I recently bought this Smith and Wesson Model 41 .22 LR from a LGS. The gun turned out to be a surprising find. It was just tagged as a Model 41 and being a consignment gun from an estate, the LGS knew little about it. The price was right, it has a great muzzle compensator and, of course, what‘s not to like about a .22. After buying it, I discovered it was made in 1957, the first year. First production run serial numbers began at 3001 and ended at 4999, this gun being 3369. In the first year, by December 1957 they reached numbers in the 3900 serial range. Of note, it took a bit of research to ferret out this information. One thing to keep in mind, Smith and Wesson automatics used the same serial numbers no matter what the model of automatic pistol it was and did not use a specific block of numbers. Jinks says only 679 guns were produced in 1957. That would mean (follow me here) that the serial number may not reflect the production number and though this gun would be number 369 for the year, it is likely production wise, not the 369th Model 41. While it cannot be higher in the production order, if serial numbers were used leading up to serial 369 for other models, it could be closer to the first production Model 41.
![Image]()
![Image]()
GRI
An Old Smith & Wesson Model 41
1 reading
I recently bought this Smith and Wesson Model 41 .22 LR from a LGS. The gun turned out to be a surprising find. It was just tagged as a Model 41 and being a consignment gun from an estate, the LGS knew little about it. The price was right, it has a great muzzle compensator and, of course, what‘s not to like about a .22. After buying it, I discovered it was made in 1957, the first year. First production run serial numbers began at 3001 and ended at 4999, this gun being 3369. In the first year, by December 1957 they reached numbers in the 3900 serial range. Of note, it took a bit of research to ferret out this information. One thing to keep in mind, Smith and Wesson automatics used the same serial numbers no matter what the model of automatic pistol it was and did not use a specific block of numbers. Jinks says only 679 guns were produced in 1957. That would mean (follow me here) that the serial number may not reflect the production number and though this gun would be number 369 for the year, it is likely production wise, not the 369th Model 41. While it cannot be higher in the production order, if serial numbers were used leading up to serial 369 for other models, it could be closer to the first production Model 41.
![Image]()
![Image]()
I know the slide locks I have seen were not factory installed. I think work done by same guy doing the cutting and threading. I was referring to slide lock as a part from S&W. I have never paid much attention to ones I’ve seen, due to my lack of interest in suppressors. It is amazing how little pressure is required to hold slide. I have seen some nice old 22 pistols with severe cases of Bubba suppressor and slide lock work. A few years ago I got an old Colt Woodsman that was drilled full of 1/8” holes, Bubba attempt at suppressing?
Bought mine in 1986 at Ace Hardware for the almost marriage ending price of $340..it's the heavy barrel 5in.. back in the day were I think I down paid $200,got it in a week.. and then they let me pay the balance what I could when I could.. some of you older folks might remember an miss those times.. I got to be a fine shot with that pistol, the fit an finish was truly top shelf.. I once won money from 3 buddies for hitting four 9volt batteries at a measured 40yrds.. the front post covered the target.. I believe it would always shoot better than I could make it.. It's now in Alaska with my only son whos wanted it from childhood... Now my grandson getting to handgun age and the 41 is exactly in the right place.. Truly one of the best firearms I've ever owned..
Question.. do all the 41s through all years breakdown by the front trigger guard pull down?
Question.. do all the 41s through all years breakdown by the front trigger guard pull down?
Browning Boy: Welcome to the Forum. Great Story. I will try the 9V battery at 20 yards, then 25yds.... from a bench rest.
I have a beautiful, cased Browing Medalist and the shorter Target model without the fore-stock. I consider them to be about the prettiest/most handsome pistols ever made.
I have a beautiful, cased Browing Medalist and the shorter Target model without the fore-stock. I consider them to be about the prettiest/most handsome pistols ever made.
I have several m41s also a few Hi-STDs and couple Brownings. I gravitated toward Hi-STD in my early days. Only because of Holsterbility. I had all the American made Target Pistols as a young teenager.
The 41 was a 5.5” HB and I really didn’t like the weight and balance of it. The Colt Woodsman Match was a lemon for accuracy and turned me against new ones. The Medalist was a tack driver but weren’t
no kind of Hill Billy holster pistol. We used 22 pistols to hunt small game. That left Hi-STDs , they worked well for range and field use. Got up in early 70s returning from military I got in the Pre 64
Winchester model 70 fan club and ended up trading off all the 22 target pistols. Got into Bear & moose and didn’t need target pistols.
Over last 10 yrs back into target pistols heavy. First 41 I bought was old 73/8 with brake. I love it. I have 7”, 5.5”HB and 5” sport models. I don’t believe in extra barrels, makes more sense just to have another gun. Especially if you need to sell. I just recently bought an old model 41 just to get the lower. The 7” barrel has been cut and threaded for suppressor. That gun know has stock 7” barrel and threaded job is in the trade pile. On other side of coin I bought new model pistol that was sporting a 73/8” capped barrel. It will find a home on an old model lower when I find one and new model lower will get a new model barrel when I come across a deal.
Also dealing in M41s you should study up on clips & grips ( magazines & stocks for those in Rio Linda)
The old model magazines and grips are more desirable than new ones.
![Image]()
The 41 was a 5.5” HB and I really didn’t like the weight and balance of it. The Colt Woodsman Match was a lemon for accuracy and turned me against new ones. The Medalist was a tack driver but weren’t
no kind of Hill Billy holster pistol. We used 22 pistols to hunt small game. That left Hi-STDs , they worked well for range and field use. Got up in early 70s returning from military I got in the Pre 64
Winchester model 70 fan club and ended up trading off all the 22 target pistols. Got into Bear & moose and didn’t need target pistols.
Over last 10 yrs back into target pistols heavy. First 41 I bought was old 73/8 with brake. I love it. I have 7”, 5.5”HB and 5” sport models. I don’t believe in extra barrels, makes more sense just to have another gun. Especially if you need to sell. I just recently bought an old model 41 just to get the lower. The 7” barrel has been cut and threaded for suppressor. That gun know has stock 7” barrel and threaded job is in the trade pile. On other side of coin I bought new model pistol that was sporting a 73/8” capped barrel. It will find a home on an old model lower when I find one and new model lower will get a new model barrel when I come across a deal.
Also dealing in M41s you should study up on clips & grips ( magazines & stocks for those in Rio Linda)
The old model magazines and grips are more desirable than new ones.
You are right. I don’t want one. Recently guy had one that was D&T for optics. He had the sight, at least Bubba didn’t drill through it. Anyway he journeyed nigh on to 35 miles because some gun shop loafer told him I would buy it in a heart beat. If he had wanted $200 for it I would have bought for the trade pile. He was going to give me the bargain price of $550. Needless to say he left with his barrel.
He was a little hot when he left. I’m really not a collector just hoarder. I only accumulate guns I like unless a down right steal. Then just for trade pile.
He was a little hot when he left. I’m really not a collector just hoarder. I only accumulate guns I like unless a down right steal. Then just for trade pile.
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
