Just curious, Does anyone really use the IL?

[Revolver King]

I am just curious to know how many people use the IL on there revolvers. I know that many of you won't even own one with it on there. I have several that have them and I don't even know if they work or not. Because I don't use them and most likely never will.

 

[indiandave]

I have some guns with the lock. Never tried to see if they work. The guns have been dependable.

 

[jpwhel]

I have a M-60-15 3 in. that is really fun to shoot, however the key remains in the box in the closet while the J frame is in the safe. I never use the lock.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I used to have a condition under which I would have used the IL, but they weren't making them back then. [The condition was that I was carrying or would have liked to carry a gun in an outer garment, and remove the outer garment and hang it up in a closet in somebody else's house. I seem to recall that my two pre-IL solutions were either to carry a Charter Bulldog under my belt while wearing a suit, or to carry in the outer garment and use a trigger lock. I have since gone to regular on-body carry, and seldom carry in an outer garment.]

Now, the only IL I have doesn't work - I was smoothing the locking lug, and got carried away. Oh well, at least I don't have to worry about spontaneous engagement of the lock.

 

[Amici]

I consider the IL an imbecilic solution to the "secure storage" problem. My pistols are in a safe weighing almost half a ton EMPTY; a $10 lock through the matal case my 625 came in provides a far more cost-effective way to disable the gun than the IL and without any reliability problems.

In short, I don't use it and doubt 1% of IL gun owners do.

 

[rogerb1583]

I have one revolver with the lock. Operated the lock once just to see what it does and have left it unlocked and unused since. The lock is sorta like teats on a boar hog.

 

[photoman]

I have an IL 637 and use the lock...

...to hold down the plastic bag in the parts box.

 

[Careby]

S&W revolvers have always had a built-in safety feature whereby they may be rendered unusable by anyone who does not possess a special enabling device. This feature is called "unloading" and the device is called "ammo". I do not understand what functionality is actually added by incorporating internal locks which all use the same common identical key. (Not that I would want locks that used unique keys!!!)

 

[tbury]

Two guns with locks, two locks unused.

 

[ajr969]

Now, the only IL I have doesn't work - I was smoothing the locking lug, and got carried away.

What a coincidence... same thing happend to me. Twice.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Careby,

Theoretically, an unauthorized person might have ammo, but not a common key, particularly if you don't want to carry your speedloaders and six loose cartridges in your pants pocket when you hang up your coat.

Frankly, I consider the IL a very weak solution to a slightly unusual problem, but I don't think that it is completely wasted, or at least wouldn't be wasted if they could make a reliable one.

520

 

[tripledipper]

One 637-2 IL purchased used, never had keys for it until months later, never tried them and never will.

 

[Chuck Jones]

I have 3 IL guns and have never used the locks. My IL guns won't see any use for self-defense. For me the whole idea of the IL is idiotic.

/c

 

[VAdoublegunner]

Oh yes, I practice with it often. It is a very good idea to become familiar with its operation, per the manual. That way, if you are in a bad neighborhood where a bad guy is statistically 87% more likely to take your gun from you, or in your own home where during a break-in the intruders can use your own gun to shoot you or a family member (source: made up number loosely based on the VPC's made up numbers) you can know that you are safe and only need to unlock the gun for your own authorized use. Training and drills are important!! I've even been thinking about having an ear pierced to carry a spare key (hmmm...would that need to be left or right ear lobe)

 

[akjaeger]

I have a 329PD with the lock, the keys are still in the little baggy. If I could have gotten something comparable without the lock, I would have paid extra. I just found a 625-6 and paid a premium for it.
I do have a Remington model 700 with their version of the lock. A real long range tack driver. A few years ago I drew an atelope tag, took my son, who was about 9 at the time and drove 5 hours to southern Idaho.
Sure enough we found a nice buck and made a long stalk, got everything set up, and the damn gun wouldn't go off! The vibration from the ride down must have allowed the lock to vibrate on! We got a buck that weekend with the Winchester .338 that I'd thown in on a whim. The Remington hasn't been shot much since and won't ever go hunting again.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I have five,N frame's and one L frame with the IL,never tried them out and so far no trouble's.

 

[CharlieP]

I tested my 642 lock when I bought it - to see how it worked and make sure it was in the full off position. It has been unlocked ever since. But back when my kids were little, I would have used it.

 

[Nightowl]

I have two, a .500 and a 627-5. I was just a little too late in ordering the 627 and it had the lock, darn! Not much one can do about the .500. Neither have even had the key in the lock and won't as long as I own them. If they insist upon a lock, they will have to find a better place for it before I buy in. It is ugly, changes the profile of the gun and has to be expensive to manufacture with all the cutouts and small parts!

 

[M38a]

Originally posted by tbury:
Two guns with locks, two locks unused.

Me too. I guess the keys are in the boxes they came in, I haven't checked.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I hate to admit it, but I have 4 guns with the damnable lock. A 642-2, a 442-2, a 25-13 mountain gun, and a 625-9 mountain gun. All were bought new. On the advice of my gunsmith, who is an S&W specialist, I have NEVER activated the locks to the locked position. He says to just leave them alone and there should be no trouble with any self-activation problems. But being a belt and suspenders kind of guy - just in case - I carry a lock key on my key ring. Not to lock the gun, but to unlock it, again, just in case. I see Smith is now making some 642s without the lock; I wish they were doing that when I bought mine about a year ago.