Evolution of the Smith 41

Rather than sidetrack and dilute the discussion on new 41, there’s merit in discussing the generations of the product.

The current models are parts guns, that look like a target gun. End of thread. The standards of Springfield Mass facility production no longer apply.

There are the previous ones that have a black oxide finish with MIM internal parts ; no comment on their performance but at least they were Spngfld mass made, I think. MIM internal parts.

Next back are the 1990s versions with sn like TBC123. No MIM parts and they ran well for me; made Master scores.

Next back are 1980s Bangor Puntas. Yes cost reduced but good guns. No MIM.

1960-1970 with cocking indicators…top quality but the chamber may be tight for current ammunition standards. 

Your thoughts?

Clarifying S&W Springfield Mass vs Holton Maine made

Springfield Mass , not the other Springfield. BTW Springfield Armory the historic version since 1791 was also in Springfield Mass

A comprehensive old post on versions of the Model 41, from Rimfire Central.

https://www.rimfirecentral.com/threads/smith-wesson-model-41-information.534368/

Well, I might be a bit biased against model 41 (even though I'm a huge fan of S&W 2nd and 3rd gen semi-autos) but I hear complaints and calls for help from model 41 owners all the time. And at every big competition I see a lot of alibis from 41 shooters. As a gunsmith, I absolutely hate to work on model 41, in my personal opinion it is way over engineered, has a lot of small weird parts, somewhat difficult to detail strip and reassemble, and in general there are much better gun designs out there. 
Again, this is all just my personal opinion and we all know what Dirty Harry said about opinions