I recently purchased a 1982 S&W Model 41 from the consignment case of my LGS. Being an estate piece, it came in missing the original box, instruction manual and magazine(s). I was able to locate a couple of period correct S&W factory mags though I soon discovered on each of them the follower buttons have two different sized knurled ends. (Of course the were reversed between the two mags.) Since the buttons apparently install in either direction, my hunch is they are reversible to accommodate left or right handed shooters. What I don't understand however is why S&W engineers developed the follower button with two different sized ends. Does anyone know if they are truly reversible of if there is a correct orientation? Thanks for looking.

I don't have an answer why there are two different sized ends.
All 15 of my magazines have the large end on the right side of the magazine like the right hand magazine in your picture.
Be aware if you live in a 10 round magazine ban state that there are 12 round magazines out there, they have orange followers.
Also earlier magazines have metal followers later magazines have plastic followers of a few varieties. The metal follower magazines being desirable among collectors.
Instruction manuals are available to download from may sources online.
Enjoy your new pistol!

I can't help with the magazines hjs but it looks to be in excellent condition, congratulations!

quote:

Originally posted by McGregor:
All 15 of my magazines have the large end on the right side of the magazine like the right hand magazine in your picture.

Thanks McGregor! Intuitively, the large end/right side orientation makes the most sense for right handed shooters.

quote:

Also earlier magazines have metal followers later magazines have plastic followers of a few varieties.

From what I've gathered, the metal followers were phased out ~1985. I was fortunate enough to locate two (2) metal follower factory mags, both period correct for my ~1982 pistol. Thanks again for your response.

That's a darn good looking 41!

No idea which way is right, I am too lazy to go open up the safe and check right now, but just in case you don't know mags for the Model 41 and the 422/622 series are generally interchangeable. I have 10 mags to go with my single 41 and 3 422s. 9 of them work in all of them, 1 only works in the 422s.

You probably already know this but somebody else reading this might not.

One end button has to be smaller to be removable. I've had a bull barrel 41 for about 50 years. I have over the years purchased both 10 and 12 round magazines.

Sorry I can’t help with the mag question but congrats on the SW41! It’s what my dad taught me to shoot with. If you get the mags figured out and that gun is in as good of condition as it appears, you got yourself a real nice target pistol.

quote:

Originally posted by Texas Bob C.:
One end button has to be smaller to be removable.

It makes perfect sense now. While the follower button may be inserted in either direction, the smaller end must always be inserted first. Of course I was overthinking it, assuming the button design related somehow to the the operation of the pistol rather than a simple magazine assembly feature. Thanks for the clarification.