Smith & Wesson Model 41-1

A S&W 41-1 is up for auction. I am interested in it as an unusual target pistol. My understanding is that International Rapid Fire is now shot with .22 lr. Does anyone have any thoughts or experience to offer on the .22 short 41-1?

Now that Rapid Fire ISSF is shot with a .22 lr the old .22 shot match pistols are just fun pistols to shoot with and to train with.
Slow fire with a .22 short is a half way house between live and dry fire.

Recoil is minimal, sights should not jump too much and if the trigger execution is smooth you can call your shots with ease.

Stick with your Hammerli! Kidding! I have had a few 41's over the years and they are a great pistol but they don't hold a candle to the Hammerli's (in my opinion!) How about a 208 International?

OP is asking about very specific model of 41 pistol.  It is 41-1 versus regular 41, and because of its rarity $$$ wise 1x41-1 = 4 or 5 of regular 41s and about 3 of Hammerlies 208.  It is most likely strictly collectible / investment item today, as opposed to something for practical use.  Due to its value, it would not be practical to use this pistol for any practice.  It is much easier to find older High Standard with 22 Short slide/barrel/magazine for practice, and it would be noticeably less costly.  22 Short ammo is still being manufactured by CCI, but in much smaller batches than before.  Because of that price for the ammo is also up from where it was before.   With that 22 Sub-Sonic 29 grain is very pleasant to shoot.  

AP

Don’t buy if only one short magazine.   They aren’t easy to find.  Rimfire Central has info on them.

Greetings,

Is it truly chambered for 22 Short?

It is easy to remove the barrel and slide and replace them with 22 Long Rifle parts.

My memory is weak; but, I believe that S&W only made 1000 units of the 41-1.

Cheers,

Dave

I already have a very nice 1959 vintage Model 41 that I like very much. I have a weakness for top quality target pistols. I am interested in the Model 41-1 because it is unusual. I greatly appreciate the input.
I was outbid on the 1941 Johnson Rifle over the weekend, so I will be able to afford the 41-1.
Steve, I like the Hammerli and it has no cause to be jealous.

My bad on the response. My foggy memory was jogged loose by PhotoEscape. Never owned a 41-1 but had a Hi Standard in 22 short. Fun to shoot for sure!

Honestly there are much better 22S pistols (in my opinion) that can be had for much less money that are much better (again my opinion) value. Walther OSP, FAS Domino 601, Unique DES and variants thereof, Hammerli, Pardini, just to name a few. Those are olympic quality pistols and can be had in a vicinity of 500-1100 depending on condition and accessories. I personally had FAS 601 and it was hands down the best trigger ever, best balance ever and super precise. Awesome take down and minimalistic engineering. Yes, I miss it.  Imho for over 2K there are waaaay better pistols than 41-1, unless you are specifically seeking a rarity factor.

I see that Simpson has a number of European .22 short guns in the $1,000 range, but I want a 41-1. I like the model 41 and I think the 41-1 belongs in my collection.

flyer898 wrote:I see that Simpson has a number of European .22 short guns in the $1,000 range, but I want a 41-1. I like the model 41 and I think the 41-1 belongs in my collection.

I totally understand your sentiment.  Same reason I bought Margolin in 22 Short, something like this one, - https://www.gunbroker.com/item/869822064  I shot five rounds through mine, and, truth be told, don't even remember which safe it is in.  Nostalgic and intrinsic values of such guns bring up good memories and elevate mood.  Understanding of such comes with age, and very often age of the owner and a firearm matching.

Have fun with it, Flyer898!  There are only few things in life make us feel good.  So why not!

AP

There were two model 41-1 pistols sold recently. I bid on the pistol for sale at gun broker and there were two people who wanted it more than I did. It was very nice with the box but only one magazine. It went for $3025.
The second was at Rock Island Auctions, and it went for more than $2800. They will add sales tax to that figure. It included the box but only one magazine. It was in the same serial number range as the Gunbroker pistol and in the same (very nice) condition. 
I conclude the street price for one of these is about $3k.
It is more than I am willing to spend at present. That is mostly because I have found other pistols here, and a revolver at Simpson Ltd. that I also want and have purchased - they are on the way to me.