If ya want, replace the internal lock with a plug..

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Mickstix

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Been seeing alot of talk about the IL guns again lately.. Over in the "Smithing" forum I helped a guy (Flat Top) edit and post his handy work for replacing the lock with a plug and plate.. There's full pix and tutorial on how he did it.. Pretty sweet lil project if your handy with basic shop tools.. (It can be done with a dremel or hacksaw, drill, small file, tap/die set and materials from any decent home improvement/hardware store) Check it out! Here's the link.. Enjoy!
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FlatTops Internal Lock Project
 
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Been seeing alot of talk about the IL guns again lately.. Over in the "Smithing" forum I helped a guy (Flat Top) edit and post his handy work for replacing the lock with a plug and plate.. There's full pix and tutorial on how he did it.. Pretty sweet lil project if your handy with basic shop tools.. (It can be done with a dremel or hacksaw, drill, small file, tap/die set and materials from any decent home improvement/hardware store) Check it out! Here's the link.. Enjoy!
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FlatTops Internal Lock Project
 
Someone should put together a set of those parts slightly oversized for final fitting. They would sell a bunch. Oh...Merry Christmas.
 
Originally posted by Geronimo Jim:
Someone should put together a set of those parts slightly oversized for final fitting. They would sell a bunch. Oh...Merry Christmas.
Click to expand...

I think he (Flat Top) was contemplating doing just that, but wasn't sure if the want/need was there to make it worth while.. Also he was concerned that the parts may not fit precisely in all frames, but as G. Jim mentioned, a slightly oversized "kit", ready for final fitting would solve that.. Have to see if FT chimes in.. If there was enough interest he just might do it? I know I'd buy a kit, just to have on hand, incase I come across a deal on one of the "IL" guns..
 
Mick; I have no intention of making kits, but, if some industrious forum member wants to give it a shot "for the members of this forum", I would encourage them to do so. Regardless of how this is pursued, there is going to be some fitting involved, and the way I see it, its just as easy to build the parts and fit as you build, as it is having someone else build the parts and fit as you build....did that sound right?!?!?!?!? Anyway, its not all that hard...really! Believe me...I am not a rocket scientist!!! But, whatever you all choose to do is fine with me! I just want someone to get some use out of the idea.... Also, this could just be a starting point. I am sure as time goes on, somebody might take this idea and expand on it and come up with something simpler, or more easily manufactured....its something to think about!
 
Originally posted by Mickstix:
Been seeing alot of talk about the IL guns again lately.. Over in the "Smithing" forum I helped a guy (Flat Top) edit and post his handy work for replacing the lock with a plug and plate.. There's full pix and tutorial on how he did it.. Pretty sweet lil project if your handy with basic shop tools.. (It can be done with a dremel or hacksaw, drill, small file, tap/die set and materials from any decent home improvement/hardware store) Check it out! Here's the link.. Enjoy!
icon_wink.gif


FlatTops Internal Lock Project
Click to expand...

Seems like someone like Brownells or Midway could get a Metal Injection Molding company to do a part like this in both blue and stainless that could be sold to fill the hole and the place in the back of the frame when the lock mechanism is removed.

As much talk as there is on here about this issue, it seems there is money to be made.

Of course, it could be that many people would not want to alter their guns and many others who "talk" alot would not pay for the replacement part.

Seems like a good idea to me, though.
 
I've bought replacement plugs for Marlin Rifles to cover the 'cross bolt' safety and feel comfortable shooting them myself, but wouldn't sell one with the device included.
While the cosmetics would be vastly improved, I'd be worried to death about the possible legal considerations of removing a factory safety, no matter how 'rube goldburg' it may be.
JMHO, and not meaning to toss a wet blanket on the fire, but sadly it is a consideration in this age.
RD
 
I was going to have my gunsmith take out the lock and cover the opening on my 640 but was warned against it because it is one of my 2 carry guns.If the day came where you had to use it in a defensive situation in the Kingdom of NY you can be cleared by a grand jury in the shooting but are going to be sued cause the perp was going to become a renouned heart surgeon right after this attempted armed robbery.When it goes to court lawyers would scream how you were soooo reckless you disabled a factory installed safety device.Why give them any extra ammo?
 
Smithhound, I've got a Marlin 39AS that I wanted to do the same thing to, replace with a plug or screw head of some sort. If you can tell me wha you did, please email me at nmpinnyc at yahoo dot com, so we don't hijack this thread. And, I am contemplating an S&W 647, yet unsourced, and they only come with the IL, so I would be all over a kit of parts to make the dreaded IL go away. Thanks!
 
Originally posted by Cruiser RN:
I was going to have my gunsmith take out the lock and cover the opening on my 640 but was warned against it because it is one of my 2 carry guns.If the day came where you had to use it in a defensive situation in the Kingdom of NY you can be cleared by a grand jury in the shooting but are going to be sued cause the perp was going to become a renouned heart surgeon right after this attempted armed robbery.When it goes to court lawyers would scream how you were soooo reckless you disabled a factory installed safety device.Why give them any extra ammo?
Click to expand...

It's not a safety -- it is a storage device, designed to make the gun inoperable during storage in case an unintended user comes across the gun (i.e. children).

It was never intended as a safety device like many semi-automatic handguns have. S&W has never marketed them as such.

Any competent lawyer would make that point abundantly clear and moot.
 
Duke I totally agree with you but may I say you are from the great state of PA which doesn't crap all over your rights.In NY if you are carrying a legally concealled gun and you use it in to stop a crime against you,you are the criminal.After you are cleared by Grand Jury the lawyers will use anything against you in a wrongful death suit that will result.If the perp couldn't get it from you in a Armed Robbery his surviviors will try to...God Bless..Mike
Originally posted by Duke426:
Originally posted by Cruiser RN:
I was going to have my gunsmith take out the lock and cover the opening on my 640 but was warned against it because it is one of my 2 carry guns.If the day came where you had to use it in a defensive situation in the Kingdom of NY you can be cleared by a grand jury in the shooting but are going to be sued cause the perp was going to become a renouned heart surgeon right after this attempted armed robbery.When it goes to court lawyers would scream how you were soooo reckless you disabled a factory installed safety device.Why give them any extra ammo?
Click to expand...

It's not a safety -- it is a storage device, designed to make the gun inoperable during storage in case an unintended user comes across the gun (i.e. children).

It was never intended as a safety device like many semi-automatic handguns have. S&W has never marketed them as such.

Any competent lawyer would make that point abundantly clear and moot.
Click to expand...
 
That is a VERY neat way of doing it! I like that very much. A no fuss, no muss method with no worrying about finish.

I did my 22-4 permanently (apparently the same as Nanook's gun: plugged hole and a piece of metal soldered into the frame beside the hammer). I have a 21-4 now that I'm about to do the same way.
 
That's the only one I'd spend the $40 to fix, the rest will be shot a lot, or sold. I love the scandium revolvers, but hate the lock. All I do now is have my gunsmith file off the lock stud and forget it.
 
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