I love the .44 Special and I have been wanting a 21-4 for a while now. I was in the gun store yesterday and they had a nice new one for sale. Beautifully made and finished. I came THIS close to buying it, but "couldn't get past the lock." I have about 30 S&W revolvers now and this would have been my only one with a lock.

As much as I wanted it, I couldn't do it. I know this is foolish in some ways. Has anyone else had this experience?

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Aaron Terry

When I see they have the lock, I simply leave them for those that appreciate that feature . . . .

Id rather not have the lock but that did not stop me from buying a new 21-4 and a 22-4. I have shot the snot out of both with no problems so far and am glad I bought them.

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Stay safe people!

I have no use for the lock. However, it is too easy to remove the lock if that is a bother. I have several with the lock (and many more without) and it doesn't bother me.

However, If I had a lightweight revolver with a lock, then would suggest removing it and replacing with a plug. The cost is minimal and I am NOT denying myself the great new S&W's (my 625-8 JM Special is a fantastic revolver - extremely accurate and "user friendly":





FWIW
Dale53

I am lucky as I have all the smiths I need for many years now. I dont have a smith with a lock and dont like them. However, if I didnt already own my 4 S&W .44 specials, I would buy one with the lock if I couldnt find or afford one of the older classics.

Hum….you could hold out for a pre 21. They are of course out there if you’re willing to look and pay the premium. Personally I have more than all the guns I need, and would rather have fewer, but better guns. Just a thought.

Emory

The lock is not a deal killer for me. I have a 629 and 649 that came with the lock. Since the potential for lock failure exists, I would certainly disable it on a gun whose primary purpose was self defense. On guns that I shoot for fun, I wouldn't waste the time to take it out.

That said, the feature is completely unnecessary except as lawsuit repellent, and I would prefer guns without them. Fortunately, there are millions to choose from, many still in excellent or better condition. I'll concentrate on those.

If I couldn't find an affordable early 21 or 22 (or their non-model-marked predecessors) to my liking, I would certainly consider a modern one, lock and all.

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David Wilson

+1

I have enjoyed my Thunder Ranch revolvers so much I can't imagine not having them. I don't even think about the lock anymore.

I like how I post this in the lounge b/c it is mainly a discussion of S&W locks and the mods move it to the 80s forum. Why not move it to gunsmithing since it is talking about an internal mechanical feature? That annoys me.

Anyways, the only ones I've really heard problems with are the scandium guns, like the 340 and the 329 locking up. I wouldn't be too worried about that with the steel.

This may sound crazy--but the little ugly arrow thingy they put on the frame bugs me more than the hole in the frame.

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Aaron Terry

I'm new to S&Ws, but I wont touch one with the lock. I have 5 and all are without. Plenty of good used ones to buy, usually much cheaper than the new ones with the locks. YMMV.

I really don't think "the lock" is suddenly going to lock up on me when I am shooting the gun...it could, and, I don't think I need it, so, I would prefer not having one.

I don't hate the lock because of the political implications.

I just think its ugly. If they had hid it under the grip frame, or something, I think I could get over it. But, they had to redesign the whole shape of the gun to make it fit and, then drill a hole (with an arrow stamped in the steel) right on the side of the gun.

So, its the same reason I don't buy alot of things, I just don't find it attractive. Therefore, I will not spend my money on it. I may like one model of car over the other, but, you hang too many spoilers and ground effects on a car, eventually, I won't like it either. Someone else may like it, others may be nuetral. Its really that simple.

I have an HK USPc that has a lock. Invisible. Inside the magwell. Brilliant thinking one someones part.

Maybe the placement of the lock ticks me off too. Its just an in your face kind of thing everytime you look at the gun...since I already dislike the idea, seeing that lock everytime I pick up the gun would just ruin it for me.

Well, gee.
Seemed like a good idea at the time.

I mean, like, you know, uhhh, discussing S&W guns in the era-appropriate S&W gun forum......

I've only run one gun board in my life, so I can't claim any real expertise.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Lee, I was just annoyed because I hadn't had my coffee yet this morning, and because we all know that you're the one who convinced S&W to put internal locks on their revolvers to begin with

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Aaron Terry

I bought a 686 and a 642 both new with the lock. Ended up selling them both. Replaced them with Rugers (sorry, but they have no lock). my only S&W's now are a 4053 and a 39. Any handguns I buy in the future will not have a lock. JMO, but they should offer the lock as an option for those who want it.

I wanted a 642 without a lock for some time. The local shops had several with the locks and I passed.

Finally a NIB 642 Airweight 38 Special without a lock appeared and I couldn't keep it from following me home.

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Semper FI

I feel your pain Aaron. I've been wanting a 21-4 also, but the lock turns me off. However, since board member "Bullseye Smith" has been selling "The Plug", I may eventually break down and buy one.

Yeah, the 21-4 is one I'd immediately buy if they made a no-lock version. Same goes for the no-lock 340PD. Alas...

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Aaron Terry

Oh, how exciting. Another "I hate the lock" thread. What is it: the 10,000th in 10 years? And, of course, the same old blather. Get over it guys.

I finally bought my first "IL" gun.

I couldn't pass on the 686-6 "Dealer stocking special" with the 5" barrel so....it's in the safe.

Like I said earlier, what I find more displeasing is the stamped arrow as opposed the hole itself.

Here it is. Isn't she purdy, hole and all ?

I didn't say I hated the "IL" It is just not my preference.

I reserve the words
Love & Hate

Love for my pets, my family and Hate for those that try to harm either one

but I do have several dislikes

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Semper FI

This is a "trying to get over it thread" rather than a straight lock bashing thread. Isn't that progress?

Yeah, and we don't like 10-round magazines or the Brady Campaign either. Get over it!

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Aaron Terry

Most of my S&Ws are "pre-lock". They are my preference. But I like the 21-4 and 22-4, so ,lock or not, I bought them. If I ever decide to carry them they will get the "Plug". Till then, they sure are fun!

My .02

Doc

Folks are never going to stop complaining and accept the lock - get over it

"Well, gee.
Seemed like a good idea at the time. "

And call me OCD, but I like it - got to have some kind of organization to prevent chaos.

Now if we could get people to post their Colt/Remington/Winchester/etc. questions in the Lounge, all would be right with my rose-colored, IL world.

If you pass on a new Smith because of the IL, you have missed a great revolver. The 'lock' is a non-issue.