Unbelievable Smith & Wesson 41 fix!

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geo1231

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I have been heartbroken as no matter what advice I followed, I could not get my new-to-me S&W Performance Center model 41 to function through a clip without at least one jam! I ('smith advice) removed grips and totally washed it down with G96 Crud Cutter, followed by G96. I tried all sorts of different brands of ammo. I tried changing the springs. I even almost resorted to prayer ;-)...

But, Tuesday night I accidentally inserted a '41 clip from another '41 -- and it functioned flawlessly twice. Hmmmm. Am I on to something? So, tonight -- our Bullseye shooting eve -- I put two clips though it without any FTF, FTE, or any other problem before we shot match. Then, the six clips worked trouble free for the match!

Just to be obsessive, I let my friend Hugh try the S&W PC mag in the '41 he was shooting -- and guess what? HIS '41 jammed on second shot.

I was really disappointed, frustrated, and about to spend a fortune on shipping to send it to Smith & Wesson for their repair. So delighted I am that it appears I no longer need to, I thought I'd share this with you great folks here on THR!

If you have FTF and FTE problems (using CCI Standard Vel ammo) -- hey, try a mag that works 100% in someone elses '41 and see what happens! (For now I'm just "shelving" the PC mag -- I hope to put calipers on it in future to hopefully ascertain it's shortcomings)

Cheers!
g :)>
 
Many malfunctions begin with the magazine, which is why it is good to have multiple and to number them with pen or an engraver. That way you can isolate a malfunction to a particular mag.
 
I can't even begin to count the times I've seen "gun" problems turn out to be "magazine" problems. Long before I start blaming the gun, the magazines are always suspect.
 
At first, I thought you had repaired it with a paperclip... Seriously, that is what first jumps to mind when people mention "clip" to me.
 
Over the years I have had similar experiences with several semi autos. My first reaction was to blame the ammo and then the gun. It took me 3 or 4 experiences before I finally remembered to try a reliably functioning magazine before condemning either the gun or ammo.
 
This is why magazine bans are so pernicious, magazines are the most failure prone part in an autoloader!
 
Unbelievable Smith & Wesson 41 fix?

It's not unbelievable at all.

It's the First Thing to Change with any auto pistol when they don't work right.

rc
 
Thanks response

Hey -- I wish to thank all who responded to my "...fix" thread! I'm obviously not the brightest lamp in the fixture, and having spent lots (to me) of cash for a Performance Center '41 which presumably (my obvious mistake) came with "tuned to firearm" magazines -- that's the last place *I* looked for a cure. You may note I asked others at range, spent quite a bit of time searching the Internet for a solution, and even took it to a reputable, licensed gunsmith (who advised the G96 treatments). All in vain.

You folks THANKFULLY are smarter!!!

My inadvertent magazine switch was the fix.

Again, rather than saying how stupid I was in not knowing the magazine as being the culprit neither being new nor unusual, I am so happy that "others" have also been enlightened.

On two last notes, I was motivated by one respondent to Google the definition of the word, "clip", and learned as, "cartridge clip" it does exist. (Uses as verb are listed first; nouns follow with "as cartridge clip" being the third listed definition. (My desire was to share a firearm fix; not an English 101 review; consider this rhetorical rather than starting a "dictionary thread"?). Secondly, I sent an email to S&W customer service asking what re repair/replacement of the bad mag -- perhaps I'll copy/paste their reply when I receive it.

Again, thanks to all... I now have a 100% functioning '41, and am one happy camper (shooter? :) )

Cheers! g :)>
 
I think the thread is starting to go awry.

The important points are:

1. In semi autos the magazines are the source of most problems.

2. The terms magazine and clip are not interchangeable even if a lot of people don't know it.

3. I think Geo would like us to share in his happiness rather than be lectured.

The weather is nice, here at least, time to send a little lead down range. :)
 
Don't know about the 41's magazine characteristics; do know that I've had to put a little dry lube in every new Ruger Mark III 22/45 that I've bought. Every single one is dry and "catchy" out-of-the-package.
 
geo1231 said:
You folks THANKFULLY are smarter!!!
Click to expand...

Not necessarily, but on this particular subject, at least, more experienced and/or knowledgeable, apparently.

FWIW, I think that "unbelievable" is an excellent term to describe the fix that you stumbled across.

Others here who are far removed from the mysteries they learned/discovered/experienced during their early days with firearms, may have forgotten some of the amazement that they felt upon learning some of the simplest tricks, way back when, y'know?

I still periodically stumble across such "unbelievable" (to me) things ... and they usually produce a smile, even if it is often rueful. ;)
 
Gun grabbers tend to use the term "clip" instead of "magazine" and it annoys most of us. They're good at coming up with terms that serve their purpose so it's wise to educate gun owners to avoid those terms, such as high capacity clips, assault weapon, Saturday night special and many others. It's a raw nerve, geo, we're not singling you out, just don't fall into their traps.
 
Smith and Wesson sent a replacement!

As I had written, I sent a nice email to Smith & Wesson telling of my problem with this firearm, and both that the magazine caused jams in a fellow shooter's Model 41, and, that a Model 41 magazine from my other Model 41 worked without a problem in this Performance Center model.

Much to my most pleasant surprise, they posted me, gratis, a brand new Model 41 magazine. I received this a few days ago, but wished to take it to range and ascertain its functionality before making this post.

It works perfectly -- no jams, failures to eject, or any other problems which may be the firearm's fault.

Thank you, Smith & Wesson!!! One respondent magazines may be adjusted or "fixed" -- but for now, I sealed the problematic one in a vacuum seal bad, along with a small bag of desiccant, and have it in my "spare 'stuff'" box.

And, thank you fellow THR folks who were kind enough to add to this thread!

geo :)>
 
The High Standard pistols do not have a feed ramp and rely on the mag lips to give the round a strainght shot into the chamber.

I didn't know M 41-46 had some of the same issues.

Anyone know of a web site that explains how to 'tune' the M41-46 mags?

Thanks,

salty
 
Hi, Ku4hx,

That is actually an SKS clip, though they did make adapters to use them to load AK-47 magazines off the rifle. The AK-47 magazine can't be loaded from clips while in the rifle, but the SKS magazine was normally loaded from those clips. (I once saw a guy at the range load an SKS from clips and then carefully remove the clip. I told him he didn't need to do that, just slingshot the bolt and the clip would pop out. He told me I was full of it
and decided to show me. The clip flew into the tall grass and I don't know if he ever found it.)

Jim
 
Something FREE for S&W, wow, cool. Magazines are the first thing i check. Just had a problem with a Ruger MK1. The "new" Ruger magazines is a new design from the old one. Fixed feeding problem.
 
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