deltabowhunter
Member
I found a J Frame I've been wanting, but the gun has the lock feature on it. Would you have any reserves about buying it with this feature?
Lock or No Lock
- Thread starter deltabowhunter
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No. If I liked the gun otherwise, I would buy it. If the lock concerned me because I was afraid it might "activate itself" I would just disable it. My 340PD still has its lock. Don't care for it, but it doesn't worry me either.
Florida J Frame
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If I had a choice between a "lock" gun and a pre-lock I would, of course, take the pre-lock but if I liked the gun and it had a lock it would not stop me unless it was an ultra-lightweight in a magnum caliber. I bought a 327 TRR8 with a lock and it has become my favorite handgun. (It was never built w/o the lock). I normally fire .38 +P in it.
I bought two frames with the lock because I could not find any without the lock at the time. I removed the locks and used Bullseye's plugs.
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I would wait for a no-lock if S&W offers it without a lock.
GF
Member
Me?
I'd just buy a Colt Agent.
GF
I'd just buy a Colt Agent.
GF
Same story here. I have recently purchased my first lock revolver (627 PC 2 5/8" UDR) because the pre lock versions will cost at least double, usually much more. A cheap plug will do. It's a must for a carry gun.
I got my first S&W with lock in 2006 and then got a few since. I never had any trouble with them. If I were concerned about it I would just remove them. There is way too much worry put into this issue.
D Binx
Member
I have a 686+ and a 642 that both have locks. Like others have said, if I had seen a lock and a no-lock side by side then I would have purchased the no-lock but I've never had any issues with them so I'm not concerned about them engaging accidentally.
I plain just....
I plain just don't like built in locks. I could stomach it if everything else about the gun was desirable. I'd probably plug it if I had one.
I plain just don't like built in locks. I could stomach it if everything else about the gun was desirable. I'd probably plug it if I had one.
Rpg
Member
Absolutely!
S&W made lots of fine revolvers without locks.
Nothing with one interests me.
I guess I have more with locks than without and have never had the first problem with any of them. I do not like the looks of them and never will but mine have caused no problems. My lock guns range from 38spl to 500mag and all work well.
Doyle
Doyle
Mister_Smith
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I read that police departments refuse to use guns with the lock, though I don't know which departments still use revolvers, but perhaps it was for back up guns, I didn't verify the story about police departments.
One story I DID verify, Massad Ayoob has in fact verified for himself that there have been incidents of these locks locking up during firing of the gun, I'm sure a google search will confirm this, and also this has been posted somewhere on this forum. I believe that can be found in the "sticky" that has the thread about the locks.
Myself, I will not tolerate a lock but one day I WOULD like to buy a Night Guard, or a an M&P TR8 revolver, or a Thunder Ranch .45 ACP revolver with a 4 inch barrel, but I intend to remove the lock when I buy any of these guns.
I would not entrust my life to a gun with a lock, do a google search on this, remember Murphy's Law, but if you find a beaut Smith you want, don't let the lock stop you, just disable the lock. Smith still makes beautiful revolvers, don't let the lock stop you from getting something that pleases you.
One story I DID verify, Massad Ayoob has in fact verified for himself that there have been incidents of these locks locking up during firing of the gun, I'm sure a google search will confirm this, and also this has been posted somewhere on this forum. I believe that can be found in the "sticky" that has the thread about the locks.
Myself, I will not tolerate a lock but one day I WOULD like to buy a Night Guard, or a an M&P TR8 revolver, or a Thunder Ranch .45 ACP revolver with a 4 inch barrel, but I intend to remove the lock when I buy any of these guns.
I would not entrust my life to a gun with a lock, do a google search on this, remember Murphy's Law, but if you find a beaut Smith you want, don't let the lock stop you, just disable the lock. Smith still makes beautiful revolvers, don't let the lock stop you from getting something that pleases you.
silentflyer
Member
I have both, never had a problem with the locks, 100's of rounds run through them at the range. All thing equal yes would prefer without, but it's no big deal.
I've had no interest in locked guns but since a 5" 63 was intriguing (and only comes w/ a lock) I bot one anyway. Picked it up a couple nights ago, lock a non-issue. I'll likely remove/plug it down the road but honestly I don't even notice that it's there.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
My LGS had the brand new S&W N Frames for around half price with the loc. It's a no brainer for me I'll take all the brand new s&w with the loc's I can buy between $599 / $699. After all my brand new s&w m29-10 is the best m29 that s&w has ever offered with all the upgrades. I can look past the loc. If the loc saves one child's life it's worth it, remember safety first.
When and if they ever discontinue the loc feature I have mine already. The collectors will be scrambling to buy them and will pay three times what there probably worth. Bb
When and if they ever discontinue the loc feature I have mine already. The collectors will be scrambling to buy them and will pay three times what there probably worth. Bb
05CarbonDRZ
Member
The only time I even consider a lock gun is when they never made a pre lock version of the gun.Even then I still find it hard to spend the money on the gun and usually end up buying a different but similar model without the lock.
EDIT:The proof is in the pudding,Gun shops have to cut the price in half to sell the lock guns.
EDIT:The proof is in the pudding,Gun shops have to cut the price in half to sell the lock guns.
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Cal44
Member
For me, the issue comes down to the use of the gun.
For a range or target gun, I don't really care if it has a lock or not.
For example, I recently bought a 625JM with lock. In the unlikely event the lock comes on at the range, I'll just unlock it and keep shooting -- or take it home and unlock it if I didn't bring the key. No big deal.
Same thinking applies to hunting guns.
For a gun most likely to be used for self defense, particularly one you carry, I don't like locks.
If a lock fails on a SD gun it could be a big deal.
This is particularly the case with the light weight Aluminum or Scandium J frames.
Although, putting even that into perspective, many people carry semi-autos for SD and it seems the chances of a jam or failure to go into battery is greater than the lock on a revolver failing.
S&W currently offers 642s, 442, and M&P 340 's without locks.
I just bought a 642 new no-lock here in California so I know they are available.
Dave
For a range or target gun, I don't really care if it has a lock or not.
For example, I recently bought a 625JM with lock. In the unlikely event the lock comes on at the range, I'll just unlock it and keep shooting -- or take it home and unlock it if I didn't bring the key. No big deal.
Same thinking applies to hunting guns.
For a gun most likely to be used for self defense, particularly one you carry, I don't like locks.
If a lock fails on a SD gun it could be a big deal.
This is particularly the case with the light weight Aluminum or Scandium J frames.
Although, putting even that into perspective, many people carry semi-autos for SD and it seems the chances of a jam or failure to go into battery is greater than the lock on a revolver failing.
S&W currently offers 642s, 442, and M&P 340 's without locks.
I just bought a 642 new no-lock here in California so I know they are available.
Dave
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