S&W model 41 Lets see what you got
- Thread starter HAWKEYE10
- Start date
what did you pay for yours... I'm looking for a fair deal on a 41
brand new here
I bought a model 41 when I was a kid in Wisconsin... LOVED IT ! - moved to Calif in '88 and it got stolen in LAGUNA BEACH ... (it was a long barrel/longs)
but yesterday, I found TWO barrels for my old 41...
- a long barrel for SHORTS and
- a shot barrel for LONGS ;-)
- two short clips
- I NEED A STOCK/base/bottom part of the pistol/gun to go with my two barrels - and make a complete useable gun !!
;-)
please tell me WHAT TO DO on this site ... where to post - how to get reply's .... first time doing this kind of FORUM stuff
thanks
Capt Dave -retired
brand new here
I bought a model 41 when I was a kid in Wisconsin... LOVED IT ! - moved to Calif in '88 and it got stolen in LAGUNA BEACH ... (it was a long barrel/longs)
but yesterday, I found TWO barrels for my old 41...
- a long barrel for SHORTS and
- a shot barrel for LONGS ;-)
- two short clips
- I NEED A STOCK/base/bottom part of the pistol/gun to go with my two barrels - and make a complete useable gun !!
;-)
please tell me WHAT TO DO on this site ... where to post - how to get reply's .... first time doing this kind of FORUM stuff
thanks
Capt Dave -retired
bigshot500
Member
My friend has the same 41 (retired..living in FL) it is mint..I keep telling him to sell it to me and so far..no luck..He told me that this model with the extended front sight was only made a year or so and then it was banned from bullseye competition...I have never seen another until your pic now.
Here's mine just pulled out of the safe last week, first time since 1984. I forgot what a great gun this is to shoot.
civil1977
Member
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- Nov 22, 2008
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Actually the 5.5" Extendable Front Sight (or EFS) barrel was released in 1965 and made for about 10 years. You could buy the gun with the EFS barrel or order the EFS barrel separately. Guns with the EFS barrel tend to be worth more than the regular 5.5" barrel, especially if there is a properly marked box or factory letter to prove it came that way. Of the four original barrel lengths; 7 3/8" w/ Muzzle Brake, 5" Field, 5.5" Heavy and 5.5" EFS, the 5.5" EFS barrel is probably second only to the 5" Field (I'm referring to the orignal Field barrels which were factory cut down 7 3/8" barrels) in value and rarity.
I have a Model 41, A prefix with the cocking indicator so roughly 1975-7. However I was looking for a 7" barrel as this has the 5.5 heavy, and on looking at S&W and Midway, found that I can obtain one for ~$240. However, there is one caveat, in the Midway comments section it appears that the 7" barrels now days may need some fitting to the earlier guns with the cocking indicator. Anybody able to confirm/deny this comment? I do not wish to buy one and then have to spend a small fortune on fitting it. Thanks, Dave_n
PS Photo challenged so no pics!
PS Photo challenged so no pics!
PhilOhio
Member
Here's one of my most treasured Smiths, Mod. 41 #96XX mfgd. about December 1958...bought on U.S. home leave in the Washington suburbs in December 1970. Been around the world with me while assigned to the American Embassy in Korea.
Three years later, I got lucky when a USAF officer left country before his S&W accessory special order came to the PX. I bought the pictured weight set and two extra magazines for the delivered price he would have paid, $26 total. Those were the days.
I understand the 5" field barrel, acquired much later, is not common. It is set up to shoot "as is", with a button filling the comp screw hole, with the pictured aluminum blank piece in place, or with the comp from the 7" bbl.
The small blue box is the one the weights came in. This and the mags were shipped to the Osan AFB PX in the outer box.
For anybody even toying with the idea of buying a quality .22 target pistol, this, in my humble opinion, is the ONLY one to get. I have many guns and some of the best match pistols, but the 41 leaves them all in the dust.
They can at times be particular about ammo, so I have experimented and custom wound, on a lathe, about a half dozen recoil springs to handle any possible recoil impulse. A 41 can make even poor quality ammo shoot well. I like the Federal target ammo, and will have to try the CCI rounds which so many here prefer.
Three years later, I got lucky when a USAF officer left country before his S&W accessory special order came to the PX. I bought the pictured weight set and two extra magazines for the delivered price he would have paid, $26 total. Those were the days.
I understand the 5" field barrel, acquired much later, is not common. It is set up to shoot "as is", with a button filling the comp screw hole, with the pictured aluminum blank piece in place, or with the comp from the 7" bbl.
The small blue box is the one the weights came in. This and the mags were shipped to the Osan AFB PX in the outer box.
For anybody even toying with the idea of buying a quality .22 target pistol, this, in my humble opinion, is the ONLY one to get. I have many guns and some of the best match pistols, but the 41 leaves them all in the dust.
They can at times be particular about ammo, so I have experimented and custom wound, on a lathe, about a half dozen recoil springs to handle any possible recoil impulse. A 41 can make even poor quality ammo shoot well. I like the Federal target ammo, and will have to try the CCI rounds which so many here prefer.
Last edited:
jerrypoller
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PhilOhio,
The story and the boxes you have, along with such a nice set of pieces, makes your gun worth a lot more! What a nice looking display.
I'm sure you'll never sell that fine weapon, I hope you have someone who you can pass it on to that will treasure it as much as you do.
The story and the boxes you have, along with such a nice set of pieces, makes your gun worth a lot more! What a nice looking display.
I'm sure you'll never sell that fine weapon, I hope you have someone who you can pass it on to that will treasure it as much as you do.
Wow, PhilOhio!! I thought I had an early one; mine is Sn 9981. Couldn't have been too far behind yours, particularly since Model 39 serial numbers were also in this series. It still has the orignal box and papers. I got the aftermarket weights for it, but found even at the age of 22, after a season of competitive shooting, they were still too heavy for my hand. It hasn't been around the world but did spend a year in an arms room pistol rack in Thule, Greenland.
denden
Member
My only "41'
denden
Member
My only "41'
The Bull barrel was fitted by S&W.
The Bull barrel was fitted by S&W.
1963....99%, 2 mags, first year for the extra barrel option, serial numbered box...need a better pic.
PhilOhio
Member
Lost Lake, Cyrano, thanks for the kind comments. And I've really enjoyed looking at all these other wonderful 41s. Seeing so many in one place is sensory overload for me. But handling, owning, shooting one makes a person wonder how anybody can get excited about plastic guns, aluminum frames, key locks, and all that. Sure, it's functional, and modern, and easier to carry, and maybe very tactical 
, but S&W 41s they ain't.
And never can be.
I wish more young shooters who inherit these pistols would hurry up and realize that 41s are totally obsolete and should be sold or traded off...cheap.
, but S&W 41s they ain't.And never can be.
I wish more young shooters who inherit these pistols would hurry up and realize that 41s are totally obsolete and should be sold or traded off...cheap.
Captain Dave, starting with the two bbls, suggest you do a lot of reading on this site to learn what you will need to find to get both bbls operational. Best bet on the .22 LR bbl is to buy another pistol and swap in and out. Th .22 Short bbl is a different animal - will need correct slide, spring, mag, and slide stop/ejector. Have fun.
bkp3gen
Member
Here is my new to me Model 41. It has been in a safe for over 30 years. Serial Number is A328XXX and has the cocking indicator.
crsides
US Veteran, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
First pics of my first mod 41. 1959 vintage. I love it.
Charlie
Charlie
Love at first sight at Gander Mtn...for $700 
Hi Everyone,
I've been a lurker here since shooting with a buddy and trying his Model 41. You guys (and gals) had me drooling and yearning for the day I would finally be able to get my mitts on one of these beauties.
Well today was the day!!!
A week of so back I went to Gander Mountain (major sporting goods retailer here) and saw a M41 in the used gun case. I had to look at her right away! The salesman said that it just came in and also came with an extra barrel. He added that he was considering buying it, but got a Buckmark instead. He was about to put it away, but I had to say "ring her up!".
Here's the beauty of this one:
Thanks for any help and thanks to all of you for helping me find my dream shooter...even if I'm afraid to 'shoot-'er'.
Ken
Hi Everyone,
I've been a lurker here since shooting with a buddy and trying his Model 41. You guys (and gals) had me drooling and yearning for the day I would finally be able to get my mitts on one of these beauties.
Well today was the day!!!
A week of so back I went to Gander Mountain (major sporting goods retailer here) and saw a M41 in the used gun case. I had to look at her right away! The salesman said that it just came in and also came with an extra barrel. He added that he was considering buying it, but got a Buckmark instead. He was about to put it away, but I had to say "ring her up!".
Here's the beauty of this one:
- It has serial #907XX...I think it was made the year I was born! (can anyone confirm the year built?)
- It has an efs barrel! (with lazy &)
- It also came with another barrel...I was bummed it wasn't an efs, but I got it home and it is the 5" field barrel!!!
- It has what looks to be white factory lettering (both barrels). Anyone heard of this?
- My buddy says it looks like it was a safe queen.
- Nice Herret grips...fits my friend's huge hands as well as my wife's small hands.
Thanks for any help and thanks to all of you for helping me find my dream shooter...even if I'm afraid to 'shoot-'er'.
Ken
