S&W lock hole filler plug?

[caryg]

Good Point

What happens when that gun falls into the hands of a future owner who thinks he has a functioning lock and it fails to work when it should?

That is why I removed it and saved it without destroying it. That's why I started this thread to see if someone had figured a way to plug the small hole rather than grinding the flag down. I had a J frame before and sold it and the individual wanted the lock restored so I put it back. Kinda hard to do it if grind ed down.

 

[epj]

My point exactly. Either remove the lock and plug the hole, or leave it alone. Don't modify it.

 

[epj]

That is why I removed it and saved it without destroying it. That's why I started this thread to see if someone had figured a way to plug the small hole rather than grinding the flag down. I had a J frame before and sold it and the individual wanted the lock restored so I put it back. Kinda hard to do it if grind ed down.

I make plugs for the lock hole. Only the J frame has the "extra" hole. I've been giving some thought to the small hole. Carefully measure the pin on the flag of a removed lock. See if there is a dowel pin of the same diameter available. If so, and I think it's around .050, it could simply be pressed in the hole and driven out with a punch if there were need to replace the lock.

 

[kilroy2721]

What happens when that gun falls into the hands of a future owner who thinks he has a functioning lock and it fails to work when it should?

I thought about it before doing it to mine, including any possible potential legal issue's with doing it, and I came up with the decision that if I ever needed the gun to fire right then and there, I don't want some possible chance to go wrong.

As far as legality issues, the lock is just for "storage and child safety". I could always put a trigger lock on it, or throw one of those cable locks on it.

But why sell? Never sell only buy.

 

[epj]

There is a problem with your strategy. You are not the last owner of that gun, and probably your children/grandchildren aren't either. Once the gun is passed on to someone else, they may assume the lock works. You or your heirs may tell the original purchaser that the lock is inoperable, but subsequent buyers will likely not know.
The new owner, Billy-Bob, is not a real gun guy. He loads her up, locks the lock, and goes about his business. The home is filled with inquisitive kids. You can probably see where this is going.
Remove the functional lock and plug the hole, or leave it alone. Just my 2 cents. It's your gun, do as you please, but don't think you're going to be it's only owner. It may be easily have a dozen or more owners before being religated to antique status.

 

[wrangler5]

There is a problem with your strategy. You are not the last owner of that gun, and probably your children/grandchildren aren't either. Once the gun is passed on to someone else, they may assume the lock works. You or your heirs may tell the original purchaser that the lock is inoperable, but subsequent buyers will likely not know.
The new owner, Billy-Bob, is not a real gun guy. He loads her up, locks the lock, and goes about his business. The home is filled with inquisitive kids. You can probably see where this is going.
Remove the functional lock and plug the hole, or leave it alone. Just my 2 cents. It's your gun, do as you please, but don't think you're going to be it's only owner. It may be easily have a dozen or more owners before being religated to antique status.

+1 for this analysis. Since the lock mechanism has already been made nonfunctional, removing the lock parts is the prudent step.

Like many things legal, the chances of getting sued for leaving a nonfunctional lock in place may be tiny, but if you (or your heirs) DO get sued the financial consequences can be catastrophic. (WILL be catastrophic, regardless of the outcome, if you don't have insurance that covers your legal expenses.) Removing the lock parts eliminates ALL risk of somebody thinking that the gun is locked when it really isn't.

Plugging the lock "cylinder" hole would be optional - some say leaving it open doesn't really let gunk get inside, but a plug seems much more sensible. EPJ sells 'em through an ad in the forum classifieds, with pictures of how one looks and how they're held in place.