Smith and Wesson Revolvers still available with no locks

[TAC]

Smith and Wesson still manufactures some of their revolvers with no internal locks. While there are only a few shown at the link below. They had reintroduced numerous models with no lock in recent years.

Search Results - Smith & Wesson

 

[jtmo3]

Not a full list. I just bought a 640 pro with no lock.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

The all of the new no-lock guns are Centennial frames with an internal hammer. AFAIK S&W has been selling no-lock Centennials to the general public since about 2009. It's encouraging to see the list of models offered grow larger.

I'd like to see a 3-inch L-frame Centennial 5-shot .44 Special with some type of adjustable sights, like the sights on the M640 Pro Series. Or the same gun as a 7-shot .357.

 

[ridgewalker]

I thought they were making a no lock version of the 340PD as well.

The one I would like to see is a NL 438. (Because I would buy it) I don't know why they don't make that in a no lock version.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

I ...I would like to see is a NL 438. ...I don't know why they don't make that in a no lock version.

Because a M438 has an external hammer that can be cocked into single action. The M438 has a Bodyguard frame. It's not a Centennial.

 

[ridgewalker]

Because a M438 has an external hammer that can be cocked into single action. The M438 has a Bodyguard frame. It's not a Centennial.

Well they can make any revolver without the IL regardless of whether the hammer is concealed, shrouded or exposed. I was going with they seem to be willing to make some models of J frames with and without the IL. You are correct I think that it has been only centennials but it would be fine if they would expand to bodyguards (and other models.)

 

[PALADIN85020]

This Model 40-1, which dates to November 1, 2007, does not have the abominable apparatus above the cylinder release...

John

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Well they can make any revolver without the IL regardless of whether the hammer is concealed, shrouded or exposed. .....)

They could, but they won't. Only internal hammer guns will be made without the lock.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

This Model 40-1...

Looks like that is a 150223. Could you share the s/n and Spec. Ord. number on that one?

 

[ISCS Yoda]

They could, but they won't. Only internal hammer guns will be made without the lock.

I'm not a big anti-lock guy and I have all the J-frames I care to own, locks or no locks, I'm into Ks and Ls, mostly, but that inspires a question, anyway, namely, why are only internal hammer guns made without the lock?

 

[ridgewalker]

They could, but they won't. Only internal hammer guns will be made without the lock.

Could you explain why?

 

[TAC]

I'm not a big anti-lock guy and I have all the J-frames I care to own, locks or no locks, I'm into Ks and Ls, mostly, but that inspires a question, anyway, namely, why are only internal hammer guns made without the lock?

It's quite possible they just had a surplus of older J-frame, frames in inventory.

 

[TAC]

I'm fairly certain, there was a limited release of some of the old classics, in K-frames, without a lock, in the last 10-12 years. I thought I recalled seeing some at a local gun shop, Double Action Gun Shop, in Madison Hts, Michigan. But I cold be wrong...getting older these days.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Looks like that is a 150223. Could you share the s/n and Spec. Ord. number on that one?

The serial number is DBJ-90xx. Although I have the original box, I can't lay my hands on it right now. I recall these were special edition Heritage (Classic?) guns that were offered in blue, case color, or nickel finish. I chose nickel. Product codes were 150221-150223. Not sure if they still make them or not, but I've heard they were discontinued. Probably a collector's item now.

John

 

[PALADIN85020]

It's quite possible they just had a surplus of older J-frame, frames in inventory.

It's more probable that they just didn't machine and drill the frames for the lock - actually easier to do than making them with it. Fewer manufacturing operations.

John

 

[TAC]

It's more probable that they just didn't machine and drill the frames for the lock - actually easier to do than making them with it. Fewer manufacturing operations.

John

Seems easy enough to do, just edit that portion of the CNC programming. However, these days, for liability, they'd have to jump through hoops, to approve a new model/part..

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

.... I have the original box, I can't lay my hands on it right now....

That's a 2007 s/n. If you think of it you can PM me the details whenever. I'd never seen one that early, and would just like to document it.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

I'm fairly certain, there was a limited release of some of the old classics, in K-frames, without a lock, in the last 10-12 years. I thought I recalled seeing some at a local gun shop, Double Action Gun Shop, in Madison Hts, Michigan. But I cold be wrong...getting older these days.

I don't think that ever happened. If it did, I'd like to know the details. The only case I know of was a rumor that a small number of no-lock K-frames where made as a special order for a Japanese Police agency. None were ever offered for domestic civilian sales.

 

[TTSH]

I'm fairly certain, there was a limited release of some of the old classics, in K-frames, without a lock, in the last 10-12 years.

I don't think that ever happened. If it did, I'd like to know the details.

I'd sure like to know too... since I was very interested in a couple of them I found... but too bad for me, both had the IL.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

I looked back in my notes and they weren't K-frames. They were 2-inch M37-2"s that were made in 2005, DAC s/n prefix, supposedly for a Japanese agency. Product code was 101615. It's very possible they were left over non-serialized frames made from before the change over to the ILS.

Even if there was some small number of new made White Elephant revolvers with exposed hammers and no-lock they would be the definition of "the exception that proves the rule."