S&W Model 41 Care & Takedown ~ Resolving Issues, too!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- In 1957, the S&W Model 41 challenged the bullseye pistol world and within a few years rose to the top, overtaking all contenders that have long since vanished from the market. It stands alone as a distinguished, accurate, superbly engineered, and painstakingly crafted shooting instrument without peer. I'll show you how to easily take down and care for this beautiful pistol that can only be truly understood behind the trigger!
I have wanted one of these for 40 years. Life has always kept me from getting one. I had plans to get one today at the local gun show. I saw your video this morning before I went. I came home with one I am overjoyed!
22 ammo leaves only waxy or oily lubricant in the bore, which never requires a brush. The 41 has an exceptionally smooth barrel that should not be scrubbed.
Thank you GunBlue. Always a joy to share time with you.
That is vey interesting thanks for the wonderful advice.
These are gorgeous firearms. Everyone I know who actually owns one, is in love with it. Mine is an amazing shooter, and the trigger is, as you say, to die for. Thanks for another great video.
I have 2 model 41's. A five inch bull barrel and one like you're displaying that the Smith and Wesson Historian told me that according to the serial number that it was built in the late 50's. It is quite the treasure and is still a tack driver.
Do you happen to have a modern one? I wonder what the quality is modern vs. older ones.
My S&W model 41 performance center, I bought new for over 10 years ago, it was pre-ordered so I had to wait a few months until the importer received 3 pieces from the USA. Everything that was said in this video is correct. I have since new installed the Recoil Buffer to reduce parts wear and recoil.
Greetings from Croatia
The finest 22 semi-auto ever made!
I’m delighted to say that after longing for a 41 for a good 20 years and change I finally was able to purchase a 5 1/2” Performance Center variant about 5 years ago now. Everything you have noted about your 41 goes for mine as well, it’s simply an extraordinary bullseye gun, probably better than anything out there save a very few much more expensive offerings from the likes of Hammerli, Pardini, et al. And honesty compels me to admit that my 41 shoots far, far better than I can or ever will. I’m also fortunate enough to have inherited a High Standard H-D Military from my late grandfather, whose own father-in-law passed on down. It too, shoots remarkably well despite being rather fragile after 75-odd years. And I also have a Ruger MkIV 22/45 Lite that is awesome as well. I guess what I should be saying is that everyone, no matter what their shooting interests may be, ought to own a good target oriented .22 rather than the currently more popular service pistol clones, which are perfectly fine, fun and functional as well but simply can’t compare to a purpose-built bullseye gun. Spring is right around the corner, looking forward to more range reports and reviews!
Beautiful piece of history and wonderful craftsmanship!👍🏽😀❤️🇺🇸
That is absolutely beautiful Smith & Wesson. My mother has a beautiful high standard Target pistol.
I got a High Standard Victor from my dad when he passed.
Thank you for this wonderful video! I've owned a Smith & Wesson Model 41 since the early 1990s. I purchased mine new with the 7 inch barrel when I lived in Sitka, Alaska. I used it to shoot NRA indoor .22 rimfire Bullseye competition at the Sitka Sportsman's Association indoor range, which I did for several years until my job required me to move to another part of Alaska. After purchasing the complete gun with the 7 inch barrel, I later purchased a 5.5 inch barrel directly from Smith & Wesson. The new barrel fit perfectly with no fitting. Although the 7 inch barrel gave me a longer sight radius and I prefer it when shooting the gun with both hands, I found the gun with the 5.5 inch barrel balanced better for me with less wobble when shooting the gun one handed in NRA Bullseye competition. I think the S&W Model 41 is the Rolls Royce of .22 autoloading handguns! I don't know if the rules have changed since then, but at the time I bought my Model 41 the minimum trigger pull weight for NRA .22 Bullseye competition was 2 lbs. Mine came from the factory with a trigger pull weight of 2 lbs 1 oz! I shot my Bullseye matches with the 5.5 inch barrel and the factory open sights, although I replaced the factory grips with a set of custom fitted Herrett's stocks. I found CCI standard velocity .22 LR to be the most consistently accurate ammunition, though some lot numbers shot better than others. I couldn't see or hold well enough to justify the cost of CCI Green Tag or Eley ammunition. I have a number of other .22 rimfire handguns, but the S&W Model 41 is something special!
I can honestly say that this is the first gun I fell in "love' with! It was probably in the late 60's. I've never owned one nor have I ever shot one but the lust continues to this day. Thanks for the video.
A while back your "A Look at the Model 41 S&W Target Pistol ~ A Moment with Benny!" convinced me that this would be my future target pistol. I just watched this new video with ‘MY’ 41 on the table in front of me. I send you my sincere thanks for convincing me to choose this beauty. This second video informed and assured me that I could enjoy it, and know I was cleaning and treating it in a proper manner. I've had great pleasure watching all your videos, learning your techniques for accurate shooting, and also your tips on the rifle I grew up on - a Marlin 39A. I've spent a lifetime enjoying the wilderness and my wife and I even spent a time living in the Alaskan bush 40 years ago on Kodiak, so the bolt action rifles and 44mags have been a constant need. We’ve settled down and the big bores are seldom needed, but plinking and target shooting are still favorite pastimes. I don't think I could want a better rimfire combo than the 39A and 41. It appears that you and I are the same age and that I now have a familiar friend to watch and share an afternoon with, so keep posting the great videos. Good luck with the new pup, and thanks again for sharing your wealth of knowledge with us.
When we bought our S&W 41 it came with two barrels, 5 1/2 and a 7 inch . After many years , it's as much of a joy to shoot as the day we bought it. Thanks for another great video. When we got our Lab puppy, feet and socks was his main diet ! God Bless
There is a persistent idea that you should NOT shoot high velocity ammo out of this gun. I have always stuck to standard velocity out of fear of harming it. I really wish S&W would come out with a statement regarding whether or not high velocity shells will or will not harm this gun. But I love this gun. And I love your no-nonsense style of doing a video!
When I first saw that bandade, I thought puppy wounds. LOL. Love the Model 41. I also love my High Standard Victor. I treasure mine because it came from Warren Center.
Thank you from a Model 41 owner. I really do appreciate your vast knowledge of all firearms.
I think this pistol is probably the most elegant of all semi automatic pistols of this configuration.
Excellent video. The 41 is truly a work of art and engineering. I love it.
Thank you!!! My dad just gave me a Model 41 from 1972 with both barrel lengths. The original barrel is the 7 3/8 and has the compensator. It also includes another end piece and weights if I want to remove the compensator. And he gave me the shorter 5.5 inch barrel that he bought at a gunshow years ago. I can switch out barrel lengths. I have the original Smith & Wesson box and paperwork as well. It was an unexpected early birthday gift. I am very blessed to own it. The 41 is my first vintage Smith & Wesson.
Enjoyed the Murphy update as much as the review of the 41. Gotta love dogs
Great designed pistol. 👍
Lovely pistol. I have a 7 3/8" model with the false muzzle and the compensator. A jewel of a pistol.
Such a great gun...my favorite by light years (if that's possible)!
I have early 80's model with the deep rich bluing. I shot maybe 4k rds. in it, mostly Aguila cheep HV ammo, it ran great. Then I started hearing about the HV warnings in the M41 so I quit shooting it. At that time we went into a mass ammo shortage and getting any std. vel. ammo was rare and very expensive. Perhaps I should get it out and enjoy it again as I have plenty of the Aguila HV left. Thanks for the video!
Amazing Pistol. But my fav was the High Standard because how easy barrel interchange.
Way back in 1995, Dad & I chose the (original, Hartford-manufactured) High Standard Victor over the S&W 41 because of the sight rail separate from the slide (unlike the model in the video) and the adjustable trigger pull. Never looked back.
Even my buddy, who shoots multiple 41's loves to shoot my Victor. He convinced me to bring it out and shoot it after being a Safe Queen for nearly 20 years. Per many expert's recommendations, only standard velocity ammunition is fired.
Had a friend gunsmith accurize, thread(Muffle) and skeleton shoulder stock Mi High Std back in the 1970's. Of course an extra barrel, for the range🤣🤣@@COSpacegunner
Yet another superbly informative video! I think your Model 41 is one of the most beautiful pistols I've ever seen. My sole .22 caliber pistol is a Browning Buckmark Camper - a very solid, well made pistol for practical, every-day use in the field. However, the Model 41 is in a whole different league and - to be honest - I have been on the hunt for one exactly like yours and in identical condition off-and-on ever since I saw your first video on this fine pistol. Seeing this follow-up video has certainy renewed my desire to acquire one. Anyway, thank you so much for sharing your many years of knowledge and experience with us. And here's hoping you, your family and Murphy are doing well. God bless!
My favorite semi auto target pistol. Great video as always.
Hello from Kiwi land. First, I have really appreciated the no bull, learned, technically skilled and precise way in which you present and share your knowledge and enthusiasm about firearms.
I also enjoy your digressions about your life and furry friends. We are not that far apart in age I suspect.
Your videos on the S&W model 41 have been great and reflect the way I have always felt about my 41 which I bought in the early 80s second hand but in mint condition. It remains so.
Recently, since retirement, I decided to get back into pistol shooting. I could not recall whether my 41 had a safety (which is now required for action pistol) and had to check. I don’t recall ever using it when shooting paper.
Your 41 strip and clean video could not have come to my attention at a better time! I can’t wait to get out on the range and let that pistol challenge my aging ability to shoot it accurately.
Thank you and keep up your great work.
Thank you for sharing. Such a wonderful pistol. Thats on my retirement bucket list
I bought a 7" model 41 several years ago in mint condition on Gunbroker (not cheap). It came with everything, box, paperwork, the whole nine yards. It shoots like a dream and like you said, if you miss, it's not the gun's fault. However, in the paperwork, it mentioned that the action may fail to cycle with projectile weights lower than 40 grains. With that said, I've never tried to shoot any of the light weight .22's, so, I guess some may or may not work. It is without a doubt, one of the most beautiful and well made handguns ever produced.
I love all of your videos and my belated condolences about Benny.
Rich
It does jam on certain .22. Happened to me in competition sponsor gave us cheap ammo.
That's a beauty. Thanks!
I have had a Ruger Mark II Government Target that I bought in the mid 80's, and that is a nice shooter, and quite accurate. I have never run across one of these S&W Model 41's before. May keep an eye out for one. Yeah, we normally have feet of snow in my area by now, but we have had maybe 2 inches so far this season, and it has been above freezing when it is normally below zero for highs. So my pups have been missing the snow to play in.
Had 2 of them until I got married. Now she's gone and the 41's are gone. Finest pistols imaginable, like oiled glass. Dang.
World class advice. Ordered one just now. Impact guns. Simply the best customer service and great value.
Fantastic pistol 👍
Excellent review and guidance for a great pistol!
Beautiful presentation, thx.
Thank you for the informative video.
Ive heard that CCI Green Tag ammo runs the best in these guns.
I took your wonderful advice and eventually Located a nice long version like yours made in 1970 and it came with the Big target style grip not the original ones so i ordered a nice set from Hougue that I had to fit to get the safety to cooperate but now look sharp.I even took your advice in the first video and picked up a Holster for the Ruger but fits the Model 41 perfectly! Thank You Sir
I wanted one of these for 3 hours. Started looking at Mark 4 seen this video and bought a 41 Performance. Was look looking for a 7 inch barrel and bid on a 1969 for $945. Was the only bidder and won. Neither have been delivered but for $2800 I got 2. 1 new and one old original.
Very nice review, thanks for sharing
Awesome design.
I just looked at one of these in my local gun shop very nice gun it was brand new and it looked like it had been handled a lot because there was a lot of finger prints on the blued surface from the oil on it. Very beautiful gun though.
Hope your tasks are light this winter.
Funny how much videographer work is included in each video, on other channels it's the first hire.
I also have the 7”. Thanks for the video.
Great video as usual. Murphy is a beautiful puppy. Good luck with him. I shot many Bullseye matches years ago using my late 1960s High Standard. There were several competitors that used the model 41. Periodically the 41 would shoot keyholes in the target. I was told by a competitor that used a 41 that if you don't hold the pistol firm enough they can be prone to keyhole. He was also a gunsmith. Has that ever happened to you?
Keyholing occurs when a bullet lacks sufficient RPM to stabilize it, either because the bullet is too long, or it's velocity is too low for the twist to impart the necessary spin. Model 41 certainly has the correct rifling twist, and all 22 ammo have bullets of correct length. It's not uncommon for 22 ammo to get stale and have duds or weak velocity, which would certainly cause instability. A weak grip can cause failures of the slide to cycle in heavy recoiling pistols, but would absolutely not affect bullet stability. Gunsmithing doesn't require knowledge of ballistics! 😅
@@GunBlue490 thank you for taking the time to reply.
I have a model 41 I purchased in the late 60's. The gun is ammunition sensitive as you point out. The other issues I have with it is that the trigger guard assembly is hard to pull down. The second issue is that if the trigger has been pulled and the firing pin is down, Godzilla himself cannot push the slide back to the locked back position which you easily do with it sitting on your lap in the video. I keep a wooden dowel with me to push it back with. If you have any suggestions besides oiling, they would be appreciated. This is a known problem with these BTW.
I've seen some video on questionable poorly fitted parts from the Colt custom shop it was a 1911 military spec in 45 acp brown coated covering, the fit barrel bushing to the barrel was slacker than it should have been, it must of affected the accuracy of this high-end pistol, the fit slide to frame rattled without a bullet being discharged down the range, thumb safety didn't feel positive, they talked about the flange magazine well, had at the bottom a gap you could pass a sheet of paper through, it cost over 2200 dollars and came directly from the Colt custom shop.
This video is on You-tube makes a legitimate argument for not now buying a colt 1911, what on earth is going on?
I understand Colt has changed hands, no one can sell on their reputation alone, standards and quality control seems to be wanting for another phrase that comes to mind. Colt at one time meant to the most part excellence and reliability built into these fine guns, USA stood for something then, I sure loved to shoot my "Gold Cup" and it was extremely accurate and well made with tight fit tolerances, how does these things happen, Colt was a giant in the industry, hmm sad.
As a young man in the early 80's I bought my first 1911 Gold Cup the build quality was excellent, tight Bushing to barrel fit, tight slide to frame fit, positive click as you thumb hit down the thumb safety, there are several video's on poorly fitted pistols and revolvers, the Colt Anaconda 44 magnum had a review his revolver he took the stock grips off to see the inside workings, there was chunks not grinded down but it looked like it had been chiseled down, hmm the video camera picked it up in great detail, what a untidy mess under the stock grips, then he tried to put the grips back on it, he was going on about the grips being difficult to align them due to poor engineering.
I had a few good years in the Tyne Valley Gun Club as vice chairman all that meant really was life membership, 40 odd years ago yes it was fun and I shot a lot of ball 230 grain down range, yet the slide remained reasonably tight after 2000 rounds, can you tell me what's happening to their brand, have they no pride in their workmanship.
Colt1911 warmest regards, the sport of shooting in competitions alas got canned in the UK I just watch others shoot on You-Tube these days since they reformed the part one firearm license many years ago.
I'm badly disabled so I have to get others to type messages, but I wondered what Colt is doing.
@ColtDee
Beautiful firearm
Aunque no entienda nada de lo que dice la pistola ME ENCANTA POR SU TERMINACIONY SU LINEA y el calibre por supuesto. Lástima Grande que se dejó de fabricar el porque no lo sé. Quien no quisiera tener una joyita como esta? Envidio a los poseedores de esta hermosisima pistola.(pero ojo es una buena envidia estamos?)❤❤❤❤
I get frequent stovepiping and also retained cartridge in chamber after firing. Oiling and also various ammos hasnt helped
I have 2 U.S. Air force issued versions...the Model 46.
I also have one of these...are all 46s Air force? I hope so , it would make it more special for me. All I know is they where made for a few years.
@stevejohnson2998 no not all were. The USAF guns will typically be hand stamped "AFPG" on the right rear grip frame just above the grip.
@subterfusion4005 thank you for the info. I guess I have a regular one
@stevejohnson2998 just a lucky purchase on my part. Didn't learn about the USAF guns till later. Not sure how many were aquired by the USAF. Any Model 46 is a treasure imho.
Thanks you for another great video. I have been using one every time I clean the 41 chamber/barrel since I got it months ago. I will of course follow your advice and stop. Are there any circumstances or intervals when it is okay to use a brass bore brush when cleaning the 41?
The best to your wife and Murphy.
Vivat Jesus!
Vivat Jesus! This goes for all 22 rimfires, with the exception of the 22 WMR: The ammo is lubricated and imparts a protective film on the bore. The best treatment is a simple swab of gun solvent followed by a swab with light mineral oil. Avoid using a brush in the magnificent shiny bore of a Model 41.
Do you have a video showing firing pin take down and cleaning
I was sold but the gun is too heavy for me so I decided to stay with my 622. Fun, accurate and light enough to shoot hundreds of rounds. I shot the 41 in a competition. I think if I had the 622 probably would have shot same or better. 41 is a nice gun but too heavy.
👍Outstanding
Great video! Do you know of a source for custom grips for the S&W mid 41? I absolutely love mine but the grips do not fit my hand very well.
It's literally the most accurate handgun Ive ever shot or even seen shot but I'd be even more consistent with it if I had some better fitting target grips.
Herrett specializes in stocks for the Model 41. They will make them custom for your hand, just as they did for my dad's 60 years ago!
www.herrettstocks.com
Question?? Maybe you can help?? I have a Ruger Mark IV target pistol and I have a very small amount of vertical play between the barrel and the lower frame relationship. I know the sights are mounted to the barrel but do you think this slight play would adversely affect accuracy in precision shooting? Thanks and God bless!!
Would you like to try one of my slide rackers for the Model 41?
I have wanted the 7in barrel for mine but loss the chance.
Gunblu rem 40x .22 or 513T. .22. Which should I buy
Can an extra barrel be used such as a 7" barrel on a 5.5" gun without any "fitting" by the factory or a gunsmith?
S&W designed them as a direct replacement. Also, because they have their own sights, they remain sighted in. Swap back and forth in seconds.
👍👍
Great information on this marvelous piece by Smith. I've had my heart set on one for years because of an old used Smith pellet gun I found in a pawnshop. When I found out the model 78 & 79 were for training with the model 41 I loved it. One question is what would be the "good" years if any to find this model?
All years were good.
@GunBlue490 thank you! I have seemed to find manufacturers go cheaper as the years go on. I have a few m&p's that are awesome and Smith seems to get better with most of their products.
I'm starting to affect a New Hampshah accent. 😀
You can't go wrong!