Smith model 41

[41smith73]

Just bought a LNIB mid 80's 41 - 5.5 barrel and shoots great, want to start target shooting,so I purchased a Matchdot ll and a new S&W 5-1/2" barrel that is drilled and tapped for mount. When install the new barrel the slide WILL NOT cycle like the original, its VERY Tight, can barrely cycle by hand!! Do I need to hand hone the new one? Any input would be appreicated!!

Thank You
41smith73

 

[gdauth]

Just bought a LNIB mid 80's 41 - 5.5 barrel and shoots great, want to start target shooting,so I purchased a Matchdot ll and a new S&W 5-1/2" barrel that is drilled and tapped for mount. When install the new barrel the slide WILL NOT cycle like the original, its VERY Tight, can barrely cycle by hand!! Do I need to hand hone the new one? Any input would be appreicated!!

Thank You
41smith73

First you need to find where it is binding. Cycle it by hand and look for areas of wear. Then try a little Liquid Wrench on those areas.

 

[civil1977]

I wonder if the screws used for the mount are protruding though the underside of the barrel extension and contacting the top of the slide. Another possibility is a bent barrel extension which is touching the top of the slide. As stated, try cycling by hand and look for the problem area.

 

[dlancello]

I've been enjoying my M41 for about a month now. I love it. Mine is late 80s-early 90s and has had a rough life so far. It shoots exelent but the finish is rough the grips are chipped and it had very minor surface rust. The rust looked like the previous owner just shot it and put it in a foam case. I removed 90% of the rust and did an ultrasonic cleaning and oiling now I don't have any feed or ejection problems no matter what ammo I use. One thing I did notice, the surfaces under the feed ramp and slot that the ejector goes into on the barrel were warn and the edges were very sharp. So sharp that it was dangerous when cleaning. I lightly stoned the sharp edges and polished the feed ramp.

 

[SAColt]

I recently purchased a short heavy bbl. for my 2nd yr. production 7/12 in. 41. I had the same problem as you describe. I had to do some stoning (minor) to get it to fit and cycle properly. Shoots great. Good luck with yours.

Steve

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

If not the screws sticking thru and dragging, would guess when D&Td, the bbl extention got bent enough to cause drag? Use straight edge to check. They can be bent back, but need to be gentle - best an experienced smith to handle it.

 

[DCWilson]

There are only a couple of places where there might be binding. Look at the gun from the side with the slide in position and see if there is clearance between the underside of the barrel extension and the top of the slide. I have about 1/64" to 1/32" of clear space there on my 1979 41.

The other place involves the long arms on the slide that reach forward alongside the mass of the barrel. You might put some oil or light grease on the contact points there to see if the slide operates more easily with lube. If it does, just look for the contact points on the barrel and stone them down a bit.

It might help to try a test fit of the barrel and slide while they are off the frame. You can at least rotate the pieces while they are aligned and look for a possible problem point or zone from different angles.

I am not aggressive with sliding parts that don't fit, but I am merciless. They need to fit in order to function, and you need to get the high points knocked down to the point where that happens. A thousandth of an inch might be enough to do that.

I should probably caution you that I am a relative noob with the 41. I haven't had one long, but I have spent a lot of time watching the parts move as I operate it.

 

[41smith73]

Barrel Fitting

Hey guys, just got back from Thanksgiving travel and looked at my post for replys!! Thanks for all the input guys and with that I think I found the problem areas, I can see where the slide is draging on the side and underside of the barrel, will try some light stoning and see what happens and will let all know. The Matchdot ll and mount showed up also, just like xmas on in November, cannot wait to shoot it!!

thank again

41smith73