Model 41 or Buck Mark 5.5

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altos

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I have shot the Buck Mark 5.5 Target and handled the Model 41. The Buck Mark 5.5 Target had a very nice trigger and was very accurate. Nice grip. The Model 41 feels good, especially the 7" barrel version. Did not have the chance to test the 41 trigger and, apparently, it's not adjustable for pull.

Local shops have the Buck Mark for about $550 and the Model 41 for $985.
That's a big difference. I target shoot, non-competitive, and appreciate quality. I just find a $435+ price differential a bit surprising.

Yes, if money is no object, I would probably buy the 41. But, I am not Bill Gates. The question is whether you REALLY get more for the extra money.
Resale, probably. But I am not buying one to sell one.

Any insights appreciated.

Thanks !
 
No comparison,......41 is better quality and a much better pistol. If price is an obstacle, try for a used one...usually around $500+.

Buckmark should be compared to a Ruger....apples-vs-apples.
 
The Buckmark isn't going to give up much if any to the 41 for accuracy. The Buckmark has been more reliable in my experience, and much less sensitive to being dirty. The 41 is a good gun, but no way would I pay $1000 for one when that kind of money opens the doors on so many other high quality 22's.

$550 seems steep for a 5.5 target, shop around a little.
 
Unfortunately, I am in California. The number of gun shops is limited.
"sales" occassionally occur on weapons no one wants. Of course, I
could buy on line and take the risk. The issue there is that all the
shops charge between $105-$135 to do the transfer paperwork (plus the on line risk).

If I had my choice, at this point, it would be a new 7" 41 bought on line
and just pay the $135 for the transfer, plus... $25 or so on shipping, knowing that I won't pay sales tax.

It should.... be more simple than this. And, the alternative remains the Buck
Mark 5.5 Target.

thanks for the reply !
 
The Model 41 is a target pistol and the Buckmark is just a plinker. They are miles apart.
 
Well, I'm prejudiced but to me there is no comparison and the M41 wins the prize!! Have owned two over the last 40 years and the latest one will still be here for my son when I'm gone. IIRC the M41 trigger is adjustable by moving a sliding, slotted metal piece under an internal trigger pin. This moving piece looks somewhat like the sliding elevation part of an old rear open sight on a rifle.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

ps: Another alternative is to get a Marvel Unit 1 .22 Conversion for your 1911. Accuracy is unbelievable, guaranteed machine rest group under 1.00 inch at 50 yds. Whenever I get the urge to shoot .22, it is a tossup between the Marvel Unit 1 and the M41. NOTE the Marvel Unit 2 does NOT have the same accuracy.
 
What do you intend to do with the pistol? Both are priced high for plinking.
 
41 no contest. I own one with the shorter barrel.
The price is high though. I bought mine new a few years ago for less than $700.00
 
Did not have the chance to test the 41 trigger and, apparently, it's not adjustable for pull.
Click to expand...

Actually, the model 41's trigger is adjustable. It's not for the faint of heart. A competent gunsmith can do it, as well as patient amateurs.

New model 41s in Colorado are selling for $750 to $850.
 
$750/850 in Colorado... jeeeezzz, almost want to drive there and
spend 10 days waiting. Not really, but my mind wanders...

I have no doubt the 41 is a fine piece. I was amazed at the actual or
perceived weight difference between the short and long barrel versions.
The short felt like a brick (to me). The long felt lighter and more balanced.
Like underwear, everyone's different.

I need to talk to my (limited) local shops and say "make me a deal on
a 41 I can't refuse...". I suppose all they can do is laugh me out of the
place.

News as it occurs...

thanks !
 
Last edited:
I like the S&W M41 so much that I bought a second barrel without sights from Gil Hebard and mounted a scope on it. Since the barrels are quick change and the sights/scope are mounted on the barrel, I can quickly switch between open sights or scope and the sights/scope are already set to go.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB
 
I own a regular Buckmark and quite happy with it. I've shot and owned a S&W 41 before too, but sold it due to financial reason (as always).
Anyways, I think it was Guntests (or Guns and Ammo?) years ago did a test on .22 cal pistols. High end (read high $$) vs. low end (low $$) .22 pistols. They found out that when these guns were shot from a gun vise (elliminating human factors), the high end ones performs just slightly better than Buckmarks and Ruger's, accuracy wise. The quality of ammo used played a major part in the results above all things.
So, reality check, is there a serious bullseye shooting for you in the future? or will it be just a dedicated plinker?
 
I own two Ruger Mark II’s (4-3/4” standard and 6-7/8” Competition Target), a 4" Browning Buck Mark micro standard and a 5.5" S&W model 41 ".

I enjoy shooting the Mark II’s and the Buck Mark but my favorite by far is the 41, it has the best trigger, the best sights, the smoothest action and is the easiest to strip and clean.
 
If I get a Buck Mark, it'll probably be the Camper. It's a lot cheaper than the polished version, but still shoots well.

Price-independent, I'd get the Model 41. Amazing gun.

I like my Ruger 22/45 6 7/8" slab bull barrel target model (special run). It's good for about 4 bricks between cleanings, and the trigger is very smooth though it has some overtravel. If I upgrade, it will be to the Model 41.
 
LHB1 said:
I like the S&W M41 so much that I bought a second barrel without sights from Gil Hebard and mounted a scope on it. Since the barrels are quick change and the sights/scope are mounted on the barrel, I can quickly switch between open sights or scope and the sights/scope are already set to go.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB
Click to expand...


What did you pay for your barrel and do you have the web address of the company you bought it from?
 
BrassKeeper,
The 5 1/2" HB without sights was $155.50 and I got a 10% discount off that. Gil has no web site but can be reached at 309-289-2700. He is/was a longtime master class shooter in NRA Bullseye competition and has won many championships. I have been dealing with him since about 1964. Also highly recommend his Pistol Shooter's Treasury ($5.95) which has many good articles on pistol marksmanship.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB
 
Well... the local shops (3) are selling (or can order) the Model 41 for
between $985 and $1055. The Buck Mark 5.5 Target is about $515-540.

That's not insignificant. I would really like a 7" Model 41 but at twice the
price it is hard to justify.

Does anyone know what the difference is between a 5.5 Target and a
5.5 Field, other than the covered sights ? Trigger, barrel, anything ?

Thanks again.
 
seeing as how the local shops are gouging you it may very well be worth getting an online bid from another instate store and taking that in. As in "this shop in LA has the gun for $760 and no tax or fees, Either you match it or i can be there on sat. and pick it up." see what they say. That said. the Match Target Woodsman Colt and the Model 41 Smith and the plain 46 Smith are some of the best examples of american industrial production ever. Semi custom all the time, they are near perfect pistols. and that short barreled brick comes to life when you shoot it. for long ranges the longer version had its backer because of the longer sight radius, although some think that anything after 5 inched in a autoloader 22 is counter productive because the recoil of the bolt begins to affect accuracy. (some had said that High Speed ammo in a 7 inch defeats this arguement. but I think the added beating of the weapong does not bear this out) anyway you will never go wrong with quality. the ruger and buckmark are seiko's or Citizens. the Smith and Colts are Rolex's and Omega's.
 
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