I have an opportunity to add a Smith and Wesson Model 41 to the collection. It looks like an early Model 41. It's in excellent condition.

It has one factory magazine included. The magazine does not drop free when the magazine release button is pressed. Is this normal? It drops about a half inch then you need to manually remove it? Is there a magazine safety similar to a Browning Hi-Power that prevents the mag from fully dropping?

No disconnect safety on a Model 41. You need a extra mag or 3 to evaluate if its just the one you have. The 41 is generally quite reliable so the issue is minor.

Not at all uncommon or indicative of a problem. I have or previously owned multiple 41’s and they would do that. Drop free for a 22 target pistol would not be at all important.

As a target pistol, it is better if the mags do not fully eject.

Buy the S&W 41.

Buy SEVERAL extra magazines.

You'll be glad you did, Trust me on this. ;-)

When you get your 41, remove its barrel, recoil spring and guide rod. Look in the magazine well for any obstructions like caked up powder residue. See if any part of its mag catch protrudes into the magazine well when you press the mag release. Are there any rub marks on the magazine tube ? Burrs anywhere at all ? Ive never experienced the problem with 3 Model 41s and a 46. If the magazine feeds good it is still a good magazine. I made these .22 magazines many years back and rarely were any out of spec.

Strange, david, captain; sample of one, but MY M41 does have a magazine disconnector but that does not prevent the magazines from dropping free

Thank you Jim, they do indeed have the safety. I am getting to be a old dog. There us loads of information on line of it. I dont feel it is causing the OPs magazine release/ drop issue.

Amazing pistol, most accurate I ever fired- with the right ammo. Mine was an early model with the cocking indicator on the back of the slide.

I have never really paid attention to the M41 mag release as I don't use them for any gaming/speed events so I don't care. But oddly enough I happen to be sitting within reach of a good selection of M41's. So people don't think I sleep with them I bought a new optic one and was comparing it to my older ones. In any case they all drop free no issues (unloaded mag). Sample size of 4. But even if they didn't I would not care in this type of gun.

Just checked my 41. My 10 round mags drop free, the 12 round ones do not.

That's odd. I thought the only difference was in the follower? which you would think wouldn't matter for this. In any case I'll go find a selection of magazines and see if I can see some pattern.

Not meaning to hijack this thread, but I wonder if the newly manufactured 41's have the same level of quality as the older ones, such as the one the OP's talking about.

You know the 41 mag release is adjustable if the mag hangs up on it inside.

My Model 41 mags don't drop free either. In fact, due to the large Herrett heel rest grips I have on it, I actually have to reach a finger up inside the grip to pry the magazine out. Because this is strictly a bullseye pistol for me, this is not an issue.

quote:

Originally posted by toivo:
My Model 41 mags don't drop free either. In fact, due to the large Herrett heel rest grips I have on it, I actually have to reach a finger up inside the grip to pry the magazine out. Because this is strictly a bullseye pistol for me, this is not an issue.

Same for me, but with the factory target grips. I don't mind, the mags are too expensive to risk letting them accidentally hit the ground. Speedy mag changes are simply not on my radar with this gun. It's all about slow and focus.

Mine behaves exactly as the OP describes, and mine is an older one as well. In fact, I need to look up when it was made, as I have no idea. But it has the cocking indicator and very deeply blued finish. The slide lock lever, which is highly polished and has a rich, deep blue, broke neatly the the juncture some years back and the factory replacement I got for it looks rough in comparison. I kept the original with the idea of having it spot-welded and repaired but never followed up on it. There's definitely been some changes in the level of TLC they gave these pistols over the years if this is any indicator.