I have an opportunity to acquire a Smith Model 41 With matching 7 3/8, and 5 5 inch barrels. Mint condition inside and out. Manufactured in 1959, it looks although it has never been fired at all. Has original box, and papers, with 2 magazines.
Guy is asking $1700, but I suspect I could get him down a bit on that price.
Or I could get a Colt Woodsman, Match Target for $900 from the same guy.
The WMT is in good shape but shows wear and handling marks and appears to have seen a good bit of field use. No box, papers, or accessories with the Colt either.
I am frankly leaning to the 41 as it just appears to be a better quality pistol. Fit and finish are superb, and that muzzle brake really adds to the pistols charisma, at least in my eyes.
I looked at some newer Smith 41 models, and the level of fit and finish isn't even close so, for $1200 I will pass and spend a bit more for the vintage 41. Even at $1700, I feel it is probably the better buy,especially with the two matching Barrels.
Thoughts?, Opinions?

Model 41 for sure. No Hi Velocity ammo in the older models.

Get the Model 41.

Get the 41. I've never regretted buying mine.

love my model 41, never regret buying it

I'd go with the Smith & Wesson Model 41.

I have the 41 with all three barrels. Hasbeen

Both are great guns . I have a Pre Woodsman Target and prefer it to the Smith & Wesson or anything else for that matter . It fits my hand and points so naturally for me that I shoot it twice as well as I do the S&W, Ruger, or Browning I have owned in the past . My advice to you is to get him to let you shoot them both and buy what you shoot the best . That advice assumes that you are buying this to shoot and not just to look at and keep in a safe . What vintage is the Colt ?

Get both.
Baby the 41 and shoot/ hunt the hell out of the Colt.

41s never feel right to me.
Woodsmans are cool but also dont feel right.

My kids loved the Woodsman....smaller hands.

I run a 1911 w a conversion.

And a Buckmark, the latter is pretty decent, zero cool or collector value. If i figure out what grips i need it may actually be the favorite.

Classic stuff is great and can be a decent investment.
Unfortunately the 41 and MTW just didnt fit me.

I too would go with the Smith, as I shoot one of those quite a bit better better than I do the Colt. But I like the Colt too.

Anyway you can swing both of them ? A package deal, better price on both?

They're both great investments as far as guns go.

I don't think you get an oppty at a Model 41 in that kind of shape very often, especially with 2 barrels, that is the one I would go for.....

I'm not sure I'd be interested in paying that much for a S&W 41, but of the two pistols the M41 is the "better" pistol...and I'm a HUGE Colt fan. The S&W tends to be a smidge more accurate than the Colt, the grip is much more comfortable (for me at least), parts and magazines are no problem at all, and there are a number of current accessories that even fit classic M41's. The M41 is just a magnificent target pistol.

Daltond: Buy them BOTH!
Thank me later.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I asked the guy about a deal on Both, and no go as he says he has a buyer lined up for the Colt.
Oh well.
Guess I'll just buy the 41 and be satisfied with that.

Daltond: Well good for you anyways.
I hope you enjoy that Model 41.
They have a long and well earned reputation.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Daltond,

You will be well satisfied with the Smith. No need to look back.

Paladin

That 41 is a buy once cry once kind of deal. It’s a complete, lifetime package and even if you pay a few hundred extra today, who cares?

With a couple years inflation it won’t matter a bit and you’ll still have the perfect 41

Get the 41. Parts and service are widely available. This 41 below has had thousands of rounds through it. I've had probably a dozen or so 41s, both issue and my own purchases. Great pistolas.
Bob

Get the 41 - better shooter - I have both and while the woodsman is fun and nostalgic the 41 is accurate and very reliable. As a plus magazines and parts are readily available

My Colt was made in the teens and is 100% original , no parts needed so far . My youngest son has one from the 20's that is still all original but ain't got a lick of finish left . You can shoot dimes with it at twenty five yards all day long , or till you run out of dimes .