in defense of the Internal Lock

[Marshal Amp]

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.

I was going to mention that hazard, glad you brought it up SJ. I agree with you that it is not a "safety" per say and it could be a temptation for lazy/careless owners to substitute the lock for more positive safety measures.
I'm finding that, if used as intended, It is giving me another level of protection and I like that.

 

[Doug M.]

If this works for you, fine. We can't have anyone in the house due to the dog in my avatar photo, but if that was an event that was going to happen, I would just carry the gun on me.

 

[wildenout]

I don't mind them! Really, I value owning a Smith and having it function over whether or not I'll ever use the lock.

 

[at_liberty]

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.

I would feel irresponsible to leave a gun out, where any lock would be considered necessary, or the gun could be stolen or abused. Did any of the replies make any difference in your view of the locks? Can't you get nanna to agree to provide a place for a lock up?

 

[Marshal Amp]

I would feel irresponsible to leave a gun out, where any lock would be considered necessary, or the gun could be stolen or abused. Did any of the replies make any difference in your view of the locks? Can't you get nanna to agree to provide a place for a lock up?

I think your read too much into my post. I never said, never even hinted, that I was leaving my pistol out and accessible. I simply said that I am enjoy the extra protection afforded by the IL feature.

 

[brucev]

I have a 21-4 w/ the IL. Extremely fine revolver. Would have preferred an original 21, but just can't spend the price of a used car for a handgun. Have a wife and children to consider. So, having wanted a 21 for a long time, when that 21-4 came up at the LGS... I bought it, $500 OTD... NIB. Very pleased. One day will probably get around to installing a plug, not b/c of any problem w/ the IL but simply b/c I prefer the way the revolver looks w/ the IL plugged. But, it's not anything I'm in a hurry to do.

Have read the concerns expressed about the IL. Beyond opinion and preference, not seen anything to persuade the IL is problematic. Have read the 2009 article by Ayobb. Again, not persuasive. Not aware of any instance where possible concerns expressed have ever been a factor in any court case. About like concerns over hollow-pointed SD ammunition, etc. that were once occasionally expressed. JMHO. Sincerely. brucev.

 

[vipermd]

I guess I see no actual benefit to it. If I have a firearm on me it is loaded, therefore unlocked, if it is in the safe it is and out of the case, it is loaded, with 2 reloads and a holster. Long guns that would not be put into immediate service are unloaded, lubed at the back of the safe. Long guns that may be required for immediate use Moss 590/Saiga 12, Ar platform's 223,300 Blk, 308, precision 223, 308 are loaded with min of 2 reloads. So I see it as only as mechanical device that could fail, either lock when I wanted it to fire or unlock when I did not want it to fire. We have no children, our Rotties have shown no interest in shooting, we lock our doors when we are at home or when we leave. I would not leave a firearm loaded with the "Lock" on where someone regardless of their age would have access since I would not want to rely on a "Safety" to keep myself or others safe. Be Safe,

 

[Jaymo]

If you like the lockc have at it.
If not, do as I do and buy pre-lock models.

 

[Fackler Rebel]

Don't like them but as I say, it is what it is. Having said that unless I am at the range or traveling, my weapons are locked in my gun safe.

Reb

 

[GerSan69]

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.

Kindred indeed: Army EOD, 1974-77 here....back when the schools were at Redstone and Indian Head.
It IS a can of worms among some aficionados, but IMHO keeping the kids safe while still having a firearm close by for defense trumps aesthetics any time.

 

[Dave T]

We are not allowed to say bad things about the IL here so all I can add is that I've only owned one S&W with an IL…and it's for sale on consignment at my favorite shop right now.

Just sayin',
Dave

 

[eveled]

My biggest problem with the lock is on the j frame centenial models. The flag is not visible so you cannot tell if the gun is locked or not. This could be a problem both ways, thinking it is locked when it isn't and thinking it is unlocked when it isn't. Either way could cost a life.

IMHO, putting the lock on a centenial was a really bad idea. Ed.

 

[Erich]

A pity the BG in question here didn't activate his internal lock, not that it in any way detracts from Marshal Amp's point:

5-year-old fires hidden gun in NW ABQ | KRQE News 13

http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S3503428.shtml?cat=500#.U8RsV0Bhvqw

http://www.koat.com/news/boy-5-finds-gun-points-at-siblings-fires-once/26952836

 

[at_liberty]

I think your read too much into my post. I never said, never even hinted, that I was leaving my pistol out and accessible. I simply said that I am enjoy the extra protection afforded by the IL feature.

What should one conclude, if you feel the need for a trigger lock? Note that stashed in a desk drawer or high on a closet shelf, for examples, is "accessible". If it isn't under lock and key, only then is a trigger lock of any use, the gun begging to be stolen, used as a toy, or abused.

 

[BigBill]

Wether your gun is locked or unlocked is like remembering if it's loaded or unloaded either way you & me are responsible for the gun being safe or not.

I have it all in safes I have one gun on my body.

My guns with the loc perform flawlessly. They ain't going anywhere. I like them all new or old. My SA '04 1911a1 made in Brazil with the loc was my first gun and 1911 that had the loc. The SA 1911 functions as good as my other 1911's too. If I can get over this gun with a loc and get past it, you can too.

The guns with safety locks forget about don't sweat the little things in life there are bigger things to worry about.

When I was a kid we had guns in the house and we as kids never touched one because of the fear of the old man. But that was in the 50's.

When my kids got there first bb gun for Christmas I taught them never to kill anything there not going to eat. There all approaching 40yo now and never killed anything for fun

My rules,

Treat every gun as if it's loaded.
It's the empty gun that kills people by accident.

Never point a gun at anyone.

Never point a gun at anything you don't want to shoot.

Never touch a gun unless you ask first.

Always make sure a gun you pick up is unloaded. If it's unloaded treat it as if it's loaded.

Keep your trigger finger off the trigger till your ready to fire. Keep your muzzle pointed down range. At the range there are people on both sides of you.

Safe gun handling education starts at home, gun safety never takes a vacation, gun safety never sleeps, gun safety is a 24/7 thing. Respect it.

My 4yo grandson pulls the dresser draws out to climb up the dresser so nothing up high is safe.