S&W MODEL 41 Problem

[WORNOUT TRAILS]

My 5 1/2" model 41 functions excellent, with this exception, If you pull the trigger with a empty chamber, hammer falls, it is almost impossible to re-cock the pistol by pulling the slide back...
once cocked, load it up and shoot, feeds and functions great with CCI ammo.
This 41 was made back in the 1970s, has chamber indicator pin.
Has anyone experience this type of problem and fix?
Thanks, W.T.

 

[Col. Harrumph]

Just spitballing here, I have no experience with that model. Does it happen with the magazine removed? Does the slide lock back after the last round? (I assume 41's do lock back.) You might consider a detailed disassembly (guided by the schematic available at gunpartscorp.com) and seeing if, for example, the problem goes away when the hammer and safety are out of the frame.

 

[Clemson]

Try this: Unload the gun, fire it by pressing the trigger. While holding the trigger back, cycle the slide with your other hand, then release the trigger. If cycle is easy, the disconnector may be the culprit.

 

[243winxb]

Normal for us (76) old guys. Same problem with High Standards & Ruger mk1 .

 

[Kp321]

The geometry of the hammer vs the slide make the hammer very hard to cam back when it is down on an empty chamber. Designed that way to operate properly with the fairly light weight slide. The hammer geometry, main spring weight, slide weight and recoil spring weight are all balanced to let the pistol operate reliably with reasonable slide velocity.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

This is one of the main reasons I sold mine. Cant tell you how many times I busted my knuckles on that slide's sharp edges trying to pull it back- those serrations are useless, and there is no humanly possible way to get a better grip around the sight rail.

 

[BBBBill]

While many do dry fire their Model 41s, S&W strongly advises against that due to potential firing pin damage.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

While many do dry fire their Model 41s, S&W strongly advises against that due to potential firing pin damage.

I would have loved to just leave mine cocked all the time (works for my Astra 600), but since it jammed and misfired constantly, that wasnt really possible.

I know many folks love them, but mine was a total disaster. Glad to see it gone.

 

[Jim Watson]

Agree with KP, the slide is light, the recoil spring is light, the mainspring is a major part of the resistance to blowback.
Mine gets the same treatment as I saw a lady shooter use to ease shooting an automatic.
When I set up to shoot, I work hard to rack it with arthritic hands. Once. I don't have to do that again for the entire session. When done, I check it for empty and bag it. When I get home, I wipe it down, insert an empty magazine, and drop the hammer on the empty chamber.
So I only have to haul the slide back against the mainspring once per range trip or match.

 

[Salarguy]

While many do dry fire their Model 41s, S&W strongly advises against that due to potential firing pin damage.

They also recommend target 22s. Hope they aren't mini-mags you're using?

 

[WORNOUT TRAILS]

Much thanks for all the inputs, suggestions and spit balls!

 

[entropy]

Generally, it is unwise to dry fire .22 LR's. I never dry fire any .22LR when not necessary. (i.e. , disassembly)

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

I feel it's OK to "dry-fire" any .22 rimfire firearm, with one caveat, use a buffer between the breech face and the firing pin or you may get chamber mouth dings. The use of these dry-wall screw anchors work extremely well when employed as snap caps for .22 rimfire:

They will even manually feed from a magazine and manually eject using the extractor provided. Pretty dang cheap at around $5.00 for a box of 100, but each one will take at least 10 firing pin hits if they are rotated slightly when inserted into your magazine. I use these on all of my semi-auto .22 rimfire pistols and manually eject one after firing and let the slide chamber another.
One thing though, when I watch the TV show "Gangland", I will end up having these ejected wall anchors all over the living room rug. Gotta pick those up 'cause the BOSS don't like those getting sucked up and into her vacuum cleaner.

 

[RainDodger]

The best tip on this entire thread is right above this post.... go buy a box of dry wall anchors and use them in all your .22 rimfire firearms. It's just better that way. I keep a handful in each safe.

 

[WORNOUT TRAILS]

UPDATE: I GAVE THE 41 A THROUGH CLEANING USING KROIL..(INCLUDING THE HAMMER SPRING ASSEMBLY = A BATH WITH KROIL).
MY COCKING PROBLEM WITH THE MODEL 41 HAS IMPROVED 75%. HAD NEVER USED KROIL ON A FIREARM BEFORE. AMAZING!

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

I have a can of "Kroil" on my main bench at all times, it is indeed some good stuff. The can states that it "will creep into spaces 2-millionths wide". I gotta wonder who and how they measured that, but at this point I'll defer to their claim.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I have a can of "Kroil" on my main bench at all times, it is indeed some good stuff. The can states that it "will creep into spaces 2-millionths wide". I gotta wonder who and how they measured that, but at this point I'll defer to their claim.

That's indeed some fine measuring.

I dig that using Kroil or Acetone/ATF in the heat of the Arizona sun addresses many issues that might otherwise have been charged to a hammer or press or the judicial application of supplemental leverage.

Todd.