I want to buy two S&W revolvers model 642 for my wife and I to use for concealed carry. I have read that the internal locks are not needed and maybe not good. I found a local dealer that has two 642 Ladysmiths in stock but I think they have internal locks.
(Model 163808) Is this reason enough to pass on this gun and order one without the lock. I also read somewhere that S&W on the Ladysmith versions did some additional trigger work in or something to make them smoother, has anyone heard of this? The S&W literature (marketing stuff) said somewhere that they were specifically made for ladies but other than the grips and some engraving the differences are not obvious. Thanks, Ed

Those are good guns. Many people confidently carry 642's.
I wouldn't worry about the locks. They can even be removed, although this isn't really necessary.

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George

and welcome to the forum!

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George

Here's the definitive article on the lock.

The History and Future of the Smith & Wesson Internal Lock - RevolverGuy.Com

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AKA SixToEight

"Does the internal lock create a problem"

Yes, it causes some people to lose their ever-lovin' minds.

I could certainly live without it, but S&W can't take it back now, think of all the lawyers that would choke on saliva dreaming of a big payday.

I have a few with it, no problems. The Ladysmiths I've handled have had better trigger pulls (smoother & lighter), but I haven't shot one in a while.

Just one more unnecessary thing that can activate itself on super light magnums (329pd, 340pd) with full power rounds. I wouldn't worry about it in a 642. Just buy it. Good guns.

They make new 442 and 642's without the lock. If you haven't made the purchase.
Just sayin.

The "no lock" 442 is CA legal, on roster. You have a fair number of LGS and Bass Pro, Sportsmans Warehouse close by and they should be able to get.

I'm sure River City Gun Exchange in Sacramento carries them, or Wild Bills in Elk Grove.

If you want to avoid the lock or feel it's not necessary it's easy to do.

In before the lock!

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

I don't own any revolvers with the IL, but simply because my guns arre older. But I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a revolver with the IL. IMO, a non-issue.

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John

Like someone sort of said, if the problem exists only in one's mind, it's still a problem.

Because no-lock versions of the revolvers you want already exist (and a few other models, too), strongly suggest you find and buy those instead of the lock version and avoid the second-guessing yourself.

The modern Lady Smith variants do not receive any noteworthy trigger tuning; they are stock but for cosmetics. Certain earlier versions may have received a lighter rebound spring, or they may have not -- it's unknown and debated some here. Bottom line is don't expect a different trigger feel between standard and LS versions.

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Pickpocket

No. My 625-8 with lock is 100% reliable, even with +P 255 grain 45 Auto Rim ammo in bowling pin shoots.

I've just acquired a 640-1 Pro Series (April 2021 label/ship date)...no lock....

I can't tell a difference between my lock and no-lock guns while shooting them.

If the gun you want has a lock...buy it and enjoy.

I had a 638 w/the lock, hundreds of rounds of +P & standard pressure w/o a single problem. It is unnecessary but if you like/want the revolver I wouldn’t let that stop me.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

What lock?

It only offends my sensibilities

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213th FBINA

I don't own any and have no interest in them whatsoever so I guess not

Agreed. Not something I even think about. I have several revolvers with it and they're fine.

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Come and take it!!

I've also read that.

I don't know where my key is because I've never needed it. I lost it a long time ago. Should get another one I guess.

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That's just somebody talkin.

I've owned an 8 3/8's barreled 500 since 2006, and it's fired
ALOT of rounds* My load is 26 1/2 grains of SR-4759, behind
the RCBS 400 grain cast bullet* Muzzle velocity is 1260 fps* This
is my hunting, and general go-to load* The lock flag has never
raised it's head in my revolver* Some folks just like to bitch! Enjoy your Smith & Wesson revolver* Or, if you just absolutely don't like the lock, remove it, or have it removed* To me, it is a
non-issue!

I inherited a 638 with the lock. I don’t think the gun had a box of ammo shot through it before I got it. I talked to my friend about removing it. He told me just put a drop of superglue in the lock mechanism and it’ll be good to go it’ll never move. I gave it a try we’ll see what happens. So far I put 100 rounds through it. No problems.

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Two Handguns every day

I have locks on several of my guns and never think about them. I make sure the gun is unlocked and put the key in a baggy beneath the foam liner of the Box and forget about it. Many rounds over many years and no issues. Others (S&W Purists?) may describe them as the gateway to the infernal abyss. Surprised that I could post before the thread is locked.

Long, long ago, I had my (steel defensive J-frame .357) 60-15's internal lock accidentally self activate when I oafishly knocked the unloaded gun off a counter onto a hardwood floor. Since that's the type of abuse a gun might be expected to encounter in a defensive situation, I sold the gun. Nowadays, with my greater level of confidence in my gunsmithing abilities, I'd simply remove the lock and install a plug.

In fact, there is one gun that's only available with the lock that has been tempting me for years . . . I may yet succumb. And a good friend who has that gun (the Model 69, a lightweight 5-shot .44 Magnum built on the L-frame) has shot his quite a bit with no problems whatsoever. So . . . obviously the lock is not usually a problem, if it's not been a problem for my friend with his light .44 Magnum.

Anyhow, there have been many threads and a poll here on this issue in the past - some research may be of interest. I'll post a couple links below to help you get started.

Q: Any troubles with S&W internal locks?
Accidental locking?
Internal Lock Failure Poll NOW OPEN FOR RATIONAL DATA DISCUSSION

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How God has blessed us!

If you get one with a lock and depend on it for self defense:

Even if there is a less than 1% chance that the lock will malfunction, take it out. That's what I did.

Now I don't worry about it one little bit.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I replaced the internal lock on my 638 with the plug. Also did the Apex duty kit install. Now I have a revolver that I have complete confidence in.

By deleting the lock and plugging the hole, it leaves a gap where the flag was. Would drive me bananas.

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213th FBINA

I highly doubt it causes you an issue either way. Go with whatever you feel comfortable with, I prefer no lock, but I think the chance of the lock malfunctioning is probably zero. Everyone has anecdotal stories, but I have never once seen a gun with a lock fail due to the locking mechanism itself. Is it possible, I guess, but the odds have to be astronomically low. Again, prefer not having one, but to each their own. I would not let having a lock prevent you from getting the model you think is best.

Cheers!

Short answer: No.

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To cannon, all men are equal

Just get the 642 without the lock,,,then you do not have to think about it..

It's been said, "Times heals all wounds." Maybe not in this case.

If memory serves (and it may not in this case), the lock came into being via intense pressure and threats from "Slick Willie" and his cohorts. "We", the gun people, were incensed, silently in some cases, quite the opposite in other cases. Some/many accused S&W of "caving in"----and vowed to never again buy another S&W product---no matter what!!!! Others suffered silently, perhaps pondering such action was akin to "cutting off their nose to spite their face". Some others wrote it off with an "Oh well", and went on about their business. Others launched a campaign to do damage by spreading rumors the locks were dangerous---would cause undo mayhem by failures to fire-----when firing was not only necessary, but the only game in town---shoot or die.

All this doom and gloom died down after awhile---and here we are.

Ralph Tremaine

To me the lock is a symbol of the anti gun left. I just don't like it
and all my guns are older guns without the lock.

I hear what you are saying, but I think if I am reading OP correctly, the only ones available at his LGS are lock variants. Some people don't want to go online or wait for the specific non-lock version to find its way to their LGS.

P.S.
One thing I forgot to ask you OP is your wife comfortable with lock, I think that aspect has been neglected, as the gun is for her. If she is fine with it I'd buy it for her. After all it has to be what she wants. You are a lucky man by the way, I wish my wife would touch any gun, but she is a delicate flower who has no interest in joining me in the fun.

The lock is a big problem….to the moderators of this board.

Off topic: My supervisor at Mather AFB lived in the Elk Grove area. At the time, it was very rural. We always called him Murph. I also worked for him off base. Great guy.

I shot someone else's Smith & Wesson revolver with an internal lock which locked up on me and everyone else who was trying it out that day. Also shot a relative's Smith & Wesson revolver with an internal lock that, while it didn't lock, was catching to the point of making the trigger hinky.

No Smith & Wesson revolver here has a lock. All predate it and I have no problem with that.

My guns with the lock shoot at least as good as my older ones without the lock.

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balin
NRA Life Member

You can buy the 642, 442 or 640 Pro without the lock.

Most of my modest collection of S&W revolvers pre-date the internal lock...which is my preference. However, I do have a couple of more modern revolvers which do have the locks and I have not removed or plugged them. The Airweight 642-2 is one of my EDC guns, and I have never had an issue with the lock. Likewise with the other, a 627-5 (.357 Magnum). I have not heard that the Ladysmiths have reduced trigger pulls, but I wouldn't doubt that S&W did that to help market the revolvers to the ladies. Since you and your wife are apparently fairly new to the world of revolvers, and haven't developed any bias for or against the ILs, I think that you would be safe with purchasing those two Ladysmiths and be very happy with their performance. I would suggest that both of you spend plenty of time at your local pistol range- shooting short barrel "snubnose" revolvers requires practice, and it's the smart and safe thing to do if you're going to be CCW. Good luck, and enjoy!

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I might take the lock out of the 3.5" 460 and not the longer one.
Would like to hear from those that have used them, 460/500, on a big charging critter.

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Have Fun/Stay Safe

Lock sucks, but to me it is only cosmetic. But you never know...

I’d be concerned of your local prosecutor, should you have removed the lock & had used the gun in your defense. Your legal fees would surmount.
Personally, I don’t care for the IL but have grown to ignore them..

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"Non sibi, sed patriae"

I'm wondering if anyone knows of an actual defensive or police revolver shooting (date, time, place, names) wherein the internal lock failed and the revolver user injured or killed by the opponent.

My newest S&W revolver is a 625-6 MG in 45 ACP, with the MIM hammer and trigger but no lock. My interests tend towards the older S&W revolvers.

But my biggest issue with the Lock is that the frame had to be redesigned to make space for it, with the effect of burying the hammer into the frame. This destroyed the svelte, attractive lines of the revolver. I just don't like the LOOKS of the revolvers with the lock.

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S&WCA #1955, S&WHF #818

The aesthetics is one of the major issues I have with the lock.

Thee prosecutor can use anything if the shooting is iffy. What ammo were you using, what type gun, at least it wasn't a deadly blow their lungs out military weapon of war semi automatic 9mm. The list never ends anything and every thing is flung at the jury in hopes a bit of it sticks. How come you used an older model gun? Was it because it didn't have a lock like you posted on the internet that you worried about being prosecuted for??? See? I fail to believe the lock being disabled will make or break his/her decision to prosecute. If they decide to prosecute the amount of time your attorney will need to spend on the lock issue will be a pretty small in comparison to the overall bill.

Ask yourself this question how likely would the lock being disabled be the deciding issue on the jury deciding guilty over not??

I have come to ignore the lock and seldom even recall it being there. The most troublesome thing about the lock is all the speculative threads concerning them IMO

AAAAAND we're done

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP