Paul Calligaro
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I am going to buy a Smith&Wesson model 41. Should I get a 5" or 7" barrel. What are the pros and cons of the two.
S&W model 41 5"or 7" barrel
- Thread starter Paul Calligaro
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Bellevance
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Are you going to compete with it? Do you plan to scope it? Your intentions for the pistol will make all the difference.
Paul Calligaro
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I would like to compete and may place a red dot scope
22-rimfire
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You're talking about the target 22 right?
CDH
Member
I chose the 5" barrel over the 7" just because I liked the balance better.
With the 7", you of course get a longer sight radius, but I still prefer the 5".
I the pistol is going to be scoped, it really doesn't make much difference and the 5" barrel will compete as well as the 7".
One of my most fun things to do is set a metal spinner target 100 feet away and see how many hits I can make in a row from a ten round magazine.
With the 7", you of course get a longer sight radius, but I still prefer the 5".
I the pistol is going to be scoped, it really doesn't make much difference and the 5" barrel will compete as well as the 7".
One of my most fun things to do is set a metal spinner target 100 feet away and see how many hits I can make in a row from a ten round magazine.
Bellevance
Member
The 41 is the best .22 target pistol made in the US. You'll love it. Mine is an A-series (1981), and so the 5.5-inch barrel hasn't been drilled and tapped for a mount. I don't compete with it, so the irons are fine for my plinking purposes. The newer ones are mount-ready. If you're going to put a red-dot on it anyway, then the shorter barrel is probably preferable for balance. You might decide to buy an extra barrel (Bully barrel) some time down the road, too, if you don't want to leave a scope on the pistol all the time. They swap out easily.
You'll find all sorts of excellent info and advice about the M41 over on the RimfireCentral Forum (S&W discussions): http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=25
The pistol is calibrated for standard velocity ammo. Mine, like most, performs flawlessly with CCI SV. But it doesn't much like anything else.
You'll find all sorts of excellent info and advice about the M41 over on the RimfireCentral Forum (S&W discussions): http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=25
The pistol is calibrated for standard velocity ammo. Mine, like most, performs flawlessly with CCI SV. But it doesn't much like anything else.
krs
Member
Are they making a model 41 revolver now? How fun.
As a one time competitive shooter who used High Standard pistols, I agree that the Model 41 is the finest target pistol ever made in the US.
I now have two M41's, the short and the long even though I haven't fired a match in more than twenty years. If I were to re-enter competitions it would be the 5 1/2" I'd use. The balance is perfected with that one and it's better suited to the timed and rapid fire stages IMO because of the balance. Even though the longer barrel MIGHT help scores in 50 yard slow fire (not the 25 yard reduced target) I don't think it's enough an advantage to warrant purchasing another pistol or forgoing the advantages of the shorter model in order to own the longer.
So of the two, go the shorter at the beginning.
As a one time competitive shooter who used High Standard pistols, I agree that the Model 41 is the finest target pistol ever made in the US.
I now have two M41's, the short and the long even though I haven't fired a match in more than twenty years. If I were to re-enter competitions it would be the 5 1/2" I'd use. The balance is perfected with that one and it's better suited to the timed and rapid fire stages IMO because of the balance. Even though the longer barrel MIGHT help scores in 50 yard slow fire (not the 25 yard reduced target) I don't think it's enough an advantage to warrant purchasing another pistol or forgoing the advantages of the shorter model in order to own the longer.
So of the two, go the shorter at the beginning.
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22-rimfire
Member
Yeah, the Model 41 in a revolver forum. 
Anyway, I'd choose the shorter barrel myself as they seem to balance better. I made the same decision with High Standard's years ago. The shorter barrel is also a bit handier if you use it for hunting and plinking.
Anyway, I'd choose the shorter barrel myself as they seem to balance better. I made the same decision with High Standard's years ago. The shorter barrel is also a bit handier if you use it for hunting and plinking.
.38 Special
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Standard advice is to get the shorter barrel if you are going to use a dot -- for better balance and weight -- and a longer barrel if you are going to use irons, because the increased sight radius does allow for better scores, once you're able to take advantage of it.
FWIW, you can buy extra barrels that drop right in, either from S&W or aftermarket. This will allow you to make up your own mind.
FWIW, you can buy extra barrels that drop right in, either from S&W or aftermarket. This will allow you to make up your own mind.
Paul Calligaro
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Thanke for the help. Sounds like 5" is the way to go
Jim Watson
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Please note that a 5" M41 is not a 5.5" M41. The 5" barrel originally offered had a light profile and was an attempt to put the M41 in the same size range as a Woodsman.
The 5.5" barrel is the heavy target barrel. I bought one not for the length or balance or looks but because it had the rear sight as used on the M52. Doesn't matter these days, I think they all have some sort of Bomar derivative. Really doesn't matter if you will scope it.
The 5.5" barrel is the heavy target barrel. I bought one not for the length or balance or looks but because it had the rear sight as used on the M52. Doesn't matter these days, I think they all have some sort of Bomar derivative. Really doesn't matter if you will scope it.
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