The cocking indicator is actually a nice item for collectors. I don't see a need for it, but some people think that the older 41s with the indicator are better.

 

A lot of bullseye gun tuners would remove the cocked indicator during a trigger job. Also defeat the mag safety. Mine was tuned at Ft Benning and had no indicator piece. I redid the mag safety. I did obtain an indicator piece just for the heck of it. But it is not installed back in.

 

Given that a new S&W 41 has an MSRP of $1100, the gun is a good deal iof it's in nice shape. It's a much better pistol than the Buckmark IMHO.

You can always change the bbl on the 41 too.

 

I am very surprised that the cock indicator was on the older guns.

I assumed this was a modern lawyer induced liability feature added.

How very strange the newer models would have fewer features ! !

I am understanding this correctly arent I ?

 

41, no question

I was in a similar quandary not long ago, and posted a similar question about which gun to buy--though in my case the Buckmark I was considering was the more expensive Pro Target. I bought the Smith based in part on the good advice I got from forum members here who are a lot more knowledgeable and experienced than I will ever be about handguns and about the 41 in particular.

I certainly have not regretted buying the 41, and I'm positive you will be very happy making an investment in a top-quality target pistol yourself, especially at that price! You won't be losing money if you buy the 41 in the condition you describe. If you decide later you don't like the gun, you can easily sell it, probably at a small profit. Besides, a new Buckmark will always be waiting for you, but a deal on a premium used target pistol is a rare thing.

Here's the title of the thread that my question prompted:

Which gun? S&W 41 (used) or Buckmark Target (new)? (Multi-page thread 1 2)

 

Recall the guy in a recent post in discussing alternate guns in this forum
where he could not sell his mint 5.5"mod 41 for $500 dollars.

That is why I worry. I believe the 7" guns to be selling for at least
two hundred more.

And the MSRP price is totally irrevelant on these guns. I see they
are selling new all over about 885 to 890 dollars.
That does not translate directly into used values for the low
demand models. ie 5 inch barrels

I really dont consider the 5.5 incher to really be a target gun, just
a hi quality accurate plinker. I would for grins like to know what the
cost would be to obtain a 7 inch extra barrel. Also how much do
spare magazines cost ?
Thanks

 

I just bought a new Model41 , 7" version a month ago (BTW,5.5" and 7" were the same price, just pickedthe 7' because I'll be shooting w/ iron sights) , but if I was still shopping and saw the 5.5" mint for $500, I would have bought it. I wasn't able to find anything used and in mint condition for much cheaper than new, so I bought new.

Since I recently bought one, I still remember my "research". The below is what I remember and hopefully will help you.

The 7" and 5.5" have the same accuracy from a rest. The only difference is the longer sight radius of the 7" for metallic sights, but if you are using a scope, it doesn't matter.

Additional factory barrels are available at lots of places for about $250 (for either version). E.g. midwayusa.com. There is a problem w/ using these new factory barrels in older (1980s and early 1990) production guns, where they are not drop in. However, with recent productions they are simply drop-in, and I've verified this w/ my gun and a friend's Clark 5.5" barrel.

Having previously owned a Browning Buckmark standard, I'd definitely pay the extra $200 for the S&W.

 

On the Model 41, by Emmanuel Baechler

Model 41 - Further Information
by Emmanuel Baechler (baechler@lia.di.epfl.ch)

The S&W 41 has been designed during the fifties as a NRA's bullseye gun, when the current ISU rimfire discipline did not exist. At that time, its strongest competitors was the High Standard (and the Walther Olympia on the European market).

Compared to European ISU rimfire competition models, the S&W 41 has the following characteristics:

* Its 5.5" barrel is at least as good as the ones of Haemmerlis, Walthers, Unique, Fiocchi, FAS, and so on. Its heavy weight makes it very adapted to the rapid (20 and 10 seconds) strings of that discipline. A 7" barrel model is also available.

* Its sights are excellent. The adjustments of the rear sight are fine and precise. Its front sight is wide and has no reflection. The rectangular "opening" of the rear sight has a good width. The only limitation is that there is neither possibility to adapt the width of this "opening", nor any possibility to change the front sight (for adaptation to various lighting conditions).

* Its trigger is very crisp and light, but it cannot be adjusted in position, course and weight as the European ISU competition models.

* The original grips of my model (in Goncalo Alvez) are very nice and work well. contrary to what some people think, they are NOT symmetrical. the two finger rests that they have are placed differently. One is aimed to help the thumb and the other one is here to help the finger trigger (and it is placed lower). Those grips are however not orthopedic. They are thin, less adapted to the hand's morphology, They cannot be sculpted for a prefect adaptation and they have no palm rest.

* the "handle" of the S&W 41 is almost vertical. It makes pointing mistakes easier and more difficult to correct. In this domain, it is clearly weaker than European competition guns. Even models with the magazine inside the grip, like the FAS SP-602, the Unique DES 69U or the Haemmerli 208 are better.

* The S&W41 is very easy and quick to field strip, clean and reassemble. No tool is needed, and a complete and careful cleaning takes around 10 minutes.

* The magazines have open sides and can contain up to 10 rounds. They are a weak point of this gun (at least of my gun). With more than 8 rounds my guns fails to feed systematically. One must also be very careful when one fills them, elsewhere rounds go in every position. Then one must empty the magazine completely before refilling it.

* The S&W 41 is also very sensitive to the brand of ammunition used. Mine jams consistently with standard velocity ammunition, including match grade ammo, as soon as the temperature is under 15C. At low temperatures it works better with hotter rounds (for example PMC Zapper works flawlessly in mine).

* Finally, there is no facility to fix counterweights on the frame (or on the barrel).

How to evaluate the overall interest of this gun?

I'll let people used to NRA's bullseye and metallic silhouette evaluate it for these disciplines. I'll limit myself to informal target shooting and to ISU rimfire.

The S&W 41 has clearly the potential to compete with European competition guns in ISU rimfire matches. Its accuracy is comparable, or even better than the one of any other gun involved in this discipline. It has an excellent trigger and excellent sights. Its drawback is that it cannot be adjusted as extensively as its competitors. It does also not come with a fully orthopedic grip. It is thus not as efficient for high level competitions as its adversaries. For local or regional matches it is however dubious that its simpler "user interface" do really limit the performances of target shooters.

For initiation to formal target shooting it is definitely good enough and by a serious margin. Its simplicity is, IMO, an advantage: the shooter can concentrate on basic shooting skills, without worrying about things like adjustment of the trigger's weight and course. The absence of these adjustments does also mean that the beginner won't be able to "jerk" them.

If the S&W 41 is a good gun for regional ISU competitions, there's no reason why it should not be a good gun for informal target shooting. In addition of all its shooting qualities, it will give its owner the satisfaction to have a very nice and well made gun.

People should however be warned that this gun has been tuned to work with standard velocity ammo. It's a precision tool, and extensive use of high speed ammo will at least shorten its lifetime and maybe damage it.

 

Emmanuel Baechler/Barrel Weights

I notice that Baechler said that the Model 41 did not have barrel weights. My 7" gun is drilled and tapped for them and I have the weights that go with it. My 5" gun is not drilled and tapped. Was this an after market thing or do I have something unusual? The bluing on the weights exactly matches the bluing on the gun.

Wayne38

 

1. The OLDER 41s have cocking indicators - The newer ones do not -- I believe they quit them in the early 80s. If your salesman knew anything about 41s he wouldn't be bragging that this model is a newer (and less desirable to most people) model.

2. The 5.5" barrelled guns are not less expensive than the 7"ers.

3. The 5.5"ers are actually heavier than the 7"ers and are every bit as much a "target gun". Some 5.5s came with extendable front sights.

4. I'd buy the 41 - but I don't think you'd enjoy it as much as the Browning with its longer barrel, as you seem more disposed toward that style.

 

How anyone can call a Model 41 with the heavy 5.5" barrel a plunker has no experience with the gun. A new Buckmark/Ruger/Berreta depreciates when you walk out of the dealer, the 41 in good shape will hold its value or appreciate. Mags and parts are available from S & W and not expensive. Buying the 41 is a no-brainer IMHO.

Vic-One

 

I know nothing about the Buckmark. With the 41 when you plink at a pop can the first shot is at the can after that you shoot at the hole. Buy it you will love it.