Locks Will Be Phased Out Says S&W!!

Nanook, that is a nice looking gun, I'm glad someone is doing that kind of work, I'd give that puppy a place by the fire anytime.
 
I don't know about all of this. From what I've been reading on the forum here, there were 4000 642-1's that left the factory last summer, right?

The 642-1 (no il)that I just picked up was test fired on 1/14/09. I think S&W are pretty much doing whatever they want and keeping what they do to themselves.
 
Well, reading this post makes me wish I would do more homework before purchasing! Last November I got a new 29-10 Classic 6.5" in blue. I had owned a 629 8.5" years before and wanted another 44. After unpacking it and studying up on the lock operation, I didn't think anymore about it until I starting seeing all the lock-no lock discussions here on this forum. I've put 100 or so 44 specials and 100 or so magnums up to 270 gr through it and it's just as smooth as ever. I don't anticipate using it for self-defense, more for the fun of just shooting it. Should I be wishing that I'd looked for an older pre-lock version?

Randy
 
Originally posted by bstringrandy:
Well, reading this post makes me wish I would do more homework before purchasing! Last November I got a new 29-10 Classic 6.5" in blue. I had owned a 629 8.5" years before and wanted another 44. After unpacking it and studying up on the lock operation, I didn't think anymore about it until I starting seeing all the lock-no lock discussions here on this forum. I've put 100 or so 44 specials and 100 or so magnums up to 270 gr through it and it's just as smooth as ever. I don't anticipate using it for self-defense, more for the fun of just shooting it. Should I be wishing that I'd looked for an older pre-lock version?

Randy

I think that 29-10 Classic will serve you wonderfully for the rest of your life. Only you can decide if the lock bothers you enough to part with it. Personally I'd enjoy it and not think another thing of it. JMO
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Now all they have to do is go back to counter bored cylinders, and forged lock work.
 
Confirmed if what is true?
S&W is not phasing out the locks.
See previous posts.
Denis
 
My friend just followed the video to remove the lock on his 442. I know that there is one guy working on a plug to cover up the remaining hole. If this is true, there will be some great deals on the "lock" versions. Seeing how easy it is to remove the lock, I'd have no problem owning one.
 
It's 2011 and Smiths still have locks. I'll believe it when I see it.
 
I get the feeling that they may be using some of the alloy J frames as a test bed to see if sales perk up with the lock being deleted. The J has always been Smith's test platform for sales. So once again I say we all go out and buy a 642 or 442 without the lock to show our desire for dropping that option. Offer limited runs with the lock for the socialist state that mandate the dang things. It would help drop the price some and they might see an uptick in sales. I know I won't go buy a 686+ or another 629 with it until they drop the option. But I did buy a GP-100 (which I love by the way) and I'm looking pretty hard at a four inch Redhawk in .45 Colt. If S&W would drop the ILS then I would at least see them as competition for either sale. At a bare minimum, stop putting them in the frame and go to the side plate, hammer, or under the grip.
 
My guess is that the locks will never be phased out completely. Too much of a liability to remove a "safety" device, a removal that is essentially admitting that they did nothing in the first place.

And if S&W wants to shore up their sales then they had better work on their overall QC--my only experience w/ a "new" S&W has not been positive and it will take more than removing the lock to make me consider dropping another $800 on a gun that came burdened with issues.
 
So now in 10 years the hot collectible will be a Smith & Wesson revolver WITH THE LOCK....

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rayb

This is my thoughts exactly. Im paying almost $500 less than list for the revolvers with the loc and the'll be worth ten times the list price if there discontinued. I love America. Bill
 
I don't "collect" guns and I don't carry revolvers with "safety" locks on them.

Citizen to Ranger: "Isn't that dangerous?" (pointing to the gun stuck in the Ranger's pants)

Ranger to Citizen: "Hell yes it is dangerous! I wouldn't carry it if it weren't."

:)
 
I get the feeling that they may be using some of the alloy J frames as a test bed to see if sales perk up with the lock being deleted. The J has always been Smith's test platform for sales. So once again I say we all go out and buy a 642 or 442 without the lock to show our desire for dropping that option. Offer limited runs with the lock for the socialist state that mandate the dang things. It would help drop the price some and they might see an uptick in sales. I know I won't go buy a 686+ or another 629 with it until they drop the option. But I did buy a GP-100 (which I love by the way) and I'm looking pretty hard at a four inch Redhawk in .45 Colt. If S&W would drop the ILS then I would at least see them as competition for either sale. At a bare minimum, stop putting them in the frame and go to the side plate, hammer, or under the grip.

If you have not noticed, the lock-less new models are limited to models that cannot be cocked (i.e. internal hammers).

What I think will be a collector's item in 10 years is all of this thread discussion about the lock.

It would be a non-issue if folks would just take the damn thing out.

Once removed, there is no danger of inadvertent locking during recoil.

The rest is all about looks, and I for one, with no offense to forum members who sell widgits to put in the hole where the lock was, would not remove parts that may come loose and tie up the action and replace them with other parts that may come loose and tie up the action.

Just take it out and live with the hole. It is a utilitarian self-defense piece anyway, isn't it? If it is only for range use, then who cares. Leave the lock in and continue shooting, and tell us all when it fails.
 
I wrote S&W Customer Service and asked the Question:
Are you planning a phaseout of the IL (Internal Lock)
The reply was:
"We do not for see any phasing out of the IL system in the future"
 
Don't hold your breath.......

I've been saying it for years, to all the people who moan and whine about 2-piece barrels and the IL.....I have seen it on this site, the 2-piece barrel was being phased out and now people are out looking for 619,64's,67's's and 620's with 2-piece barrels because of the "accuracy" and they are "collectible".

If and it's a big if, S&W gets rid of the IL then yes, the "limited 10 year production" IL revolvers will be "desirable" in 20-30 years.
 
From what I understand S+W is owned by the company that makes the locks.If I am buying another S+W revolver it will be like adding to my Colt collection from the ample supply of pre lock guns out thier.Save the cash and buy a REAL S+W REVOLVER WITHOUT THE LOCK....God Bless....Mike
 
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