Any news on the lock?

[dogdoc]

I have seen some new j frames without the lock on them. Any news as to the continued use of the lock? Will new ones come out without the lock? I have been away from the Smith thing (very little shooting,kids,work) for a couple of years and am just curious. Thanks

dogdoc

 

[Invictus357]

Only some "hammerless" guns are available without the lock.

After all these years, I am convinced S&W will never offer exposed hammer guns with no lock.

 

[Old Corp]

I asked the same question to a couple of S&W employees that were at the LGS where I work. The store was running a big promotional sale in early March, including several S&W's.
I inquired if they could offer the 642/442 and a few others with NO lock, why couldn't the same be offerred in other models? My REAL pet peeve is the so-called 'Heritage' Series, that seem to really be poor examples of paying homage to a classic when a darn lock-hole is stuck on the side.
One of the S&W guys, who is a 35 year veteran 'smith who now works in the P.C., gave me his honest answer:
"No one really knows".

 

[snubbiefan]

Not as long as they are owned by Saf-T-Hammer.

 

[Snowwolfe]

Lock? No lock? Could care less as long as they shoot good and the trigger pull and action is smooth. I think every S&W we own has a lock and never had an issue with any of them.

 

[dpsix]

"...as long as they shoot good and the trigger pull and action is smooth." If this is your only criteria for buying a revolver, you would probably be quite happy with a Taurus. But for some, the mere sight of 'the lock' is like a poke in the eye. But a difference in taste or personel opinion is what makes life interesting.

 

[jessegpresley]

Only some "hammerless" guns are available without the lock.

After all these years, I am convinced S&W will never offer exposed hammer guns with no lock.

The new 640 Pro is lock-less. Photo borrowed from the internets.

 

[Dpris]

"Saf-T-Hammer" has nothing whatever to do with it.
That was a corporate entity long gone, and it never manufactured the lock prior to buying out S&W.
Nobody makes money off that lock & it'd actually be cheaper to manufacture the guns without it.

Every time I ask S&W I'm told the lawyers won't let 'em.
They are very much aware that they're losing sales because of it.
Denis

 

[O2Guy]

Every time I ask S&W I'm told the lawyers won't let 'em.
They are very much aware that they're losing sales because of it.
Denis

They need new lawyers.

 

[haywood]

I saw in print some ware that if you put a drop of thread locker on the lock hole it will keep it from moving. (???)

 

[Stainz]

The best news re the 'Infernal Lock'... after ten years of manufacturing revolvers with it, S&W has yet to spend the first dime defending it in court. In a day when too hot coffee can be costly, that is amazing. Yes, some folks have related stories here of reported 'failures', some after dropping them and some from limp-wristing their Magnum AirLites... but none have resulted in a lawsuit. The inclusion of an IL doesn't make it into the equation when I consider a new S&W purchase. In fact, just the opposite nearly happened when I finally got my new 632 Pro last September...

My initial reaction... "Where is the IL??". One of it's listed attributes: no IL!

Stainz

 

[Newark Devil]

Better get out and buy IL guns if this is true because they will be collectors items if a switch is made - which is highly doubtful.

S&W has already acknowledged to the firearms world and society they are aware of the safety issue. This puts them in a lot of hot water if a new buyer were to purchase a new gun without a lock.

Get used to them or buy used ones unless they come up with another solution which will probably also not be liked. I personally purchased a new gun over an used one and it is perfect.

 

[SixGunSam]

I don't really care whether or not the IL exists. For me it's a matter of where it is. Some new Ruger single actions have internal locks, under the grips. If the user wants to use it, he can. Ruger even marks the correct spot to drill through the grip if you want to use the lock without removing the grip. Heck, I even think the Taurus lock looks better. If the locks won't go away, I hope they just move them.

 

[Dpris]

The difference with the Ruger lock is that none have yet been reported to malfunction.
They also are completely out of sight.
And, Ruger says they won't put one in their DA revolvers.
Denis

 

[ladder13]

I'm with Handejector on this lock thing


"What a refreshing thread.

I had never heard any of this data before.

For the record-
I don't like the lock. I wish the lock was not there. I also wish Thomas Jefferson would run for reelection.
I don't think my wishes are going to come true, so I suppose I will adapt to the current reality.

I believe that there have been lock malfunctions. I have not really investigated it, but the simple law of averages says there must be. Any machine can malfunction. That runs true from hammers to space shuttles. Believe it or not, I have seen S&W's that never had a lock fail to fire.

The fact is that you stand a far better chance of dying because of an auto malfunction or even an airplane malfunction than you do because of a lock malfunction.

So, we have a situation we all have to deal with.
This thread has pretty well covered the various options for dealing with it:
Love it
Hate it
Buy it
Don't buy it
Leave it
Remove it

The incessant whining and moaning gets tiresome."

 

[Snowwolfe]

"...as long as they shoot good and the trigger pull and action is smooth." If this is your only criteria for buying a revolver, you would probably be quite happy with a Taurus. But for some, the mere sight of 'the lock' is like a poke in the eye. But a difference in taste or personel opinion is what makes life interesting.

I own one Taurus, 22 mag stainless, good shooter. But not as good as a smith.
Sorry guys, I know a lot of you dislike the locks and I think they are unnecessary as well. But a lock will not prevent me from enjoying my Smiths! Just bought a NIB 317 Airlite yesterday.

 

[Titegroups]

Wishing will get you about as far as hope.

 

[JBnTx]

The incessant whining and moaning gets tiresome."

I agree!

 

[Inspector-Callahan]

Saf-T-Hammer chronology...

"Saf-T-Hammer" has nothing whatever to do with it.
That was a corporate entity long gone, and it never manufactured the lock prior to buying out S&W.
Nobody makes money off that lock & it'd actually be cheaper to manufacture the guns without it.

Every time I ask S&W I'm told the lawyers won't let 'em.
They are very much aware that they're losing sales because of it.
Denis

Denis,

I won't comment on the lock issue but want to clear any misinformation if possible. According to S&W's 10K statements, your comment is incorrect. Saf-T-Hammer is not "long gone." S&W (the gun company) was purchased by the company named SAF-T-Hammer. THEN SAF-T-Hammer changed their name to Smith & Wesson HOLDING Company (the parent company). THAT company owns S&W (the original gun company), T/C Arms, Security Solutions, etc.

If this sounds confusing, it is meant to be. Saf-T-Hammer renamed themselves for this very reason (maybe concealment?).

Additionally, Saf-T-Hammer was a company in business selling their "locking devices/technology" prior to acquiring S&W. I'm not sure why you believe they wouldn't have anything to do with the design of the current lock since that is what they specifically did. They probably figured that if the various gun manufacturers weren't buying their product, then they could purchase a gun company and incorporate it themselves, without anyone's permission. A synergy of two products, if you will, which is exactly what the CEO stated upon the acquisition. I'm sure that link is available somewhere.....

IC

 

[71firebird400]

Here's an article from when Saf-T-Hammer acquired S&W- Saf-T-Hammer buys Smith & Wesson - Phoenix Business Journal

"Scottsdale-based Saf-T-Hammer said it will be incorporating its safety features in Smith & Wesson fiream"


And for the guys who think the lock doesn't ever fail, you should watch this-

Smith & Wesson Performance Center 686 handgun locks up - YouTube