S&W model 41

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Can anyone give me the scoop on the S&W model 41? They seem to have a reputation as very accurate, if somewhat picky about ammo. I probably will not get one due to the price and said ammo pickyness, but, I'd still like information.

P.S. : Is $895 a good price? I believe it's new, but not certain, at that price.
 
$895 is pretty good for a new one.

I bought a new one in 2006 and it is somewhat finicky. There are several ammo types that work and always work with it, however.

I bought a used one this year (ca 1974). It is far less finicky than the 2006. I bought it for $695 off GunsAmerica. It has a better finish than the 2006 model. Also the grips on the 1974 are slightly slimmer; and, even though I have "big" hands (long but not meaty) the slimmer fits for me better.

There is no reason why I wouldn't get a used Model 41. They last forever (if the previous shooter was a regular and not a competitor; 100,000 rounds easy I would think)

Both the 2006 and the 1974 models that I have are awesome, and I would recommend the 41 all day long and twice on Sundays.
 
Nice specialized match pistol.

They don't do well as 'field' guns or even just general purpose plinking or fun shooting. For most things there are better cheaper choices.
 
The Purdue Rifle/Pistol club has six, with at least a quarter million through each. All are at least 20 years old, probably more. Three of them are dead reliable with almost anything they're fed (they get sticky with Eley sport) one is kind of finicky, and the other two build up massive amounts of fouling at the bottom of the chamber that make them fail to extract constantly. I can't seem to get that fouling to go away no matter how much I clean. All six are still dead accurate, though. One even has a slightly bulged barrel (I have no idea how that could happen in a .22 with that much metal around the barrel) and still shoots dead on. Each one's trigger breaks at a crisp 2.5 pounds.

A couple weeks ago I got one out with the intention of shooting the black out of a B-33 NRA target - I shot 600-700 rounds in about an hour and never had a malfunction. It had probably seen another 500 before that since it's previous cleaning.

One more thing - they all seem to prefer Federal. Doesn't matter if its the cheap bricks or the boxes of expensive stuff, they eat it right up.

Honestly, if I were to buy a semi-auto .22 pistol for under $1000, the 41 would be the only thing I'd consider.

ETA - They are extraordinarily easy to field strip and clean, as well. Detail stripping to replace worn parts in the slide is very tricky, however. Or rather, reassembly after the detail stripping.
 
I have one that is 3 yrs. old. Eats everything and is accurate. Wouldn't hesitate to buy another.
 
the 41 is the best deal around when it comes to accurate 22 pistols.

for the money nothing else comes close.
 
My old man has a gorgeous 41 that he loves to pull out and show me who's boss with. He's got a Tasco ProPoint on it and I'm absolutely amazed at how accurate that thing is. I've never seen his have a single problem with ammo.

I keep telling him to hurry up and kick the bucket so I can come into my inheritiance! :rolleyes:
 
I got a new one about 6 months ago for about $950, if I recall. The first time I took it to the range, shooting at an NRA slow fire bullseye target at 75' over one sandbag: 9 X's and one 10. I can live with that. :D
 
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