S&W Model 41

BBSE120

BBSE120

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I have just recently ordered an S&W Model 41 pistol, and have been reading quite a bit on the internet about the type of ammunition that is to be used in it. There is lots of back and forth about standard velocity and high velocity ammunition, and an email from S&W indicates to use standard velocity ammunition, but there are numerous posts indicating this pistol does not fire reliably with SV ammunition.

Hopefully I can get some feed back from any owners on this forum that might have a Model 41, and if they are using HV or SV ammunition, and what works the best.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
GD
 
My recently sold M41 used only Olin Corp .22 ammo. Supplied under DND contract, 20+ years old.

Dunno if civilians can acquire said Olin goodies, but I had no FTEs, FTF, malfunctions at all.
 
Congrats on the 41.

Mine is 2011.

I've only fired two kinds of ammo.

American Eagle 40gr HV
Blazer 40gr HV

The AE is not recommended. It goes bang everytime but lots and lots of failure to extract. As if the rim is smaller or something like that. The spent case just stays in the chamber.

Now here's the good news. Blazer is 100% flawless.


I've read all the debates on SV and HV.

I've had about 3000 Blazers out of mine with no wear that I've noticed.

There are also the same claims on RFC that guys used HV for over 10+ years out of their 41's with no obvious outrageous wear as well.

Think about the way it's built...all steel...tight tolerances...

If a similar type like the Browning Buckmark can handle a steady diet of HV ammo.....the 41 should be just fine.

And where I live, I haven't in 8 years been able to get SV .22 ammo.
 
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I've shot lots of HV ammo through my 41 without any abnormal wear or parts breakages. Most problems with these guns are somehow extractor-related. Other than that, they should function well with most ammunition, given appropriately matched recoil springs (I would start with 8 lb if you are using HV ammo). Standard velocity will certainly give you the best chance of optimum accuracy.

In comparing my 41 with my M&P 22, which is definitely intended to be used with HV ammo, I would say that the former seems to be much more solidly built.
 
CCI Standard is a recommended amo from Smith it should shoot flawlessly other ammo not so much.. I shoot two 41's one older and one newer CCI Standard does not fail me.
 
I had one. Bought used from a UBC professor of botany. I put about 5000 of Winchester T-22 and 5000 of the DCRA issue ammo through it the first year I had it. It shot best with CCI Greentag in matches. Back when you could get a case of .22 for under $200 shooting was a lot more enjoyable.
 
I only use SV ammo in my 41. Mostly CCI SV or SK standard plus. It is doing just fine. With the SK, sometimes ejection failures for the first and second round but the rest of the shooting session, everything goes well and accuracy is certainly there.

Gilbert
 
I notice that all of the standard velocity 22LR appears to be lead bullets, is there any brand of standard velocity 22LR that is copper plated?

GD
 
The 41 is tuned for standard velocity. When they are brand new they some times need the extra help. They are a solid gun though, I cant see you beating it up too much with the HV used in moderation.
 
CCI SV. It's what most people recommend, and it shoots great. I would just order online, if it's not available locally. Just bought my 41 a few weeks ago, and I love it!
 
I owned one and used it extensively for roughly 20 years. It functioned flawlessly with standard velocity ammo, and I bought Remington target stuff by the case. It would occasionally stovepipe with high-velocity ammo...say one time or less per box of 50. During that period of time, I also owned a High Standard Victor, and got to play around a lot with a Ruger (Mark I, I think?), a Walther GSP, and a Colt Woodsman Match Target owned by friends. The Model 41 was the ###iest one of the bunch! :)
 
jjohnwm said:
I bought Remington target stuff by the case.
Click to expand...

I think they changed this ammo around 2000 as the older stuff from the 70s and 80s used to be quality but the newer Rem Std Vel target is crap. I have found problems chambering, extraction problems and an undue amount of split cases!! A member who is a rimfire guru advised me to get rid of this junk so I don't break an extractor.

CD
 
The Model 41 is the very first handgun I bought when I first started in the sport and which I still shoot today. It is extremely accurate right out of the box, hence the name S&W gave it back in the 1980's "Target Masterpiece". I used to shoot primarily Eley ammo but now it is ridiculously priced. I ONLY fire SV ammo as I don't want the slide slamming back after firing hot loads. I now used CCI Target SV and it functioned almost flawlessly. I find that if it is getting dirty or not sufficiently oiled for the environmental conditions such as cold weather, that's when it will occasionally hiccup. I believe the CCI is $8.49 for 100 rounds so it make it fairly economical to shoot.

The 41 is still one of my favourite guns to shoot. I hope you enjoy your Model 41 for many years to come.
 
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