This ... very sad.



"For over six decades, the Smith & Wesson Model 41 has stood as a pinnacle of precision, craftsmanship, and performance in the world of target shooting. Since its debut in 1957, this iconic .22 LR semi-automatic pistol has been the gold standard for competitive shooters, collectors, and enthusiasts who demand nothing less than perfection.

But time is running out—this legendary firearm is nearing the end of its storied production run."


https://attackcopter.com/2025/...l-41-rimfire-pistol/

Agreed. That is sad. Honestly I'm surprised it stayed in production this long, though...that type of pistol just isn't the norm in today's market.

Hey, it's OK, they are bringing out the 22X pistol and FPC carbine to make up for it.

I've been meaning to lay in a supply of spare parts and source a threaded Clark barrel for mine. I guess I better get after it.

Along with my Colt Match Target 6", I've owned 3 Model 41s with various target sighted barrels, a Ruger Government Target, various High Standard target autos including, my multi target barreled Olympic .22 Short and, one which was a serious heart breaker to let go, shame on me, my pristine S&W Model 46 7" gun.

First, I must mention that I am not a bullseye pistol competitor, never have been, and never will be.

A friend and I formerly did a lot of USPSA competitions together.
He's a different type of person. When he did a hobby, it was ALL in at 300%.

When he moved on from USPSA shooting, it was bicycle riding. Mountain bikes, road racing bikes, downhill racing bikes, sprint bikes.
Expensive machined aluminum components, carbon fiber bicycle frames, you can see where this is going. Everything was the best that money could buy.

It was fishing before USPSA competitions, and Civil War reenactments and mountain howitzers after the bicycle riding.

He had a bunch of firearms and ammunition he sold for funding high end bicycles and bicycle parts.

I bought a pile of his stuff, including a Model 41 for maybe 30 cents on the dollar. I paid him exactly what he asked for with everything I bought.
After shooting it some, I took it to a local bullseye pistol gunsmith.
With expensive rimfire bullseye ammunition it was reasonably reliable.
With regular rimfire ammunition, two or three out of ten did not go bang.

The gunsmith replaced the mainspring, firing pin, with brand new factory parts and checked it out top to bottom.
It was no better after the gunsmith visit as far as reliability with general purpose rimfire ammunition.

While the Model 41 may actually be a outstanding bullseye competition pistol, there are many other choices for a general purpose .22 semi-automatic pistol that are better.
I traded that Model 41 away, and replaced it with a Ruger MK II 6 7/8" slab sided bull barrel model. The Government Target Model.
I still have the Ruger, and it's at least 99% or better reliability with ANY .22 LR ammunition.
Would the Model 41 outshoot the Ruger? Yes, it probably would. Let the Model 41 go to the dustbin of history.

I don't know what's wrong with that particular gun. I have a bunch of these. I live in Maine and I loved the Maine made ones, and added a few others over the years. Using ammunition reasonable for the gun (std. velocity, not hyper bs crap) I have no issues of reliability. ITs on par with my ruger mark and SW victory. And neither of those has any character.

quote:

Originally posted by cee_Kamp:



I bought a pile of his stuff, including a Model 41

It was no better after the gunsmith visit as far as reliability with general purpose rimfire ammunition.

N = 1.


In your estimation, how many total .22LR rounds had been fired through your sample?

It was about ten years old and showed very limited usage. Damn near new visually.
That's why I bought it. It certainly wasn't worn out or abused.

No biggie, I didn't lose any money buying it and then trading it away.
If S&W had sold a easily installed kit with a larger mass hammer, and a stronger mainspring making it suitable for general purposes instead of bullseye shooting,
I would have kept it.

Bullseye shooting allows alibi's.
For me, with my single example of a Model 41, going bang was more important than beautiful bluing and exquisite machining.

I wonder if it would've run right had you sent it back to Smith & Wesson. No telling what fiddling your buddy did with it before he sold it to you or whether your gunsmith knew what he was doing. Regardless, mine has been great with decent ammo. Their reputation as the match pistol to beat was earned, not a fluke. Right now, the .22 to buy is a damned Taurus because they're cheap and you can drop an FRT in it, then just buy another one for a couple hundred bucks after it beats itself to death. That customer isn't going to pay over a grand for a .22 match pistol with high polish bluing.

Sad day- but not unexpected. In my area most .22lr sold is HV, like MiniMag or Thunderbolt. SV ammo is uncommon on the shelves.

At the range people don't seem to want to do the work to get dime-sized 10 round groups at 10 yards [or greater]. They want to hear the 5" metal target that is 15 yards away'ping' when they hit it.

Precision .22 just don't seem to be popular around here.

I like the S&W Model 41, but I went with the High Standard Trophy model [106, with red dot].

Same disadvantage- needs SV, but it was half the price [when I bought it] and I doubt it is statistically less accurate than the average Model 41 [especially in my hands].


I find myself shooting .22lr handguns that feed everything a lot more often than those that require only SV ammo.

I bought my 41 5.5" 15-20 years ago. I have a spare barrel with an Ultradot on it. With the dot I can shoot 1/2" groups at 25 yards with CCI Standard Velocity. Rested of course, I'm not that good offhand. CCI Green Tag is no better than the SV.

I would never shoot HV rounds in it. I just wish someone would make slimmer grips for it. Everything out there is kind of big.

I would like a barrel with an integrated rail - like a Clark - so I need to do that soon.

Doesn't do me any good, the 41 is not on the friggin' CA DOJ roster.

There is a knack to get the 41 to run 99.99%
I learned from my father and in turn taught my son.

I’ve never had any reliability issues with mine.
Make sure it’s clean, load mags slowly, rap them to seat rims, rem oil each top round of the magazine and keep the bearing Surfaces lightly oiled between matches.

I know of people who have problems and don’t want to accept, the 41 likes to run wet.

Some do have peculiar issues with the breech face being slightly off center…I run both factory 7” barrel and custom barrel5”

If I were to move from my 41, I’d get a Pardini.

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
Doesn't do me any good, the 41 is not on the friggin' CA DOJ roster.

Of course not. Would not want you to have one of those deadly 22 Long Rifle assault pistols with their oversized 10-round clip magazines. The heart quails at the thought.

quote:

Originally posted by BillyBonesNY:
the 41 likes to run wet

That is good to know. It’s been a while since I last shot mine, and although I didn’t have any problems then, I recall issues in the distant past.

I have a S&W 41 from the 70's that I inherited from my uncle.

It's been completely reliable and very accurate over thousands of rounds without me doing anything other than the occasional cleaning.
I don't know if he did anything when he bought it, but I have not.

It's my favorite .22 pistol, and I pretty much have most of them.

It's sad to see it discontinued.