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What's wrong with my S&W Model 41?

rfo1rfo1 Member Posts: 61 ✭✭
edited April 2004 in Ask the Experts
My S&W Model 41 has an unusual problem.The first shot fired barely has enough poop to eject from the gun.It almost feels like a squib load.This only happens on firing the first round.The rest of the rounds eject just fine.It will do this with a full mag or a partially filled mag.It does this with all ammunition that I have tried.( and I have tried lots of varieties )
Anyone had a similar experience? Any advice on what's wrong?
Good shooting--
rfo1


"I'm Your Huckleberry."
Val Kilmer "Tombstone"
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Comments

  • CS8161CS8161 Member Posts: 13,596 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Are you letting the slide fully seat against the first round or are you easing the slide closed? When you insert your loaded mag, pullback slightly on the slide to release it then let it go forward under its own momentum, don't ease it forward.

    Chris8161
    Admit nothing, deny everything, demand proof!
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  • madmarc0madmarc0 Member Posts: 862 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    sounds like it has to move the hammer back or it could be all gooped up, try a good complete stripping and cleaning.
    If you need a manual, call Smith&Wesson and they will send you one for free.

    I measured it and cut it twice, and it's still too short!
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  • PinheadPinhead Member Posts: 1,485 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    rfo1, I had a problem years ago when shooting the S&W 41 in competition. Every once in a while it would fail to eject or give me a stove pipe jam. Had a couple of friends watch me at practice one day and they both said I was riding the slide with my thumb when I shot. I changed my grip slightly and didn't have the problem again with the 41. I don't know whether this could be your problem--but it did happen to me.
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  • Contender ManContender Man Member Posts: 2,110 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Without being able to see the pistol malfunction my guess is that the first round may not be fully chambering as you have tried different ammo with same results.

    First, as previously suggested, try the "slide snap" and see if this helps. If it does ... then strip and clean the pistol thoroughly. If not then you may want to have a gunsmith look it over.


    2470099-S.jpg
    If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!
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  • bobskibobski Member Posts: 17,866 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    all good advice. pursue the thumb check and the first round not seating due to the slide not going forward into battery. sometimes the top round is slow to strip off the mag guides from mag guides being tight. check the breech for dry fire damage. btw...this is one of the reasons i sold my 41 and stuck with hi stds. 41's were too finicky. i got sick of alibi rounds.

    former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.
    Retired Naval Aviation
    Former Member U.S. Navy Shooting Team
    Former NSSA All American
    Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot
    MO, CT, VA.
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  • rfo1rfo1 Member Posts: 61 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    thanks for all the advice fellow shooters.I neglected to mention that I always drop the slide on a full or partially filled mag by hitting the slide release lever.( as I do with all semis )I don't think it's my grip hold as others who I let shoot this gun have the same experience.I always faithfully clean the gun after shooting it.I'm thinking the best bet will be to take it to a local S&W repair agent.I guess I was just hoping for a quick and inexpensive fix.
    good shooting--
    rfo1

    "I'm Your Huckleberry."
    Val Kilmer "Tombstone"
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  • boltthrowerboltthrower Member Posts: 212 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have two 41's. I've had similar problems, but not exactly the same, and not consistent with the first round like yours. Oddly enough, check the screw tension on the grip. If its really tight loosen it just slightly and see if it helps. Yes I know it sounds strange, but the tightness of the grip can effect the slide catch spring, which in turn "might" be effecting the slides closure on that first round. My slide catch/release wasnt catching the slide after the last round was fired. A simple half turn of the screw holding the grip to loosen it slightly fixed that problem for me.
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  • rfo1rfo1 Member Posts: 61 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Boltthrower,
    Thanks for the words of advice.The grip screw was quite snug- I've backed it off a bit.I hope to be able to get away to do a bit of plinking this weekend-
    Good shooting--
    rfo1

    "I'm Your Huckleberry."
    Val Kilmer "Tombstone"
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