in defense of the Internal Lock

[Marshal Amp]

I'm not trolling, I swear.
haven't been here in a while so I thought I'd post this little bit to stir things up a bit.
Now that my grandkids have started coming over more, I thought I'd give the IL feature a second look. I dabbed a little red fingernail polish on the flag to allow me to better see if it was engaged.
I'm finding I dig this little lock. it's not an ersatz safety, but it is a positive block that I appreciate more that I'm using it.

 

[Falguy]

If you need the IL, there's no reason not to use it

I never really paid much attention to them on my competition and training guns
Not until I started buying Smiths just to shoot did it become a factor. The guns really weren't needed and the IL made a difference in the looks

Buying Smiths because they're pretty is not a good path to take in life

But, it sure is satisfying and quitting is for quitters

 

[ralph7]

Don't have anyone over that I would need a lock on a gun.
The two revolvers I own that do have locks, are fine pieces that would be finer without them.

 

[at_liberty]

A good lock up cabinet is about $100 or less.

 

[Marshal Amp]

If you need the IL, there's no reason not to use it

I never really paid much attention to them on my competition and training guns
Not until I started buying Smiths just to shoot did it become a factor. The guns really weren't needed and the IL made a difference in the looks

Buying Smiths because they're pretty is not a good path to take in life

But, it sure is satisfying and quitting is for quitters

Amen! aesthetically, I detest that hole in the side of the frame, but I didn't buy the gun for its looks that's for sure. it's a side arm that spends more time on my hip than off it. that's why I kept the rubber grips. they're not pretty, but they do the job.

 

[Marshal Amp]

Don't have anyone over that I would need a lock on a gun.
The two revolvers I own that do have locks, are fine pieces that would be finer without them.

I'd rather it not have the lock, but it does so I figured I'd try it out.
It took a year before I started using the IL. during that time my home started getting "invaded" by toddlers but another reason is that I just couldn't find a decent place to keep the key where It would be easily reached.

here's my solution:

 

[Ashlander]

I have one of the keys on my key chain and one on my belt loop -- and I have almost never used the lock. Still it's a nice feature for when the grandkids come over. The hole does not bother me at all.

 

[Marshal Amp]

I have one of the keys on my key chain and one on my belt loop -- and I have almost never used the lock. Still it's a nice feature for when the grandkids come over. The hole does not bother me at all.

I thought about my key chain but my wife does most of the driving; consequently, I'm often away from home without my keys.
I also thought about wearing it on a chain around my neck,
but I just never warmed up to that idea.
I keep the second key in my wallet as a backup.

 

[ginzo]

Your BATMAN!!!! Thanks for your service!

I have the IL, no issues, I keep teetering back and forth about removing it. 2 toddlers frequent my house also, 1 key on car keys, the other "accessible" near the IL if 638 is not in my pocket.

I'd rather it not have the lock, but it does so I figured I'd try it out.
It took a year before I started using the IL. during that time my home started getting "invaded" by toddlers but another reason is that I just couldn't find a decent place to keep the key where It would be easily reached.

here's my solution:

 

[gdnagle]

I have two keys and one firearm with the IL. I don't use it as I have a lock box where I put my CCW w/o IL and vehicle keys. I don't want to have to fumble with a IL if the need arose. I think there was a internet rumor where some would have a ILF. "It was suppose to be rare and mostly on powerful guns with very violent recoil, and also very light guns (Scandium, Titanium) firing these extremely hot rounds." as per a article by Massad Ayoob.

If you have a need like others have stated by all means use it. None of my handguns are left around and are always locked up, fully loaded unless I'm carrying. Not on a shelf, table top, dresser drawer, top shelf, etc. At night lock box down stairs, and on beside the bed for quick access. I wouldn't want to deal with a IL, finding the key and using it in the dark. That's just me and your mileage may vary. For the little one's sake if you leave your firearm where they can fid it maybe it should be unloaded and IL in use. It doesn't take long to load and unload a firearm and little one can find things you think you have out of their reach.

Your BATMAN!!!! Thanks for your service!

I have the IL, no issues, I keep teetering back and forth about removing it. 2 toddlers frequent my house also, 1 key on car keys, the other "accessible" near the IL if 638 is not in my pocket.

Interesting point Massad Ayoob brings out about removing a IL in this article. 6th paragraph

http://backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob/2009/09/03/internal-gun-locks/

 

[GerSan69]

Your BATMAN!!!! Thanks for your service!

Amen to that! And thank you for your sacrifice. Good to have you here.

 

[BigBill]

My 4yo grandson is into everything and way faster than my eyes can watch him. Everything is in the safe locked up. That might be a good idea to use one of my IL and use the loc too. Gun safety never sleeps.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

The IL is a nice idea, and there once was a time when I would have found it useful. At present, the law in my state requires somewhat stricter steps, and I have no problem with simply following the law.

Unfortunately, the IL is a little bit less than 100% reliable in allowing folks to use the gun when they NEED it, so those who had no need for an IL in the first place see no reason to reduce their lifesaving capability in return for nothing.

This may explain the antipathy to the IL in certain circles.

 

[Jaymo]

I don't like any integral lock but I detest the Taurus lock less than the Smith lock.
I like Smith revolvers better than Taurus revolvers, so I buy pre-lock Smiths.
I understand the reasoning for it.
I disagree with it, but will not cry about it.
I let my money make my statement.

 

[9mmsubgun-m11]

Thank You for your service Sir.

 

[Marshal Amp]

thanks for the kind thoughts folks.
It's nice being among kindred spirits.
try to make lemons out of lemonade.
was kind of worried I might open a can of worms with the subject matter.
I found a nice balance with this particular piece and the internal lock and thought I'd share my own personal experience with it. . . thus far. my one concern is by constantly locking and unlocking will it loosen up to the point that it could unintentionally engage. only time will tell on that one though.

 

[SJshooter]

Personally, I think the lock is a poor excuse for gun safety when children are in the house and might be snooping around. The gun should be locked up, not left around locked. The latter is just sloppy and inevitably leads to forgetting to lock the gun. Just lock the gun up. A kid shouldn't be able to find a locked gun.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Yes sir, thanks for your service.

Glad the lock works for you. I however don't trust it not to fail either in the locked or unlocked position. That's why I have three quick access pistol safes around the house.

 

[Ashlander]

In terms of the reliability of the internal lock, I have three guns with the internal lock that in total I have shot thousands of times with no failure. None of my guns though were the huge X-frames and I didn't drop any of my guns before shooting, so I avoided two of the main risks of lock failure. Finally, before I shot the guns for their first times I made sure the lock was fully disengaged.

I am not saying that failures have never occurred, but the chance of the lock engaging by itself under just normal handling and recoil would appear to be remote in the extreme.

Semi-autos have tons more reliability issues and people routinely depend on them for their lives.

 

[Mark6005]

Like many others when the grandchildren arrive the guns are locked in the safe. Really don't want the the il but have one new revolver with the lock and I love my 60 2 inch 357 lock or not