Novice has problem with new sem-auto pistol

[Snarky]

Howdy. Been enjoying the forums here and after some study indulged myself in a new S&W Model 41 with the 7" bbl. My first semi-auto pistol.

First I read the manual completely.

I was inclined to disassemble the weapon and clean/lube it before firing it but my more experienced friends thought I should just load it up and fire a few rounds. I loaded a mag full of Wolf MT .22lr and fired three times. The fourth time I squeezed the trigger nothing happened. I engaged the trigger safety, dropped the mag and pulled back briskly on the slide but the round did not eject. The slide only pulls back about 1/2 inch and I can see the round in the chamber.

Ok, so I understand that I've experienced a FTF followed by a FTE. Now what?

[taloft]

It sounds like you have a stuck round in the chamber and the extractor won't let go. Possibly caused by a shaving or burr in the chamber. There are other possibilities but, it is hard to tell without actually seeing it.

Things to do:

1st. Stop listening to your friends. It is always wise to field strip and clean a new firearm to insure that you don't have metal shavings from manufacture, or broken parts floating around in the gun. Also allows you to check the bore for obstructions. Sounds like you had the right idea the first time.

2nd. Post pics so we can get a better understanding of what is wrong.

3rd. Since the stuck round is live, I'd take it to the range and let someone who knows what they are doing help you with this. Blowing a hole in the T.V. is bad mojo, don't be that guy.

4th. Report back and let us know how this works out for you. Good luck!

[john323]

I'm located in Monterey Park...near Pasadena...PM me for directions... I will get it out for you if you can get over here.

[ojisan]

1st. Stop listening to your friends. It is always wise to field strip and clean a new firearm to insure that you don't have metal shavings from manufacture, or broken parts floating around in the gun. Also allows you to check the bore for obstructions. Sounds like you had the right idea the first time.

Taloft has said it well.

[Snarky]

Thanks for the information and offer of help. Much appreciated. This site is so valuable in terms of safety and compliance with the law. I am grateful.

I dropped the gun off at my local gunsmith. The slide would not move completely forward either so the gun could not fire and was deemed safe to transport.

I'm devastated. One pass with my boresnake would probably have averted this. Its not a nice feeling to damage such a beautiful gun. A painful lesson. I have a new m1a as well. I'll be field stripping, cleaning and lubing that piece as my instinct tells me to before ever firing a shot. These same friends also give me static about not firing the m1a immedietely out of the box. As of today I think these guys have lost their firearm advice rendering license!

[Snarky]

I picked the gun up today from the gunsmith. He said that he extracted the cartridge, cleaned up the pistol and shot 3 mags of various .22lr through it with no problems. Looks like I'm ok to go. I'll do a little shooting with it after dinner. Going straight to the CCI SV this time.

[Scratch705]

These same friends also give me static about not firing the m1a immedietely out of the box. As of today I think these guys have lost their firearm advice rendering license!

do they own guns?

if no, then they don't even get to give advice.

if yes, they should have their guns taken away for giving stupid and potentially dangerous advice.

[Snarky]

do they own guns?

if no, then they don't even get to give advice.

if yes, they should have their guns taken away for giving stupid and potentially dangerous advice.

Yep, they own Glocks lol. I expect several will p*ss themselves when they shoot my cleaned and lubed m1a.

[taloft]

You did well, I'm glad it worked out for you.

Everyone does something screwy with their first semi. For me it was launching the recoil spring and plug, from my .45 acp, across the garage. It flew into the most packed, dirty, and darkest part of the garage. I found the spring and plug but, it required moving 1/2 the garage to the other side.

Oh, and installing a detent pin in an AR15 in the bathtub is a great way to keep it from getting lost... ...as long as you cover the drain.

Have fun, and tight groups!

[zrock]

I have a S&W 41 an its a great gun , but its very picky about ammo . It likes HV rimfire only.

[brassburnz]

I ruined one of my target pistols with a boresnake. The wire brushes damaged the chamber at the ejector cut. The chamber wall was thin to begin with. The boresnake finished it off.

I use a Patchworm. http://patchworm.com/