Is the lock really a problem?

[Rastoff]

I'm not a big revolver guy. Therefore, I don't spend a lot of time in this section. However, I want to get a revolver for my wife because she likes them. She will use it at the range and likely for carry.

I've done some looking and have seen a couple models that have the internal frame mounted lock. I've heard/seen some complaints about this lock, but don't know any of the details. Can it just be left unlocked and the gun will function fine? Is there a situation where it can accidentally be locked unintentionally?

I guess I just want to know if it's really a problem or is it just something people don't like?

 

[Breakaway500]

Some find it ugly.

Some say it was added because of political pressure from the Clinton administration.

Some say it overcomplicates a very simple design, unnecessarily.

Some say it's all of the above.

It's not a problem, for those who own them.

I own a few and have found them to work just fine.

Given the choice of lock or no lock,I would choose no lock.

 

[bigggbbruce]

Mostly a problem with the lock are the looks.

The flag that locks the hammer is held down with a small light spring. Some reports of Magnum loads in lighter guns flipping the flag up and locking the hammer.

Doubt the wife would be shooting lock tripping loads.

 

[Jebus35745]

Very few problems, it’s something people just don’t like. I have 2 of em with locks, my 640 that I carry has one. Larry

 

[bmcgilvray]

I've had direct experience with shooting a lock-equipped Smith & Wesson that spontaneously locked up on me while I was shooting it. Wasn't mine and for that I am grateful.

It is a problem in my view.

 

[Kapuna]

It's not a problem.

Some find it ugly.

Some say it was added because of political pressure from the Clinton administration.

Some say it overcomplicates a very simple design, unnecessarily.

Some say it's all of the above.

^^^^THIS^^^^^
I avoid the lock when I can....but sometimes can't...

 

[Bobafett]

I've had direct experience with shooting a lock-equipped Smith & Wesson that spontaneously locked up on me while I was shooting it. Wasn't mine and for that I am grateful.

It is a problem in my view.

for this reason, and I noticed that my used handgun didn't come with a key, I removed the flagg so it can't lock up on me... ever

 

[Arquebus357]

I find it terribly convenient that the anti-lock sentiment also has the effect of adding value to collections of pre-lock S&W's.

I don't believe most of the horror stories.

None of my S&W revolvers have locks but not because I don't like locks, it's because my system is to find S&W's down on their luck and refurbing them.

Yes...I'm a bubba.

 

[Sevens]

I always thought it was mostly common knowledge... so far in this discussion, it doesn't seem to be.

I have no interest in S&W revolvers with the lock because the lock is an easy way for me to spot a revolver that was made recently and I don't believe the newer revolvers match the quality of older guns. Where is my "cut off" exactly? I don't have am exact cut-off! I imagine they made some decent ones with a lock, but if I'm choosing, give me some that is 1995 or earlier.

Yes, some believe that S&W made in the 50's is FAR superior to one made in the late 70's, everyone has their preferences. My favorite are from the mid-to-late 80's, as that is where I started in handguns.

For me, it isn't the lock specifically-- the very obvious lock simply makes it extremely easy to see and pass on it.

(I have owned a few with lock, none ever locked on me, the DA trigger quality/feel was lousy and the 460XVR is the only lock gun I kept)

 

[shocker]

Never had a problem with 4 lock guns I've owned. And I actuate the locks on the guns when "not in service".
Absolutely not a problem in my view. I can't imagine the recoil it would take to flip a lock. But then I've never messed with the internals of my guns.

 

[Rastoff]

Some find it ugly.

Some say it was added because of political pressure from the Clinton administration.

Some say it overcomplicates a very simple design, unnecessarily.

Some say it's all of the above.

None of these are an issue to me. I'm only concerned with mechanical failures due to the lock. I understand these, I just don't care about them.

for this reason, and I noticed that my used handgun didn't come with a key, I removed the flagg so it can't lock up on me... ever

Pardon my ignorance, but what is this flag you're talking about? Pictures?

 

[Czechvar]

It’s a poor, flimsy, cheesey design...I have two Performance Center Revolvers right now I plan to plug. It’s ugly too...Imagine Scarlett Johansson with a huge wart on the tip of her nose...you don’t want to be rude and stare, but you just can’t help yourself...and finally you have to break up with her.

 

[Sevens]

There is small flat piece of metal that rotates upward next to the hammer to show you visually that the lock is engaged -- that is the "flag."

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I carried a 4 inch Model 686-6 with the lock for years on duty loaded with Remington 125 gr JHP .357 Magnums and never had an issue. I also carried a Model 642-2 with the lock with +P .38 Specials as a BUG and ODC. Didn't like the locks, but never had a problem with them.

Since I retired, my carry guns are a P&R 4 inch Model 65-1 loaded with Speer 135 gr GDHP "Short Barrel" .357 Magnums and a pinned 2 inch Model 12-2 loaded with standard pressure Winchester "Defend" 130 gr .38 Specials.



Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk

 

[shocker]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is this flag you're talking about? Pictures?

Here's a locked 66-8. The flag is the shiny thing above the lock keyhole. If the website wouldn't flip pictures.

 

[Rastoff]

Thanks for the pic. I see it now. Sounds like it's easy to remove. Is there a thread here showing how to do it?

 

[Vulcan Bob]

It's a bit like the Ruger SA folk who do not like the "transfer bar" safety system versus the older "three screw" guns without the "transfer bar". As with the S&W "lock" and the Ruger "transfer bar" neither will stop me if I want the revolver.

 

[t4terrific]

Here's a locked 66-8. The flag is the shiny thing above the lock keyhole. If the website wouldn't flip pictures.

Is that what rattles on some of these new Smiths? I shot a 686 that had a tinkling rattle when you shake it.

 

[S&W Rover]

Ah, Rastoff, a clever way to have another IL thread!

I agree with the general drift that the lock is not an issue for functionality of the revolver. If we had any number of "failure to fire" incidents they would be avidly reported on this and other forums.

But I've disabled and/or plugged the ILs on my 640-3, 642-1, and 686-6 just in case. I treasure the 65-5, 586-5, and 10-10 I have without locks, mostly because of their more traditional appearance. I also think the old-style thumbpiece looks much better than the new (slanted) style, and works almost as well, and so I've put those on my newer revolvers.

 

[steelslaver]

Rattle could have been the trigger over travel. Some guns have a short "pin" that rides inside the trigger return spring of such a length that it prevents trigger over travel and can be heard moving when trigger is home and gun is shaken.

While I don't think the lock is prone to failure, I am not a fan, it is an eye sore on a beautiful design, doesn't make a lick of sense because I have yet to hear of anyone actually locking their gun with it on purpose. Mine have all been plugged, because what can go wrong eventually will. In my youth I looked at situations and said that will never happen and happen it did. When I am not packing one fixing to use it they sit in a safe.