Smith Wesson model 41

gjshaw

Is this model still being made? I was told by a local smith that they had stoped making this model but I see some on the auction side listed as new? I was wanting to buy one but I don't understand the differences in the model 41's. Some have match traget, some have a 5 in. barrel and some have a 7in. barrel.

perry shooter

Hello The S&W Model 41 Is a low volume target grade 22 rim fire pistol some times the factory is out of stock before they start a NEW RUN. This pistol has been in production for many years and has been made with at least 4 barrel types that I know of . for the last 10 years or better there has been only the 7 inch and 5 inch model they are both target grade however most BULLS-EYE shooters of today use the 5 inch HEAVY barrel and many either mount a red dot sight on this barrel or buy an aftermarket barrel "CLARK" that is set up for a red dot scope. One note like most things that has been in production for a long time quality control sometimes is less then other times about 10 years ago there were some barrel problems It is almost impossible to wear out a 22 target pistol so there are some good buys on the used market. These need to be tested for group size and function. Find a gun club near you that has a bulls-eye program and get a mentor you will start down a long road of enjoyment.Good Luck
EDIT the rule that BOBSKI talks about is 10 inches from back of front sight blade to back of rear sight blade. That is why the old HIGH STANDARD "SPACE GUN "[:p][:p][:p] with 10 inch barrel had both sights mounted on the barrel instead of one on the slide and one on the barrel . Just like a power 4X or 20X on a rifle scope the longer the sight radius on a pistol the more precise you can aim but the trade-off is the more your hand shakes the worse it will look to the shooter. when you get old "ME" the more you go to the shorter barrels.

geeguy

Just to add a little to what PerryShooter said.

They are still made and you can order the barrel of your choice from S&W, or refit to a receiver. If you are shooting iron sights the 7" is considered to be the best due to the longer sight picture, the 5" bull if you are using a red dot is most common, and a light "Clark" or S&W 5" for scopes or red dots only is available. Although not as experienced as Perry, I do own 5 on them in all combinations and age and have not had a probelm with any (except one custom Clark barrel I bought). They are a high quality firearm for .22 target shooting.

I do find they are a little overpriced at the gun shows and at GB since you can buy one new, and I don't find the "old ones" shoot any better. But for some reason everyone that owns one feels it's "rare". If you check the price at GB where one actually sold (not the asking price)you will find the true market price. I bought most of mine from older Bullseye shooters since this is a very popular gun with that group.

Good luck, you'll like the gun no matter what barrel.

bobski

what a lot of people dont realize is there is a rule in 22 match where the sighting plain can not exceed something like 7 1/4" from front blade to rear sight. the reason for these different bbl lengths isnt just for balance, its about sighting plain. another thing a lot of people dont realize is the further the 2 sights are from each other, the more precise the focus, thus, most long bbls are for OUTDOOR match where shots usually are made at 50yds and to keep people from shooting rifle bbls mounted on pistol frames, they made the maximum rule. since most people shoot indoor under artificial light, 5.5" is the norm. this is one of main reasons high quality 22 match pistols have quick change bbls...unlike ruger mk2's.[:o)]
hope this helps.

bobski

thanks for the tweek perry.
and too, because of this interesting sight rule, it is one of the most highly desired features on the old model 41's, the model with a sliding front blade on the 5.5" bbl. they discontinued it and went soley with fixed front blades.
i just sold a sliding front blade 41 4 years ago for 1500.00 box and papers, to my old navy shooting partner who was double distinguished. he about flipped when i offered it to him and now i have a 2 time best friend for life.
if you can find one...grab it. its the crem-del-la-crem of 41's. i believe the factory term is "telscoping front blade 5.5" heavy bbl."