? Advice: Rear Sight for S&W M41

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Craig_AR

Craig_AR

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I need advice on how to find and select a replacement rear site for an older S&W Model 41 22LR target pistol. This model has the older style rear site, which S&W discontinued years ago. Four small parts (sight elevation screw, sight wavy washer, sight plunger, and sight plunger spring) are missing, and I cannot find replacements at any of half a dozen parts shops nationwide, including S&W.
Thus, I need a complete replacement for the sight. What should I look for, and where? If I find the part I will have local gunsmith install it, unless the source also will install.
Should I consider having S&W replace it with their own current-style M41 sight? Can anyone confirm whether old and new are interchangeable on the old model?

Thank in advance.
 
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I tried
Smith & Wesson - nada, per direct telephone conversation with their used parts section.
Brownells - 2 of 4, plunger and rear spring
Numrich - nada, per telcos with them
Gun Garage - no response form online query 2/6/2020
Jack First - wavy washer, plunger, and spring, but no screw
 
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Two things I'd do:

Call S&W and get it from the horses mouth that they do not have a replacement or whether or not the new one will interchange. Quite often, I will seek an item out that is otherwise *not available* only to talk to a human and find out "yeah, we got one or too but not enough to list..."
You'll not be the first to call them with this issue.

Second thing; Ebay.

Todd.
 
Craig_VA said:
I need advice on how to find and select a replacement rear site for an older S&W Model 41 22LR target pistol. This model has the older style rear site, which S&W discontinued years ago. Four small parts (sight elevation screw, sight wavy washer, sight plunger, and sight plunger spring) are missing, and I cannot find replacements at any of half a dozen parts shops nationwide, including S&W.
Thus, I need a complete replacement for the sight. What should I look for, and where? If I find the part I will have local gunsmith install it, unless the source also will install.
Should I consider having S&W replace it with their own current-style M41 sight? Can anyone confirm whether old and new are interchangeable on the old model?

Thank in advance.
Click to expand...

You are better off calling S&W and seeing if they will drill and tap the barrel for an optical sight base. This M46, they would not do it.

HTsKjB7.jpg

In Bullseye competition, occasionally some one young tries irons, but the rest of us geezers can't use irons. And, a Red Dot sight is still better for scores than an iron sight, all things considered.

These pistols are primarily used in 22lr Bullseye Competition, and those guys are using optical sights.

like this

xZF2djR.jpg

or this

LM7i4yW.jpg

or this

YaP8Rba.jpg
 
I had this same problem when I bought a 41 last year and it came w/ a broken sight. I finally had to buy a new barrel w/ a working site.

Suggest you keep an eye on Ebay and Gunbroker. You sight will eventually show-up.
 
My 41 is mid 1990s model. S&W was using Millet sights back then on the 41s. While searching look for Millets on ebay, etc. I dont know if it will work on older guns, but I'm trying to help you with options. Here is a pic of my rear sight.

IMG-1435-JPG.jpg
IMG-1434-JPG.jpg
 
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Report on S&W Poor Support.
I tried S&W again, asking them if the new version rear sight would fit my old Model 41. They asked for my serial number, parts needed, and photos. I gave them all that information, to include their own part numbers for the four parts I need.
S&W resounded by telling me,
"Thank you for the inquiry, due to the age of the firearm, our current parts might not be compatible, I will recommend Bowen Classic Arms- 865-984-3583. Also Numrich, or Jack First are good options. "

Might not? Give me a break! DUH! I already know their repair parts will not work. I asked if the entire sight would work, not if parts from it would work.
Further, the suggestion to check with Bowen Classic Arms shows an amazing level of ignorance, since that company deals only in revolvers.
OK, I am trying once more to ask again, if the entire sight will fit!
We'll see what happens.
 
I give up on S&W Support!
I had multiple exchanges with them, in which the Tier 1 Support Person kept not answering my question: Will the current M41 rear sight fit my old M41? The ID10T even sent referred me to a revolver-only company for help!
I finally sent back asking for a Supervisor to reply, asking if it will fit, and if not, what would. The reply said no, it would not fit, but gave no comment on finding a new sight.

So, now I will contact a local gunsmith and see what we can come up with to install.

Disappointed.... VERY disappointed in S&W.
And this M41 is SWMBO's favorite firearm.
 
Disappointing that you got such unuseful CS from S&W. I hope you get this satisfactorily resolved.

Craig_VA said:
I give up on S&W Support!
I had multiple exchanges with them, in which the Tier 1 Support Person kept not answering my question: Will the current M41 rear sight fit my old M41? The ID10T even sent referred me to a revolver-only company for help!
I finally sent back asking for a Supervisor to reply, asking if it will fit, and if not, what would. The reply said no, it would not fit, but gave no comment on finding a new sight.

So, now I will contact a local gunsmith and see what we can come up with to install.

Disappointed.... VERY disappointed in S&W.
And this M41 is SWMBO's favorite firearm.
Click to expand...
 
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