I'm in the market for a 66-8. I have been reading several people saying that the internal lock on the new Smiths have been locking with the recoil of heavy loads. Others who just don't like them and want to remove them. I have seen a few replacement plugs out there, but I was wondering, when you strip the gun down you can see a nipple on the back of the lock. That nipple catches on the left side of the hammer in groves cut from the factory. My question is, instead of removing the whole lock and having a hole. Can't you just grind or cut the little nipple that fits in those groves of the hammer, and leave the rest of the lock in place? Yes you would still have the lock in it,but non functioning. I think. Any thoughts?

People claim to have seen Bigfoot, or having been abducted by UFOs, too.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Done that to a couple of mine.

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NRA Benefactor Member

Why? Are you using revolver for self defense? I would leave it alone. If you have to send your 66-8 back to S&W for warranty work will they fix it?

Smith & Wesson will not sell that piece to you.

If you need to send the gun in for warranty or any other work you will pay to have a new installed by S&W.

Don't modify the part.

I have 2 S&W revolvers with the "dreaded lock". I have had no problems with them, even with heavy 44 mag loads. I never use the locks and just ignore them. It's your gun, so, do what you want!

Thanks for the info everyone. I guess only time will tell. It would be so much better if Smith would leave the lawyers out of the making of the gun process. No IL if my vote. The guns looked nicer without them too.

It has been suggested before on this forum that making the lock non-functional could be a liability. The idea is that if the lock looks like it works, then it should work. Otherwise someone in possession of the gun in the future might believe the gun was locked when it was not.

I personally follow this advice even though the situation described seems unlikely.

I have had no problems with the locks on modern revolvers, though I do prefer my older guns with no locks.

But on a gun with a lock, I would either leave it alone, or install a plug. The plug makes it entirely clear that the gun does not have a functioning lock.

I have 3 revolvers with the internal lock. Two are used only for target and plinking and have the lock intact. The third, a 500, has the lock removed and a plug in place. Although the 500 is also used for target, it's a "carry in the woods" firearm, and if an unfortunate event happens such as me having to shoot a bear or a rabid animal with it, I doubt the animal will sue me, no matter what Massad Ayoob says.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

I've turned the lock on and off numerous times on my 2 revolvers. Just from the feel of turning the key I am extremely confident your arm would be ripped off from the recoil before the lock could turn. For that matter, the impulse might favor the unlocking direction, but I haven't dissected the mechanism to figure that out.

Lol !

And if a 'name brand' like a Massad Ayoob even eludes to such it will be passed down through the ages as the gospel truth.
Nothing whatsoever in writing, nothing ever witnessed, just people talking.

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Mulebuk Sam and the Governor

Hi, how about a drop of glue in the key hole would that stop it from locking

If you have a lock, I would strongly encourage you to either remove the lock and plug the hole, or leave it alone. You are the current owner of the gun. There will be other owners in the future. Maybe a family member, maybe a stranger. In either case, a disabled lock is a potential disaster waiting to happen to some unsuspecting future owner. I have several guns that I have removed the locks from and plugged the holes. If I ever sell or trade these guns, I will reinstall the locks before doing so.

Ayoob has earned his credibility.......you haven't!!


Don

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Laus Deo! <><

My 340pd has the lock but it has not been a problem in over 100 pretty hot +P .38. It was purchased specifically b/c of its light weight. I'll never shoot .357 in this so although the lock is ugly it doesn't worry me when I carry it.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Excuse me.
And don't forget he once shot some pigs in the head.
Oh yeah he's a former cop now running a school up in New Hampshire no doubt when the aliens land they'll probe for his expertise.

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Mulebuk Sam and the Governor

Well, he's a forum member here....maybe you should send him a PM and dazzle him with "your" knowledge and expertise.

Don

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Laus Deo! <><

I doubt I could compete with your admiration. Difference is I don't claim anything vs. claims without documentation to back it up. I had a rude awakening in 1973 when the drill Sargent told me to get away from my John Wayne kick, he said it was better left for the movies and besides he said he was a draft dodger.

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Mulebuk Sam and the Governor

Do you have written proof that your sergeant was a draft dodger? Do you have written proof that you could kick like John Wayne?

Move along, nothing to see here...

Do I need written proof that you may be 3 sheets to the wind on this Sunday afternoon ? (I hope the guns are locked away) Either that or you might be dumber than I am. (and I only graduated kindergarten)

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Mulebuk Sam and the Governor

I don't drink. Maybe you should quit, too.

Ayoob has been testifying in courts across the country as an expert witness on firearms matters for several decades. If he was making stuff up and/or lying, defense lawyers would chew him up. Get caught lying in court and you will never be put on the stand again. "Are you lying now, or were you lying then?" He differentiates between his opinions and his facts. If you don't like what he writes, then don't read it.

Civility is a quality practiced on this board. Stick around a while and learn that.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Very lucrative profession from my understanding. Professional witness for hire, like in the old t.v. show "have gun will travel".
There are Doctors out there who have never practiced medicine but are used as professional witness's because they have a degree in medicine.

Imagine making that kind of money for just giving an opinion on something. We should all be that lucky uh.
I'm sure you will be back on here to offer yours.

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Mulebuk Sam and the Governor