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I have two M41s. My original has no issues in removing and changing barrels. My recent M41 purchase though has an issue. The barrel was very hard to remove. I didn't force it but it did finally come loose after much rocking, etc. Now I can't get the barrel back on. With the slide now removed, I can see that the locking cam (if that's what it's called) doesn't move at all when the trigger guard is opened and closed. I'm not mechanically inclined so I'm thinking this is going to have to go back to S&W regardless. Also, the safety does not engage. I've soaked the gun in kerosene to clean it out and relubed the entire gun. Prior to contacting S&W, I thought I'd check here to see if there might be an obvious and perhaps simple fix that I could try. many thanks, izzy

Hi Izzy,

Sounds like you've accomplished all the things you're comfortable with on that M-41. Sometimes the locking cam can jam, especially if the trigger guard was jammed closed on a tight (improperly fitted) barrel, and may require some service repair from the factory. S&W has an excellent customer service dept., so sending it back is most prudent for you. I'd send them that tight barrel and they will also fit it properly to your receiver.

R,
Bullseye

I looked at it a bit more carefully after my initial post. The cam closes when the trigger guard is closed but it fails to open when the guard is opened. I can open the cam manually by pushing on it with a small dowel rod. I haven't reinserted the barrel for fear that I can't remove it again. I suppose S&W could remove it regardless. Also, to be a bit more specific on the safety lever not working. It is not due to the screw and clip being overly tight. In fact I removed those and the safety still doesn't want to engage. It seems that it wants to pivot at the front versus pivoting up at the back end.
This gun is actually a 41-1 short cartridge version so I'm a bit hesitant to send it off anywhere due to its rarity. I've heard that S&W can be very generous in fixing used guns at no charge but when i called today, i sure didn't get that reception. All I was told is that i can send it in for an estimate - all on my dollar. Was I incorrect in my understanding that they will oftern repair used smiths at no cost? I may try a local gunsmith as well. thanks again.

I looked at it a bit more carefully after my initial post. The cam closes when the trigger guard is closed but it fails to open when the guard is opened. I can open the cam manually by pushing on it with a small dowel rod.

The way the cam works is the trigger return spring serves a dual purpose. One leg, a short one, pushes up the barrel locking pawl cam when the plunger is pulled downward by the trigger guard. The other, the long leg, is the return force for the trigger. As you look down from the top of the receiver at the cam, you're actually seeing two pieces but they appear as one. The rounded part is called the pawl cam, it locks the barrel and is one piece, the other is on the back side edge of the locking cam. From the top of the receiver it looks like a half-moon shape, that is the pawl plunger. The plunger has a spring and a guide that interfaces with the trigger guard. When the trigger guard is closed the plunger is forced upward and engages the cam rotating it forward and locking the barrel. When the trigger guard is opened the trigger return spring forces the cam open and the plunger downwards. Either the small leg of your trigger return spring is broken or there's some corrosion or grit interfering with the plunger or cam's free movement. Solve that and you've got your problem fixed.

Also, to be a bit more specific on the safety lever not working. It is not due to the screw and clip being overly tight. In fact I removed those and the safety still doesn't want to engage. It seems that it wants to pivot at the front versus pivoting up at the back end.

I can't see your gun but the front of the safety is supposed to pivot downwards. There is a pin on the front side of the lever that extends into the sear well. This pin will rotate downward when the safety is engaged and physically block the sear. This action also has a second purpose, it also pushes the trigger transfer bar off of the sear so it cannot be engaged by the trigger. In effect this movement of the transfer bar performs the same action as the magazine disconnect safety function. The pivoting part of the sear is actually the same pin that the hammer pivots on and is well behind the sear.



The pin for the safety is just to the right of the arrow pointing to the sear tab.

This gun is actually a 41-1 short cartridge version so I'm a bit hesitant to send it off anywhere due to its rarity. I've heard that S&W can be very generous in fixing used guns at no charge but when i called today, i sure didn't get that reception. All I was told is that i can send it in for an estimate - all on my dollar. Was I incorrect in my understanding that they will oftern repair used smiths at no cost? I may try a local gunsmith as well. thanks again.

I cannot say what Smith will do once they actually receive your gun. They tend to be a little stand-offish at first until they actually get to inspect the firearm. They first have to establish it is a legitimate failure and not an owner induced problem - they get a lot of this and have to be cautious. The choice is yours but I hope this description helps clear things up a little more for you.

R,
Bullseye

I recently noticed Heffron Classics offering premium trigger jobs on Gunbroker for M41s. I checked out their website and saw that they also offer repairs. I spoke with Mike Heffron yesterday and found him to be very helpful and sincere. I believe I will send the gun to him versus S&W. I don't think it will cost a lot to get fixed but the overnight $ to/from is the real killer expense wise. I did adjust the trigger weight on my other M41 per your excellent instructions. I'm afraid that is the upper limit of my abilities so hopefully Mike can get it fixed. He really was great on the phone so I'd like to be able to recommend him after he takes care of this. thanks again, izzy