The club I belong to offers several different shooting disciplines. I would like to shoot my 686+ 3 inch. I was looking at putting in the plug. I read the IDPA rules and found that if you mess with the safety of the gun it will not be allowed. I would assume that some of the other disciplines would be the same. Am I correct in assuming that removing the lock would not be allowed?

As far as I know only the IDPA rules (and rules makers) take that (totally irrational) position.

Call or email IDPA and ask them for a definitive answer.
Randy

I have no idea what their ruling is, but it's not a safety. It's a built in storage lock.

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From the IDPA Forum, Rule Clarifications:
"After perusing the Smith & Wesson website, I find that the lock literature is under the Safety subheading. After Talking with XX, I still feel that the integral lock is still considered a Safety Device. As such, the lock can not be disabled.

Thank you,
Robert Ray

International Defensive Pistol Association"

Following this "logic" it would seem you shouldn't be allowed to shoot without the (pre-integral-lock) supplied trigger guard lock or previously supplied cable lock which would be "safety devices" in the same context.

I think you need to keep the lock. The 686+ can only be loaded to 6, indexing the empty chamber to the top will soon be a PIB but IDPA is a fun time, the revolver divisions are the most fun.

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Warren

Thanks all for the info. Gearing up for 2012. 5-5-12 is the first IDPA match. I'm stoked.

Interesting as I believe there was a posting and picture somewhere showing a Jerry Miculek revolver with the lock removed. Don't know if it was an IDPA gun, but being the main S&W revolver guy and a top shooter in IDPA, if he did it ..... ???

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Wayne

NRA has had the same rule for years . Show up at a match with any safety devices disabled & the gun will be disqualified .

Do they (NRA) consider the lock to be a "safety device" in that context? I know they don't like the hammer block being removed.

So, does that mean I would need to bring the padlock that came with my gun to the match to show I have it.

It would seem the IDPA highly supported by S&W, will not honestly discuss the lock. Somebody needs to honestly discuss the term safety verse lock.

I see a lock as requiring an outside device to stop the gun from operating, such as a key to unlock. A safety renders the to not fire, but a simple manipulation, without any outside device, allows it to fire.

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Wayne

I suspect most rational, reasoning people would agree but we're talking about IDPA.

I agree with most here that the lock is BS . Rather or not it's a safety device unfortunately is open to interpretation by the rules commitee of whatever discipline you choose to compete in . As a 2700 shooter we saw the deal with people removing series 80 parts to make their guns like earlier versions . NRA didn't like it so it's illegal . Then it was 45acp ball ammo for CMP EIC " Hardball " matches originally everyone got issued the same ammo now it's " any safe load with a 230gr FMJ bullet " . Then it was ammo for Distinguished Revolver matches in which originally you had to shoot factory or factory remanned ammo . Now it's " any safe load with a 158gr lead RN or SWC bullet " . As far as S&W revolvers goes I 've yet to see anyone shoot a post lock gun in a match . Simple enough if you don't like the lock buy an earlier vintage gun . Added plus for me is the pre EDM barrels perform better with lead bullets . If you don't like the rules unite & protest to the rules commitee up to & including boycotting matches if you feel that strongly . We're all adults here so we know sitting on yer butt whinning never changed a damn thing .

So, do you know what the NRA position is on "the lock" on revolvers? I know they require hammer blocks be in place but I don't know about "the lock".

No to tell the truth I've got no idea what the NRA position is on the lock . Mainly apathy on my part as I only have 1 " lock " gun . It's an Aussie Police trade in 66 - 7 . Heard the Aussie's had disabled the locks & I didn't get a key with the gun . I did pop the sideplate & slick the trigger up & installed a 14lb rebound spring . It lives in a drawer in 1 room for uninvited guests . Actually any room in the house has a loaded accessible gun . I'm old , live by myself , no small children etc .I have 5 revolvers for target work all old like me . A pre 17 K22 , pre war M&P Target , 38/44 Outdoorsman , 14-3 K38 & Colt OMM . My 1911's are all pre 70's too .

Don't disagree with you at all, as those things you and others have mentioned are operational safety issues dealing with safely shooting the gun, where the lock is not an operational issue, it is away to disable the gun, which is not something you would do in competition or in a life threatening situation.

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Wayne