Value of Smith 41 from 1980?

[RShaw]

Hi All,

I really like this forum, although I haven't been here for a while. I acquired a Model 41 several months ago and have been enjoying myself immensely- it's a great shooter, although seems to be very picky regarding ammo. It shoots MiniMags very well, together with American Eagle High Velocity 38 grain copper plate. Although I have been cautioned against shooting these hotter loads; so far, after more than 1000 rounds, the breech looks very good- "near perfect" according to our gunsmith here in the area.

Still, I would like to shoot lighter loads through it, such as CCI SV or Pistol Match, or something else similar. These loads result in multiple misfeeds, stovepipes, etc- so I've given up on them for the time being. On this subject- does it make sense to conclude that the recoil spring may be too strong? That only the hot loads are powerful enough to push the slide all the way back for a proper ejection and fresh round feed? Therefore a weaker recoil spring could do the trick? I would appreciate your feedback. I understand that several springs of different tensions are available from Smith for under $10 per item.

I would also be interested in the general value of my gun- not that I want to sell it- far from it! Just out of interest.....
Please see the photo below. Gun has 2 mags, no box or papers or manual. Shoots very well on the loads I mentioned above.
Serial number is A674237
Thanks VERY much!! Appreciate your time.....
and... Happy Thanksgiving

 

[Barrie]

If you have the original box and two mags with it as well as the original Nose for it I would suspect around $1150. - $1250.00 for it. Without all these extra's around $900.-$1050.00

 

[Camster]

If you have the original box and two mags with it as well as the original Nose for it I would suspect around $1150. - $1250.00 for it. Without all these extra's around $900.-$1050.00

"Nose"?
I think those numbers are high,as something about the finish doesn't hit me right.It could be the photography,but I'm not seeing a 1980 high gloss finish.
I'd try a new recoil spring for proper standard vel ammo performance.

 

[RShaw]

Thank you Barry and Camster!
Nooo I do not have the original box, nor the original "Nose" but I do have 2 good mags both of which perform very well. The finish on the gun is closest to that in Photos 2 and 3, while the finish looks a little dull in Photo 1 when comparing to the actual firearm in daylight near a window. I have no reason to belive it was ever refinished.

I did recently replace the old recoil spring, but likely with one of a similar tension; there was no change in performance. I don't mind though- the old spring had a slight kink in it and was about 1/2 inch shorter than the new one.

I do know that our gunsmith recently acquired 5 new 41's which are selling for Euro 1895,00 = $2065 right now. I saw one of them- beautiful gun... but to be honest, I like the grips and basic finish on my old boy alot better. Seems to be a very high price for a new 41. What are new 41's in the box selling for in the US?

You all have a nice day....

 

[Fishinfool]

I might try a Wolff reduced weight spring for standard velocity use, though it should work properly with the standard factory spring. Mine was a 1979 version, and I put many thousands of cheap high velocity rounds thru it without any problems or damage to the gun. Really fine pistol, and I only sold mine after finding a HS Victor that I shot just a little better. Value in American $$, not sure. I paid, if I remember right, $500.00 for mine new in 1979. A lot of money in those days..

Larry

 

[Gar L.]

I recently bought a 1978 model in mint condition with box and two mags for $850.00. I probably would have paid more, but that is all they were asking for it.
I have fired 600 rounds of CCI SV so far without any malfunctions.

 

[FifthWheel]

Here's my 1980 A616xxx. Have seen few for sale lately here but around $800-1000. I emailed S&W and asked them what the original recoil spring was and much to my surprise the rep told me it was 8#. I have not had any issues yet but ordered one anyway. 8 pounds seems heavy but that's what they told me.

 

[gmborkovic]

Down here in FL, buyers want a complete package, $1000-$1200.
I dont know why. Single guns with one mag, about $650-$700.

 

[bob finger]

I bought one some months ago, only a few hundred different than yours in sn. I paid four figures for mine with a single mag and 7 inch barrel all in 95+% condition.

After function testing I replaced both recoil and firing pin springs with normal weight springs. I have shot nothing but CCI SV blue box through it without complaint. No way I would shoot HV ammo through this precision instrument.

Were it my gun first thing I would do is properly clean the chamber, replace recoil spring with an 8 pounder clean and lube the slide rails then give SV ammo another try. Good luck. bob

 

[RShaw]

Hi All,
Many thanks for all the great feedback! The 41's really command a premium price considering all the other target 22's out there which are in general "not bad." You all know what I mean when I say that the 41 is in a class by itself- when I first saw mine and sighted it in the shop, I knew this was a good firearm. So I agreed to buy it straighaway. A good thing- because much later I was talking to the shop owner who told me another buyer came from quite far asking for that gun because he has seen it on internet. But... was already gone.... They are very hard to find here.

Anyway, I will certainly see about getting good springs as suggested so I can change over to SV ammo. Appreciate all your resonses...

Cheers,
RShaw

 

[Barrie]

You are receiving many years of shooting experience on here which is one of the reasons folks join in with us. This is the place to learn anything you ever need to know regarding anything to do with a M41 or M46. You will have this gun running absolutely perfect in short order and many great years of service from it as well. Just remember NO HV ammo in it.

 

[Fishinfool]

I just want to piggy back onto this thread with a question. I see a lot of guys stating "no hi vel ammo in a model 41". Am wondering why? I lost track how many bricks of cheap HV ammo I put through my new 1979 model 41, and never had an issue. 10 to 15 thousand rounds at least. I don't recall anything in the owners manual stating not to do it, nor do I remember hearing of any problems with modern model 41's like you do with older HS target pistols when using HV ammo. Was I just lucky?

Larry

 

[Barrie]

Thats a possibility but you have added a lot of extra stress on your M41 that it really didn't need. I do believe you have seriously helped shorten its life. These are Target pistols which are made to shoot their best with CCI-SV. The tolerances are very tight in these guns as well. The vast majority of owners and shooters on this Forum only shoot the CCI-SV. I would think we have all learned something about by now.

 

[kidcom]

Barrie is absolutely right concerning the 41. This is a finely made pistol with close tolerances and shouldn't be subjected to the abuse of HV ammunition. As for problems using SV ammo I suggest that a thorough cleaning of the 41 is required. Remove the grips and see what shape the interior is in. it may require extensive cleaning. Also you may want to check out the slide to make certain that it's properly clean as well. You may have an extractor and/or spring problem. All of these can be taken care of by the owner. As i have mentioned in previous post, whenever I acquire an older 41/46 for my collection, I take the pistol apart down to last screw and thoroughly clean everything. Believe me, it makes a huge difference in performance. Finally a set of Wolff springs would be a good step in the right direction in helping to improve the 41s overall performance.

 

[Ed Fowler]

All I can add to the advice you have already received is to try different lubes. Some like a thin lube some a thick one, some don't care. Mine likes Break Free.

 

[Barr1]

Can you shoot HV w a stronger recoil spring?

 

[bob finger]

Can you? Sure, its your pistol shoot whatever you want.

Buy heavier weight springs and try some if you want. Put a buffer in if it makes you feel better. Just don't come here asking for advice on "how heavy" and "will a buffer help me keep the gun running" and other such.

If your question were "should you" then the answer will be a resounding NO by the majority of us that enjoy our 41's and want them to do their best for the remainder of our lives and then some.

You want to shoot bulk ammo, go buy a pistol that is built for it. My BuckMark will eat anything I feed it. That said,I shoot the same ammo in it I shoot in my 41...CCI SV and SK Std+. Why make the pistol work harder than it has to? We are talking less than 1 cent per round difference comparing to bulk HV.

And if accuracy is your goal SV ammo is ALWAYS more accurate than HV. bob

 

[OIF2]

R50 RWS and red-box Eley work well, too. At left is my AMU-tuned 41 from '80.
Bob

 

[Barr1]

The question was simple to better understand how the model 41 works and whats its operating envelope is. Everyone becomes an expert in their niche, precision .22 handgun has not been my focus. No one is suggesting turning a precision .22 into a Stinger eating pistol.

Belittling someone for asking a simple learning question and what parts are available is a bit low class. Its a good idea to educate myself before buying a $1000 pistol. The only dumb question is the one not asked.

 

[bob finger]

Barr1: Sorry, I was not trying to belittle, only attempted to inform. Sometimes things don't come out the way we mean them when typing. bob