Is this as bad as it looks?

[Scorpion520AZ]

There are so many threads that give the impression that new Smiths are all defective

That's based more in anecdotal panic than reality. I have two IL range toys that I run hard, hot, without mercy, no issues, no concerns. At revolver matches I'm far from alone in that respect.

 

[M29since14]

...Also, before I complain about lock thingys, I will go back and learn the diff between a hammer and a trigger, and between a 696 and a 629.

Oh, it's OK to complain a little - everyone here does! It adds to the sport. Just don't get carried away with it!

 

[CScott]

I don't know what that gun is, but it looks like a 6 shooter to me. Not a 696.

 

[4530pop]

I've been thinking about putting a dab of super glue on the key slot and the flag (to the frame not the hammer!) as some added insurance against accidental movement.
I haven't tried it yet and I'm not sure how it would hold up to cleaning solvents...
Just a thought.

Not necessary!

 

[Watchdog]

Anyway, the gun in this thread is a 696-2 if I'm not mistaken, since the -2 is when the IL was added. The 696 is no longer in production, anyway, having ended in 2002 after only a five-year run.

I don't know what that gun is, but it looks like a 6 shooter to me. Not a 696.

You could be right. Who knows? I was just going on what the OP said.
I can't think of anything else to say about it.

 

[JOBA]

All my new S&Ws look like that (see photos). I've had no problems with my new shooter grade revolvers. My collectible revolvers mainly sit in the safe.

 

[RGVshooter]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm just being a nervous nelly. But it came from reading this forum! There are so many threads that give the impression that new Smiths are all defective, it started to affect my thinking.

Also, before I complain about lock thingys, I will go back and learn the diff between a hammer and a trigger, and between a 696 and a 629.

Forgive me for saying so.... But I'm a revolver guy, been shooting S&W revolvers since I was a kid back in the 70's. When Smith came out with the internal lock in spring of 2000, a lot of the "purists" hated them for it's looks more than the function. Only until recently do we now hear "stories", mostly online of the Internal lock causing malfunctions and like social media, facts become twisted with fiction.

I have yet to see a internal lock on a S&W revolver malfunction. Everything else, well, ya heard it on these forums. Which to me, 99% of it is baloney.

 

[Mehutch]

With the IL it might happen, without it... it will never happen.

 

[S&W Rover]

As an added touch, I like to add an "old style" thumbpiece on all my S&W revolvers, with or without the lock. Here is the Mdl 640-3 with an XS sight. Its lock has been disabled internally. I think the "old style" thumbpiece takes away some attention from the IL. It's a pretty presentable handgun and a real favorite of mine; I actually sold it once and then tracked down the gentleman a few months later and bought it back; won't happen again. I'd love a six-shot steel J frame like this in .327 Fed Mag. I mean, with the 12 round P365, the eight round Shield-9, and the six round K-6S -- the five round .38/.357 Centennials are getting harder to explain...

I also have a Mdl 686-8 that has a plug installed. It looks fine. I should point out, though, that the plug on that one is indented -- not flush with the side like that beautiful Mdl 586-7 above.

If S&W is going to remain committed to the IL for the Rest of All Time (except for selected Centennials) I wish they would engineer a "better" lock, accessed from a hidden location, with a much more robust and secure spring/lock. If they promise to drop the current IL, I promise to buy a copy of the first K frame they make without it.

 

[RGVshooter]

I don't know.... I've lost count on how many thousands of rounds I shot thru my 617-6 and my 686-6 (shooting mostly full pwr magnum loads) They keep getting smoother & smoother and the glances I get from ppl at the shooting range when I blast off my full pwr magnum loads is priceless.

My EDC 642-2 with probably around 400+ rounds thru it again, keeps getting better & better as I shoot it & work it...

But you know what? I totally forgot that they all have that internal lock until I came across this thread. It's a non issue and S&W IMHO makes some of the best quality firearms in the world.

 

[nachogrande]

"MY ADVICE"- DON'T!

I've been thinking about putting a dab of super glue on the key slot and the flag (to the frame not the hammer!) as some added insurance against accidental movement.
I haven't tried it yet and I'm not sure how it would hold up to cleaning solvents...
Just a thought.

Putting glue, or in my case loktite , anywhere near sensitive (trigger/hammer/) moving parts & it will drip into wherever you LEAST want it to go! Please don't ask how I know. I got THE LECTURE from the smith on that fiasco.

 

[privateinvestigator]

Oh great, now people are telling me I bought a used gun. One more thing for me to fret about.

I'm pretty sure it was factory new, as advertised. The cylinder ring may be from me dry firing 100 times.

The trigger and hammer were almost that dark when I got it, so who knows. In any case, it's going to be well-used before long.

It's a 629, btw. I mis-typed.

 

[RGVshooter]

Oh great, now people are telling me I bought a used gun. One more thing for me to fret about.

I'm pretty sure it was factory new, as advertised. The cylinder ring may be from me dry firing 100 times.

The trigger and hammer were almost that dark when I got it, so who knows. In any case, it's going to be well-used before long.

It's a 629, btw. I mistyped.

Like I said before.... 99% of what I read on any of these online forums is baloney... How can someone possibly tell if it's new or used when they;

1. They weren't with you when you purchased it.
2. Haven't even seen it in person.
3. Are quite possibly not 100% a revolver enthusiast like myself, in other words, they may own 1 or 2 revolvers but mainly shoot semi autos. I do not own any semi autos.
4. Fail to realize that turn lines on a cylinder are normal and will appear on the first day of owning a revolver and 3 boxes of ammo, which if my math is right is 150 rounds then yeah dude, you're gonna have a turn line on the cylinder. Perfectly normal & to be expected. It's not unusual at all to see a brand spank'n new revolver at the shop with a faint turn line. Smith functions checks the guns before they ship. It's a firearm guys, not a new Mercedes.

My biggest complaint about these online forums is people have a tendency to overthink issues and within 2-4 posts the conversation drifts into fantasy, and facts become a afterthought.


My personal advice based on what I've read here and my own personal experience with S&W revolvers is this.

1. What I would do if this was mine is to take the key that came with the pistol and turn the key fully to the left to turn the lock "ON". Then turn the key fully to the right to "OFF". This will do two things. ONE. It's possible that the lock may not be fully in the "OFF" position when it left the factory and TWO, this will give you a physical "feel" of the lock when you activate it ON & OFF so you know how that detent feels, knowing that a properly maintained firearm, that lock will not self activate with normal use. It should have a positive feel to it when you turn it on & off. If it doesn't, then give customer service a phone call, it doesn't take that long to call them, and bring up your concern to them.

2. Some guy suggested using a adhesive to keep the flag by the hammer in place. Hahaha that is a waste of time because in order for any adhesive to work, it must have something to grab on to. Any type of glue on stainless steel will slip right off by lunch time, I promise you that, especially when most firearms are exposed to oils & solvents.

3. A S&W 629 is a stainless steel 44 magnum. Not sure of the revision # you have but since you have the internal lock, it's already has the frame mounted firing pin. No amount of dry firing is going to hurt it.

 

[jimmyj]

Is This As Bad As It Looks

SELL IT AND BUY A GLOCK !

 

[JOBA]

I like the forum, but it is time to let the lock hate die a peaceful death. I would prefer that we continue to have S&W revolvers than let them die like Colt did. There is always the clunky Ruger forum for those that don't like S&W revolvers anymore.

 

[500SNW]

I like the forum, but it is time to let the lock hate die a peaceful death. I would prefer that we continue to have S&W revolvers than let them die like Colt did. There is always the clunky Ruger forum for those that don't like S&W revolvers anymore.

Agreed. I like ALL S&W revolvers...vintage and current production.

 

[muddocktor]

privateinvestigator, I also have a 627 Pro like Collo Rosso and also like his and yours, the flag stands proud about as much as yours. And no problems at all with my 627 either. And I don't spare it by running mouse poot loads either. It's probably had around 3K rounds through it so far.

 

[BigBill]

SELL IT AND BUY A GLOCK !

Jimmy I don't want a glock. My s&w guns are range guns.

 

[Walkingwolf]

I don't know what that gun is, but it looks like a 6 shooter to me. Not a 696.

Good catch, that is indeed a six shot revolver. Clearly with a chamber at the bottom of the cylinder, and two between. With the one on the top, and the two on the other side that is six rounds. That is not a 696.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Every time I cycled the action on my 357 Night Guard in .41 Mag the flag flopped and attempted to engage.