Smith Model 41 Query

[dapster]

I'd apppreciate learning from those of you who have experience with the Model 41 what your recommendations are concerning barrel length: 5.5 or 7 inches.

 

[Canuck-IL]

FWIW, the 5.5 heavy barrel is the preferred model among Bullseye shooters....for balance.
/Bryan

 

[dapster]

Thank you. That's precisely the kind of info I was hoping to get.

 

[cavman]

The Bullseye shooters whom I have seen using the 7" model have had it cut to 5 1/2".

All others shooting the Model 41 have the 5 1/2" version.

The word that I have gotten is that the extra couple of inches does not provide additional benefits (by having a long sight radius) enough to offset the possible wiggle effect.

 

[.38 Special]

If you are planning on using a red dot, the 5.5" is the way to go. If you are using the irons, the 7" may be better. A lot of folks complain that they don't like all the movement that becomes visible when the sight radius increases. it doesn't make you or the gun less accurate or harder to hit with; it just shows you movement that was already there. If you master it, it will make you a better shooter.

 

[railroader]

See if you can hold both pistols. I have an older 7" that has a factory comp and looks front heavy but it balances really well. Mark

 

[Onmilo]

I couldn't decide so I fitted up a 5 1/2" barrel to my 7" pistol.
I still use the seven inch gun for match shooting and use the five point five for hunting.


These are old pictures,
The short barrel version is in the process of getting a Doctor Optic dot optic sight added, I have a Burris 4X scope on it now.
I use a set of Nille Griffe Match stocks when shooting the seven inch pistol in competition.
With those grips in place, the gun holds and shoots as well as a rifle.

 

[kle]

I've tried a 5.5" bull barrel on my (normally) 7" 41; to me, they balanced very similarly (I imagine the 5.5" field barrel will balance quite differently). The longer sight radius on the 7" seemed to be a bit nicer, though.

 

[clang]

I've got one with the 5.5" heavy barrel and one with the 7" barrel with factory compensator. Both balance about the same to me but I'm more accurate with the longer sight radius of the 7" barrel.

 

[SwampWolf]

One of the many nice things about the 41 is, of course, the ability to switch barrels. I prefer the 5.5" HB but I shoot Bullseye-and no scopes for me, thank you. Though not unreliable, per se, like most target/accuracy specific firearms, individual 41s may be a little more ammunition sensitive than others.

 

[Joe Mamma]

How easy is it to switch barrels? Is there any downside to doing so?

Joe Mamma

 

[kle]

pretty easy...

1. lock the slide back
2. pull down on the trigger-guard--this unlocks the barrel from the frame
3. remove the barrel
4. put another barrel there
5. lock the trigger guard

and that's it.

 

[tetris]

pretty easy...

1. lock the slide back
2. pull down on the trigger-guard--this unlocks the barrel from the frame
3. remove the barrel
4. put another barrel there
5. lock the trigger guard

and that's it.

One thing to keep in mind, is that on a S&W Model 41 that has never been disassembled or has not been so in a long time, the barrel can almost get "stuck" in the frame. What happens is that gun powder residue, wax and old grease solidifies in within the barrel locking "lugs" and/or the latching mechanism. To get it out, you have to take a rubber mallet, and tap the front of the barrel from the bottom. After you get it out, apply some high quality gun grease around the barrel locking lugs so it doesn't happen in the future.

Just a heads up. Its a minor issue, and can probably be avoided with some good grease, but this did happen to me.

 

[distra]

I use the 5.5" for bullseye, pretty common amoung bullseye shooters. The 41 has a good trigger out of the box, easily maintained, and parts are readily available. One the best .22 pistols out there for the money (mine was $550 used from a fellow shooter).