Smith 41 vs. Browning Bullseye

[ncbengal]

Okay, honest and unbiased: Who has experience with the S&W 41 against the fluted barrel (blue or stainless) Browning Bullseye URX .22 for target consistency and accuracy, ability to handle different brands, hi-sped to subsonic, target, etc.? Is there a clear winner out there?

 

[rck281]

I have shot a M41 since 1968 and probably put 50K rounds through it. It had wonderful accuracy and reliability. A few years ago, I purchased a 5 1/2" heavy barrel (had a 7 3/8") and had it fitted at the factory. A few worn out parts and springs were replaced at the same time. The refurbished gun is still very accurate but much more sensitive to ammo.

I have also shot a Buckmark 5.5 Field model extensively. I can't tell much difference in accuracy but that may be my ability to shoot tight groups. The trigger on the Buckmark is not as refined but the reliability on my Buckmark far exceeds that of my refurbished M41. The Buckmark will handle ANY ammo while my M41 works best with CCI.

I even returned the M41 and complained about the reliability. They tested it with CCI and said it's OK.

 

[NE450No2]

I have had a Mod 41 since 1966.

I bought it for NRA Bullseye competition.

I have shot THOUSANDS, and THOUSANDS of rounds through it...

It is one of the finest, if not THE finest semiauto 22 LR on the Planet.

 

[Gunhacker]

I own both pistols... first came the Buckmark Bullseye, I've had it for over 10 yrs. The friendly shop where I bought it at let me go through what they had on hand to choose the one I felt had the best trigger pull.

It has shot everything from Remington "econo brick" ammo to CCI Stinger and Winchester Super-X HV hyper velocity ammo without a hiccup and accuracy has been superb. I haven't used any match or subsonic ammo.

I have two M41's, a standard 7" bbl and a 5 1/2" heavy barrel and have only had them for about 4 years.

The 7" bbl version was first the first one, the trigger is slightly crisper than the Buckmark, and so is the grouping at 25 yrds, but it is not all that improved over the Buckmark, in my opinion, considering the price difference between the two.

The 7" bbl doesn't like the brick ammo, and it more sensitive to different types of ammo, it shows a definite preference for Federal ammo.

The 5 1/2" has been temperamental in the kind of ammo it is willing to digest and has been a real disappointment, to where I hardly use it.

I bought the M-41 after reading about it here on the forum, and on it's reputation. It's all steel construction versus the Buckmark with steel and aluminum alloy, and is more refined in it's manufacture.

Since I don't do formal match shooting, the Browning Buckmark has met all of my needs. If not for the influence of the forum, quite honestly, I could have easily lived without the M-41's... but it is neat to own one as there is a certain sense of prestige and "oh-wow" factor associated with owning a M-41 that the Buckmark doesn't enjoy.

There are times when I wonder if the ammo sensitivity that seems to dog the M-41's is worth the hassle.

The Buckmark does have an array of after market performance accessories available to trick it out, if you want to.

So, that's my experince with the two brands of pistols. Both are capable of accuracy better than what I'm capable of producing. Making a comparison between the two, to me, is analogous to comparing a Dodge Viper V10 and a Ferrari V12. Both are more that capable of getting you from point A to point B quick, fast and in a hurry... with one costing a lot more money and being more refined.

 

[jwax]

It depends on what you're after. A plinker and better-than-average target pistol- Browning. A superb target gun-Smith M41.
Most wouldn't put high velocity ammo in either. Or dry fire either. Or use either for a hammer.

 

[m41]

I have had a model 41 for years (you can tell by my user name I like it) and I have 3 barrels for it and I don't think there is another gun can compare to it but recently I bought a Browning Medalist and I haven't had a chance to shoot it because of the weather.Does anyone know how they compare to the model 41