Is this as bad as it looks?

[BC38]

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

Yup, stop notches between the flutes = 6 shot
5 shot revolvers have the stop notches in line WITH the flutes.
Definitely not a 696.

 

[Bullet Bob]

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

I think that comment was just because of the good closeup photo you posted - it's easier to see something in those compared to just eyeballing one.

Next time post a fuzzy cell phone picture to prevent those comments.

 

[ladder13]

Too bad Lee doesn't deny access to this part of the forum as he suggested in his sticky, as a start.
A ban wouldn't bother me either.

I don't have a single IL gun but don't feel the need to bellyache about them.

 

[Watchdog]

SELL IT AND BUY A GLOCK !

 

[Dragon 1]

Those locks are problems I had thought they fixed it but that might be a older one. Hate those locks by pass that and you will have no worries that is a safe issue that can cost you your life if it goes on if need. You think smith would get the idea when they have J frame models that you can order with out the lock. Never know why they just don't make the locks for the Anti American states as spl order just my 2 cents. Good luck I am sure Smith will help you if you if do not put the plug in. Someone here said it the AZ company is nice there right. I have seen the AZ company plug in person it is very nice plug/ I guess by pass unit.

 

[AZretired]

But you can remove the IL without plugging the hole...right? The plug is strictly for cosmetic reasons...isn't it???

You do not need the plug. You can remove all the internal parts of the lock and then you know you will never have a problem.

 

[privateinvestigator]

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. 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.


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.

Thank you for the reassurance. I'm 99 percent sure this gun was factory new. I inspected it for a long time before signing the FFL. It had no turn ring on the cylinder. Yeah, the MIM parts weren't shiny silver, but I think that's normal. And what looks like abrasion on the metal in the picture is invisible to the naked eye.

And also, there was carbon only around 2-3 throats on the front of the cylinder, as if they'd fired 2-3 rounds at the factory and stopped there.

I took your advice about the lock. Looks like the flag just likes to rest where it is.

I watched a Hickok45 vid today on the 327 TRR8, and I noticed the flag on his gun sticks up by the hammer just like mine. Hickok doesn't seem to mind, so I'm not going to mind either.

 

[Frogwalking]

I love it when I don't feel I have to get involved in a pi**ing contest.

 

[RGVshooter]

Yeah, the MIM parts weren't shiny silver, but I think that's normal.

None of them are shiny, they're heat treated at the factory hence the case hardened look.

Under the risk of getting flamed by the "purists", but I'm a stinker so I'm gonna say it..

It is arguable that MIM parts are of better quality than the hand fitted parts of yesteryear in that modern manufacturing of today produces a more tighter tolerance and better precision made part and still allows for mass production to meet consumer demand.

A cast part that is then hand fitted; such as on those of older revolvers that some people think is the holy grail, suggests to me, poor tolerances that require final fitting for proper function and
a final product where you would have thousands of the exact same model, but parts that may or may not exactly be interchangeable and even still, the overall smoothness & quality of work may vary from one firearm to the next.


This will explain the MIM process
Metal Injection Molding Process - MIM Process

 

[500SNW]

You do not need the plug. You can remove all the internal parts of the lock and then you know you will never have a problem.

Thank you. I am about to take mine apart to replace a busted firing pin...and I figured since I have the side plate off, I might as well remove the IL while I'm at it. Here's another "head scratcher" for you folks - Will a revolver function properly if the hammer block is not put back in before reassembly? :

 

[Hithev]

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.

When people are new to a subject, they can get paranoid about their critters and need reassurance ( and that's what forums are for, until you become an expert yourself). It' s like cleaning the new car after splashing in a puddle, or taking it to the dealer to check that a tarmac hole didn't damage the damper. Then, after some thousand miles and years with it, one doesn't mind peeing on a wheel if necessary...
So: the IL looks exactly how it has to look and won't cause any inconvenience as long as you simply ignore it; MIM parts are not shiny nor chrome polished; a good close-up with a macro lens will show polishing lines not even appreciable at the naked eye and that will change their aspect every time they are cleaned; the black rings on the cylinder are marks of the proof cases shot at the factory; they will re-appear every time you shoot , are not causing any damage, are an essential and unavoidable part of the shooting process and you'll not be fined for not removing them perfectly; minor imperfections are present even on NIB items due to a sort of mishandling that' s part of human being; more evident scratches, dings and broadly speaking signs of wear will appear as long as you use your gun for what it was made and it's meant, unless you want to keep it as a safe queen , or put it on an altar and offer it ritual sacrifices.
Shoot your gun, enjoy it. It is a piece of steel that will continue working along you life and those of your kids.
Be safe.

 

[revolver686]

I have a 3" 629 Deluxe as well. The flag on mine protrudes slightly above the frame, just as yours does. My revolver has functioned flawlessly through hundreds of rounds of .44 magnum. The lock has been a non issue.

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