M41 functioning problem

I have an "A" series M41 I've owned since the mid 1970's.
It's not now my primary .22 but I still enjoy shooting it and
would like it to function alibi free.
But...
It can't go a 900 without at least once, usually more, jamming.
The spent case gets caught at an angle, usually 90 degrees to the bore line, and
is trapped between the fresh round trying to feed from the magazine and the
underneath of the rib.
I've experimented over the years trying to solve the problem but to no avail.
Can anyone help?
Thanks!
JLK

Put a drop of oil on the top round in each magazine.

Different bullets act different, i had to shoot several brands to find one that worked without hiccups, back when i had my 41. Also could be the recoil spring if your trying to shoot standard velocity as the factory springs were for high velocity. Drop to a 6 lb spring, stock as best i remember is 7lb.

JLK,

CCI standard velocity ammo is recognized as the go-to ammo for Smith 41's.

If it were my gun I would clean the slide/bolt/extractor and get a new factory standard weight recoil spring from Wolff springs gunsprings.com.

Recoil Spring

For Use in:
41, .22 Caliber - All Variable Recoil Springs

• Reduced Power...: 6, 6.5 & 7 Lb.
  
• Factory Standard.: 7.5 Lb.
  
• Extra Power........: 8 Lb.
  

Here's a site that can walk you through disassembly of the slide:

http://guntalk-online.com/Model41maintenance.htm

Click on the photos for an enlarged photo.

You might want to replace the extractor or at least blast the bolt with break cleaner and re-lube.

I've shot many tens of thousands of CCI standard velocity through my 41 with maybe 10 malfunctions that were usually weak rounds.

It's not Eley TenX but it would get you master level scores if you and the gun are up to it. And it's the cleanest 22 ammo you can shoot and it's Made in the USA and no I'm not on commission.

Art

2nd for lighter recoil spring.

That symptom is common for a short stroke. THe ejection just isn't forcefull enough and the round isn't kicked out, gets caught up like you described.

Look very carefully in your chamber.

Make sure there is no crud ring that is causing hard extraction on certain cases.

Clarence

Thanks for all the suggestions guys!

But over the years I've tried just about everything, including all your ideas.
What's that Einstein is credited to have said?

"Doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different outcome is the definition
of insanity"... or something like that.

Looks like it's time to put the gun back in the deepest, darkest corner of the safe and forget about it.
But thanks again!!!
JLK

how bout, letting a gunsmith look at it?

Rob,
That's a really good suggestion.
Can anyone recommend a good one for the M41?
Thanks!
JLK

Smith and wesson will fix it. get in touch with the customer service, ive had a few friends who sent the 41s and got them fixed

Agree, send it in to smith.
I fixed mine by putting a Clark barrel on one and a Buly on the other and mounting red dots. No sight bridge increases the reliability magnitudes.

I did send it to S&W about 2 1/2 years ago.

I have to say they were very nice and very rea$onable considering the gun
was made before their lifetime warranty.

I personally talked to the gunsmith who did the work. Again he was very helpful and
gave me instructions I followed to the "T" but...
After about 250 rounds the gun was back to the same ol' malfunctioning.

You know...
Lake Erie isn't that far from here...

I wonder if it can swim?

JLK

Since you say you have tried everything, then its time to Get a new gun and retire it to a being a plinker, having a 100% confidence in your equipment in competition is essential.

Thanks Dave,
As I mentioned in the beginning it's not my primary .22.
I just having something around that doesn't work.
Back in the safe it goes.
Thanks again everybody!
JLK

Have you tried peppier ammo? Ammo like wolf, sk cycle weakly.

I would stay with the 7.5 spring weight. The hammer spring gives so much resistance to cycling that going below 7.5 recoil spring makes no difference.
Also extractors lose their grip. And of course, clean chamber, magazine adjusting.

Have you tried this. I find it usually works with most older model 41's having problems as you describe. As an alternative, you might try replacing the extractor with a new one.

http://guntalk-online.com/Model41maintenance.htm#extractor

Cecil

JLK,

I would be more than happy to look at your 41. Give me a shout and we can talk over the phone and I can give you some things to check on the pistol. Worst case you would have to send it to me.

I look forward to hearing back from you.

KC
843-267-3773
www.kcskustomcreations.com

JLK wrote:I have an "A" series M41 I've owned since the mid 1970's.
It's not now my primary .22 but I still enjoy shooting it and
would like it to function alibi free.
But...
It can't go a 900 without at least once, usually more, jamming.
The spent case gets caught at an angle, usually 90 degrees to the bore line, and
is trapped between the fresh round trying to feed from the magazine and the
underneath of the rib.
I've experimented over the years trying to solve the problem but to no avail.
Can anyone help?
Thanks!
JLK

KC,
PM sent.
Thanks!
JLK

JLK,

we both know a local guy that can help ya

Fred T

Fred,
Does the local guy have a boat we can use to take out to the middle
of Portage Lake and drop the M41 over the side?

JLK

Have you tried different magazines everyone suggested just about everything else. If this doesn't work send it to me I have a private pond.

Hugh

I had the same problem. It was driving me crazy as it is my primary .22 target pistol. I bent a .22 cal. copper cleaning brush at a 90 degree angle and I give the chamber a quick scrub between Timed and Rapid Fire magazine changes. I also put a drop of oil on the bullet driving band of the top round in each magazine. So far, over 6 matches and many more practice sessions, the problem has not returned. Good luck.

Hugh,
Yes, I've tried different magazines.
The latest from a fellow league member's brand new M41.
They behaved even worse than mine...but were flawless in his gun.
I'd need to see a survey of your pond.
It would need to be pretty deep to consider your offer. There's
several "blue holes" in the area of Ohio I live in you'd have to beat.


Thottleup,
I've done the bent bore brush as well as thorough chamber cleaning after each
shooting session.
Still the same problem...sometimes improved...sometimes not.
The S&W gunsmith recommended I NOT put oil on the round in the magazine although
I've done it before I really think the gun should work without it.

But once again everybody thanks!

Fred, I'll call you today or tomorrow about that boat.

JLK

Yes, it really should work without doing that. Mine 41 is an older one also. My feeling is that the extractor is really the problem, that the rim is slipping off the hook before it makes solid contact with the ejector. A new extractor and extractor spring and possibly a lighter recoil spring were my next targets. After that, if it was still not functioning 100%, it was taking a trip to S&W.

kc.crawford.7 wrote:JLK,

I would be more than happy to look at your 41. Give me a shout and we can talk over the phone and I can give you some things to check on the pistol. Worst case you would have to send it to me.

I look forward to hearing back from you.

KC
843-267-3773
www.kcskustomcreations.com

KC worked on my Kimber when I was just starting and was very happy with the results.
Cheers
Cary