. Clean it well and check on the extractor. There are some better quality extractors available to use.

Mine runs only with federal and CCI standard velocity. Nothing else runs well but with those it runs like nothing else.

Let me add what I found on my 2 vintage model 17s: Almost no ammo runs well in these, especially aguila: Impossible to eject, totally stuck. I run federal blue box and anything CCI and perfect, easy extraction and spot on accuracy. Will I ream around inside the chambers: No...I just avoid Aguila in them.

 

[chief38]

The first thing I'd do (after a good cleaning) is to order a Volquartsen Extractor for the M41. They are way better than the standard Factory stamped part and in my experience they have solved many FTE issues.

Order direct from Volquartsen the last time I purchased a few they were about $12 bucks each. They are drop in parts and install in about 15 minutes. Not a difficult job either. There would be a whole bunch of things I'd do before taking a Reamer to a M41. I'd send it back to S&W before reaming the Chamber.

Exact Edge Extractor for S&W Model 41 | Volquartsen Firearms

 

[stansdds]

I would not ream the chamber. First, look for burs and/or dents at the breech end of the chamber. Next, make sure the chamber and extractor are completely clean, no damage to the extractor hook and the extractor is functioning correctly. Also, try different ammo. Firearms can be finicky things, especially 22LR semi-automatics.

 

[hmeier4799]

Thanks for the replies.
I am thoroughly cleaning and will try again.
Wondering if maybe the chamber is okay and the ejector is the problem. Fired 180 rounds of CCI SV before this with no problems.

 

[Dale53]

Back when I was shooting lots of competitive NRA Bullseye Pistol competition, my old faithful Model 41 started having ejection problems. I cleaned and examined the chamber carefully and saw absolutely NOTHING visible that should cause a problem.

I was extremely fortunate, as my local gunsmith was a retired Marine Advanced Marksmanship gunsmith. He built McMillan's guns when he was the "Big Dog" at Camp Perrry. His name was Harold Johnson.

Harold took one look at my pistol, pulled out a chamber reamer (with handle), and using his hands ran it gently into the chamber and the reamer removed lead buildup in the chamber throat. The lead was so polished that, to me, the chamber appeared perfect after cleaning. However, the lead build up was REAL and was the culprit. You could see the lead that was removed on the reamer flutes. NO steel was removed, just the lead build up.

It has been many years ago, but I would guess that the O.P.'s problem is EXACTLY what mine was. I suspect a call to Brownell's would lead to a recommendation for a slightly undersized "hand chamber reamer" to handle that problem.

Harold told me that was a common problem for many .22 target pistols that were shot a lot.

Good luck to the O.P. I believe that will solve your problem without issue.

Or, a call to YOUR pistolsmith may get the same information and results.

FWIW
Dale53

 

[rockster`]

Thanks for the replies.

I am thoroughly cleaning and will try again.

Wondering if maybe the chamber is okay and the ejector is the problem. Fired 180 rounds of CCI SV before this with no problems.

I would bet my bottom dollar on the extractor, or the inlet the extractor fits into, or a chamber that was thought to be clean but still had residue. Every FTE I've experienced on any firearm (other than a dirty chamber) has come down to one of two things: worn / broken extractor (you can use a picture for reference), or residue buildup under the extractor where it's unable to seat fully and therefore unable to effectively grab the case rim for extraction.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

 

[teletech]

Thanks for the replies.
I am thoroughly cleaning and will try again.
Wondering if maybe the chamber is okay and the ejector is the problem. Fired 180 rounds of CCI SV before this with no problems.

For all of $13 or so, a nice new EDM extractor is worth it.
Exact Edge Extractor for S&W Model 41 | Volquartsen Firearms
That said, just removing your present extractor and cleaning it, it's groove, and the spring pocket would be a good place to start.
I also find a little bit of a toothpick or dental pick is helpful when cleaning the breechface on the 41 since it does gunk up along the top.
If you've have the gun run OK in the past then definitely don't do anything to remove metal from the chamber.

 

[Krogen]

Perhaps I missed it, but is this a brand new gun or is it used and recently purchased? In your other thread you mentioned "new."

If it's a new gun, then you have a lifetime warranty so ship it back to S&W. The stickiness you describe - if it's a new gun - is very serious and S&W should make it right.

If it's an older gun, how well used is it? Did it ever work for you?

Do the simple things first. Try different ammo. Clean the bejeebers out of the chamber. Is the chamber rusted or rough?

 

[The Norseman]

Charge Hole problems

Thank you all for this valuable and interesting Thread.

I checked my 1979 S&W Mdl 41 .22lr after reading all the posts;
Springs and Tight Chamber.

I noticed my Recoil Spring is a replacement original. Kept the
package/old spring. Both spring ends are finished and closed
nicely.

My Recoil Spring is correctly installed, and has never had the
Recoil Rod engraved by the Spring.

My Package set of 3 reduced Wolff Springs was inspected. The
Wolff Springs are finished/closed nicely on one end, and the
opposite end is not finished, coil open.

One suggestion; do not oil/grease the .22lr Chamber.
That is for Professional Bullseye Target Competitors. A dirty
trick to slow down the Competition, when they try to fix Failure
to Eject the empty cartridge and ask what to do.

I keep my Mdl 41, Mdl 617's, and Mdl 422's .22lr chambers
clean and dried with a Q-tip.

The best to you and your endeavors.

 

[Rowlf]

Back when I was shooting lots of competitive NRA Bullseye Pistol competition, my old faithful Model 41 started having ejection problems. I cleaned and examined the chamber carefully and saw absolutely NOTHING visible that should cause a problem.

I was extremely fortunate, as my local gunsmith was a retired Marine Advanced Marksmanship gunsmith. He built McMillan's guns when he was the "Big Dog" at Camp Perrry. His name was Harold Johnson.

Harold took one look at my pistol, pulled out a chamber reamer (with handle), and using his hands ran it gently into the chamber and the reamer removed lead buildup in the chamber throat. The lead was so polished that, to me, the chamber appeared perfect after cleaning. However, the lead build up was REAL and was the culprit. You could see the lead that was removed on the reamer flutes. NO steel was removed, just the lead build up.

It has been many years ago, but I would guess that the O.P.'s problem is EXACTLY what mine was. I suspect a call to Brownell's would lead to a recommendation for a slightly undersized "hand chamber reamer" to handle that problem.

Harold told me that was a common problem for many .22 target pistols that were shot a lot.

Good luck to the O.P. I believe that will solve your problem without issue.

Or, a call to YOUR pistolsmith may get the same information and results.

FWIW
Dale53

While trying to get Center Fire and 45 lead loads correct I bought brass tube and square stock from the hardware store to use as scrapers. A few strokes with a file gives a sharp square edge and works well for scraping lead and carbon from chambers, throats and rifling. The brass is softer than the barrels so no worries about scratching. Removing lead mechanically also helps Kroil get under the remaining bits.

 

[hmeier4799]

I purchased my 41 new and fired 180 rounds before having ejection problems. Removed the Bolt, cleaned it, the extractor & spring looks good.
The barrel is cleaned & double cleaned. Ready to test.
I do not see an Ejector unless it is the raised lip on the Slide Stop item!!

 

[Racer X]

I suggest putting a chamber "brush" on a cordless drill and using whatever your favorite cleaning solution spending several minutes running it in and out. I've never known 41's to have the same type problems as the Mod 17 had with tight chambers.

I use .243 rifle brushes to clean .22LR chambers. Just a wee bit tighter. You can bend them into an L and work them back and forth through the ejection port for a quick cleaning too. A couple drops of Eezox on the brush, work it back and forth (not in and out) then follow up with a patch on a Patchworm or weed whacker string. Done. But this might be more serious than that.

Any chance these rounds are WAY over waxed? Some CCI SV batches are all gooped up.

 

[hmeier4799]

I fired 20 rounds of CCI SV Tuesday. 4 of them did not completely eject. They were jammed/turned side ways like "stove piping".
Then 10 rounds of HV. No problems.
I think that the recoil spring (original factory) is a little heavy.
Ordered the Wolf assortment of springs.

 

[Dave Lively]

Did the HV ammo shoot well? If it was accurate, reliable and reasonably priced don't waste your time trying to get it to work with ammo it doesn't like.

My 41 has about a 3% to 5% failure rate with CCI SV but is very reliable with CCi MiniMags. Since the internet says CCI SV is the ammo for a 41 I tried giving the gun exceptionally through cleanings, replaced the extractor and put in a new factory recoil spring. No change, still malfunctions with CCI SV. 41s can be picky. The most common failure in my gun is where the slide goes back far enough to eject the empty but not far enough to pick up the next round so I end up dry firing the gun. I get some stovepipes too.

I did buy the Wolff springs but decided strong ammo with a strong spring doesn't strain the gun worse than weaker ammo with a weak spring. So I started shooting HV ammo and quit worrying about what the internet thinks is the right ammo.