I have both a new and used. (Had another that was new but a theft was the end of that. Bad guy was a career B&E guy who stole things around the town and was caught a month or so later, to finish that story)
Anyways, my new was made in Houlton, ME and is not quite as nice as the 1974 used one that I have. The new one also was a bit more finicky with ammo than the Springfield, MA gun (that being said, the ammo that I chose to shoot it with shot flawlessly ). I like the trigger a bit more on the old one. They are both very nice but the older one looks just a little bit better.
I bought both the new and used for about the same price about 2-3 years ago, ~$795.
They are both the 5.5" models and I prefer that shorter length over the 7". I shoot Bullseye and the 5.5" seems to be the preferred length seen at matches.
The longer sight radius of the 7" does not seem to be chosen on the competitive circuit, even though theoretically it would provide the shooter with more precision.
If I found a used M41 for a good price, below the price of a new one, I would get that one. Otherwise get a new one!
Whatever you do, have her shoot it and then go the Camp Perry and shoot it and be the high scorer with her M41 and WIN a new one from Smith and Wesson!!
