Lock or No Lock Big Deal ?

v84x4

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Hey Guys
First post and
First Airlight 340PD

I just got my 340PD today and took it to the range
Wow man this thing feels good

Guess all those Youtubers talking about how
this gun hurts was ""BS"

So my questions is
My Brand New 340PD does NOT have a lock
What does this mean?
I have read that most ppl prefer J Frames without a lock
So whats the big deal about not having a Lock?

Regards, Rick
 
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I've been searching all day
Cant find any reference to compare a 340pd with a lock to a 340PD without

Come up with all kinds of stuff about the Lock on m&P340
Pre lock and Lock

But cant find anything on a 340PD pre lock
except for a Law enforcement post

Hmmmm.............

OK thank anyway
 
I am almost certain your 340 has a lock. Not sure they made them without locks. The lock is hated by almost everyone. It is the disfiguration (hole for key) above your cylinder release and is virtually never used. I welcome you to the forum. You have chosen wisely. A S&W wheel gun in J frame will meet most personal defense needs. Good luck.
 
There ave been a few documented cases of the lock inadvertently activating, mostly on light pistols shooting stout loads. Your 340 without the lock is probably a little more reliable since it has fewer parts to screw up with (the lock assembly). And since it's primarily aimed at being a CCW/backup weapon, simpler and less stuff to break is good. And with that said, I have 2 pistols that have a lock and neither have given me a problem at all. One is a 60-15 and the other is a 627 Pro, both 357 Mag pistols.
 
While I, like most abhor the lock, I won't let a lock turn me away from a nice gun or a nice deal. About the only thing I absolutely would not buy with lock is a J-Frame, however.
 
I've been searching all day
Cant find any reference to compare a 340pd with a lock to a 340PD without

I didn't know till your post the 340PD came in a no-lock version. Now I see it listed at one of my favorite online shops. Thanks for enlightening me, and welcome to the forum.

You might have found threads on the issue if you hadn't searched specifically for the 340PD lock/no-lock models. There has been a lot of discussion on the lock topic in general, and, for good reason, it's not necessarily a popular topic with the site's owner or the Moderators. It's one of those "Somebody needs to call the SPCA because we're beating a dead horse" topics.

For the old heads ugly is usually the first response. I guess I'm an old head -- I don't like the hole.

Unreliable is an accusation that I'm not sure has been scientifically proven.

I have a Model 500, and my wife carries a Model 360PD; both have locks and we haven't had a problem.

I'll leave it at this: you have a prettier 340PD!

Stick around. There are lots of great, knowledgeable folks here.

Cheers,

Bob
 
I wish the locks weren't there, more for cosmetic , rather than reliability reasons. I have a J frame with a lock, shot it extensively with all kinds of loads and have never had a problem related to the lock. I just bought a new 617 which ,of course, also has a lock.
 
First off, welcome to the forum! :D

The lock has been discussed many times to the point of the "dead horse" status, though perhaps not to your specific model, hence the suggestion to search the forum. Very few people (self included) can see the advantage to it, but it doesn't stop many (again, self included) from buying a S&W with the lock. A very small fraction of users have reported problems with the lock engaging while firing. To put it in the proper prospective, I've noticed far more complaints about barrels being canted (not lined up properly, either turned too far or not far enough to match the rear sight), than I have lock failures.

So the bottom line is the lock has become a polarizing point that will never go away. A lot like seat belts or motorcycle helmets. :D
 
I didn't know till your post the 340PD came in a no-lock version. Now I see it listed at one of my favorite online shops. Thanks for enlightening me, and welcome to the forum.

You might have found threads on the issue if you hadn't searched specifically for the 340PD lock/no-lock models. There has been a lot of discussion on the lock topic in general, and, for good reason, it's not necessarily a popular topic with the site's owner or the Moderators. It's one of those "Somebody needs to call the SPCA because we're beating a dead horse" topics.

For the old heads ugly is usually the first response. I guess I'm an old head -- I don't like the hole.

Unreliable is an accusation that I'm not sure has been scientifically proven.

I have a Model 500, and my wife carries a Model 360PD; both have locks and we haven't had a problem.

I'll leave it at this: you have a prettier 340PD!

Stick around. There are lots of great, knowledgeable folks here.

Cheers,

Bob
Thanks You guys

Yes, Bob
Thats exactly what I did is search specificly for 340pd no lock and couldn't find anything

The post after mine made me feel stupid
Buy now I see its rare to have a 340PD without the lock and I feel pretty lucky to have one [emoji6]

Kindest regards, Rick

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
Lock or no lock, NO big deal, in my opinion. I've bought guns with locks, and shot the heck out of 'em with ZERO problems. If I want another that has a lock, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it, too. So yours has no lock? Also no problem. :-)
 
The only revolvers I'm intereted in are snubs and I wouldn't buy one with a lock. I've had too many reputable instructors recommend avoiding them on a defense weapon as well as saying they have personally witnessed lock failures. Failures of the locks are relatively rare, but why have something you isn't and adds a potential failure point. My favorite snubs are the enclosed hammer centennial models and the internal lock makes even less sense on them since you can't immediately visually see the status of the lock since there is no indicator flag exposed. Luckily, most centennial are available without the lock except one of my favorites(the standard 640).
 
I bought my first revolver ever a few weeks ago. I didn't even think twice about the lock until I saw all the hate posts on youtube, forums, etc.. Was kind of shocking really.

I don't think it's that big of a deal. I would prefer it gone if given the choice.

If S&W ever removes the lock from new production revolvers it will probably annihilate the resale value of the ones that have them.
 
I bought my first revolver ever a few weeks ago. I didn't even think twice about the lock until I saw all the hate posts on youtube, forums, etc.. Was kind of shocking really.

I don't think it's that big of a deal. I would prefer it gone if given the choice.

If S&W ever removes the lock from new production revolvers it will probably annihilate the resale value of the ones that have them.

Will not cost me a cent, but it all honesty they will never go away!:(
 
Lock or no lock it doesn't matter to me but that's always the question.
What matters to me most is it in that world famous smith and wesson "NICKEL FINISH" that's all that matters to me. Yup if the lock ever goes away the ones with the lock will be sought after. They will be worth there weight in gold. Since the nickel finish is going away does the nickel finish with the lock really matter.
What motivated me about the S&W revolvers was the k22 I purchased for the grandson. And the tales of the gun, THE S&W story. Not one gun manufacturer has done for the gun industry what S&W has done for the development of firearms. Think about it we can own, touch, and shoot a piece of history that goes back over 100 plus years. Even the new revolvers of today still have that historic designs. No gun manufacturer has kept on manufacturing the same design for over a century and the demand is still there. They hit the ball right out of the park and continue to do so.
 
IL/noIL

I've got 'em both and never give it a thought. This issue has been BEAT TO DEATH:eek:, but if it helps someones purchase decision, so be it:eek;):D:D
 
deadhorse.gif
 
Unreliable is an accusation that I'm not sure has been scientifically proven.

I have a Model 500, and my wife carries a Model 360PD; both have locks and we haven't had a problem.
I've never seen an eclipse, so I kind of tend to doubt that they've really been scientifically proven. I mean, there is all this anecdotal evidence, but other than that . . . ?
 
Welcome to the forum!! Don't sweat the lock, it is annoying that S&W caved and put it there, but (as others have said) it doesn't determine whether I will purchase a revolver with a lock or not. That doesn't mean that I won't go out of my way to pick up as many of the models I like that don't have it!
I primarily own and shoot 44mag S&W's, and to date, have never had a lock "engage" on me while shooting. My EDC is a S&W backpacker Talo (basically a 44mag snubbie airweight), so very similar to what you shoot! Now, I'm not saying that the lock will NEVER engage on you, but none of my Smith's have so I'm good!
There is also someone who sells Plugs so you can remove the lock and fill the hole! Honestly, that looks pretty darn good the ones I've seen, so there is a choice if you decide you don't want a Smith with a lock! I know YOURS doesn't have one, but Smiths tend to multiply once you own one for a while! Ask me how I know that!
Enjoy the 340PD!!! Oh, and PICS PLEASE!!! Love to see the eye candy!
 
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