442 internal lock "reverse failure"?

[SFShep]

Hey everyone, new to the forum and not yet a S&W gun owner but hoping to change that soon (in spite of the huge back order on their guns).

I've looked at all their models and think that the model I want to go for is the 442. It has a balance of all the qualities I'm looking for.

That said, maybe some of you here can offer some advice. I live in California where the gun laws are very strict and we have a roster of handguns certified for sale in the state. The 442 without internal lock is not listed. Though the 442 with internal lock is listed.

I was hoping to purchase the model without the lock but unless they approve the non-lock model after this year's SHOT Show, I may have to settle for the locking model.

So let me ask, have there been any instances of the internal locks accidentally switching on? Say you're shooting the gun and the recoil jars something loose in the locking mechanism and switches it on. Possibly in the middle of a gunfight, thus turning the gun into a paperweight.

I don't plan on shooting any +P or +P+ ammo in it. In fact I plan to use standard pressure low recoil ammo to make it easier to handle. But I still fear the safety sort of "reverse failing" by switching on when I may need the gun. Here's the article where I got this impression from:

Massad Ayoob » Blog Archive » INTERNAL GUN LOCKS

Hope I can get some good advice to whether my fears are founded.

 

[Electraclyde]

I have heard "rumors" regarding the locks, but have not seen one fail myself.
I have a 442 with the lock that I have owned for 5 or 6 years and have fired about 4000 or more rounds thru it. Most of the rounds were my home loads, loaded to +P specs. Mine has never failed.
I did own a Model M&P 340 (same as the 442 chambered for .357 magnum). I did not have any problems with the lock on that gun either. I did remove the lock on that gun for a short time, but re-installed it when I sold it. The lock was in place for most of the time I owned it.
I would prefer to have a no lock gun just because it looks better, but I do not worry about the lock failing at the wrong time. (I do carry a back up gun, it is faster that trying to reload a revolver.)

 

[TheMystro]

Meh, get one with a lock. The lock failure is way overblown internet histaria. I would bet there is more things that go wrong with other parts of the pistol than the internal lock.

 

[STCM(SW)]

Meh, get one with a lock. The lock failure is way overblown internet histaria. I would bet there is more things that go wrong with other parts of the pistol than the internal lock.

My thinking is KISS, the more parts, the more that can fail....
Just compare a 1911 to a Luger & what one has more parts...

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

Just make sure to keep the key on you somewhere. No but seriously they've had locks on them for over 12 yrs... S&W sells hundreds of thousands of revolvers every year. We'd be hearing about it if there were issues. I personally have 2 with the lock and have never had a problem. It doesn't deter me from buying either. Lock or no lock S&W still makes the best revolver out there.