Smith and Wesson 41 extraction/ejection problems galore

[Cleanneon98]

Took my new used 1987 model 41 the range, tons of issues unfortunately, all tied to ejection/extraction. Did mostly fine with CCI mini mags but didn’t like much of my cheaper ones. Several types of malfunctions

1. Case gets stuck in chamber, re-racking does not help extractor claw grab it out, needed to push/pull out case with five
2 case partially extracted, next round can’t feed because spent case still stuck.
3. Case extracts fully but does not eject and gets pinched between slide top and next round.

Not sure if this is ammo related, or some worn springs. The extractor claw feels very very easy to move by hand, not sure how much tension it should have.

Stripped the gun, a fresh round drops straight into chamber so no burrs. Insert round under extractor on slide and shake, round does not fall out.

Worst offender was Federal 40gr 325ct bulk pack. Next worst was Aguila standard velocity. Eley target seemed only slightly better than Aguila.

Going to try CCI standard velocity and see how that does. Probably will take it to the shop and compare extractor spring tension with a new model they have.

Any advice on what to check? I’d love if I could shoot more than just the expensive stuff through it without having 3 failures or so per magazine.

 

[sceva]

I am sure others with much more experience will chime in with better info.

The extractor claw does not actually do the extraction on these when firing. Gas pressure blows the case back out of the chamber; the extractor is there to hold in place and guide the cartridge case.

I would check for a burr at the mouth of the chamber and I would give the chamber a very good scrubbing.

Also, in my opinion, other that low cost there is nothing to be gained in using high velocity ammo in a fine target pistol. Std velocity is better in that the pistol was designed around it, it is usually more accurate, and it will give less wear and tear in your Mod 41 over years of use.

 

[SFIDEC]

Recently had similar issues trying to cycle a Hi Standard Olympic that drove me nuts. Not sure if it will solve your problem but I simply ordered some CCI Standard Velocity (Lead round nose) and problem was over. Hope you have same luck.

 

[BE Mike]

My suggestion is to first clean the chamber (not the rifling). Try using a .25 caliber brass bore brush. Bend it 90 degrees, so only the chamber is brushed. Use a good solvent and let it sit. Repeat as necessary. There is a good chance that carbon has built up in the chamber. The model 41 has been known to be finicky. There are several bullseye pistolsmiths that do a reliability job, i.e. KC's Services & Pricing - KCs Kustom Creations - KCsKustomCreations.com. CCI Standard Velocity is supposed to be the "go to" ammo for model 41's. Some 41 owners put a drop of oil on the top round in the magazine to increase reliability. Good luck!

 

[824tsv]

"CCI Standard Velocity"
"Some 41 owners put a drop of oil on the top round in the magazine to increase reliability"

Bingo!

 

[Kp321]

As already said, use only standard velocity ammo in your 41. They have a documented tendency to crack the slide with prolonged high velocity usage. To attack the carbon ring and residual wax in the chamber is use a bore mop sprayed with carb cleaner rather than a bronze brush. The carb cleaner does a good job on the carbon. Be sure to lightly oil the barrel afterwards, all oil is removed by the cleaner.

 

[aprilian]

Since the rounds drop in the chamber, I'd skip the cleaning suggestions. I found a problem with my ejector/slide stop by cycling rounds by hand and seeing that they did not eject cleanly. Having the ejector replaced has made the gun dependable with any ammo.

Cycle the gun by hand to see what it does, you may find the problem. It could be something like friction which is robbing the recoil energy and the slide is not moving fully to the rear. If nothing seems wrong, perhaps get a stock weight recoil spring, perhaps the previous owner put in a stiffer spring to allow them to use HV ammo?

 

[andyo5]

Your chamber may be fouled. Give it a good scrubbing with the bore brush and solvent (not sure if there is such a thing as a .22 chamber brush). And as you mentioned, the extractor spring may be weak.
One thing that I have found with mine regards the breachface on the slide. There is a circular groove on the breechface into which the rim of each round must fit. The extractor lives in this groove as well. The groove tends to fill up with firing residue. When it gets bad enough, the round will not sit flush against the breech. Take a wooden tooth pick and dig the grime out of that groove.

 

[chief38]

Get yourself the Volquartsen Extractor part from MidwayUSA. It's about $11 and has worked wonders for guys with similar M41 problems. Easy to install and all you need is a hammer & punch. Better than original!

Volquartsen Exact Edge Extractor S&W Model 41 - MPN: VC41EE

 

[rkittine]

Thanks for that tip. I use only CCI Std Vel and a dab of oil and that solves it, but I will try getting this part now too.

Bob

 

[kidcom]

As has been stated, stick with CCI Standard Velocity Ammo which should resolve the issues that you're having. Also, as far as cleaning the chamber is concerned, I've used a brush on the end of my hand held drill and it does a terrific job.

 

[Barrie]

I agree with all the other posters in saying CCI SV ammo only for this gun. Never use any Hi-powered ammo in it as all you do is damage the gun over time. Also the one drop of oil trick does work very well, I do it myself and know from the past just how well this helps. Quite a bit. If the gun is clean and you use this ammo and oil trick you should have a Very Happy Gun to shoot for many years to come.

 

[chief38]

Thanks for that tip. I use only CCI Std Vel and a dab of oil and that solves it, but I will try getting this part now too.

Bob

More than likely it will solve your problem. IMO it is better than the original part.

 

[mauiblue]

I had the same problem the OP is talking about with my Model 41. I changed out my extractor to a Volquartsen Exact Edge extractor and changed out my springs with Wolff Springs. I also cleaned all my magazines and the gum was given a good cleaning. So in the end it was the extractor and springs that needed replacing. Good luck.

Sent from my HTC U12+ using Tapatalk

 

[rkittine]

I checked with a friend of mine who was having the same problem and who purchased that extractor and for him it did not do a thing. I will try getting the spring as well as the extractor and see.

Bob

 

[BE Mike]

It's really a shame that a firearm as iconic as the S&W model 41, which has been produced for decades, and isn't a cheap firearm, can't be produced today without function problems. The basic design is great and the magazines seem to be good-to-go.

 

[Cleanneon98]

I have standard velocity CCI coming. If that doesn’t clear it up then I’ll take it to a gunsmith for analysis and repair. If it still doesn’t function right after that it will go down in my book as a huge piece of garbage and will be the last smith product I buy. I thought this gun was going to be epic but so far it’s an epic disappointment

It’s not CCI but the Aguila I standard I use is similar in velocity to the CCI, 40gr projectile, i had more failures out of one box of it than I have had with any of my other handguns, combined. My buckmark had issues too but not nearly as many.

 

[Cleanneon98]

I did get good news from the shop I got it from. Even though it was used they have a 30 day policy. They will either take it to their gunsmith or send it back to smith and Wesson for repair (id prefer the latter). I think this is a good idea anyway for a gun from 1987 as some springs and things may be due for replacement anyway.

If it shoots the CCI standard 100% I don’t have a problem with that. But if it’s still going to keep having intermittent failures that’s just disappointing for such an expensive gun.

 

[chief38]

Extraction problems are no stranger to the M41! I wish S&W would just buy the Volquartsen part and install it at the Factory. It's a whole lot cheaper than them paying for all the return freight and warranty work.

 

[Cleanneon98]

Ran 100cci standards through it, no issues. I did have one empty get caught between the slide and next round but that was Eley Target ammo.

I guess I’ll be shooting the CCI standard in it from now on.