S&W .22s
I'd agree with Mr. Keenan - the current crop of 22a's are from a different tree than the Model 41s.
I'd dis-agree with Mr. Keenan on the uses. I've used a 5.5 inch Model 41 to take a lot of snowshoe hare and a fair amount of squirrel and grouse. I don't find it anymore awkard or bulky to use for that than an elderly Ruger Mark I target with a bull barrel - an old friend. I do tend to take the Ruger out more, mostly because I don't care as much about dinging it up in the woods.
Back when my eyes were younger I'd have to have given the S&W an edge in accuracy over the Ruger with their respective preferred ammo. There was no question about the trigger pull of the S&W being superior to the Ruger.
If you want a nice .22 to carry on camping trips, to stop rampaging cans with, and to take the occassional small game - them the .22a's are nice - as well as the durable Rugers, the Sig Trailside, the Buckmark or any number of others - semi-autos or revolvers. If you want that, plus the smooth, crisp trigger pull, balance and accuracy that will give you an edge in bullseye competition without costly modificatin, then the Model 41 is an excellent choice.
Is it worth the extra few hundred in MSR price? Probably not, if you aren't into real precision shooting - or if you aren't at that point where you can shoot to the potential of the gun. But, jeassee, they are really, really nice.