Smith & Wesson Model 41: Is this worth it?

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GunsOverGolf

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I am considering buying a Smith & Wesson Model 41 with a 5.5 inch barrel and I wanted to see if I could get some feedback from those of you that know something about this pistol.

One reason I am looking at this model is because I believe it to be a higher-end plinker, or a low-end match pistol, and that is probably where I stand with regards to my current shooting abilities as well as my long-term aspirations. I may shoot some postal competitions, at most, but my main objective is pleasant target practice for a long time to come.

I have handled the SW41 and one of the things I liked was the weight (41 oz according to the manufacturer). I believe that heavy is good in target/match shooting, but what is too heavy? How long should I hold a pistol up at a gun shop to determine if the weight will play against me (trembling caused by muscle fatigue)? Any opinions on this? I should mention that I plan to use a classic one-handed shooting stance.

The trigger feels amazing, very little take before it breaks. And when it does break, it’s a clean and crisp feeling with close to no over-travel at all. Does anyone know of another pistol in that price range or lower that has a similar trigger?

Was very impressed with the wooden grips. I know that a set of target/match grips can be purchased after market or even custom made by a talented person (I have seen the incredible work some of you have done), but I like the fact that the SW41 comes with them already. Do most SW41 owners end up changing them anyway?

From what I understand, the Smith & Wesson Model 41 with a 5.5 inch barrel goes for about 1200$ ~ 1300$ before taxes and shipping. Are there other pistols, in the same style, that you would recommend? Any bad experiences I should know about? I heard they are picky with ammo, but have any of you actually experienced this?

Thanks!
 
They are well suited to bullseye shooting as are the high standard pistols. Its six of one, half a dozen of the other. Each has their peculiarities, but each has proven itself.
 
Hi. Where you are matters.
"...believe it to be a higher-end plinker or a low-end match..." Hi. A 41 is neither one of those. Rugers and the like are plinkers and low end/entry level target pistols. 41's are competitive target pistols for those who can't afford or don't want to spend well over 2 grand for a .22 target pistol. MSRP for a new 41 is $1305US. A used one can run a grand in Canada and they don't last long new or used.
Precision Arms, in King City, Ontario, is listing a used one with 2 mags at $1095. You won't be sorry buying a Smith 41. You can compete against the high end pistols with a 41. You can't with a Ruger, etc. And all of the lower end pistols require trigger work.
They were a lot less expensive when I bought mine. Had it for eons. No trigger work is required, but changing the grips isn't a bad idea. Paid $20 for the Herrett International target grips I have, long ago. Same grips are $100ish US, now. They do make a huge difference vs the stock grips for bullseye shooting.
41's are definitely particular about what ammo they'll both cycle the action and shoot well. The price of the ammo means nothing(mine won't shoot or cycle with any type of Eley or other high priced target ammo I've tried. Some 41's will though.) and no two will cycle and shoot the same ammo either. You absolutely must try a box of as many brands as you can to find the ammo any .22 pistol shoots best and cycles the action.
"...How long should I hold a pistol up at a gun shop to..." Ten seconds. That's how much time you get for 5 shots in ISSF bullseye matches. One hand.
Anybody who tells you a 41 cannot used HV ammo(including hyper-velocity ammo) is confused. 41's have been used for years, Stateside, for hunting small game.
 
You can buy a used one for much less than new. The ones with a "A"-prefixed serial number and cocking indicator are the best ones, anyway.

I believe that many 41s with cycling problems could likely benefit from extractor tuning using this procedure:
http://guntalk-online.com/Model41maintenance.htm#extractor

My personal 41 reliably feeds most brands of ammunition I feed it, although it did not require any tuning to do so.
 
S&W model 41 is not a mistake. I never shot the 5" barrel but I own a 10" one. With such a sight radius, even a lousy shooter will feel like hot shot. A darn good and accurate pistol. A agree with most of what was said above. Some older ones may be brand specific (mine is) but I understand newer ones will swallow anything without hiccups. Another plus: the gun is women & kids friendly - love it.
 
I had one and have to say, it was the second finest shooting .22 pistol I've ever owned. Remarkably, I am ranking my Smith and Wesson model 422 (6" barrel) with adjustable rear sights as my absolute most accurate pistol. It is pretty much a plain jane model,
but, it is far less picky about ammo (at least ammo that it shoots well, as neither ever had any issues with FTFeed, FTFire, FTEject , no matter which brand I used...........bulk crap, even the Remington garbage rimfire stuff worked well!! )
I paid 950 for my 41, and $290 for the 422.
I know, I know, I am about to be flamed for even saying my super light, "beginner" pistol is the best I have of the two, but you just can't argue with results.
The 41 did cause me to have more trouble with extended shooting , as , like you said, arm fatigue from holding it up did cause my shooting to suffer slightly, but with the wickedly light 422, it was a non-issue, no matter how long I held it up to shoot.
You will be well on your way to semi-greatness (in your shooting skills) by getting yourself a 41, but , in my particular case, I just seem to have lucked out with a "wednesday after lunch break" gun, instead of a "Morning after a long weekend" gun.
My groups were on average about 1/4" tighter with my 422 at almost any range I tried.
(and when I say I compared, I put about 15,000 rounds through each gun over the last 2 years. Brick after brick. They are reliable, accurate, super well made. AND , they are Smith and Wessons!!!!!!!!!!
Get the 41 and don't look back. (I am sure that I just got a "lucky" shooter with the 422)
The quality of these speaks for themselves.
 
S&W model 41 is not a mistake. I never shot the 5" barrel but I own a 10" one.
Click to expand...

Where did you find a Model 41 with a 10" barrel? I have seen them with 5-1/2" barrels, and 7" barrels, and with sight extensions, but I haven't seen one with a 10" barrel.
 
I bought a 41 for my first (so far) handgun and was really wondering if I should hold out for one or get a cheaper, and probobly just as much fun pistol. Well I have a 41 with the 5.5" and the 7" barrels I bought off the EE and when I shoot it my jaw gets sore from smiling. I love it, however....like people said, It is a finicky pig when it comes to finding somthing that shoots consistantly. But in no way am I sorry I bought one of the coolest pistols out there. The smiles per dollar ratio is high with the S&W 41.
 
GunsOverGolf said:
I am considering buying a Smith & Wesson Model 41 with a 5.5 inch barrel and I wanted to see if I could get some feedback from those of you that know something about this pistol.

One reason I am looking at this model is because I believe it to be a higher-end plinker, or a low-end match pistol, and that is probably where I stand with regards to my current shooting abilities as well as my long-term aspirations. I may shoot some postal competitions, at most, but my main objective is pleasant target practice for a long time to come.

I have handled the SW41 and one of the things I liked was the weight (41 oz according to the manufacturer). I believe that heavy is good in target/match shooting, but what is too heavy? How long should I hold a pistol up at a gun shop to determine if the weight will play against me (trembling caused by muscle fatigue)? Any opinions on this? I should mention that I plan to use a classic one-handed shooting stance.

The trigger feels amazing, very little take before it breaks. And when it does break, it’s a clean and crisp feeling with close to no over-travel at all. Does anyone know of another pistol in that price range or lower that has a similar trigger?

Was very impressed with the wooden grips. I know that a set of target/match grips can be purchased after market or even custom made by a talented person (I have seen the incredible work some of you have done), but I like the fact that the SW41 comes with them already. Do most SW41 owners end up changing them anyway?

From what I understand, the Smith & Wesson Model 41 with a 5.5 inch barrel goes for about 1200$ ~ 1300$ before taxes and shipping. Are there other pistols, in the same style, that you would recommend? Any bad experiences I should know about? I heard they are picky with ammo, but have any of you actually experienced this?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

A fellow competitive shooter uses a 41. He's owned a couple and loves them. He did mention the feeding problems and how he fixed them. One had a slightly cocked slide with respect to the frame! :eek: He did work on it to straighten it as much as possible and it took care of the feeding problems on that gun. The other 41 he mentioned he polished the chamber at the feeding point and did the extractor mod. I've shot them and they're good shooters.

If you're looking at good used target pistols, Walther GSPs and Hammerli 280s have sold for about $1000. They come factory with anatomical grips. If you're worried about heavy guns the GSP is front heavy due to the forward magazine design. I own a pair and they're great shooters. Accurate as can be and beautiful triggers. Almost never had any feeding problems in over 30,000 rounds of various target ammo.

As for how long to hold it varies with the shooter. 6 to 8 seconds to the first shot is the generally accepted optimal time. You'll need to hold almost 20 seconds total, including the raise time from the ready position, to complete the timed fire series. There really isn't enough time to put the gun down between shots in timed fire.
 
My first was a 5.5 inch heavy barrel - $111 new in about 1968.
Next one was the same but used for about $350 in the 80's. Acquired the 7 3/8 inch barrel from Charleton's, and eventually sold them too as the Ruger 10" was better for Silhouette. They are great guns.
 
I should be receiving my own Model 41 shortly, hopefully next week. Clay from Prophet River found me one at a great price in the USA, and imported it for me. Even after paying Clay his import fee, I will still be a few hundred dollars ahead compared to buying the gun from a Canadian dealer.
 
sunray said:
"...7" barrel..." Only downside is that you can't use a 7" barreled 41 in ISSF bullseye competition.
Click to expand...

I understood 'bullseye' pistol shooting to be NRA conventional pistol, where the 7" barrel would be allowed. While in ISSF pistol events it would be illegal.

GunsOverGolf said:
First of all, thanks to everyone for the great feedback.

How does a Model 41 compare to a Beretta 87T? Would the Beretta be the next notch down?
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I haven't seen any 87Ts in serious competitions, or even local competitions. I've never shot one, but seeing as it has been available for a few years, IMHO I take that to mean it's not in the same class.

Katana said:
My buddy has a 41 with the 5.5 in barrel and it out shoots my ruger 10/22 with an 18 in barrel...
Click to expand...

Would that be a regular 10/22 or a target model?
 
Katana said:
Regular model
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Ah.. that doesn't surprise me. The regular model is not known for being real accurate. There is the odd one that is, but more that are not. I would of been surprised if it was a target model or one with an aftermarket barrel.
 
GunsOverGolf said:
First of all, thanks to everyone for the great feedback.

How does a Model 41 compare to a Beretta 87T? Would the Beretta be the next notch down?
Click to expand...

I have both the 41 and a Beretta 89 (similar but much higher quality than the 87)

The Beretta is not "the next notch down". It is often more accurate than the 41. I shoot my 89 better than my 41, so in my case, the 41 is a notch down. Accuracy? the 89 without question is the more accurate gun. However the guns have different "feels". The 41 has the feel of a "target" gun, where the 89 has more the character of an "action" pistol.

With handguns it isn't the most accurate gun that shoots the best, but the one that YOU shoot best. A 41 or 89 is actually more accurate than a Walther GSP or similar, but because of ergonomic factors, trigger, grip, balance, sights, etc, the GSP will shoot better scores almost all the time.

Shooter is the weakest link. G'by ;)
 
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you wont be disapointed never had a prob with this one and accurate as hell .

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