S&W lock failure--it finally happened

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Ralph G. Briscoe

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As the owner of several modern Smith revolvers--with the lock--I had always been skeptical about the frequently expressed concern that the lock could spontaneously engage....until today that is. I set up a target and started shooting with my model 632. On what should have been the 5th shot the gun locked up. I've read that this was most likely to occur when shooting heavy loads in light revolvers. I was shooting very light handloads--1.5gr Bullseye, 90 grain cast bullet in .32 acp cases. Furthermore, I've shot this gun very little since buying it new and always with light or moderate loads. I've never used .327 magnums--.32 long, .32 HandR, .32acp only.
This incident has caused me to seriously rethink some things. My usual carry guns have been a 642 or a 432--both with locks. I will be having those removed and in the meantime will go back to carrying my 70's vintage Chief's Special.
Lock failure--IT CAN AND DOES HAPPEN!
 
Any serious Smith I buy... that damned Hell Hole gets snatched out as quick as I can degrease the revolver and an Original Precision lock delete from JD... If you can change your spark plugs in your truck you can install the lock delete with just some patience and watching the YouTube video's.

I'm sorry that your rig locked up OP. Thank God it didn't happen in a SD situation. My "N" frame's definitely get the Lock Delete because they are carried as "Woods-Guns" and I do shoot the 255 grain Hard Cast in the 625 and certainly the 300 grain pills in the 629. Check out originalprecision.com and/or contact J.D. "the owner" for help with your order if you need help. I can walk you thru the de-install/install if you PM me.
 
I've locked up a 686 with a lock, shooting my monster Ruger loads! I mean the whole gun seized! Hammer wouldn't go back. Cylinder wouldn't turn. You name it.
Did the lock fail? Nope. It appeared to me at the time, the brass expanded enough to lock itself on the recoil shield. As after it cooled, you could see all the brass was scraping there. It's been so long I really don't know if that was really what was up. I still shoot the gun today. All I did was clean it afterwards. It could turn and open after it cooled a bit.
Were you able to disengage the lock therefore letting the gun fire? Did the gun seize completely and let you open the cylinder after? What did you see that made you realize the lock did fail?

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
 
I am picking up a 627 Monday. Might have to look into these youtube videos you speak of.
 
I don’t ccw carry s&w revolvers with or without the loc. As well as my other valuable handguns. There pristine and worth too much. I carry an old war horse that’s dependable as throwing a stone.(cz82).

But that’s bad news it locked up. I hammered my new m58 with federal magnum loads with no problem.

For hunting I bought a used ruger SBH 10.5” barrel.
 
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I removed the lock from my 637 and just left the hole. I guess I need to do that with my other carry guns.
 
Lou_the_welder said:
I've locked up a 686 with a lock, shooting my monster Ruger loads! I mean the whole gun seized! Hammer wouldn't go back. Cylinder wouldn't turn. You name it.
Did the lock fail? Nope. It appeared to me at the time, the brass expanded enough to lock itself on the recoil shield. As after it cooled, you could see all the brass was scraping there. It's been so long I really don't know if that was really what was up. I still shoot the gun today. All I did was clean it afterwards. It could turn and open after it cooled a bit.
Were you able to disengage the lock therefore letting the gun fire? Did the gun seize completely and let you open the cylinder after? What did you see that made you realize the lock did fail?

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

It locked up completely--nothing would move, couldn't open the cylinder. As I was testing new handloads at first thought the problem might be ammo-related, then I remembered the lock, found the key and unlocked it. It's functioning normally now, but I don't trust it until the lock's dehorned.
 
You are the second person I know of that the lock did fail then. The first guy described using the key also. And his was a small J frame.
Sometimes its ammo related like what happened to me.
So far....none of my K, L or N frames have locked up- due to the lock! (Knock on wood)
I don't think I'll be disabling any locks on mine-due to the fact that they've never failed me at the range where I use them.....
Ralph G. Briscoe said:
It locked up completely--nothing would move, couldn't open the cylinder. As I was testing new handloads at first thought the problem might be ammo-related, then I remembered the lock, found the key and unlocked it. It's functioning normally now, but I don't trust it until the lock's dehorned.
Click to expand...

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
 
I had a Model 25-13 MTN GUN in 45 Colt lock up twice on my with Cowboy loads on first outing, you could see the flag up on it, and a 438 locked up after 3 shots. I removed lock from both and they worked fine afterward.
 
I know the chances of failure are remote. But any handgun I've owned has been for defense, not hunting or range duty, and I wouldn't take the chance to own one with the lock in place. I understand the new S&W revolvers are quality products; but if I could buy one (I can't) I would immediately remove the lock and plug the hole. I don't like even remote chances of failure in a gun I might need to save my ancient bacon.

Now I'm counting down till this thread gets closed on the grounds that the subject has (a) been done to death, and (b) it's covered by the Ayoob article.
 
Why should it get closed, shouldazagged? The OP is posting about a real problem he encountered and not something he just heard. And he is saying that he is going to remove the lock and not ranting on and on about new revolver quality or whining incessantly about the locks like some do. And I can understand his concern about the lock engaging on his self defense gun. As a matter of fact, it makes me think twice about removing the lock out of my wife's model 60. As that is her self defense gun at the house while I am 750 miles away at work for 2 weeks at the time. The lock is in it for now, but I can see myself removing it in the near future.

Ralph G. Briscoe, thanks for posting up about the lock engaging on your gun and not ranting on and having a hissy fit about it.
 
jerry52 said:
had a 625 lock during an idpa match, thought it was a bent moon clip or high primer pulled trigger hard to go thru it. The gun went back to S and w they replaced many parts, still have it minus the lock, won't ever buy another smith with a lock
Click to expand...

I am trying to understand what happened with the factory repair. I understand they replaced many parts. Did they replace the lock? Did they replace other malfunctioning parts? Did they return it to you with or without a functioning lock? Did you remove the lock after the return from service? Previous posts have maintained that SW will only return a gun in "factory condition," meaning in this case with an operational lock. Or did you re-remove the lock after return? Not judging, just trying to understand.
 
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smith replaced lock ,cylinder stop ,hand and cylinder . i removed the lock the best part of this repair was I got performance center cylinder (beveled)
 
642 Still available without internal lock

I bought my 642 ~3yr ago online, and WITHOUT an internal lock. That model is STILL available without the internal lock. A valid option for those concerned. :cool:

The 642 without the lock is a good/great SD carry, IMO. I've carried it for 3yr but recently shifted to a SS framed K6S, capable of .357 rounds. I am seriously thinking of keeping/using the K6S with only 38Spec+P for carry. Much more controllable rounds IMO, particularly, in a lightweight (23oz).

I have both a 686 and 627 for the big rounds and will keep them as "Range Revolvers", as least for now. :D
 
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