As some of you may know, I've been manufacturing sight pushers for several years. It all started on this forum and has grown into a pretty busy part time business. I have the capability of manufacturing a plug for the lock hole. I am still on the fence as to whether John Whitt is going to show back up. If he does, I wouldn't consider it. Frankly, given what I know of the situation, I fear the worst for John. Anyway, give me some feedback as to the interest in a plug. It might be just exactly like John offered, or might be a bit different. Probably very similar. I'd probably start with the stainless K,L,N and go from there. Give me your thoughts and we'll go from there.
Ed Jennings
Jennings Machine and Tool

My buddy the pro machinist called this morning. He and I met last week and nailed down what we think are the right dimensions, harvested from a L plug. Anyway, he has two prototypes that he delivered to my house. I haven't gotten home to see them yet, but if they look ok, I'll try installing one in one of my guns and see how it looks. He says he's got to tweak the tooling to make the parting cut just a little. I have a couple of ideas that might help with that. Anyway, we may be getting close. Stay tuned for further updates.
Here's the latest: last night I took the original plug out of my 686 and tried one of ours. It fit great, except it was about .040-.050 too short on the frame side. We had taken dimensions from a lock, and failed to take into account that the lock is a tad recessed. At least that's what it seems. The location of the locking groove and the protrusion inside the frame were perfect. The original fork and spring hold it in place very securely. My partner in crime is going to make a handful tomorrow or Monday for me to inspect. If they look like they are ok, we will start shipping them. These will be KLN frame stainless. Sort of a brush finish. I'll address the J frames soon. Got to find what my wife did with hers last time she hid it . If you go anywhere in my house, there is a loaded gun nearby. You just may not know where it is!
I'm going to produce some in carbon steel as well. I will probably cold blue or black parkarize them. Don't really want to fool with Delrin.
Looks like cost for one plug will be about $35, with additional plugs at $32. This is based on the machine time necessary to make them. If we can get the time down with more experience, we'll price them accordingly.
That's it for June 27. More as it develops. See first page of the JMT ad in the accessories section for ordering info. At the bottom, underneath the pushers.

I may have some interest since I never got one from John. Regardless of who or how many people may decide to manufacture a plug in the future and unless a patent is violated, competition is a good thing and how manufacturers of products are encouraged to make changes to better the product.

I'm up for one.

Rob

I'd take a few

__________________
No gold. Only lead. Bobby

Count me in

I need one for my stainless 627 Pro.

__________________
Paul

I need one for a J frame (642) with a Semi-Bright Stainless Finish.

__________________
.:God Bless America:.

I'd love one for my J frame 438, blued if possible - but would be glad to have a stainless one (can blue it myself).

Are the lock sizes different on the different frames or is it the thickness of the frame?

I would take one to match my 627-5 with the bead blast finish.

__________________
Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

I'd like one for my bead-blast-finish 686-6 Pro.

The lock hole is not attractive. Glad it is small. I only have 2 Smith revolvers that have one. I just don't pay any attention to it once I have the gun. That's just me! Bob

I could use one for my Governor

I am game. If you decide to make N frame polished & blued would be awesome, or even just plain black.

__________________
USAF AMMO

J frame, please, sir. Best, Joe

I would by one.

__________________
Chewy

I'd likely buy a blue one for my M22-4.

Larry

yup! maybe a couple stainless.

Well, Ed, I am still waiting for my order to John to be filled at this point. I placed the order for three plugs (two for J Frames and one for K Frame) in mid January. John has communicated with me a couple times in the interim and indicated he intended to complete his standing orders but would not likely be taking more orders, at least not anytime soon. I haven't bugged him about these because of the health related situation he faces. I've been thinking about trying to contact him again and see if he would prefer to just cancel the order and refund my payment to him. My feeling is that if he were able to complete my order, he would do so. I'm not complaining here ... stuff happens, and I believe what has happened to John is certainly pretty much beyond his control. I think he fully intended to complete my order and has just not been able to do so. I do not know what his chances are for recovery to be able to do so. At this point, I have my doubts, and for that, I am sorry! I would guess he might respond to an email from you and shed some light on that situation. He has been willing to do so with my inquiries.

I'd say if you are willing to take on this task, there would be some interest, based on comments and questions here on the forum, but I can't say if the level of interest would be worth your time and effort to get them into production. I'd say being able to produce the plugs for all three frame sizes eventually would increase the number of orders.

I've considered restoring the external plug with the spring and yoke that holds it in place internally and leaving out the flag portion that causes the problem. I can't really see any reason why those parts would not stay in place, but since the only gun I've removed the lock on is my EDC, I've been hesitant to take a chance on that. I can live with the hole, and as things are now, there is nothing in place to come loose and cause a problem when I least need one.

So, I would tell you that I definitely would be interested, especially for the M642 J Frame I speak of. I'm glad to hear that you are considering this project. Based on my experience with your sight pusher, I have no doubt you'd do a great job of producing these items. Since I have not received my plugs from John, I don't know exactly what his product contains as far as parts are concerned. If it's just the plug, which uses the existing internal parts to hold it in place, then my concern would evidently be unfounded if I were to put my existing lock plug back in place minus the flag.

I hope things work out for John, whether or not he is able to ever continue manufacturing his plugs. I also hope you can decide whether or not you can start production of these without crowding his business. I appreciate your concern for that. Good luck!!

__________________
So long ... Ken

I would be in for a L and a J, if you start making those too.

One for a 360PD would make me happy.

Same here but I have written the plug and money off. I have communicated with others - same thing. Anyway, I hope Ed decides to offer plugs.

__________________
.:God Bless America:.

I've sent an email tonight. Will see if I get a response and report.

__________________
So long ... Ken

I'd probobly take 1 for an L and N frame.

I'd be interested. I have one from John for a stainless N frame. I'd like a black one eventually for a 327 Nightguard.

__________________
Brad

If you start production, I could use one for a 66-8 .... ;o)

I'd be in for a few... one now for the 625-8 I just bought, and a few extra for "those players to be named later"....

__________________
Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

I may want three in stainless.

I'd be interested in one for a 686-6.

I would be in as well

I would also buy for 686 and 629.

Amen. I could use a couple j frame plugs depending upon their cost.

I got 3 of these from John, they "finish" the gun. Perfect fit!

I would be interested in the same. It would be for the 637, but same plug

I have a couple of blue N frames that need a plug.
Thanks
Bob

I have two on order from john since November- december
Would be in for 2 satin for the N Frame

Thanks
Bob

I would love to pick one up for a 686

Groo here
Yes.

I'll take 2. 1 for a new 686 and 1 for a 629.

I'd take a few in stainless. At least one each for a J, K/L, and N frame. Definitely, would like to put one into a new 3-inch M63-5. Put a traditional gold-dot Patridge on it. That'd be a neat little plinker kit gun.

__________________
~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Please start making these, I need one for my J frame m638 in the satin/gray finish.

Just let me know how much and where to send the payment when/if you start making them.

Thanks

I'm a new owner of a J frame 642 with IL. Bought it online and accidentally picked the wrong one. I am planning on trading it in and getting a no lock version, but if you make a plug I will keep it and save taking a bath on the whole deal.

Please please please! It would only benefit the S&W ownership community!

Well, apparently there is at least some short term interest. I'll try to email John and see what his response is.

Good luck, Ed. So far, I have had no response to my email to John last night. I may yet hear from him. That's not very long, especially if he is not able to access the net for some reason (hospital, etc). I hope you have success, but you may just have to give it your best shot and then go forward if you choose to do so.

__________________
So long ... Ken

I need one in blue for my Model 58-1.

__________________
MARK

One L-frame and one N-frame piece needed here; both in brushed stainless, please.

Well it looks to me as if you have found a new side business for yourself!

I dunno. I have yet to get in contact with John. Will try to do so over the weekend. I'm running about 10 days behind on sight pushers right now. Maybe I don't need another side business

Any idea on what the cost of these would be?

I'll take one for a 686.

Don't know until I see how long it takes to make one. Probably same level we've been looking at. Got to find some 303 stainless and see what it costs. Shouldn't be much of a factor though.