5.5" or 7" Match grade

[BigBronco]

Pretty much settled on a Smith Wesson Model 41.

First what Barrel length is preferred? I intend to mount a scope on it, so does the barrel length really matter? The Performance Center model is the 5.5 inch, interesting they did not do it with the longer barrel.

I intend to do some Bullseye shooting and want opinions on the barrel length.

So what length would you get?

A local shop has a Performance Center used for about the cost of a Standard
model but no box. Would you buy new or clean used?

New I would go for the 15% off by opening a Sportsman's CC then pay it off. So I could get a new standard for less than the used PC version.

[RandyD]

The main advantage of a 7" barrel is the additional sight length. Most Bullseye shooting is with a red dot sight, which makes the sight length irrelevant. I have always preferred the balance of the 5.5" sight.

[Spyder]

I'd go 7" for irons, 5.5 for an optic. In my opinion, the 41 just looks right with the 7".
Is there a shorter option? CCI Standards shoot really well out of mine, but they go supersonic. I'd consider a barrel short enough that they stay subsonic when leaving the barrel and throughout their flight.

But, either way you'll be plenty happy with it.

[fish45]

Definitely the PC version if you're using optics. Having the machined in rail makes it sooooo much easier to mount optics than the tapped version.

Personally I'd get one new if I were spending over 1000 dollars on one, but thats just me. If it were used it would have to be in VERY good condition. I've bought enough used guns to see the dumb things people do once you field strip it for its first cleaning. Not having a box doesn't help to add confidence that they really cared for their gun.

As to whether length really makes a difference, I think quality match ammo is what makes the biggest difference, especially in a Smith 41. Mine shoots match ammo very well. Non match ammo is another story.

[k1dude]

I would choose the 7" for the simple reason that most aftermarket uppers for the 41 are all 5.5".

You can buy either S&W upper and slap one on no matter what you buy. So you can have one lower with 2 or more uppers.

There's some nice aftermarket uppers for the 41 that all come in 5.5" and none in 7". That's why I'd buy a 7".

If you find a better deal on a 5.5" than a 7", then just get it. You can always buy a S&W 7" upper later for it.

[DrJeds44]

Buy whatever is in stock. Then order the other barrel lenght. 15 minutes with a stone( not a file) to fit it and your are good to go. To me the balance is better on the 5.5 inch.

[BigBronco]

Picked up a very nice 7" at the Sae west crossroads gunshow today. Super clean in the original blue cardboard box with 2 mags and all the original paperwork. Very happy a great day.

[pinger]

I have four 41s and an assortment of three S&W 7" and 7 3/8" barrels, four 5.5" barrels, one of them PC, a 5" lightweight and 5.5" Clark. With open sights, I group better with the long barrels. I think mainly due to the longer sighting radius. I don't get the feeling of balance with the 5.5" bull barrels. They feel nose heavy to me. The longer barrels reach out and point for me.

On a separate note, with red dots, I am able to shoot the Clark 5.5" barrel with a red dot better than any of the Smith barrels with red dots.

My 1978 41 has a smoother action and feel (and different stock grips) compared to recent 2018 and 2022 guns. The PC version is a recent 2022 manufacture and I haven't noticed anything more special in function except it is impossible to unlock the barrel without using a pry bar. It is impossible by hand.

Congrats on the purchase. How old is the the 41 you just got?

[BigBronco]

Not sure on the date. There is no cocking indicator. this makes it post 78 the serial number TYZXXX. the blue warranty card/ questionnaire refers to revision 4-92 the manual has a date of 11-74. interesting there is no mention of a cocking indicator in the parts or exploded view. I am researching. If you can add to this, it would be great. I did not buy it as a collector but to be a shooter. Can't wait to get he out to the range.

[brassburnz]

When I was shooting Bullseye, there seemed to be an equal number of short and long 41's on the line. There were a few cut down 7's. When I asked why not just get a 5.5, I was told the balance of the cut down versions pointed better.

I started out with a Ruger MKII 6 7/8 tapered barrel then switched to a Hamden High Standard Victor. I also shot a 2nd Series 6" Colt Match Target. I finally started shooting an original Marvel Precision Unit 1 conversion on a Colt Series 70 frame with a red dot. All of these pistols shoot better than I can hold them.

[davidj]

Originally Posted by BigBronco

Not sure on the date. There is no cocking indicator. this makes it post 78 the serial number TYZXXX. the blue warranty card/ questionnaire refers to revision 4-92 the manual has a date of 11-74. interesting there is no mention of a cocking indicator in the parts or exploded view. I am researching. If you can add to this, it would be great. I did not buy it as a collector but to be a shooter. Can't wait to get he out to the range.

I would put your 41 at 1993. The cocking indicators were discontinued in 1978, they roughly add 10% to the value for one in good condition. They are very nice, I am fond of the early ones. I have one from 1957 and a 22 short from 1969.

[Peahi2]

Congrats on that special find! With box and papers too to boot!

I have the performance center, and I like the rail of dot mounting. My eyes are sayonara now, so the dot is helpful. I shoot mine with a variety of match ammo. I have a wide variety of Eley, SK, lapua, and etc. My pistol seems to like Eley club at the moment (hell it even runs flawlessly, no jams shockingly).

[BigBronco]

Originally Posted by Peahi2

Congrats on that special find! With box and papers too to boot!

I have the performance center, and I like the rail of dot mounting. My eyes are sayonara now, so the dot is helpful. I shoot mine with a variety of match ammo. I have a wide variety of Eley, SK, lapua, and etc. My pistol seems to like Eley club at the moment (hell it even runs flawlessly, no jams shockingly).

Have you ever tried the Federal Automatch?

[Peahi2]

Never tried it. How does it compare to CCI SV? I got wide variety of Eley, SK, CCI SV, and other stuff laying around for my rifles.

[pinger]

Shooting from a sandbag rest with red dots, i tested 19 different cheap ammos that i have previously bought in bulk. I did not test Eley or SK products. The ammos are:

Aguila - Std Velocity, Hi Velocity HP and RN
CCI - AR Tactical, Blazer, MiniMag HP and RN, SV
Federal - AutoMatch, Champion, Field&Range, Red, Target, Black Pack
Remington - Golden Bullet, Thunderbolt
Winchester - M22, USA, Wildcat

One S&W 5.5" bull barrel (2018 manufacture) likes the Aguila High Velocity hollow points and round noses that are currently for sale everywhere. It really DOESN'T like CCI SV, Federal Auto Match, Aguila Standard Velocity, Federal Target, and Remington Thunderbolt.

My 41PC barrel (2022 manufacture) likes Federal Auto Match, CCI SV, CCI MiniMag round nose and Aguila Hi Velocity round nose.

My 5.5" Clark barrel (unknown date) likes CCI MiniMag round nose, CCI SV, Federal Red box, Federal Target, Federal Black Pack, Remington Golden Bullet, Remington Thunderbolt. Every other ammo was only slightly worse than the ones it liked the best. I haven't had a chance to test the new Aguila High Velocity hollow points and round noses yet with this barrel.

When I say like, it means that the groups are touching cloverleafs. Both S&W barrels have definite variation between ammos going from touching groups to spread out sprays. Whereas the Clark barrel was very good with every ammo with some ammos grouping excellent.

I have not tested my 7" and 7 3/8" barrels to this same level because they are older and not tapped for a red dot mount. (However with open sights I still like the balance of the long barrels)

My takeaway is trying out as many different ammos is the way to find out what each barrel/gun likes.