S&W 41 Reliability

[W0THK]

I recently aquired the Model 41 I've been lusting over. A nice used one followed me home from Cabela's in Owatonna a few weeks ago.

I took it to the range to try it out. Generally, it functions well, but not perfectly. It seems to have the same type and frequency of malfuctions are the basic run-of-the-mill .22's. It occasionally misfires, misfeeds, stovepipes, etc. Since this gun costs about four times as much as the run-if-the-mill .22, I expected more of it. Is this realistic, or is the type of performance typical for this gun?

Thanks!

TomK
Mpls, MN

[westhope]

I've had one for years. Mine does not like some brands of ammo. (CCI if I remember correctly.) With other brands of ammo, it rarely malfunctions.

[W0THK]

I've had one for years. Mine does not like some brands of ammo. (CCI if I remember correctly.) With other brands of ammo, it rarely malfunctions.

I was using American Eagle ammo, I think. Haven't tried anything else yet.

I was thinking of taking the gun down the Ahlman's for a "tune up." Any thoughts on whether or not that would be worthwhile??

[DeanC]

I'd try several different brands of ammo first.

[onebohemian]

I'd try several different brands of ammo first.

I completely concur. The significant differences in the shape of the bullets, overall length, and power of all the various .22 cartridges on the market today simply means some won't cycle certain semi-autos.

[W0THK]

I'd try several different brands of ammo first.

I completely concur. The significant differences in the shape of the bullets, overall length, and power of all the various .22 cartridges on the market today simply means some won't cycle certain semi-autos.

That's an excellent suggestion! I'll try it. Is there any particular brand that seems to work well in the gun??

TomK

[1911fan]

Most do not like hi speed ammo.

Most really like target ammo, the expensive stuff,

Some older 41's were specifically listed as standard velocity only, the springs are not set up to resist the pop of Hi velocity rounds.

Make sure its clean, surgically scrub clean. then call S&W and use what ever lube they recommend. and the gun likes enough on the moving parts, but not enough to gather gunk.

Remember it is set up as a target gun. it is not a field gun. so tolerances and the like are set tighter.

finally
enjoy it, nothing better than finally seeing how good or bad you really can shoot. And remember if the bullets are missing the target, it is clearly not the guns fault.

[Ironbear]

I believe that the 41 is considered a target gun. Target guns are typically "tighter" and more finicky about ammo. So... I would echo the previous people who suggested trying different ammo*. A thorough cleaning might be in order too.

I don't know how the 41 is set up, but High Standard uses the feed lips of the magazine, in lieu of a feed ramp, to guide the ammo, and provides instructions on how to tune the magazines for proper feeding of different kinds of ammo. Something else to think about.

*.22LR ammo comes in quite a wide variety, from low velocity to hyper-velocity "Viper" types, with all different bullet shapes. If you buy match ammo, you can even select from different bullet diameters! Some guns just don't like some ammo.

[westhope]

Most do not like hi speed ammo.

Yes! This is true for mine too. It does not like the hyper velocity stuff. The standard velocity stuff is the best, then the high velocity 22's. I like the Winchester wildcat cheap ammo the best for plinking, but I usually buy what ever is cheapest. I have also had problems with the Federal American Eagle in several of my 22's so I stay away from it. But, the SW 41 does shoot the cheap bulk pack Federal 22's OK, just not American Eagle.

Most accurate? The expensive Federal standard velocity target rounds. But these are just too expensive to shoot.

[Ramoel]

I agree with everyone on the tightness factor. I have a Walther PPK/S .22 with a loose chamber that eats every type of .22 ammo without a bobble. On the other hand I have a very accurate Ruger MKII Target Model with a tight chamber and it's very fussy about what it will feed and also prefers the expensive stuff.

[cobb]

I had owned a S&W model 41, shot it in bowling pin competition. I owned a Browning Buckmark heavy barrel that I shot in matches, later I set it up with a red dot and figured that gave me a reason to by another .22 rimfire, so I bought a S&W model 41 to shoot with open sights. Well it was not what I expected, accuracy wasn't any better than my Buckmark and it was finicky with ammo and misfires on certain brands. Traded it in on another heavy barrel Browning Buckmark, got money back in the deal and got a 100% reliable semi auto .22 rimfire. Sorry, probably not what you wanted to hear, but that was my experience with a model 41.

[CraigJS]

If it's a used gun perhaps a new set of springs would help..
http://www.gunsprings.com/1ndex.html (Wolff) Or from S&W.
A .22 is about the most ammo sensitive pistol that you will ever shoot! The 41 is a truely super target pistol, don't give up on it yet.
Be safe. CraigJS

RECOIL SPRINGS
For Use in:
41, .22 Caliber - All Variable Recoil Springs
Reduced Power...: 6, 6.5 and 7 Lb.
Factory Standard.: 7.5 Lb.
Extra Power.........: 8 Lb.
Above recoil springs.....Stock No. 467xx.....$ 7.89 ea
Please Note: Replace the "xx" in the stock number with the pound rating of spring.

Recoil Calibration Pak includes 1 each of 6, 6.5 and 7 pound reduced power variable recoil springs. 3 extra power firing pin springs are also included.
Stock No. 13171.....$ 18.79

From Wolffs web site.

[dclydeb]

You will find the S&W Model 41 /22caliber is a very very accurate weapon.....used extensively by the "Bullseye" shooting crowd.

Slide spring from the factory is at 7.5 pounds and there are kits availabe for 7.0/6.5/6.0 that makes the weapon handle lighter loads.

With the 7.5 pound spring, mine likes standard velocity CCI.....Greentag.....and my "Bullseye" competition choice is the CCI/TargerPistol....all are rated at 1070 feet-per-second velocity.

Some of the 1050 feet-per-second stuff will occassionally misfeed.....because of failing to work the slide through the complete cycle....sometimes corrected by installing spring of lighter tension.

Need work done.....Ahlman's is the best S&W shop for miles and miles. But, the new spring is a snap to install.....

[cobb]

Ahlman's is the best S&W shop for miles and miles

[ironfoot]

With a used gun, who knows what it's history has been. Hard to diagnose what could be wrong with it. Most S&W 41s like CCI standard velovity ammo. But if the springs have been changed, it might not function well with standard velocity. The S&W 41 is a popular gun for bullseye shoots. You don't see many Buckmarks at the bullseye shoots.