S&W Model 41 or something else in .22LR?

When my interest in paper punching with rimfire handguns started, my first was an Erma Luger. :p Not exactly a target class firearm but it got me started and at that time, to me, it looked cool. Starting to get serious, the Erma was quickly replaced by a number of 22s, starting with a Browning Challenger. Then, as close as I can recall after that, a S&W 46, S&W 41 short barrel with extendable front sight. All of these were 2nd when I ended up with a Walther GSP with all the 22 & 32 components. Without a doubt, to my eye anyway, that was the ugliest handgun I've ever owned but it's probably the one I shot best with.
As you mentioned in your initial post, I also retired a little while back and I thought I'd get back into some degree of formal target shooting. With that in mind, when an opportunity to acquire a number of decent 22s, in excellant shape, I made :d the deal and picked up the following.
- A Browning Medalist, with case & trimmings
- A S&W model 41
- A High Standard Supermatic Citation
- A Colt Match Target.
Haven't shot them all that much, ;) yet but so far, I'd be hard pressed to pick a favorite based on how I do with them. After playing with them a bit more, I'll decide and thin out at least a few. Oh, there's a set of Herritt's target stocks for the High Standard and I've acquired a spare mag for each. ;) Now, all that remains is to :redface: get off of my butt and use them

 
After reading through the thread, and the excellent advice from T&G, I would just go with the '41 and take it from there. Not a modern comp pistol these days but it will suit your needs. I would cast an eye on the Hammerli X-Esse before you buy (new around the $850 for short barrel and $1000 mark for the longer barrel - airguns.ca plus has them). You will know if you want to upgrade once you get back into it.
 
I own both a 617 6 inch, and a model 41 7 inch. Both great guns. If I could only have one, it would be hard to pick. Being so different, I recommend one of each. No regrets.
 
grauhanen said:
Indeed, if I was interested in plinking at cans then I would buy a Norinco or a GSG and be done with it without asking for advice and suggestions. As I said in the OP, I am looking to get a good quality pistol with which to shoot targets, one that I will be happy with for a long time. What I mean by "target shooting" is shooting paper targets at distances up to 25 yards (at least for now) and trying to hit the smallest target possible as often as possible and to shoot the smallest groups that I can.

To be sure, a Walther GSP would more than meet my needs, as would others like the Hammerli. But the GSP is a wee bit on the too expensive side for me as it is about $500 more than the Model 41. There has to be a budget limit somewhere. And I understand the concerns about good shooters like the High Standard being hard to find parts for; the same problem exists for no-longer-made Belgian Browning pistols. As noted above, I've had those handguns and liked them but (sadly perhaps) no longer have them.

Does the Model 41 semi auto have significantly more value as a target shooting handgun over the Model 617 revolver? How do the triggers compare, for example.
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My 41 triggers are lighter than the 617 in single action mode for sure..
 
Sharpi said:
I own both a 617 6 inch, and a model 41 7 inch. Both great guns. If I could only have one, it would be hard to pick. Being so different, I recommend one of each. No regrets.
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Both are great guns, you cant go wrong with either one, and your lucky enough to have both.
 
I have a Walther SSP. An excellent choice but expensive.
A New Pardini SP would be another excellent choice. Also expensive.

If you plan to shoot bullseye, you will need a semi. A revolver would be tough to use.
In case you aren't familiar with it, it's 6 targets of 10 shots, shot 5 rounds at a time
Two targets each of:
slow fire(5 rds in 150 seconds x2)
timed fire (5 rds in 20 seconds x2)
rapid fire (5 rds in 10 seconds x2)

Don't see a lot of 41's in the league I am in, they tend to be picky eaters....mostly Walther KSP, GSP, SSP, Pardini, Hammerli, some of the guys just use Ruger MkII or III with better grips.

After you fire a good target gun, you won't want anything else
T
 
Bigbubba said:
I have a Walther SSP. An excellent choice but expensive.
A New Pardini SP would be another excellent choice. Also expensive.

If you plan to shoot bullseye, you will need a semi. A revolver would be tough to use.
In case you aren't familiar with it, it's 6 targets of 10 shots, shot 5 rounds at a time
Two targets each of:
slow fire(5 rds in 150 seconds x2)
timed fire (5 rds in 20 seconds x2)
rapid fire (5 rds in 10 seconds x2)

Don't see a lot of 41's in the league I am in, they tend to be picky eaters....mostly Walther KSP, GSP, SSP, Pardini, Hammerli, some of the guys just use Ruger MkII or III with better grips.

After you fire a good target gun, you won't want anything else
T
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So true but can get really expensive...
 
On the other hand, second hand is good if you can try the gun or you know what the MTBF is. Of the thirty odd handguns that I have owned, only three were purchased new, two of them remain in my possession after forty years of use. ����
 
Nothing wrong with the 41.. I'd like to have one myself. In the meantime, I found a 6 7/8" Ruger MK II Target on the EE last winter. I'm pretty happy with that, it'll certainly do until a 41 falls into my lap for a good price.
 
Chilly807 said:
Nothing wrong with the 41.. I'd like to have one myself. In the meantime, I found a 6 7/8" Ruger MK II Target on the EE last winter. I'm pretty happy with that, it'll certainly do until a 41 falls into my lap for a good price.
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What's a good price LOL what I thought a good price last year is a far cry what is a deal today..
 
Well, a good price for me would have most people scrambling to get an EMT off before the seller came to their senses. The thing is, I don't want one badly at all. Used prices have climbed steadily, following new prices and the declining Canadian dollar vs US.
 
Got a brand new 41 back in May and it was a POS. First time shooting and the bullets were tumbling into the target. The slide had a .250 unfinished rough section and the wood handles were different colors. And the case didn't close properly to boot. Talk about a Wednesday afternoon before US Thanksgiving made piece. It got sent back and I got a replacement that was a MUCH better gun.

We also have a 617, I prefer the 41 but my wife is a wheel gun gal and likes the 617. But after she got her 686 the 617 doesn't get out of the safe much.
 
MikeyScuba said:
Got a brand new 41 back in May and it was a POS. First time shooting and the bullets were tumbling into the target. The slide had a .250 unfinished rough section and the wood handles were different colors. And the case didn't close properly to boot. Talk about a Wednesday afternoon before US Thanksgiving made piece. It got sent back and I got a replacement that was a MUCH better gun.

We also have a 617, I prefer the 41 but my wife is a wheel gun gal and likes the 617. But after she got her 686 the 617 doesn't get out of the safe much.
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The Smith`s recent quality woes has done much to take the shine off the company`s image
 
GLS_1956 said:
If you are not set on an autoloader you might consider Smith & Wesson's Model 17, formerly known as the K-22, with a six inch barrel. Really a sweet shooting revolver with a trigger that breaks like glass.
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I tried a friend's Colt .22 revolver a couple weeks ago, it impressed the hell out of me. Super smooth, great trigger, very accurate. Don't know which model it was, I'm assuming the Colt equivalent of the K-22.
 
As Silverfox said, you cannot go wrong with a S&W 41 and treat it right with a diet of std/low vel ammo and it will last your lifetime and several more after you are gone......given that the govt does not chop it up some day.

I have a low serial no that I picked up back in the 90s and the workmanship is just excellent. Came with the 7 3/8" bbl and I also picked up a 5.5" bbl of the same age for it.

You will not be disappointed in the accuracy dept either. Back 20yrs ago I could shoot that gun. Recently I also picked up a couple different Herrett grips and find they provide a better hold although the factory originals are quiet good on that pistol and ambidextrous. I used to shoot left handed for the heck of it sometimes in younger days and got quite good at it if I do say so myself.

Have fun shooting in retirement. :)

CD
 
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