Newer 41’s.. any good?

Does anyone own and use a new or later production S&W Model 41? What do you have to say about it? Good/bad… thanks.

3 people I know with PC variants all had initial issues that were either never resolved by the factory or took multiple trips there. Ones not resolved were solved with Clark barrel. One resolved had to do with slide catch riding mags too high and not closing slide all the way. These are personallybwitnessed. Supposedly not PC variants are just fine, info coming from friend of a friend, so not personally witnessed.

I don't have 41's but i like old ones from 1979 or before with the same rear sight of S&W 52's.

BTW I was specifically answering on modern production.

Friend #1 bought a new PC 41. Could not adjust the sights to put rounds in the black at 25 yards. Sent back to S&W and had the same issue after they had it for a considerable length of time. Sent it back again and after months he went up the chain at S&W, and within a few days got a call from S&W stating that his 41 was beyond repair and they sent him another one, which seems to be OK so far.

Friend #× buys a new PC 41 and it has the usual failure to eject and failure to chamber issues. Has a Smith look at it. Meanwhile he buys another one as a backup gun. First time at the range the magazine will not release. Takes that one to the Smith to look at. Meanwhile pistol #1 still has the FTE issues and he has been using the "oil the rounds first" method for now.

Personally, I bought an "as new" in box 1963 Model 41 and it runs great!

I own one of the new Performance Center and cannot recommend anyone buying a new one. Out of the box I had slam fire issues, sent it back to S&W. When it was returned it no longer had slam fire issues, but it would not reliably function. Sent it back to S&W again. When it returned it functioned better but still was not match reliable. Shortly after the slide stop broke. Again the gun was shipped back to S&W. When the gun was returned it still would not function reliably. Finally got tired dealing with S&W and sent the gun and 2 magazines to Clark Custom for their reliability job. When the gun came back it functioned perfectly. About 6 months later the slide stop broke again and off to S &W it went.

Every time the gun was shipped, I was without it for about 8 - 10 weeks. This gun now has been relegated to a backup. I recommend you look into one of the 22 conversion units by Nelson or Ferken. If I would have gone that route first I would have save a lot of frustration and money.

Friends don't let friends buy NEW Smith & Wessons.

I bought a new 41 a couple of years ago and had 2 problems: failure to feed, and a trigger guard stuck in the open position. It had to go back to S&W 3 times over the course of four or five months. It was all on their dime, of course, but it was time consuming and annoying. Since it came back from the third trip, however, the gun has been perfect: more accurate than I am, and cycles like a sewing machine.

If you do purchase a new one from a local shop, I'd make sure that the trigger guard opens, that the barrel/slide assembly can be removed and re-seated, and that the guard can be closed again. I would do that several times at the shop, or have the clerk do it, before purchase. It's a fairly common problem, and if that's not an issue, you will have ruled out a big headache from the beginning.

not sure if this is of interest for you but i've been searching for a revolver and found a site called Simpson LTD....  they offer a good selection of used model 41 pistols...i believe that they are very fairly priced and most look to be in very nice condition.

I bought a 7" 41 new in 2020.  It was very unreliable (FTF, FTE, etc), and went back to SW twice.  I sent it to Alex Hamilton for trigger work and he also found the rifling of the barrel was not centered in the bore, so I had him reline the barrel.  Surprising a gun like that would pass inspection, but maybe they found that most customers don't check carefully (I missed it and never thought to check).

The gun runs but it is not as reliable as my 208s, and I don't shoot it as well.  If I had it to do over I wouldn't get another 41.

I have a new Model 41 that is about 1000 (+/-) rounds old.  We are still getting acquainted with each other. I will say this it has not had one single failure to feed, eject or misfire! I am shooting SK Pistol Match for ammo. i have not put a red dot on it since I bought it for the specific purpose of shooting EIC matches.  When I call it an X it is at worst a 10.  When I go ah shit it is still usually on the repair center.

Had similar issues with a new Performance Center 41. got rid of it.

I have a 7" 1991 production model (was my back up until a month ago), a 7" 1996 production model with irons, and most recently a Clark 1979 production model 5" with a dot.  None are PC models.  Had some initial issues with the 1996 model with FTF, removing mag disconnect solved that.  The Clark needed a new extractor spring and now all run reliably.  Do I need to say I'm a fan of the Model 41?       All of mine have been purchased "pre-owned".
Like many manufacturers I suspect the gunsmithing experts have largely retired and younger crews just aren't as good.

Aw man, I have so many snarky comments on this, but I can't throw shade at you after you literally dragged me out of the shade to shoot a revolver match.

(Seriously. I was sitting in the shade. And I was comfortable. You made me go stand out in the sun and shoot revolver and contribute nothing to non-Distinguished shooters, but maybe incrementally to Bullseye as a whole.)

No experience with new 41s.

Trying to remember where mine came from. Maybe the watch/clock guy my Dad and Uncle knew. Or the guy who had the fastener supply house up 101 ... Bay City Screw and Bolt ...

Being now in TX, I'm not too worried about whatever the CA  P2P transfer rules were back in the 70's.

Needs work too ... don't Y'all go loadin' up the experts on these before I get around to it ...

john bickar wrote:Aw man, I have so many snarky comments on this, but I can't throw shade at you after you literally dragged me out of the shade to shoot a revolver match.

(Seriously. I was sitting in the shade. And I was comfortable. You made me go stand out in the sun and shoot revolver and contribute nothing to non-Distinguished shooters, but maybe incrementally to Bullseye as a whole.)

No experience with new 41s.

Don’t give me that garbage! you enjoyed it!

So thank you everyone for your input. I have an older one. It shoots quite well. But I had been giving thought recently to a newer one because I saw one at a really good price. But I think from what I’m hearing I’ll stay away from them. Thank you all for your input.

I got a new Model 41 a few months ago.
Out of the box, it would not pick up a 2# weight.
I sent it to Alex Hamilton and he needed to replace the sear. On a brand new gun! I also had him put a Hammerli barrel in it, so not a wasted trip.