Hi, everyone I hope someone can help me ,I bought a new smith & Wesson model 41 performance centre, in 2020 since then I’ve shot about 6,000 rounds true it , i’m clean and Oil it, after every range session, since 2020 I’ve had some issues with it, a lot of a stovepipe or a failure to eject, for the first 20 to 30 rounds, of CCI standard. Or any other standard ammunition, i put a drop of oil on the first round, for the first 2 to 3 magazines, this seems to help. Then it seems to run ok for a while, it been like that since new, I thought it might have needed a break-in period but 6,000 rounds later. It should be well broken in at this stage. This is the second 41 that I have owned it. the first one was a 1980s model, it with only run on cci mini mags. it seems to be a common problem right through the S&W model 41. If anyone can help with a solution to this problem that would be great (thanks)
Smith & Wesson model 41 performance centre
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As always, there are lots of possibilities for these types of malfunctions. If you are wanting to try to remedy this yourself, there are some things you can do.........
First, make sure you're not impeding the slide with the grip you are using.
Even though you indicated you clean the gun regularly, I would suggest a thorough disassembly and cleaning of the slide and frame, including the barrel/chamber area. Check the chamber and chamber mouth opening carefully for any burrs or flaws. Use a magnifier. (remember, you shouldn't dry fire this pistol)
Check the extractor, plunger and spring for defects. Make sure the extractor plunger moves freely in it's cavity. Many model 41 owners on this forum like/use the Volquartsen aftermarket extractors if you want to try a different extractor.
Give the magazines a good soaking and cleaning. They will be very dirty after that many rounds and that much oil. The magazines should not be lubricated inside after cleaning. Take a look at the integrity of the magazine springs and followers. Putting oil on the rounds in the magazine shouldn't be necessary for proper function.
Replace the recoil spring with a new OEM spring. Wolff Gunsprings also makes recoil spring packs of varying weights you can try, if you can't find a new factory spring.
This is the short list. There are many other things that can cause issues.
If you don't want to try to remedy these malfunctions yourself, or if these changes don't help eliminate the malfunctions, I would suggest a call to Clark Custom. They still work on the model 41, and are one of the most experienced shops in dealing with pervasive model 41 issues.
You also have the option of sending it back to Smith and Wesson under warranty. Experience with Smith and Wesson warranty service reported here on the forum has been hit and miss.
Carter
First, make sure you're not impeding the slide with the grip you are using.
Even though you indicated you clean the gun regularly, I would suggest a thorough disassembly and cleaning of the slide and frame, including the barrel/chamber area. Check the chamber and chamber mouth opening carefully for any burrs or flaws. Use a magnifier. (remember, you shouldn't dry fire this pistol)
Check the extractor, plunger and spring for defects. Make sure the extractor plunger moves freely in it's cavity. Many model 41 owners on this forum like/use the Volquartsen aftermarket extractors if you want to try a different extractor.
Give the magazines a good soaking and cleaning. They will be very dirty after that many rounds and that much oil. The magazines should not be lubricated inside after cleaning. Take a look at the integrity of the magazine springs and followers. Putting oil on the rounds in the magazine shouldn't be necessary for proper function.
Replace the recoil spring with a new OEM spring. Wolff Gunsprings also makes recoil spring packs of varying weights you can try, if you can't find a new factory spring.
This is the short list. There are many other things that can cause issues.
If you don't want to try to remedy these malfunctions yourself, or if these changes don't help eliminate the malfunctions, I would suggest a call to Clark Custom. They still work on the model 41, and are one of the most experienced shops in dealing with pervasive model 41 issues.
You also have the option of sending it back to Smith and Wesson under warranty. Experience with Smith and Wesson warranty service reported here on the forum has been hit and miss.
Carter
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I’ve never understood the oiling the first round. I always expect that oil in the chamber plus heat would cause a layer of polymerized oil and nothing good. Maybe it helps with feeding, can’t see how it helps with extraction.
Anyway, since the problems seem to be extraction and ejection related have you tried reducing the recoil spring weight to increase slide velocity? If you do replace the spring, be sure to install it with the finished end forward.
Anyway, since the problems seem to be extraction and ejection related have you tried reducing the recoil spring weight to increase slide velocity? If you do replace the spring, be sure to install it with the finished end forward.
Thanks, I would love to send it back to S&W or to Clark customs unfortunately that’s not a possibility for me as I live across the pond, so I don’t have much choice other than to sort out the issue myself.. so I will try give it another deep clean, and look for any chamber defects the only dry fire I’ve had is when they slide failed to load around. The strange part is there seems to run better after 30 rounds. with powder residue. And gun oil. Thanks once again for getting back to me if you think of anything else please let me know. Kind regards.
Thanks for getting back to me, I do have some wolf springs but I am a little confused of which way to install some people say the closed end towards the muscle, and other, say the open end towards the muscle,
So I emailed one of the suppliers of Wolff Springs and this is what they sent me back
The finished end forward makes sense to me, it’s not sorting you want to get wrong as you can have a serious, jammed up
Kind regards
- The open (or "wide") end of the spring typically goes toward the muzzle (front) of the firearm.
- The closed (or "tight") end usually goes toward the rear (breech or action).
For the Smith & Wesson Model 41 specifically, if you're installing a recoil spring:
- The open end should face forward, toward the muzzle.
- The closed end should seat against the guide rod or the rear of the slide.
This orientation helps ensure proper function and longevity of the spring. However, always double-check the instructions provided by Wolff, as some specialty springs may have unique requirements.
If you need any OEM replacement parts, tools, or want to upgrade other components for your Model 41, let me know! USA Guns And Gear offers a wide selection of authentic Smith & Wesson parts to keep your pistol running smoothly. Would you like recommendations for any other Model 41 parts or accessories?
Me 5:13:47 PM
Thanks
If installed with the unfinished/open end forward the spring may work its way into the little hole you see in the recess, and at that point you are truly in trouble. Folks have had to return guns just to get them disassembled, some have required refinishing.
If you look at the OEM spring you’ll see that it’s finished at both ends.
I’m on a plane but will see if I can find some authoritative posts (I think right on this forum) when I land in a few hours.
Edit: please see https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/questions-re-s-w-model-41-recoil-springs.726422/
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In my opinion, Wolff is wrong about the orientation of this particular spring. The cut end of the spring should always be placed in the frame recess at the rear, and the closed end to the front.
Carter
Carter
Thanks, I totally agree with you, with the clothes end into the front it would seem less likely for the spring to to jump the guide rod,
Thanks once again for getting back to me regards
8
Regards
I’d be interested in what you think, another question comes to my mind, using the wolf springs, the S&W 41 as far as I know has a 7 1/2 pound factory spring, so if you use an 8 pound spring would it batter the front of the chamber . and if you use 6 pound spring , would did batter the back of the slide. ….. I am probably overthinking the whole thing.
Regards
Thanks for getting back to me , I think myself the , closed end of the spring goes towards the muzzle that sort of makes sense, but I just want to make sure thank you regards
Tom S.
Staff member
Regarding the recoil spring: https://smith-wessonforum.com/threa...en-changing-recoil-spring-on-model-41.583065/
Lt.Donn
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,all good steps to try
Round yourself up a Volquartsen extractor for your pistol and install it. That will eliminate any suspicions there. Recoil spring closed to the front, open to the rear. If you can get a recoil spring pack from Wolfe pick one up and do some experimenting with the rounds you use, or want to use. I run my PC M-41's rather wet with oil, but not dripping wet. They seem to like it that way.
Rick H.
Rick H.
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Been running a 41 with Mini-mags (!) I know, don't hate me. I do have a vinyl buffer, and a full power recoil spring.
Anyway, running Federal bulk, which is far less consistent, there'll be an occasional short stroke and smokestack.
The point, rounds with too little power, or too much recoil spring, seem the issue.
BTW, my 41 is really hard to rack from a hammer down position, harder than another 41 in the past. Not enough ramp on the slide? Too much hammer spring?
Moon
Anyway, running Federal bulk, which is far less consistent, there'll be an occasional short stroke and smokestack.
The point, rounds with too little power, or too much recoil spring, seem the issue.
BTW, my 41 is really hard to rack from a hammer down position, harder than another 41 in the past. Not enough ramp on the slide? Too much hammer spring?
Moon
Do you use a dab of really good grease, not oil, on the nose of the hammer?
Rick H.
Rick H.
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Finally, we agree! lol!!
After 7 years of Wolff not caring, not having enough common sense to include proper instructions or take the bad springs and dispose of them is pretty darn sad IMHO! This is especially mind boggling since they forked over quite a bit of money to repair and refinish TWO of my friend's M41's damaged by their springs!After spending most of my working years owning my own manufacturing company, I know sometimes things get made incorrectly. A smart owner admits it, takes the loss and remanufactures new parts. It will save him money and aggregation in the long run - it always does. I can't imagine it would cost Wolff all that much to make new springs or modify and finish the ends of the existing ones for a single gun model. AT THE VERY LEAST mark one end with paint and include proper instructions Wolff!!!
On another note, I agree that a Volquartsen extractor helps the reliability of a M41 many times. The part is relatively inexpensive and not hard to install. That is usually my first recommendation when dealing with a finicky M41 - which many are.
TSBirddog
Member
I experience failure to extract and failure to eject most often on the first couple magazines on a freshly cleaned and lubricated Model 41. It tends to clear up with a bit of fouling. I use 8 pound springs and CCI standard velocity ammunition. My friend's M41 behaves the same way and she tends to run hers dirty. We live in the high desert where humidity is frequently in the single digits or teens so corrosion is not a big worry with storing a fouled firearm. By the way, ours are probably early 70's vintage guns. I've been lubricating with silicone spray lately and that seems to help. I also spray a light coat of penetrating oil on a paper shop towel and roll the ammo around on it before loading magazines. That rag in a zip lock bag lasts a long time.
