S&W Model 41 - Things to look for

[D Brown]

Smith & Wesson Model 41

I have a brand new one. I've shot older models, they're great, no complaints. The thing is, my new one is super accurate, came from the factory with a 2 pound 8 ounce trigger, and so far has functioned flawlessly.

Negatives? It is a little more difficult to take down than the older versions, but I expect that will work itself out given time.

 

[laytonj1]

Anyhow, I see something on your barrel that mine has too, a tiny slot midway up the barrel flute into the lower slab side of the barrel. Does anybody know what this is for? I thought mine was a machining error for the longest time.

Alignment mark for the accessory barrel weights.

Jim

 

[OIF2]

The new Performance Center guns are superb. All are hand-fitted and assembled one at a time. Try Eley Tenex or RWS R50. The Army team guns all used Eley Tenex (red box) when 41s were still issued to Army shooters.
Bob

Top pistol is a 41PC; bottom an AMU-customized heavy barrel from 1980

 

[Tom S.]

Marine24, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and it looks great to me! Besides, beauty has nothing to do with accuracy.

BTW: I noticed the same person I got my 5.5" barrel from has two more listed on GB for under $300, which is a great price for a new in the box barrel.

 

[Marine24]

Thanks Tom. I'm pleased with the purchase and looking forward to getting it out to the range.

Appreciate the info on the barrels on GB. Actually was thinking about purchasing one or possibly send the 41 off to Clark Custom for one of his barrels.

We'll see how she shoots first and adjust from there.

 

[Tom S.]

Don't forget, you still owe us a report on your Model 52 too.

 

[Marine24]

Roger that. Should have the ammo shortly and then off to the range.

 

[Barrie]

Layton 11 is 100% correct in that the line on the left side is for the alignment of the barrel weights. Some of the better gun parts sites have them For Sale on occasion.

 

[Mikey11]

I bought this one some 10 years ago. It's made in 1969. Came with after market adjustable target stocks on it, but also had the original grips. Also came with 2 muzzle caps (I've since sold one on the forum) and 2 mags. It took me awhile to find out that it only likes CCI Standard Velocity ammo, but shoots great. I have also shot a Model 46 and a 41 made in 1987. All were wonderful.

DAAAAAMMMMN that's a beautiful lookin gun !!! .....sorry....I'll wipe up my drool now.

 

[n c rod]

I own several Model 41's including the PC model purchased in 2016. I found that it took nearly 1000 rounds of CCI SV to "loosen" the pistol. Call it break-in or whatever, after that it was smooth sailing. I purchased a dozen new mags and a couple still must be coaxed out. I discovered the Clark barrels and my groups have improved considerably at 50 yds. Partly caused by sights. Only broke in the Clark bbl,500 rnds. more or less, but I think the Clark bbl. is easier to clean. Using the 20-20concepts weed eater pull thru buttons, it's taking fewer passes to clean than the factory bbl. Go figure.

 

[Marine24]

Okay, now I understand what all the fuss is about. Just picked up my Model 41. Serial number indicates it is a 1983 year of manufacture.

Despite the 7 1/2" barrel the balance is exceptional and weight give it a very comfortable heft as a target pistol.

Trigger reminds me a lot of the Model 52 trigger. Light with a very clean break.

Range report forthcoming (yes one on the Model 52 as well).

 

[brentgiffin]

some info on a model 41 please

Hi, I'm a newbe here and new to shooting again after 36 years. I recently purchased a model 41 serial number 16629. I have the original box and instructions. The box has the date 15 April 1955 and the parts, instructions, price list has SW 55 on the bottom corner. I'm hearing that they were introduced in 1957. Why do i find the date from 1955?

 

[Marine24]

Dating S&W autoloaders with only numeric serial numbers is tough. They started in 1954 with a serial number of 1001 and ran through serial number 115000 in 1970. This applies to the Model 39, 41, 44, 46 and 52 according to the Standard Catalog. I have a Model 52-1 that I'm swagging to be an 1963 manufacturer given its 570XX serial number.

If you want the specific date, getting a letter from S&W is the best way.

 

[Tom S.]

Hi, I'm a newbe here and new to shooting again after 36 years. I recently purchased a model 41 serial number 16629. I have the original box and instructions. The box has the date 15 April 1955 and the parts, instructions, price list has SW 55 on the bottom corner. I'm hearing that they were introduced in 1957. Why do i find the date from 1955?

If the box doesn't have the serial number written on it, it may not be the gun's original box. Otherwise, Marine24 pretty much explained it. S&W had (has) a habit of making a bunch of frames, then finishing guns by grabbing frames at random. Makes for some troublesome date guessing unless you spend the money for a factory letter. Regardless, you have one of the best shooting 22 guns ever made for the price. Give it a good cleaning, then go sling some lead!

 

[brentgiffin]

some info on a model 41 please

Hi, I'm a newbe here and new to shooting again after 36 years. I recently purchased a model 41 serial number 16629. I have the original box and instructions. The box has the date 15 April 1955 and the parts, instructions, price list has SW 55 on the bottom corner. I'm hearing that they were introduced in 1957. Why do i find the date from 1955?

 

[brentgiffin]

This helps, the box has the serial number on it written is what appears to be white greese pencil along with "ok". There is some other writing to however not able to read it as parts are rubbed off. After running about 300 rounds through it and dialing in the sights, put 20 out of 20 on the paper at 25 yds. Super excited how this performs

 

[Tom S.]

A bit of practice and you'll be putting 20 out of 20 in the black. Then you start shrinking the size of the black.

 

[Barrie]

Marine24 your barrel if being the long barrel is actually 7-3/8th" long not 7.5. Mine is as well and I really like the longer site radius from that length. Just came home from the range after a good shooting session with it. Happiness is cutting a line right across the 10 ring on the target to me.

 

[Engineer1911]

Ammo preference

I'm on my third 5,000 round case of CCI Blazer. My first M41 was bought new in 1982, the second one used in 1995. The serial number of #2 is 10,000 more than #1. My guns do not appear to be abused or suffer from 'hammering' from NOT using standard velocity ammo.

My experience with the CCI Blazer is muzzle velocity from a rifle is about 1175 fps to 1200 fps. From my M41 or Ruger Mk II pistols, mv is 1025 fps. I have six 22 LR handguns and four 22 LR rifles that shoot Blazers more accurately than any other ammo including several types of "EXPENSIVE" Match. I guess target shooters have to pay a 50% premium for ammo to get good accuracy.

I shot ammo comparisons with clean guns, dirty guns, and 50 round 'conditioned barrel' tests / groups. CCI Blazer was consistently more accurate. Enjoy your $7 per 50 rounds match ammo.

 

[Barrie]

Blazer is made by CCI-SV company as well. I shoot it myself on occasion but my M41 and M46 seem to like the CCI SV a wee bit better is all. Now my Anschutz sport rifle just loves the blazer. I think the longer Barrel makes a lot of difference.