Thinking about S&W 41
- Thread starter Peanut15
- Start date
Peanut, I'm sorry that I can't help you in selecting a 41. I don't know prices or what to look for in a used one.
I have a model 46 which is a "cheap" version of the 41 made from '54 to '69. I have replaced the grips (they were plastic) with full target grips. I dearly love this pistol and will never get rid of it. Most people who get a 41 pretty much feel the same way. BTW the 46 is just not as well polished as the 41. All parts interchange. I paid $350 for mine about 8 years ago.
Only problem I've ever heard with the 41 was that some of them are picky about the ammo they like. Others will eat just about anything.
I have a model 46 which is a "cheap" version of the 41 made from '54 to '69. I have replaced the grips (they were plastic) with full target grips. I dearly love this pistol and will never get rid of it. Most people who get a 41 pretty much feel the same way. BTW the 46 is just not as well polished as the 41. All parts interchange. I paid $350 for mine about 8 years ago.
Only problem I've ever heard with the 41 was that some of them are picky about the ammo they like. Others will eat just about anything.
Christopher II
New member
For a used M41, anything under $600 is real good. I've never seen a new one for sale.
Many people seem to think that the older adjustable sights on the M41s are better than the current model. I had the new ones on mine, and thought they were fine. The guns are very high quality overall, and the new ones have a particularly nice deep-blue finish.
As much as I liked my M41, I wouldn't buy another unless I got a really smokin' deal on it. Are you dead-set on a 41, or are you shopping around?
- Chris
Many people seem to think that the older adjustable sights on the M41s are better than the current model. I had the new ones on mine, and thought they were fine. The guns are very high quality overall, and the new ones have a particularly nice deep-blue finish.
As much as I liked my M41, I wouldn't buy another unless I got a really smokin' deal on it. Are you dead-set on a 41, or are you shopping around?
- Chris
IMHO
The model 41 is a really nice match pistol. I love mine, bought used in '94 for $500. To get better than the 41, you need to jump up to the $1000 range for Pardini, Hammerli, etc.
I like the 5" bull barrel I have, but I've seen other shooters at my old club do really good shooting with the long barrel.
The model 41 is a really nice match pistol. I love mine, bought used in '94 for $500. To get better than the 41, you need to jump up to the $1000 range for Pardini, Hammerli, etc.
I like the 5" bull barrel I have, but I've seen other shooters at my old club do really good shooting with the long barrel.
VictorLouis
New member
I also happened upon a 46.
I had no idea that such a gun existed. It's sorta like the M28 Highway Patrolman is to the the higher-finished(costlier) M27. The trigger is so awesome, it's actually difficult for me to get used to; but, I'm workin' on it.
I thought I got a steal at $400, because it's in such awesome shape. Previously, the lowest I'd ever seen on a used 41 was $425; but, that gun was ridden-hard and put away wet, by comparison.
I had no idea that such a gun existed. It's sorta like the M28 Highway Patrolman is to the the higher-finished(costlier) M27. The trigger is so awesome, it's actually difficult for me to get used to; but, I'm workin' on it.
I thought I got a steal at $400, because it's in such awesome shape. Previously, the lowest I'd ever seen on a used 41 was $425; but, that gun was ridden-hard and put away wet, by comparison.
Peanut, the appearance of the pistol will be your key to how many rounds it has seen. I think that, if it looks good, and if the trigger feels good to you, you have the one you want.
One of the biggest advantages of the Model 41 is that you can buy different barrels for it. If you happen accross a bull barrel model at a decent price and want later to put a long barrel on it, you just buy the long barrel and slap it on. From the factory they come with just about the best trigger pull available at any price.
One of the biggest advantages of the Model 41 is that you can buy different barrels for it. If you happen accross a bull barrel model at a decent price and want later to put a long barrel on it, you just buy the long barrel and slap it on. From the factory they come with just about the best trigger pull available at any price.
If you want a mod 41 you can get a used one and save a ton of money. I have seen a few of them under $400 over the last few years. Even bought a couple of them. They are not LNIB, but are shooters. That is really all they are worth as used guns, but you want to shoot it, not collect it.
Maybe this is unnecessary to say, but the 41 is made for one purpose - formal, bullseye target shooting. Not plinking (too heavy), not defense (too big and underpowered), not even collecting.
But for what it is made for, it is hard to beat without spending a lot more money. (A good Ruger Target will shoot almost(?) as well from a rest, but it is simply not the gun a 41 is.)
Jim
But for what it is made for, it is hard to beat without spending a lot more money. (A good Ruger Target will shoot almost(?) as well from a rest, but it is simply not the gun a 41 is.)
Jim
The Model 41 is strictly designed for formal bullseye shooting. I just shot a match tonight at the OSU ROTC building with mine and scored a 557 (out of possible 600).
There are several of the other (better, I might add) shooters who shoot the Model 41. It is soooo much better than the Ruger's I had shot before I managed to find this one.
I can't think of anything that you could do to these pistols that would make them a bad buy, other than deliberate medling with the trigger. If the barrel was not any good, you could always replace it. I can't even think of how you would destroy the barrel with .22 match ammo.
Casey
There are several of the other (better, I might add) shooters who shoot the Model 41. It is soooo much better than the Ruger's I had shot before I managed to find this one.
I can't think of anything that you could do to these pistols that would make them a bad buy, other than deliberate medling with the trigger. If the barrel was not any good, you could always replace it. I can't even think of how you would destroy the barrel with .22 match ammo.
Casey
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
I paid about $750 for a new Smith & Wesson model 41 about six months before the company hopped into bed with the Snopes Clinton-Liar Gore régime.
It didn't feed or extract reliably, so I bought an assortment of replacement recoil springs from Wolff. I can't remember which one did the trick, but it's worked fine ever since. I had to spend about $100 on a trigger job, because out of the box, the pull was creepy and stiff. I put Fung stocks on it that are a joy and a delight. I bought a second barrel to have drilled and tapped for an Ultradot one-inch red dot scope, and it's proved helpful, although I find it's even more helpful to use it with a Merit peep sight, too. The rear sight on the original barrel fell off. I screwed it down tight, which, I presently discovered, curved the extension the rear sight is mounted on so badly it abraded the top of the slide. I eventually glued the sight into the dove-tailed slot, and wondered why Smith & Wesson didn't just build it to better tolerances.
It's a reasonably good target pistol, although my High Standards have better triggers and shoot at least as accurately, if not more so. I heard Smith & Wesson dropped the pistol, but have since heard it's been reinstated. It seems to be kind of a coming and going company.
I'm thinking about a Volquartsen remanufactured Ruger. I've never cared for Ruger triggers, but have heard lots of good things about the Volquartsen, and can truthfully tell you my Volquartsen High Standard replacement barrel is a fine piece of work.
I didn't know there was or had been a low budget version of the model 41. Hah! You learn something every day, I guess.
Regards,
Standing Wolf
It didn't feed or extract reliably, so I bought an assortment of replacement recoil springs from Wolff. I can't remember which one did the trick, but it's worked fine ever since. I had to spend about $100 on a trigger job, because out of the box, the pull was creepy and stiff. I put Fung stocks on it that are a joy and a delight. I bought a second barrel to have drilled and tapped for an Ultradot one-inch red dot scope, and it's proved helpful, although I find it's even more helpful to use it with a Merit peep sight, too. The rear sight on the original barrel fell off. I screwed it down tight, which, I presently discovered, curved the extension the rear sight is mounted on so badly it abraded the top of the slide. I eventually glued the sight into the dove-tailed slot, and wondered why Smith & Wesson didn't just build it to better tolerances.
It's a reasonably good target pistol, although my High Standards have better triggers and shoot at least as accurately, if not more so. I heard Smith & Wesson dropped the pistol, but have since heard it's been reinstated. It seems to be kind of a coming and going company.
I'm thinking about a Volquartsen remanufactured Ruger. I've never cared for Ruger triggers, but have heard lots of good things about the Volquartsen, and can truthfully tell you my Volquartsen High Standard replacement barrel is a fine piece of work.
I didn't know there was or had been a low budget version of the model 41. Hah! You learn something every day, I guess.
Regards,
Standing Wolf
Peanut, great minds think alike. I also have a Trailside. Mine is the 4" bbl fixed sight model. It has been 100% reliable and it is my fun gun. For competition or hunting the the 46 gets the nod. Actually, I call my Trailside my "always" gun. It always goes along to the firing range regardless of what else I may take along.
I have the rubber grips on my Trailside and really did not like the way they fit my hand. Since they're rubber a little time with a rasp and some sandpaper fixed that problem.
I have the rubber grips on my Trailside and really did not like the way they fit my hand. Since they're rubber a little time with a rasp and some sandpaper fixed that problem.
Christopher II
New member
557? Whew. I shot a 537 last night. Playing with area aim.
Peanut15, if you're interested in formal target shooting, there are a few other choices in the M41 price range. The Trailside, for one, although you'll have to hold out for an adjustable-sight model. You also might think about a Walther KSP200. Neat pistol, and you can find them for around $600-700. http://www.carl-walther.de/englisch/sport/sport-24.html
- Chris
Peanut15, if you're interested in formal target shooting, there are a few other choices in the M41 price range. The Trailside, for one, although you'll have to hold out for an adjustable-sight model. You also might think about a Walther KSP200. Neat pistol, and you can find them for around $600-700. http://www.carl-walther.de/englisch/sport/sport-24.html
- Chris
Have an S&W mdl 41 and love it. Used it to shoot metallic silhouettes a couple of weekends ago. Bought it at an auction about 18 years ago for $110 !!!!
Only problem is the price. I have NEVER seen a used 41 for less than $400. Usually closer to $500.
If the wallet is fat you won't be sorry about getting a 41, otherwise look around for a good used High Standard.
Only problem is the price. I have NEVER seen a used 41 for less than $400. Usually closer to $500.
If the wallet is fat you won't be sorry about getting a 41, otherwise look around for a good used High Standard.