I recently purchased a new 617...yes, the one with the lock. I like this revolver a lot, but I would like it better without the hole in the side. Seems to me that an oversized thumb piece could easily cover the hole. So does anyone know of an aftermarket part that does just that? (Maybe for legal reasons no one makes one?)

kas

I believe Hogue makes an extended thumb latch, but I don't know if it will cover the lock.

I know a lot of guys don't like the lock because of reliability concerns in the event of a gun fight -- but a 22???

Just a reminder...

S&W has put the IL in their revolvers for ten years - and has yet to spend a dime defending a lawsuit over it. I bought my first IL-equipped revolver over nine years ago - even carry a 642-2 so equipped (It's in my pocket now!) - my 617 and 63's have it, too. Other than being an ugly spot on my revolver, it is innocuous. Worry more over the QC in your 617's construction - the muzzle, b/c gap, chamber smoothness, etc. Get the oversized cylinder release - if you think it would help your shooting. Otherwise, spend the moola on ammo - and a DS-10 speedloader - and enjoy that 617!

Okay - I have to come clean. As a college teacher, I had heard the familiar axiom, 'Do as I say, not as I do!'. Retired, I still obey that! I don't think the IL is a problem - but I still have a key for it in my range bag... Heretic?

Stainz

Thanks for the replies. I guess I was just kind of thinking "out loud" when I wrote this posting. I am pretty neutral as far as the lock is concerned; it is indeed innoculous. Haven't even taken the keys out of the plastic bag to see if the lock works!

Concerning the QC on this gun, I have had no problems in the month that I have owned it and I think S&W did a pretty good job in putting mine together. I do think they could have done a little better job in finishing it, but Mothers and a half hour polishing it have fixed that up. I am indeed enjoying my 617.

I will direct you to Mister Bullseye Smith. A fellow poster here on the forum that will sell you a plug for that hole. I do not like the hole either, but I solve it a different way....the only time I will buy an IL is if I can trade it for a good used NL, and I have actually done that.

I too am wondering when somebody will start the production of a replacement oversize latch that will cover the hole....if you don't like the plug. It would be a pretty serious start-up cost involved to machine and produce an oversize latch that would match and I really don't think the demand would be there for it anyway.

I've seen people tap the hole and plug it with a screw (which is not all that attractive) and then there is the plug....or just remove the 5-piece IL contraption (6 if you count the key) and live with the hole.

I am actually not afraid of the IL...it's just the "flimsy" over-engineered Rube Goldberg device being in my gun in the way that bothers me....and a lot others.

I have been using S&W revolvers since 1971. They did not have a lock.

I have never had one fire by itself...

I only have one of the "new" S&W's a 325 Night Guard. It did not have any of the lock parts in it when I bought it.
I really like it.

My thoughts are, IF you take ALL the lock parts out, you are back to the Original S&W's... And their reliability...

The hole in the frame does not bother me at all.

I would never own any S&W with any of the lock parts in it.

We get to talk about this every now and then, but my suggestion would be to go to the sticky and view all the commentary concerning the lock. The moderator won't let a new lock discussion go very far in a new thread....we have all beat the subject to death.

It's not going away, so we just have to decide what to do...to each his own.

snubbiefan, you are absolutely correct - the lock subject has been beaten to death. I had no intention of starting a general thread about the IL - I really just wanted to know about the availability of an oversized thumbpiece, which I had not noticed in other threads concerning the lock.

So far I haven't found anything. I did look at the Hogue web site as suggested by 617x10, but unfortunately, their extended thumb pieces do not cover the hole.

kas

I understand...and I promise you that was my very first thought too on the possibility of an enlarged thumb-piece. I just don't think we will ever see one and if we do....it will be very expensive. I would not want one unless it was constructed as an exact match.

I think so many people don't mind the lock, others are happy with the plug and still others are okay with just the hole. I would be surprised to see an enlarged thumb-piece hit the market to cover the hole. Having said that....I bet somebody somewhere is fooling with a prototype even as we speak.

I believe the so called "lock problem" is a figment of the imagination. I have put almost 10,000 rounds through both my 617 and 627PC and over 5000 rounds through my 327PC without a single problem.

I'm with the original poster. I would like a discussion on AN OVERSIZED THUMB LATCH.

There are aftermarket pieces out there but none that I know of that cover the hole. If there were one I'd buy a few the day they were available.