Adding Weight to Model 41

About 4 months in to training for Bullseye, shot my first match in September after spending years 5 through 30 shooting lots smallbore and air rifle.

I'm looking to add weight to my Model 41.  I saw in another thread a comment about putting it in the magazines since you only need to load 5 rounds.  Want to make sure first that it's legal to do so, second, anyone have any suggestions on how to do it.  I figure wheel weights rattling around in there probably isn't the greatest idea.  I do have a big roll of lead tape, I coach tennis for a living and have it around for racket tuning and customization.

Thanks!

There are better ways to do it. But it all depends on which model of barrel you have. I have a short barrel that is too heavy and a long barrel that needed weight. If you don't have a dot on it you can balance it with location of scope or increase weight of existing scope by changing models. Got pictures?

Len

I've got a 5in barrel and I plan to shoot metallic sights until I get my 22 and service pistol badges.

I shoot irin sighted with one of my 41s, and prefer the 7 3/8 inch barrel. I believe Smith also made both five and a 5 1/2 inch  barrels for the 41, and don't know the precise weight differences between them and the 7 3/8? I definitely like the longer sight radius though on the long barrel.

Bill:

You have the light 5 inch barrel on your model 41 (a somewhat desirable and limited production option, but not usually seen on the bullseye line for the reasons you have noticed for most shooters, although some like the lighter barrel).  

Probably a good solution is to just get a heavy 5 inch barrel to try out.  I have one if you want to try it for a while.  (As a matter of fact I have a 7 inch, a 6 inch custom for scope cut from a 7 inch, and a 5 inch heavy if you want to try them out.)  Basically, due to the profiles, a 7 inch barrel and a 5 inch barrel model 41 are about the same weight.  Your model 41 will be a little lighter than normal and less muzzle heavy than either of the other 2 versions.  Also, Clark makes a couple of different barrel lengths for optic scopes.  I've use them also. 

As an alternative, you can put or pour lead in the bottom of a magazine, but then you would need to modify the magazine spring at the very least.  

I'd suggest trying a 5 inch heavy barrel first.

Cecil

Thanks for the posts everyone. I think I will give those barrels a try if you don't mind me borrowing one or two a little while. Will I have to change the recoil spring with a heavier barrel?

I may still add weight in the magazines, and possibly some lead tape inside the grip just to keep the balance of the gun since I really like the current balance.

Thanks again!

Was looking at the NRA and CMP rules last night.  Both mention "weighted grips" and being illegal.  Does that mean I can't put lead tape on the inside of my grips?  I was also thinking of buying a second set of grips, hollowing them out, and casting lead weights to go in them.  I certainly would like to not do that if it's not legal in the first place.

Thanks!

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