I removed the ILS flag, how do I remove the rest?

[gjj]

I removed the ILS flag according to the youtube video

YouTube - S&W Internal Lock Removal

I have decided I want to remove the whole lock. Does anyone have a link to show me how to remove the rest? I can live with the hole in the side of the gun. I just want the whole thing out.

Any help?

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-smithing/94072-faqs.html

 

[gjj]

Thanks. The FAQ really does not talk about what I need to do to remove the rest of the lock after I remove the flag. It just shows it out of the gun.

 

[tomcatt51]

Pry up the front end of the coil spring and work it out. It will come out with a little encouragement and usually some swearing. Then you can get the rest of the lock parts out.

 

[MrJT]

The forum member USAF385 has removed a few locks in his day. If you need help try a PM.

 

[gjj]

Thanks. If you remove everything, do you guys worry about lint getting inside the gun with the exposed hole?

P.S. I was told that by removing only the flag, there was a risk of something coming loose in the gun. Is that true? Has anyone actually documented this happening?

(I really, really hate the lock)

 

[haggis]

I was told that by removing only the flag, there was a risk of something coming loose in the gun. Is that true? Has anyone actually documented this happening?

I have heard tales, likely urban legends, about lock parts coming loose after the flag was removed, and tieing up the gun. I don't think that is very likely. If you look closely at the lock, the flag does nothing to hold the rest of the lock parts in place. You have to remove the big coil spring to get the fork out, and the fork is retained in the frame by a piece of the frame. However, I have determined that if you don't get the lock body back in right (once disassembled), the parts can come apart. That is likely the cause of the stories that have circulated - Bubba's not telling anybody that he assembled it wrong, just that "it just came apart".


Buck

 

[tomcatt51]

I have heard tales, likely urban legends, about lock parts coming loose after the flag was removed, and tieing up the gun. I don't think that is very likely. If you look closely at the lock, the flag does nothing to hold the rest of the lock parts in place. You have to remove the big coil spring to get the fork out, and the fork is retained in the frame by a piece of the frame. However, I have determined that if you don't get the lock body back in right (once disassembled), the parts can come apart. That is likely the cause of the stories that have circulated - Bubba's not telling anybody that he assembled it wrong, just that "it just came apart". Buck

I shoot most of my revolvers competitively and I remove the locks completely on my guns that have them. The hammer actually helps hold the lock assy in place and the lock assy drags against the side of the hammer. You'll see drag marks on the side of the hammer. If you have an all stock gun it's really not a big deal, but if you're running a competetive gun with a lightened DA pull it is an issue.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

Thanks. The FAQ really does not talk about what I need to do to remove the rest of the lock after I remove the flag. It just shows it out of the gun.

I never noticed! Thanks for the heads up.
I copied and pasted this from my files and I guess I missed part of it.

I fixed the FAQ's and this is what I left out:

(Now, back to the gun, I just use a dental probe and twist off the large coil spring. Once the spring is removed, slide the fork forward, at the time it clears the cylinder hole in the frame, push the cylinder out from the frame.)

To answer your question, The easiest way is to just remove the flag. In time you go sell the gun, reinstall it, and no one will know you ever messed with it.

 

[gjj]

I removed all of the lock. I less than excited about the HUGE hole in the side of the revolver that dirt and lint can enter.

I really hate that I bought an ILS gun from Smith and Wesson. I am probably going to sell the thing and buy a Ruger.

 

[n4zov]

A plug for the hole:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/96227-plug-hole-d.html

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

You could make a plug for it. Several different ways to fit it.
Custom screw or home made lathe part. Silver solder or lock tite could be used to make the plug permanent.
Only problem is the flag, there will always be a space where it once was.

 

[cmj8591]

I less than excited about the HUGE hole in the side of the revolver that dirt and lint can enter.

Just don't carry it next to your belly button!