Is it a common / safe mod or leave it alone and throw the key away?

Leave it alone, but keep the key (ducks and covers) . . .

In before the lock!

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

You'll find that there are people on both sides of that fence and each side is just as spirited about it as the other. Needs to be a decision that you make.

Toss the key. Stupidest thing ever forced on us.

Anyone know why locks came about?

I was thinking lawsuit defense protection for Smith. Mine never gave me trouble, but every time I look at them they worry me.

Do not toss the key. If you sell it you will have the complete package that way. And if for some reason you need it you have it.

I do not own any I/L guns and never will, but IF I DID I would take out the lock and replace it with a plug of some sort. These locking mechanisms have been known to lock up by themselves (although they supposedly have improved but not completely eliminated that) and they are NOT a carry safety devise or meant to be used while the gun is loaded and ready for action. They are meant solely as a disabling devise for when the gun is stored and not in use. Since most of my guns are locked up in a very secure safe, I have no interest in a I/L.

Not only is the I/L useless and a detriment to me, but it is also just another place to get gunked-up, unsightly and unnecessary part of S&W's new guns. If you do own an I/L gun and don't mind it - by all means do nothing. If you are using the gun for SD/HD or CCW and do not like or trust it, remove it but do save it for possible sale in the future. Just my .02 cents and YMMV..........

I've shot thousands of rounds with the lock still on the gun. I've never had a problem. Some people swear by taking it out. Don't do that on a carry gun.

If you do take it out be sure to keep the parts in case you ever have to send the gun back to Smith & Wesson for service. They will just put another one in and charge you for it.

Only time I've seen the lock go on by itself is with heavy recoil ammo. Then in the middle of shooting everything locks up. For 99% of the people the lock will not be a problem.

+1. That about sums it up for me. I have some with and without the lock and don't use them, but also don't pay any attention to them. If I was buying used though, I'd be leery of a gun that was plugged. Just another sign that it was played with internally. If you must remove, by all means save the parts.

OP: Welcome to the forum. You've raised good questions about a contentious issue. All the discussion there is to be had about the lock has been had here before; all that's left is for members to rehash and argue, and for the thread to be closed, as virtually all lock related threads are.

Suggest you acquaint yourself with the search function -- your questions will be answered.

Doesn't bother me either way. I don't use it but will never throw the key away. I would use it if visiting a family with small children.(over night)and if selling or trading it , other person may want it.

Thanks for all the replies!

If you are ever in front of a judge or jury for use of your firearm the prosecuting attorney will make hay of your unnecessarily modifying your firearm to an unsafe condition. One more nail in your coffin.

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Foster Positivity.

I have several S&W revolvers with the lock. Most of them I use in some sort of local competition and have never had any problems with the lock. ( but keep the key just in case)
In a couple that I carry or keep around for serious social occasions, I have removed the lock nub with a dremel. Just to make sure.

Local competition a great place to check out and practice with your equipment. If it is going to mess-up ,,, it will do it in a match..

Easy solution.....Don't buy guns with the cursed, unsightly, dangerously unreliable, stupid lock. No Key, No Lock, No problem!

I couldn't agree more!

I have no preference...
20140914_094019 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr
20151116_084317 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr
20150312_104857 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr
20151116_092739 (1) by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

...these are a little easier to find NIB.

Rick_A where did you get those plugs?

The I/L was NEVER MEANT to be engaged while carrying a loaded gun for SD! It is solely a storage safety devise to disable the gun from being used by unauthorized persons and was meant to serve the same purpose as a cable lock through the barrel. So if someone removed the I/L and used said gun intentionally to save their life, I don't see how weather the I/L was in the gun or not would make a difference. I suppose the prosecutor could bring it up, but any defense attorney worth his salt would cut right through that. Again, it was NEVER MEANT to be used as a safety while carrying a loaded gun.

The first one I purchased when available. The rest I made by hand out of stainless fasteners.

What fasteners did you use ?

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JR

If you need plugs, send me a PM. I manufacture them.

I would have no problem getting a Smith with a lock if they ever made a gun I just had to have!.

Up to now they have not done that! (and a betting person would say they never will!)

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

Everybody says this, but it's not true. You'll come under much more scrutiny regarding your decision to fire. There has been in the neighborhood of one case, the only case really cited by anyone, where a modification became an issue, and it was a LE shooting . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Exactly. If the lock were that much of an issue then people would have to stop changing out front/rear sights, replacing factory grips, end wolff spring change outs, cease moon clip conversions, and who knows what else. All of those could be deemed as "modifying your firearm to an unsafe condition". What's hilarious is I have yet to meet a single person who has ever used the lock.

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Ephesians 6 (Armor of God)