Has anyone heard tale of this? Below is the article and the reference is included by Massad Ayoob. I don't believe I read that article, though I do read that magazine. The link is included at the bottom as well.
Internal locking mechanism
Partial Lock Failure The hammer rebounded from the recoil of a magnum load and the internal lock pin impinged enough to freeze it in place
All Smith & Wesson revolvers have been equipped with an internal locking mechanism since the acquisition by Saf-T-Hammer. The mechanism is relatively unobtrusive, is activated with a special key, and renders the firearm inoperable. While the lock can simply be left disengaged, some gun enthusiasts refuse to buy "post-lock" guns, fearing the lock might cause the gun to malfunction when needed most, as in a crisis. If the lock breaks, the gun will not work without being repaired.[12] Smith & Wesson has repeatedly stated that the locking mechanism does not affect reliability, although several cases have been documented.[13][14]
Smith & Wesson announced in March, 2009, that it would begin phasing the internal lock out of its revolver lineup.[15]
Massad Ayoob. "S&W Gives its Customers What They Want". American Handgunner. Mar-Apr 2009.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_%26_Wesson
Internal locking mechanism
Partial Lock Failure The hammer rebounded from the recoil of a magnum load and the internal lock pin impinged enough to freeze it in place
All Smith & Wesson revolvers have been equipped with an internal locking mechanism since the acquisition by Saf-T-Hammer. The mechanism is relatively unobtrusive, is activated with a special key, and renders the firearm inoperable. While the lock can simply be left disengaged, some gun enthusiasts refuse to buy "post-lock" guns, fearing the lock might cause the gun to malfunction when needed most, as in a crisis. If the lock breaks, the gun will not work without being repaired.[12] Smith & Wesson has repeatedly stated that the locking mechanism does not affect reliability, although several cases have been documented.[13][14]
Smith & Wesson announced in March, 2009, that it would begin phasing the internal lock out of its revolver lineup.[15]
Massad Ayoob. "S&W Gives its Customers What They Want". American Handgunner. Mar-Apr 2009.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_%26_Wesson