Year of manufacture. - new Model 41?

[Easy]

I am just about to buy a new five inch Model 41 from a local dealer. Serial number UDS99xx.
Just curious if anyone can tell me when it was made or shipped from the factory?

My Supica & Nahas is only good to 2006.

Thank you

 

[colt_saa]

I am just about to buy a new five inch Model 41 from a local dealer. Serial number UDS99xx.
Just curious if anyone can tell me when it was made or shipped from the factory?

My Supica & Nahas is only good to 2006.

Thank you

The date of manufacture is printed on the box's end label. It will be the 4 digit number under SPEC ORD.

The first digit is the year (you need to know the decade) the next three digits are the day in Julian format

For a shipping date you need to request a Historical letter from S&W

 

[Easy]

Thanks

The date of manufacture is printed on the box's end label. It will be the 4 digit number under SPEC ORD.

The first digit is the year (you need to know the decade) the next three digits are the day in Julian format

For a shipping date you need to request a Historical letter from S&W

Thank you, that's good to know. I will check the box when I pick it up. I just confirmed the order by phone and there will now be a week or so wait for it to be transferred into my name. Bit of a different process here in Canada when it comes to handguns.

Originally I was trying to replace a Beretta Model 89 Gold Standard, but after more than a year's search I wasn't able to find one in this part of the world. Importing from the US is a PITA. I also seriously considered one or two Browning Medalists, but for the price they want for those older guns, I figured I would be better off with a new Model 41.

I hope I made the right choice.

Thanks again for the info.

Easy

 

[Easy]

Thanks

UDS9xxx is what I have. Dated 04-29-2015

Perfect. Good info thanks.

 

[Barrie]

Yes you are with a M41. You will love it when you get it broken in. Pics would be nice when you get it as well. Nice to see another Canadian on board as well.

 

[Easy]

Yes you are with a M41. You will love it when you get it broken in. Pics would be nice when you get it as well. Nice to see another Canadian on board as well.

Thanks Barrie. The earliest I can get the gun is next Tuesday. I am looking forward to seeing it in person. I bought it sight unseen as there are none available close to home. I figured it was a safe thing to do as it is new. But it will be nice to actually get it into my hands.

I had a chance to shoot two Model 41s at a club meet last night. One had the muzzle brake on a 7 inch barrel and loaded chamber indicator as well as an extra five inch barrel. So it has been around for a while. The other was a 70s or 80s gun with a five inch barrel. Both shot great and the slides were buttery smooth.

I am a bit worried the fit and finish of the newer gun won't be as nice. Especially the smoothness of the slide. Has anyone had a chance to compare the older with the new 41s made in the last few years? How do they compare?

And Barrie, you mention breaking in the gun. Any special words of advice on how to do that? How many rounds will it take to break it in?

I am going to start with standard and sub-sonic CCI ammo at the beginning to see how it cycles. If there is a problem, the next step will be to try some higher velocity...but I don't like the idea of putting extra strain on the gun if it isn't necessary. I will post some pictures after it is home.

Easy

 

[Barrie]

I suggest just using standard CCI SV ammo only in it. Thats the best food it can ever have. You will not have any problems with it at all but the high speed stuff just beats it up more. I would think around 800 rounds approx will have it broken in quite nicely. Put a drop of oil on each side on the slide rails and one on the area where the safety sits also. Thats the only 3 places you need to oil period on these guns. Other then that shoot it and enjoy it. If it has any problems at first ejecting the spent caseings just place a drop of oil on the top cartridge before inserting the mag. I like the older ones better as they have a different finish on them but basically thats the only difference between them. Barrie

 

[Tom S.]

You can also add a recoil buffer that will even help protect against sub velocity wear without effecting functioning. They cost around $10.

 

[Easy]

Great help Barrie. I have read that they like to run "wet" so I will make sure it is oiled, but I won't overdo it.
Looking forward to breaking it in. I also like CCI SV for my other guns. Good to know the M41 will like it as well.

I suggest just using standard CCI SV ammo only in it. Thats the best food it can ever have. You will not have any problems with it at all but the high speed stuff just beats it up more. I would think around 800 rounds approx will have it broken in quite nicely. Put a drop of oil on each side on the slide rails and one on the area where the safety sits also. Thats the only 3 places you need to oil period on these guns. Other then that shoot it and enjoy it. If it has any problems at first ejecting the spent caseings just place a drop of oil on the top cartridge before inserting the mag. I like the older ones better as they have a different finish on them but basically thats the only difference between them. Barrie

 

[Easy]

I was wondering if a buffer was required if only running standard velocity. I certainly won't hurt to try it, as long as it doesn't affect cycling. Thanks.

You can also add a recoil buffer that will even help protect against sub velocity wear without effecting functioning. They cost around $10.

 

[Camster]

I believe that zillions of rounds of standard vel have been put through these guns without a buffer,resulting in no ill effects.I've never heard that they like to run "wet".I put a small amount of oil on the rails as part of a cleaning,but nothing otherwise,aside from a very light film overall when it's not being used.
I never felt the need to put a buffer in my 41.A gun with alloy components or one subjected to high velocity ammo may need one.Eighteen years later,it still looks and runs like new.
btw,you're getting a gun with a 5.5 inch barrel,not 5 inch.

 

[Easy]

Ha! I should have known to be specific on this site or I would be caught out. Yes. 5.5 inch.

I believe that zillions of rounds of standard vel have been put through these guns without a buffer,resulting in no ill effects.
I never felt the need to put one in my 41.Eighteen years later,it still looks and runs like new.
btw,you're getting a gun with a 5.5 inch barrel,not 5 inch.

 

[Tom S.]

I believe that zillions of rounds of standard vel have been put through these guns without a buffer,resulting in no ill effects.I've never heard that they like to run "wet".I put a small amount of oil on the rails as part of a cleaning,but nothing otherwise,aside from a very light film overall when it's not being used.
I never felt the need to put a buffer in my 41.A gun with alloy components or one subjected to high velocity ammo may need one.Eighteen years later,it still looks and runs like new.
btw,you're getting a gun with a 5.5 inch barrel,not 5 inch.

I'm doing it to mine for two reasons. First, it's cheap insurance. Second, which is also related to the first, with more and more ammo being made overseas, even that with American brand names, I don't trust the standard velocity is always standard. And did I mention at $10 it's cheap insurance?

 

[Barrie]

I have never run a buffer as yet in mine but stick to the CCI SV ammo which works really well in both of mine. Yes I do get the odd FTF as NO ammo is perfect but the CCI is as close to perfect as it gets for our guns.

 

[Barrie]

Easy the one that you shot the other night with the muzzle brake on it probably had a 7-3/8" barrel on it as well. By having the indicator on the back as well it gives it away for length also.

 

[Easy]

Mine does not say spec ord on the end label. However in the list of gun details on the label there is a separate number without a heading that reads: 060315.

Would I be wrong in assuming the day of manufacture is June 03 2015? I doubt if it was made in 2006...but that is another way of reading the number. However I believe in the US the standard is month, day, year.

Not that it matters, just a point of curiosity.

The date of manufacture is printed on the box's end label. It will be the 4 digit number under SPEC ORD.

The first digit is the year (you need to know the decade) the next three digits are the day in Julian format

For a shipping date you need to request a Historical letter from S&W

 

[Easy]

Yes you are with a M41. You will love it when you get it broken in. Pics would be nice when you get it as well. Nice to see another Canadian on board as well.

You asked for pics of the new arrival...to say the least, I am very pleased with the fit and finish. Not the deep blue of the older guns, but the finish is smooth and uniform. My only criticism is that the edges of the words and numbers stamped onto the barrel and frame are raised slightly with sharp edges that catch the cleaning cloth...but no big deal. It is a keeper.

 

[Barrie]

Very nice looking gun Easy. Hope you have many years of fun and enjoyment from this pistol. Now you need some more mags to go with it as usually 2 are not enough. Myself I am up to 10 at this time.

 

[Easy]

Range report

I finally got my new Model 41 to the range today and I am very pleased. I was a little nervous after two recent experiences with a Ruger rifle and handgun. Both new Rugers needed considerable tinkering over several months to bring them to the point where I am now happy with them.

Not so with the S&W. Out of the box it is smooth, accurate and a joy to shoot. I only had time to shoot one box of 50 rounds. But it did so very accurately and without a malfunction. I learned here the go-to round for the gun is sub-sonic CCI Standard Velocity. And it appears that's the case with mine as well. I may try some match grade ammo just for fun, but at this point I don't see the need to pay the higher cost.

Some day I will do a show down between the Model 41, and my S&W model 17-3 .22 revolver...but as far as I am concerned both are keepers.

I will cut this short before rambling on too much. (Probably have already). Ultimately I was faced with a decision on whether I should hold out for an older Model 41 created by those old-school craftsmen, or buy new and take my chances the quality was still there. After having a chance to shoot the gun today I am sure it is going to be just as good as the ones created decades ago.

 

[Barrie]

I am very glad its working out quite well for you. Nice to hear their quality is still up to par with the older models. I know you will enjoy this gun for many years to come.