Internal Lock Flag and spring

[ric7744]

I have a 442, does anyone have the internal lock Flag and spring they can sell me. I ground the nub off mine and want one in case I need to replace it. I called smith and they said they want over 100 bucks for me to send it in and replace and they won't send me the part. I tried all the other avenues on the internet with no luck.

 

[yep380]

I'm very curious to know if you're successful finding one. During many of the "just file off the nub" discussions people mention "you can just get another one to replace it". However, I have not found anywhere to buy another one new and I don't see a plethora of them available... anywhere.

 

[Lou_NC]

just curious, why do you think you would ever need to replace it?

 

[woodsltc]

Not a knock on the OP in any way (everyone should buy what they like)......but, this just reinforces my decision not to buy S&W's with the "infernal" lock.


Don

 

[bigggbbruce]

I took mine out of my M60.

No you can't buy it. You should not have ground the nub off.

What were you thinking?

 

[ric7744]

Because grounding the nub off allows you to fill the second little hole on the outside also and leave all the parts in. That they won't sell you this part from Smith and Wesson unless you send it in and charge you over 100 bucks is ridiculous and further supports my plan to buy ruger in the future. I want another one in case I have a warranty issue I can change it out so they don't charge me a ton when I send it in. Has anyone ever been able to obtain a extra flag.

 

[drummer007]

As recently as a couple of years ago, I was able to call S&W after 5 PM (so I would get Production folks, not Customer Service people) and order the flags. I ordered (and used) 2 k/l/n frame flags and 3 j frame flags. I now know that I should have ordered more than what I needed at the time, because I tried again a few months ago and they refused my order.

In my opinion, this is really stupid on the part of S&W. It has caused me to start selling off my IL Smiths and replacing them with older, non IL (with forged hammer/trigger) Smiths.

Unfortunately I'm not able to, but this makes me so angry that if I was able to, I would manufacture the flags and sell them on line for less than the $4.12 price that S&W used to sell them for.

 

[ric7744]

The Entire Smith and Wesson is just bad now I hate to say. Quality control issues, Customer Service is horrible. I have several guns but if I make another revolver purchase I am going Ruger for sure. I am now starting to question if I will sell of my Smith's also

 

[Pizza Bob]

Wow! Talk about making a mountain out of a mole-hill.

 

[drummer007]

It is NOT a mole hill. S&W refuses to sell its customers a $4.12 part that a lot of customers want, because S&W wants to force us to adhere to the "Mommy State."

S&W says "You vill Follow orters" (note: spelling on purpose).

 

[Pizza Bob]

S&W doesn't want to sell them for customer installation because of the liability to which it exposes them.

 

[drummer007]

There IS NO liability on S&W's part. They sell them with the nub on them. What the customer does with them (like grinding the nub off) is on the customer.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Wow, I must have missed the board meeting, because I have no idea what S&W is thinking or what motivates it to sell or not sell lock parts. Does everyone get invited, or am I being intentionally left off the invitation list?

And the legal advice that S&W incurs no liability whatsoever if a customer grinds off part of the lock - wow, that is surely wishful thinking about how we think "it should be." Honestly though, I don't know any lawyers who are THAT sure of what a jury will say.

What do I know? I thought that former football player was guilty. But, apparently the "glove didn't fit."

 

[Pizza Bob]

There IS NO liability on S&W's part. They sell them with the nub on them. What the customer does with them (like grinding the nub off) is on the customer.

There is a good deal of liability exposure. Scenario: Customer disables lock by filing off locking lug, then decides that he wants to restore it. Buys the part from the manufacturer and installs it incorrectly. Uses the lock to make the gun safe around his young children. Child picks up the gun, pulls the trigger and shoots themselves/sibling/parent/stranger. Parent wants to sue manufacturer. Manufacturer, rightfully, points out that the gun was modified by the owner and they cannot be responsible for his failure to install the part correctly.

To make the decision to disable the lock and then throw a hissy-fit because he didn't think it through and now can only restore it by allowing S&W to do it is disingenuous.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[Wyatt p. Tato]

Smith and Wesson.... Just say no.

 

[drummer007]

I believe the principle in law is that a manufacturing defect leading to death or injury means that the manufacturer may be liable; however, if a customer modification of a manufactured item leads to a death or injury, then it is the customer that may be liable.

There have been several cases where an "accidental" death or injury due to a modified trigger has made the customer (and/or gunsmith who made the modification) liable, while the gun manufacturer was held blameless.

 

[ric7744]

it is a gun part just like any other, A gun is a tool and you should be able to buy any part for your gun and shouldn't have to send it back to them and pay a fortune to get a $4 part. Smith and Wesson is the idiots for putting the dumb lock there in the first place. It looks stupid. Ruger took away all locks a year ago. Not to mention the *** wipes that answer the phone over there an Smith they should all be fired.

 

[Pizza Bob]

I believe the principle in law is that a manufacturing defect leading to death or injury means that the manufacturer may be liable; however, if a customer modification of a manufactured item leads to a death or injury, then it is the customer that may be liable.

There have been several cases where an "accidental" death or injury due to a modified trigger has made the customer (and/or gunsmith who made the modification) liable, while the gun manufacturer was held blameless.

Yes, but by selling him the part, they are tacitly approving owner installation. This part would fall under the "To be installed by a qualified gunsmith" disclaimer.

In the end, S&W would most likely escape any culpability, but how much would they have to spend to reach that desired outcome? Easier, and less expensive (for them), to just not sell the part to the general public.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[ric7744]

Will they sell it to a gunsmith? or do they just want to rip us customers off.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Because grounding the nub off allows you to fill the second little hole on the outside also and leave all the parts in. That they won't sell you this part from Smith and Wesson unless you send it in and charge you over 100 bucks is ridiculous and further supports my plan to buy ruger in the future. I want another one in case I have a warranty issue I can change it out so they don't charge me a ton when I send it in. Has anyone ever been able to obtain inextra flag.

So you want S&W to assist you in deceiving them?