Which Recoil spring load for S&W 41

[southerncomforthemi]

Hi..I have just started to shoot wolf match rimfire in my s&W 41 and had had the load ejection issue with the magazine loading the round before the ejection is complete.

Which weight of spring should I use....the stock spring is 7.5

I am using a nylon slide buffer that is about 3/8 inch thick so I presume this is increasing the weight of the recoil spring.

What have you guys found that works best???

Thanks

 

[handgunner356]

Get rid of the buffer, they're a cure looking for a problem. I always stay with the stock or 7# spring with some standard velocity ammo. I have had 41s' that just weren't happy unless I used Hi-Velocity ammo in them.

 

[Ignatz]

I've had 41's that needed the 6# wolff spring to fire softer standard velocity. My current 41 has the 7# spring in it for CCI standard velocity. Start with getting rid of the buffer, then maybe get the 3 spring pack if you want to continue using the Wolf ammo. My (very worn)41 is at the point where CCI standard velocity is the only ammo that makes it function 100%.

 

[southerncomforthemi]

Went to the range today and found that if I leave the magazines in the sun along with the gun I get 1 in 20 not ejecting fully after shooting for about 2 hrs.

I think that the cases are expanding slightly ion the heat and as I have a bully barrel the tolerance just get too tight.

have gone down to 7 lbs will try 6 lbs as you suggest just did not want the recoil to damage the slide if the spring is too soft.

 

[OKFC05]

Just a suggestion:
Take out the buffer and try shooting Federal Pistol Match with the stock spring.

If the problems go away, you have found the combination.

 

[BlackAgnes]

Why remove the buffer? I use one in my M41 and I get flawless operation, and I think the gun would be better protected. I usually trust the manufacturers' designs, but I like to shoot HV ammo in my autos.

Is there a harm in running with the nylon buffer?

Thanks.

 

[southerncomforthemi]

Well took the best of your advice.

1. Changed to 6 1/2lb Wolf spring.

2. kept my bullets and magazines out of the heat of the sun

3.Cleaned the chamber after the first 100 rounds.

Thanks

 

[HAWKEYE10]

this is not a popular idea on this forum but
model 41's have always been finky about ammo.i
shoot a high standard citation and it has over
30,000 rds. through it. it eats all kind of ammo
i had to do maintance on it last year for the first time.i say thats pretty good. please don't
be to hard on me. don

 

[OKFC05]

Is there a harm in running with the nylon buffer?

It's wonderful until you get a buffer/spring combo that causes the spring to go solid in recoil. Just sticking in a buffer "because" without matching spring length is a crap shoot. It can cause immediate malfunctions, or even damage.

 

[BlackAgnes]

OK--

I hear ya! The Buffer Technologies unit that I have doesn't "shorten" the spring--it sits atop it so that it only cushions the slide/frame juncture.

I'll try it for a while and let you know how it works or if I have any problems with it. I may experiment with different springs, too. I understand that S&W doesn't discourage the use of HV ammo in M41s (at least, officially!).

Thanks!

 

[southerncomforthemi]

I think that most comments I have read say the The 41 is more accurate with SV ammo.

You make a very good point that the Buffer sits over the spring...however , maybe its
coincidence but I have not had any problems since using the 6 1/2 lb spring wit the buffer out.

I have also found that keeping my filled mags and ammo out of the sun has helped.

Another shooter at my club also says brush out the chamber ever 100 rounds...

 

[ChuckS1]

No way would I shoot my 41 with high or hyper velocity ammo and NOT use a buffer. Remember, this is a target pistol designed for standard velocity ammo. So, if you shoot high velocity ammo, I would use the buffer, but that's just me. I figure I can afford to spend $10 to protect a $1000 pistol.

Go over to this post that discusses this issue with HV ammo and buffers. Very good thread and the site is the best one on the Web for .22 target pistol information.