Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns S&W 41 stovepipe

I have a new to me S&W 41, which I'm shooting with the recommended CCI standard velocity ammo.
With both the 5.5 and 7 inch barrels, I get stove pipes every 15 rounds or so.

I don't think I'm limp wristing.

Any ideas what could be causing this?

Try more powerful ammo to isolate the problem.
Recoil spring might be too stiff for your ammo.

Mine has to be super clean to function, otherwise it's a jam-o-matic. I generally have better luck with high velocity CCI ammo. That being said, on my to-order parts-list are new hammer springs.

The major problem with 41s that malfunction is the "trapped brass syndrome" (stovepipes). This is usually caused by improper extractor spring tension or an ill-fitted or worn extractor. Easily remedied with a new extractor by Volquartsen ($12.50) and a new, properly tensioned spring. The Volquartsen extractor is a nicely machined and hardened piece of steel. Good stuff. Should fix your problem. Do a search on the S&W forum for M41 extraction issues.

Fit a new extractor and spring, keep your chamber clean and put a drop of oil on the top round of a loaded magazine before insertion and shooting (keeps the chamber lubed). Clean your mags and use good, standard-velocity ammo and you should get a couple of lifetimes of shooting out of your pistola. Check your extractor spring every 5000 rds or so. Replace as needed...they're cheap.
Bob

My resolution? Stick to MKII and Buckmark. Had a 41. Nice pistola - but I like 100% trouble free.

So I kept it simple. Good ammo no issues in Ruger and BM

Nothing wrong with a MK II. Had this set up for bullseye. It can be finicky, though.
Bob

RGK has some good solutions, however, I would first obtain a Wolff recoil spring calibration kit and see if that cures the problem. If not, I would then proceed to the extractor. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a 41 and they are fine pieces of machinery. I've used one to shoot thousands and thousands of rounds in competition and it never malfunctions (probably shouldn't have said that because saying that will usually cause one). Its my understanding they are built to shoot CCI SV and I would stick with that. The only time I ever put a drop of oil on the first round is after many round when I feel the chamber is getting pretty crusty.
Phil

My 41 has the same problem with CCI. I tried Remington target and it’s 100 percent and real accurate.
I bought different weight springs but never bothered changing . Hasbeen