Just bought a S&W model 41.

I just bought a new Model 41 off of Gunbroker. I got the model with the 7.25" barrel.
I shot it today and after getting it sighted in, I shot three targets at 50 yards. 88-0, 90-1, 90-1.
I wish I would have bought this pistol years ago. The trigger is perfect right out of the box. I didn't weigh it but it feels like 2 lbs. I can tell it is more accurate than my Nelson unit, although the Nelson unit is also good. I noticed I can call my shots better with the 41. I think it's because of the longer barrel. I have to hold hard though. I think I'm going to be winning with this one.
Total cost out the door was $1254. 
My only complaint is the rear sight is slightly canted. See if you can tell from this photo.

https://ibb.co/WpLd8SC
https://ibb.co/T1Zqs2F

I started using a MKIII as a training pistol along side my muzzleloaders. This was the beginning for me. The first kind of target pistol shooting I would shoot. Eventually I came to a point where desired something more in the gun however.

I upgraded to a used S&W Model 41. I had read much about them and seen pictures of popular shooters holding them. It's bluing had a lot of damage/loss to it, and it was advertised as having a function issue so I acquired it relatively cheap. I fixed the function issues, and the bluing loss didn't matter to me. I wasn't making much money back then so I was ecstatic to have in my hands a working Model 41. An A series, cocking indicator, 5.5'' barrel version and I put Herrett Nationals for grips on it. The 41 made a great trainer since my single shot percussion pistol is modeled after a 41 frame. 

When I got into Bullseye I kept on using my faithful 41. Until it developed some function issues I couldn't get around. About the same time, I was having difficulty learning how to shoot a 45, so I opted for a Nelson conversion. I feel it did aid in learning how to shoot a 1911. Both the 41 and the Nelson are wonderfully accurate guns and I enjoy them both. The 41 with an optic is much too heavy unless it undergoes some weight loss surgery, so I kept mine for 22 EIC matches, and used the Nelson with an Ultradot for 2700s. 

I sold the 41 to my mentor a few years ago. Recently, it was gifted back to me. It was like seeing an old friend again from long ago. It felt great in the hand, trigger was good, and best of all it functions. A 41, if it functions reliably, can be a formidable gun in this sport. It's not everyones favorite, but it has made a name for it's self in this sport nonetheless. 

Congrats on the new purchase. Enjoy! And may you shoot many X's and 10's with it.

Give them a call and find out if SW will replace. I bought a M41 on gunbroker for a real steal, less than $800, 5.5 model regular production 20 years old. Little did I know that the windage system was not working. I did send it to SW and they DID repair at no cost.  SW is kinda quirky sometimes on what they will and will not cover on regular production guns.. All it costs is a phone call.

If it is new and/or a PC model, SW can determine by the serial # and they will do you right.

You will love the M41. Has good weight for stability, recoil control and can be fitted with a dot too if its is drilled and tapped.

Yeah it is not a Pardini as far as recoil, but it is a great pistol to shoot.

I've had a couple 41s and either they work or they don't, in my case mostly don't.  I love everything about the model 41 except the alibis.  I'll take a 208 or Trailside all day long over the 41. They are everything the 41 should be.
YMMV

xman wrote:Give them a call and find out if SW will replace. I bought a M41 on gunbroker for a real steal, less than $800, 5.5 model regular production 20 years old. Little did I know that the windage system was not working. I did send it to SW and they DID repair at no cost.  SW is kinda quirky sometimes on what they will and will not cover on regular production guns.. All it costs is a phone call.

If it is new and/or a PC model, SW can determine by the serial # and they will do you right.

You will love the M41. Has good weight for stability, recoil control and can be fitted with a dot too if its is drilled and tapped.

Yeah it is not a Pardini as far as recoil, but it is a great pistol to shoot.

It seems to me that everyone except me finds awesome deals on firearms.

Tim:H11 wrote:I started using a MKIII as a training pistol along side my muzzleloaders. This was the beginning for me. The first kind of target pistol shooting I would shoot. Eventually I came to a point where desired something more in the gun however.

I upgraded to a used S&W Model 41. I had read much about them and seen pictures of popular shooters holding them. It's bluing had a lot of damage/loss to it, and it was advertised as having a function issue so I acquired it relatively cheap. I fixed the function issues, and the bluing loss didn't matter to me. I wasn't making much money back then so I was ecstatic to have in my hands a working Model 41. An A series, cocking indicator, 5.5'' barrel version and I put Herrett Nationals for grips on it. The 41 made a great trainer since my single shot percussion pistol is modeled after a 41 frame. 

When I got into Bullseye I kept on using my faithful 41. Until it developed some function issues I couldn't get around. About the same time, I was having difficulty learning how to shoot a 45, so I opted for a Nelson conversion. I feel it did aid in learning how to shoot a 1911. Both the 41 and the Nelson are wonderfully accurate guns and I enjoy them both. The 41 with an optic is much too heavy unless it undergoes some weight loss surgery, so I kept mine for 22 EIC matches, and used the Nelson with an Ultradot for 2700s. 

I sold the 41 to my mentor a few years ago. Recently, it was gifted back to me. It was like seeing an old friend again from long ago. It felt great in the hand, trigger was good, and best of all it functions. A 41, if it functions reliably, can be a formidable gun in this sport. It's not everyones favorite, but it has made a name for it's self in this sport nonetheless. 

Congrats on the new purchase. Enjoy! And may you shoot many X's and 10's with it.

You were shooting muzzleloader pistols? Just for fun, or a civil war reenactment?

CO1Mtn wrote:You were shooting muzzleloader pistols? Just for fun, or a civil war reenactment?

Think bullseye but with muzzleloaders. 

Tim:H11 wrote:

CO1Mtn wrote:You were shooting muzzleloader pistols? Just for fun, or a civil war reenactment?

Think bullseye but with muzzleloaders. 

"You've come a long way, pilgrim."

Those are some interesting looking pistols. I'd assume that follow-through is especially important with the one on the bottom. And hopefully it has a rifled barrel.

CO1Mtn wrote:Those are some interesting looking pistols. I'd assume that follow-through is especially important with the one on the bottom. And hopefully it has a rifled barrel.

Bottom to top: Flint is a .32 and riffled, cap lock is a .36, revolver is a “.44” (.454). Follow through is definitely important. Think air pistol. But the flint, if maintained and tuned, can be as fast or faster than the cap lock. If you have a “puff... bang” then you did something wrong in priming the pan, or the placement of the flint in the cock, or it’s dull, or the frizzen is dirty.

Last time I got my frizzen dirty, the police showed up and said, "Sir, this is a public library."

I would like to see that used in a match sometime. I think that would be cool.

CO1Mtn wrote:I would like to see that used in a match sometime. I think that would be cool.

Muzzle loader pistol slow fire targets are 10 shots in 30 minutes.

After I finish competing for the season, I might try to remedy the tilted rear sight by myself. I might just have to use a very fine stone to sand down the bottom of the sight where it enters the V notch in the top part of the pistol frame. Or perhaps the notch itself was not machined completely flat or level on top.

john bickar wrote:Last time I got my frizzen dirty, the police showed up and said, "Sir, this is a public library."

I have a doppelgänger. Huh, who knew?

CO1Mtn wrote:After I finish competing for the season, I might try to remedy the tilted rear sight by myself. I might just have to use a very fine stone to sand down the bottom of the sight where it enters the V notch in the top part of the pistol frame. Or perhaps the notch itself was not machined completely flat or level on top.

The notch would be my guess. S&W will likely correct the issue. I had the exact same probelem with a 686 and they corrected it no charge. I shoot a Pardini now but I love my M41. I actually recently had an old barrel that I bought cheap off the Clark table at Perry relined by 10 Ring Precision. Tack driver….

Thanks for that info. After the next match, I plan on contacting S&W.

My 7” M41 runs fine. Almost as accurate as my two X-Esse in my hands. Better than my other 22 pistols.
I really like it for running plate rails. Floats and settles on target fast. Can really rip across knocking them down.

CO1Mtn wrote:After I finish competing for the season, I might try to remedy the tilted rear sight by myself. I might just have to use a very fine stone to sand down the bottom of the sight where it enters the V notch in the top part of the pistol frame. Or perhaps the notch itself was not machined completely flat or level on top.

A few years ago I purchased a gently used High Standard 106 Victor with a canted rear sight. After years of shooting guns with perfectly aligned sights the misalignment literally made me sea sick.  Who knew our brains were so sensitive to this "optic"? The seller acknowledged that he knew the rear sight was canted and returned my money. I did find another one in perfect condition that shoots like a drill motor!

You may be able to remove the sight and shim it or as stated filing the base!

Smiles

Congrat on the purchase

I've owned a few Model 41s but my favorite version and the one I enjoy shooting the most is this one with the Field/Sport barrel. I find it to be just as accurate as my 5" EFS version but much better balanced. No matter what Model 41 is to your liking they are IMO one of the best pistols Smith & Wesson ever produced.