I'm not sure about "issues"...Mine is a first year production (1958)...never had a misfire or failure to eject, etc..shoots like a rife...however the 7 3/8" barrel with comp. is a bit much for off hand shooting..also, I haven't shot it in over 15 years but still like to pick it up and remember how well it shoots.. Shrps74

 

Thanks, if I find one it’ll get use. Reading the thread of are they worth the cost it doesn’t seem quite cut and dried. One waiting almost a year for repair others talking of getting a bad copy. Hence my asking if some years had better odds than others.

 

Mine was made in 1970. Beautiful quality and shoots like a dream. Spend the extra $ and buy a well-cared-for older one. Just my two cents.

 

Thank you. So that would be A or pre A

 

I have a 5.5 from the 70's. It is very reliable. I like to shoot it more than any 22lr pistol I have.

 

I had a 41 that was made in 58 also. The quality of the machining and the polish and bluing was something to behold. It was the heavy barrel model 5.5" ? I sold it to my brother-in law many years ago and wish that I didn't.

 

What I’m gathering here and read in a couple other posts. The earlier the better the odds of no issues. 1970 and earlier

 

My 1978 vintage is the most accurate rimfire pistol I own. Bad ones from any vintage are far and few in between.

 

Most of what I’m currently finding are from 80’s and 90 s.

 

I'm looking to buy a complete pistol or a 7" barrel that is factory drilled and tapped for an optics mounting base. When did S&W begin doing this? Many thanks, Ed

 

To be envied are those who show their collection of '41s.

One collector's number more like akin to those who
collect Randall knives. 😄

Rare are the '41s that are also threaded for those
with Stamps.

For example there is a YouTube that attests to the versatility
of 'our' 41s " Suppressed Shooting Demo: Smith & Wesson Model 41 POV "

 

I could be wrong, but I think they started drilling and tapping them in 1994.

 

WalnutBill22,

I think you are correct about the drilling and tapping process. This was in the sticky section: https://www.rimfirecentral.com/threads/model-41-dates-of-mfg.534411/.

 

I have a Model 41 from the early 70's came with the 7.375 inch barrel and it shoots well. I bought a second hand 5 inch field barrel and it also shoots well as well as a 5.5 inch late model heavy barrel that I got from Midway and it shoots well. I know some people have trouble with their model 41's but mine is a really nice pistol.