S&W Model 41 worth the $?
I just can't shake wanting a 41..
If you own one, do you have any gripes at all (besides the price tag)?
My only tiny gripe is with the safety, I'd prefer if it were a bit bigger, but realistically I never use it.
I mostly plink with it at the range or in a sandpit, I never shot bullseye matches with it.
Do you prefer the 5.5" barrel or the 7"?
That's the one I have, never owned a 7", I have shot one, but I think the barrel profile looks a bit goofy and ruins the guns aesthetics.
Any years of manufacture better / worse than others? Tips on buying used?
Yes, the older the better.
Mine was made in 1979 and has one of the finest triggers I've ever felt (S/N A590xxx)
The only one I've ever fired with a
better trigger was older (S/N A491xxx)
I've also fired new production examples, and wasn't impressed.
Yup. Find one, keep it forever.
For me, the 5" heavy bbl is perfect.
Agreed.
I've had mine since 1984, it was the second handgun I ever purchased after getting my first LTC.
Paid $290 for it used. In 1986 I took it to the old Bay State Arms in Southboro and had it refinished in electroless nickel along with 2 mags. That cost a whopping $60, but was worth every penny, the finish has held up spectacularly over countless bricks of ammo. I have more rounds through this than any other
gun I've ever owned, that includes rifles and shotguns. The only thing that ever needed to be replaced was an extractor claw, which I plain wore out. I still have all the original springs too. Also, take down for cleaning is about the easiest on the planet and new production magazines work with the S&W 422/622 series guns, of which I own several examples.