S&W Model 41 5.5"
- Thread starter whiteTree
- Start date
If your ultimate goal is Target shooting the Model 41 is the way to go, that being said the Mark IV pistols are also excellent pistols at half the price of a 41, they just aren't quite as accurate, whether or not you will be able to tell the difference in your groups will depend on you and how much shooting you do. The Mark IV you will probably want to upgrade the trigger for Target shooting, the trigger on the 41 is one of the best you can find anywhere. The Mark IV will eat anything when it comes to ammunition, the 41 can be picky when it comes to ammo.
Good shooting
Good shooting
The Model 41 is the better choice. More costly but retains it's value and easy to sell if need be. Target shooting with a quality .22 target pistol will greatly improve your overall technique over a higher caliber pistol. Much cheaper to feed as well. Once you have mastered your technique, breathing and target acquisition with the low recoil of a .22 you should have no problems with larger calibers. The 9mm is also a good choice as the recoil is not that severe. It is however a high velocity round so you will get far more muzzle rise than a .22. Either way, get out there and enjoy shooting in a safe manner.
By your post I assume you are new to handgun shooting, if not shooting altogether. If that’s the case then my answer is neither; look for a used Buckmark or Mk2 instead. You should be able to find either for $300-$350. Use the savings for ammo and range time as common skills (stance, grip, sight alignment, trigger pull, etc) will be your limiting factor for the first while and more gun won’t help you through that. The S&W 41 is a very nice firearm, but is more gun than you need for a plinker and a lesser gun than those on the competition scene. The Mk4 offers easier cleaning than the Mk2, but little else.
Since you mentioned 9mm I assume you are interested in centrefire and will progress into that rather rapidly. 9mm is certainly a good centrefire starting point once you have basic fundamentals down. While learning the basics all the 9mm offers over .22 is more noise, more recoil, greater likelihood of inducing a flinch and more cost.
Also, don’t discount the value of dry-fire or good instruction.
Welcome to the sport!
Since you mentioned 9mm I assume you are interested in centrefire and will progress into that rather rapidly. 9mm is certainly a good centrefire starting point once you have basic fundamentals down. While learning the basics all the 9mm offers over .22 is more noise, more recoil, greater likelihood of inducing a flinch and more cost.
Also, don’t discount the value of dry-fire or good instruction.
Welcome to the sport!
- Location
- West Quebec
41 all the way but I am partial to the older ones..they are a little lighter in the hand and better balanced as far as I'm concerned
- Location
- Juan de Fuca subduction zone Yiiikes
X2 on that I used a 41-1 5" HB in competition for many years. My companion centerfire was a 52-1. Steve Herrett built custom grips for them both on the same WO. They felt identical in the hand, an obvious benefit.
- Location
- West Quebec
I would love to get a 52 even today..
I sold mine to a friend/gunsmith/range owner quite a while ago. I can still shoot it as much as I like, his wadcutters, as often as I like. He and his range master can't believe the accuracy with 148s X 2.7 gn. Bullseye. He wanted the 41 as well, but was too late and too low on the bidding. I don't know how you'd ever shoot out those barrels! He just recently said to me,"I don't shoot handgun much anymore, but when I do I shoot you're old 52."
Rugers are perfectly serviceable, but the Model 41 is a better gun if you're willing to spend the extra money. Just keep in mind that most of the 41s out there are fairly old and have had a lot of rounds through them over the years, so some fine-tuning may be required to make them function properly.
The biggest 'tuning" is a blast of non-clorinated brake cleaner once in a while a paying particular attention to the extractors (41 & 52) tiny application of Viper grease on the slides. Bullseye is a little dirty.
For center fire guns I can see them shooting loose over time. But rimfire guns built solidly like either the 41 or Ruger MK guns are way over built for the recoil impact of rimfire ammo.
As it happens I've got a 41 and a couple of Rugers too. The 41 is head and shoulders better than the Rugers if we consider operation and trigger feel right out of the box. But that extra nice feel comes with a much higher cost. On the other hand if a Ruger is outfitted with aftermarket parts and given some skilled attention it can get pretty close to the trigger feel of the 41. But by that time the cost will be about the same for either option.
As for shooting rimfire vs centerfire that's up to you and what you want. I personally shoot at least as much rimfire as I do center fire. Cost is partly to blame but also the rimfire guns are a great way to practice and focus on the basics and improve ourselves where there's still SOME kick. And if a person has issues with flinching I feel that rimfire is the happy middle ground between dry fire drills and shooting full on center fire.
Some see it that way and some don't. And threads like this brings this division out very clearly. Neither is right or wrong because we do this for our own fun and reward. You'll have to try it for yourself and see how you feel about them. But for myself and a lot of shooters I know rimfire works just fine for pure enjoyment as well as for use as a training round that is cheaper to shoot.
One thing, don't shoot hot ammo in a 41, these are target guns and not designed for hot amm. I know lots of guys do it, but don't make it right.
I can't comment on the new 41's, older is better in this case.
Rugers are good guns, way better than some of the double action "plastic " ones out now., excuse me while I duck. LOL.
P.S. at the price of 9 mm today shoot them all, I have a 9mm that will shoot as good as my 22 target guns.
what ever you have , practice., get advice if you need it from a "good " shooter. I know a guy that will shoot the x ring out at 25yrds double action with a smith 38 special , all the time[/B ]those are the key words.
I can't comment on the new 41's, older is better in this case.
Rugers are good guns, way better than some of the double action "plastic " ones out now., excuse me while I duck. LOL.
P.S. at the price of 9 mm today shoot them all, I have a 9mm that will shoot as good as my 22 target guns.
what ever you have , practice., get advice if you need it from a "good " shooter. I know a guy that will shoot the x ring out at 25yrds double action with a smith 38 special , all the time[/B ]those are the key words.
Another option could be the HAMMERLI EXESSE which is based on the old 208 model. Some of the early ones had issues but these problems have been fixed for quite a while now. The Exesse is just about in the middle for price between the Ruger and SMITH. I have had many target .22s over the years , a ruger mk2, HS VICTOR and then a MODEL 41. 5 years ago i had to switch to my left because of my shoulder and the 41 was a little heavy for my left and the EXESSE was perfect for me at 36 oz. they are a great gun.
