Do I like the lock... hell no! I let it stop me from buying quite a few new Smiths. I spent months looking for minty vintage Smith's and (1) Colt... and I paid a premium for them. I like them so much that I would do it again. I spent a year looking for a Model 25 in .45acp. No 25's to be found in my area that wasn't grossly overpriced so I took a chance on a 625-8. I have to say it's been nice. No, it isn't as quite as nice as my 70's Smiths but it's a decent bit better than I was told it was going to be. So I'm replacing the lock and plugging the frame and enjoying shooting .45acp and Super's from a revolver. YMMV.