J/Automatics made replacement bbls for both the 03 and the 1917 that were used to refurb those rifles in US Arsenals. They have a simple 'JA' stamp at the muzzle.
The Model 1941 SemiAuto is a QD barrel rifle. Easy to unlatch with the point of a loaded round, the bbl simply slides forward and out.
It made it easy to stow as for Airborne Troops. It wasn't a feature designed so much for replacement though that was something easily done as well.
One thing that the rifle suffered from was an easily broken butt stock The area right behind the receiver at the top is usually cracked on most 1941's that have seen any use/action. Troops reported many damaged '41 stocks in jumps when the rifle was in the taken down condition.
Caliber change was simple as already mentioned as long as the cartridge head stayed standard 30-06 size and the OAL was within reason. 30-06 and 7x57 were contract calibers. 270 was a Winfield Arms offering quite often. Johnson was quite fond of the 270 also. Alot of those Mauser sporters were in 270.
I have read, but cannot remember where, that the US (USMC?) had a few Model 1941's still in storage and gave them to the members of the Bay of Pigs Invasion Force (Cuba).
Perhaps just someones thoughts, maybe fact,,I don't know. If true, those rifles will never be seen again.
It is known that Johnson bought back a few Mod '41's from the USMC/Quantico after WW2 and resold them through ads in magazines. I think primarily American Riflman.
The rotary magazine (serial number 'R' prefix on the original mfg 'commercial style' rifles for rotary) gave a firepower leg up on the Garand. But only over the course of a large number of rounds being loaded and fired.
It suffered from damage easily, it's sheet metal covering being dented left it useless, and dirt & sand would prevent the rotary mech from feeding. Being a non-detachable mag,,the soldier was stuck with a single shot rifle.
It also makes the rifle uncomfortable to carry with with one hand. That large magazine right about where your hand would go.
The protective wings on the front sight are often found broken off. They were commonly removed in the field (with a pliers!). Quickly pointing and shooting a '41 will show you that it is very easy to pick up one of the 'wings' as the front sight blade instead of the blade itself.
I did that the first time I shot my first Model '41.
An interesting man and rifle for sure.
Locating one of those early commercial sporters w/ the detachable box magazine would certainly be a nice find.
I'm not sure what happened to the rotary mag versions built for the Ordnance trials.
