S&W Model 41/UltraDot LT

[Harley]

About 25 years ago I foolishly sold my Model 41, including the Olympic .22 short conversion kit. Now, I'm obsessing about replacing it, not being satisfied with the recently purchased Browning Buckmark, although it's a very nice plinker.

Does anyone have any experience with the Clark conversion of the Model 41?

I'd also like to mount the UltraDot LT on it, but haven't had the opportunity to look through one. The red dot sight I now have isn't all that great: the dot doesn't appear sharp and it's useless in low light. Does anyone have first hand info on the LT?

Thanks.

Harley

[Harley]

I bought the Clark conversion, today; but, haven't ordered a Red Dot sight, yet. I still would like to hear of anyone's experience with the LT.

[Harley]

Well, it doesn't look like anybody is interested in this thread, but I'm going to finish it, anyway.

Instead of the Ultra Dot LT, I bought the Ultra Dot Pan A-V, which is a holographic sight with dialable choice of four different reticles.

I've also ordered a pair of Rink custom grips for the Model 41.

It should all come together early in September, I hope.

Rossman was his usuable invaluable help in multiple PM suggestions.

Harley

[Al]

I dug out my Mod 41, it came with a 5 1/2" barrel and later on I bought a 7" barrel for it which is still NIW.

Also found a old Leupold Gilmore RD in my diggings, might have to mount it up on that 7" barrel and go play one of these weekends.

[Harley]

It's a coincidence reading your post today, Al; this morning I mounted my own Leupold Gilmore Red Dot on my Browning Buckmark. My Model 41 isn't due until the first week in November and I want to start shooting. Yesterday, I talked with an NRA instructor about taking lessons in stance, grip and aiming. He said he'd prefer my using the open sight Buckmark at first; his theory is that the Model 41 is a competition pistol and I'd be too concerned about cleaning it and breaking it in.

The Model 41 I ordered has a Clark conversion 6" barrel. My original pistol was the heavy barrel 5".

BTW, during all my internet researching, I learned that the older Model 41 is more valued than later ones; if you want to sell yours, it's worth around $1000 plus the extra barrel at more than $200.

Harley

[Al]

Harley, I think I got this one around 1980-81, don't even remember what I paid for it now. I don't think I could sell it thou.

They had two 7" barrel versions, a lightweight hunter version and the slabside, and until I find it.............hell if I can remember which one it is!!!!

[Harley]

1980 is, give or take a few years, about the time I bought my first 41; I don't remember, either, what I paid, but am guessing in the neighborhood of $300-$400; a lot of money, then, not now.

Harley

[Harley]

It has been a long wait since July, but my new pistol arrived, today. It's a Clark conversion, with hard chromed slide, Clark proprietary 6" barrel, Rink grips and Ultra Dot Pan-A-V holographic sight.

I spent the last hour with a Moto-Tool rasp, carefully inletting the custom grips; they are factory cut so closely to the frame that the small extra dimension resulting from the chrome work prevented them from seating.

Now, I have to find an instructor; wish Rossman40 was close by.






Harley

[russkull]

Wow! look at that beauty. Those grips are something. The whole pkg. looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. Can't wait to hear how it shoots and try it myself. Good thing I shoot Lefty too ;D Congratulations!!!

[Harley]

Well, Russell, I'm ahead of you; I already thought about your being left-handed, and the pistol is to be the sum of your inheritance.

[Al]

Lloyd, looks sweet

I set my 7" barrel up with the Leupold Gilmore RD which made a nice little plinker out of her. As soon as I pry it away from my bro, I'll snap a pic of it.

[Harley]

Good to hear from you, Al; I'll look forward to the picture. As previously mentioned, I have that same Gilmore, and it's now mounted on my Buckmark.

My first task is to zero the Red Dot; I'm not sure at what distance I should do this, maybe at one of the official Bullseye competition distances.

Harley

[Harley]

This is the test target supplied with the pistol. I had planned to test various bullets, but since the pistol is obviously capable of more than I can handle, I won't do that.

I did call Clark for a recommendation on plinking ammo, and they suggested CCI standard velocity, so I'll just go straight to zeroing using that.





Harley

[deadon]

Looks like you got a winner for sure, shes a beauty,Rusty

[sw]

That's a beautiful pistol that's not likely to be seen at discount stores.

[Rifleman]

22 Laser pistol ! Awesome!

[Harley]

I took the pistol with me, today, on my bowhunting outing. Saw no deer, but did shoot the pistol in the afternoon.

I shot 20-year old plinking ammo (T-22).

The first picture is a three-shot group with a one-hand grip at 20 yards.




The next picture is three shots from the bench at 25 yards.




To say I'm pleased with the pistol would be the understatement of the year.

Harley

[deadeye]

now thats some great shootin!

[sw]

That is really good!

[rossman40]

Got me jealous! It shoots better then it looks and it looks totally freaking awesome!!!

[Rifleman]

There are alot of nice 22 rifles that won't shoot that well.

[Harley]

I appreciate the positive comments. Rossman, if it got your "been there, done that" juices flowing, it must be something special!

I do think I have a problem with it, though; the factory manual directs the loading procedure as first locking the slide open, then inserting the loaded magazine, followed by releasing the slide latch. When I do that, the pistol fails to cock. If I slow down the closing of the slide, it does cock. It makes no difference whether the magazine is loaded or empty.

I can't remember if I had any failures to cock during the actual sequential firing of the loaded magazine, but think I did.

I'll shoot it in a few days; I know I'm going to have to call Clark, but HOPE they can tell me that I just need a different spring, something they can send to me. I DO NOT want to go through the expense and hassle of shipping it back to them.

Harley

[Harley]

I shot the pistol again over the past two days; in additon to the failure to cock, I am having another problem: at least three times in every 10-shot string depressing the trigger results in a sort of "half click"; releasing the trigger and pressing again (or maybe twice more) results in the pistol eventually firing. I removed the grips and can see that a wedge on a moving part is supposed to engage a slot on the edge of the slide; if it doesn't, the pistol won't fire. I also noticed that the slide protrudes ever so slightly behind the frame. If it were flush, that part would fully engage the notch in the slide and the pistol would fire.

So, today I called Clark; I first told them that I had two problems, one as described above and the other a minor one of the safety being so hard to move that I had to lower the pistol and use two thumbs to shift it. I told them that I had loosened the small screw that holds the safety detent and that had helped, though the safety is still very rough.

The lady at Clark's told me that was my problem, that loosening that screw had caused the malfunctioning of the pistol. She told me to "undo whatever you've done". So, I did, by re-tightening that screw, but it didn't help, and I never thought it would.

I just got back from UPS; shipping a handgun requires next day air, no ground delivery allowed. With insurance, it cost me $74.

I hope I can rely on Clark's reputation for an honest report of what they will have to do to make the pistol function.

Harley

[Harley]

I just received a call from Clark Customs; my pistol is repaired and on its way.

The lady I talked with didn't volunteer any repair information, but when I asked what had caused the malfunction, she said it was "a problem with the trigger take-up", something they had never seen before and that it has now been adjusted, correctly. I mentioned that I had been told that I caused the damage by loosening the safety screw and she said that would have been her guess, also, but that isn't what happened.

I think it's to Clark's great credit that they didn't blame me for the malfunction; they could have and I'd never have known the difference.

I guess I'm still out postage.


BTW, Rossman, what is "trigger take-up"?

Harley

[rossman40]

That is just a little bit of free play before your on the sear or they could mean sear travel. If it is too tight you may not get a decent trigger/sear re-set and the hammer may not cock.

[Harley]

Thanks, Rossman.

Harley

[orion]

Awsome looking setup. So are you going to hunt deer with that and shoot them in the eye or ear? ;D

[Harley]

Orion, I got the pistol because, when I saw it pictured, I "wanted" it; that became "needed" it; but, I haven't yet figured out "what for". Maybe I'll join a range, do a lot of practicing, then compete in Bullseye competition. Maybe not.

Harley

[orion]

Just ribbing you Harley, I have had that kind of fever many times.

That sure looks like it would be fun to try and bag a few squirrels or rabbits with. Or to dispatch the dam chipmunks that my wife is always feeding.

Have fun with your new portable .22 hole driller.

[Al]

Harley, finally snagged my 41 from my bro.

I have a 5 1/2" heavy barrel for it too.