But now I have two. Purchased a 637 last month for carry. Price was right and it is light & + P ratted. I just don't like the way the lock looks and the way the frame is redesigned to accommodate the lock works. Any way I figured I would give it a try. So far, very happy with it and the lock has not been an issue. I had heard stories about the lock parts breakage making the gun unusable. Only a month, right?
Right after I purchased the 637 a used model 60, in .357 came up for sale with extras. That was the gun I had originally wanted, in prelock. This one had the lock and for the price with extras I took a chance with another "J" frame. The M-60 shoots very well but shoots very differently from the lighter 637, shooting both with .38s.
Now the older "J" frames with hammer mounted firing pins look funny.
I was going to sell one after I made up my mind which one I like better. Right now I think I will keep both. I was very surprised how manageable the M-60 is with full charge .357 loads.
So, what are the lock issues, if any. Failures? thanks, Ron

I share your feelings about the lock----however I have bought several of them over the years. 625, 637, 638, 642, 442.They are ugly and useless,
BUT I have never used one of them and I have never ever had a failure
of the gun to operate properly on any one of them.

I don't like the lock either but my new 638 (purchased during the $50 rebate) has had hundreds of rounds through it, to include the hottest Buffalo Bore, and never failed me.

I don't like the motivation for the deal, nor the doubt that it causes about the functioning. However, I did like that I could get a Model 21/.44 Military for $485 instead of $4850. So far I have had no lock failures, if I do I will rip the guts out.
When it comes to easily available models (29, 10, etc, etc) I'll buy the cheaper, better made, no lock models.

The flag on my 637 lifted up a little and the gun froze on the range. I never was told after the repair what was wrong. It took removing the lock for me to trust in again. Then it had a hole in the side for the longest. I recently filled the whole thing with epoxy. I want to shoot it a few more times to see if it comes loose at all. So far it is holding just fine. As durable as epoxy is, I don't think anything will happen. After she gets duracoating then I'm hoping to not even see the hole at all. We shall see...

Motivation for the deal? Do you mean lawyers?

thousands of rounds, no problems.

there are many many many threads here that covers the lock over and over and over...there are stickies here on the locks as well....plenty there for you to read

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Them and giving in to buy points with an anti-freedom administration.

Currently considering both of these two guns for my first purchase. What barrel lenghts did you get? Don't know how old yours are, but currently on their website new 60's come in both 2" and 3", and the 637 comes in both 2" and 21/2".

My first handgun was a 686 that was equipped with a lock. I wasn't aware that I was buying a lock-equipped gun when I purchased it new. It wasn't 'til I got it home and read the manual that I figured out what was that funny little hole in the side of the gun. I shrugged my shoulders and forgot about it, lost the key somewhere along the way, and happily put a gajillion rounds through it without a problem. Then, about 3 years ago, I joined this forum and for the very first time discovered that there are people who actually care about this thing.

I've purchased a couple of dozen Smith revolvers since, a few with locks, most without, and I still haven't given the lock much thought. One of my current guns in heavy rotation is a 625JM, naturally, lock equipped. Doesn't seem to affect the trajectory of the bullets and it sure doesn't bother me.

Now, I will admit that the coolest revolvers that I own are pre-lock Smiths. Yes, pre-lock guns are definitely prettier. In fact, pre-just about every pre-modern innovation Smith revolvers is prettier. My current favorite is a 19-3 snub that I bought a couple of weeks ago. It is a nickeled thing of beauty.

So, where I'm coming from is this. I don't have any concerns about "lock failure", my guess is that this is a much hyped but essentially non-existent problem. I do think that the older guns are (far) nicer looking than current models and I personally prefer them for the aesthetics.

For those of you who are avid collectors, think of this: if it weren't for locks, MIM'd parts, unpinned barrels and unrecessed chambers, your collections would probably be worth less! It is the increasing scarcity of older Smith revolvers that supports their value. So, collectors, rejoice! The lock and other modern innovations works to your benefit.

The lock is as useless and ugly as a wart on your elbow. Just doesn't make sense.

BUY "THE PLUG" FROM OUR FELLOW FORUM MEMBER, BULLSEYE SMITH. A GREAT PRODUCT FROM A GREAT GUY. SOLVES THE PROBLEM BOTH MECHANICALLY AND COSMETICALLY..........

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

I bought one for my 629. I just wanted to try something crazy. What? No one else here has ever done something crazy???

A friend of mine, with whom I shoot regularly, worked both the regular counter and the Gun Library at Cabelas for several years. In that time he personally waited on at least a half dozen customers whose S&W revolvers had locked up on them while shooting - they came back to the store because they'd lost the keys and wanted the store to (at least) unlock the guns for 'em. No telling how many more customers may have had their gun lock up but had the key to unlock it.

Point is that the locks DO fail - certainly not always or a very large percentage of the time. But for anyone who thinks they might EVER have to use the gun as a defensive tool, even a tiny risk that it may lock up unannounced can be too great to take.

Personally, I've never owned one with a lock - the K-22 and Model 19 I once owned, and my currently-owned 1917 and 49, all long predate the thing. If I ever decide to get another K or N frame I would not buy one with a lock. I did just order a new 442 (that 49 gets HEAVY in a pocket) but waited until I found one without the lock - basically so I wouldn't have to remove the lock and plug the hole.

But that's just me. Others obviously feel differently, as S&W still sells lots of guns with the locks.

I have a Model 642 with a lock. Thousands of rounds, no problems. Of course, I did remove the lock right after I bought it.

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Centennial Every Day

I don't like the LOCK - but it hasn't stopped my buying new S&Ws, that's for sure. Of course, that's because I am a realist - and, after ten years of making LOCK-equipped revolvers, S&W has not had to spend a dime defending it in a lawsuit. To me, it's a non-issue - and if I really tire of looking at the little wart, I'll remove it and buy those plugs! Not likely.

Stainz

Same thing happened to me with a new 22-4 AFTER the factory had finished servicing it.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

So much for the overhyped but non-existent problem theory. Whenever you add parts, you add extra things that can break and go wrong. We all have to play a daily game with Mr. Murphy, why help his hand when you are betting on your life?

For a long time I would not look at a IL S&W. Then... I say a nice NIB 21-4 at the local gunshop. Got it for $525 OTD. It is an outstanding revolver. Fit and finish are superb. At 10 yds. it will put 6 rounds into one inch using plain 240 gr. LRN or 200 gr. JHP ammo. Its timing is perfect. SA and DA are outstanding, as good as any other S&W I've ever owned. This revolver has MIM hammer/trigger as well as the IL. Never would have thought I would like one. Now... it's just about my favorite.

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<><

I bought the 25 Classic 15 months ago. I've put thousands of rounds through it, albeit mostly light target loads. No lock issue. I did put a new Wolff spring kit in it and looked at removing the lock, but decided to leave it alone for a while to see how it worked out. Since then I've bought the 620, 638. 25-13 and 617.

I have three, hundreds of rounds, no trouble. If you want trouble buy a Kimber!!! What a mess.

Sorry, I lost track of this post.

My 637 has the 2 inch, (May be 1 & 7/8 ?) and the M-60 has the non-ported 2". I like the weight of the 637 and the power (.357) of the M-60. I really like the finish of the stainless on the 60 also. I purchased the 637 about 2 months ago and the M-60 was used and I am not sure of its DOB.

So has anyone use the key to try and unlock the gun after a (lock up) during use? Has the lock self engaged or has the problem been broken parts related to the lock itself or other reasons?

Read the sticky's at the top of the forum. Will tell you anything you need to know (and lots you don't) about "the lock".

Just curious, but this topic HAS to be the most repeated thread title on the whole forum is it not?

What is the big deal regarding the new internal locks anyway? I just purchased a brand new Mod 60 Pro and didn't see the internal lock as a negative. Would love to know what the issue is with the newer designs that include the internal locks, comments please.

The lock has a mind of it's own. Lots of discussion about this in other threads.

Nothing to see here. Move along...

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Centennial Every Day

I am in the process of buying a 686... brand new, with the lock. Regardless of chance of it locking up being 1 in a trillion, or 1 in 5, it doesnt matter.... This revolver will be primarily used for plinking, and a bedside gun for home defense. Because of the latter use, I will remove remove the lock and fill the space with a kit from Bullseye Smith, so I dont have to worry about it.

If it werent going to be a HD gun, I wouldnt bother.

Are you MAD?

Are you INSANE?

Are you OUT OF YOUR FREAKING MIND?

You're buying a lock gun that you'd bet your life on? Don't you know that a guys Grandfathers friends brothers cousins best friend, who I heard about from a friend of a friend, had one of these and he/she/it locked up when being charged by an angry rhino. Locked right the frick up and had to be dislodged with a blowtorch and a skyhook.

Man, you need to read the internet more. LOTS of expert stories there about not only the inherent unreliability of the lock itself, but also the treachorous dogs who foisted it on an unsuspecting world.

NEVER would I buy one with a lock (except the 3 I already have), but other than those...never.

Easy enough to remove the flag if you choose, I did on my 610 because it sits in a safe to keep out of unauthorized hands. Kids are smart, they could probly teach us how to pick the lock with a spoon.

On a good note, back in the 80's I remember taking my bought new no-dash 686 for a trigger job (I was raised on bullseye shooting, gotta get a 2 lb or under trigger ) to the gunsmith dad used. Just got the 610 done by him this week and asked his opinion on the lock guns. He feels the machining is better and smoother on the new guns, making it easier to get an even better trigger. For what its worth hes never seen one lock up.

I have a 10-14 with a big hole in the left side Can you say cloveleafs at 25 yards?