One More Lock Thread...With a Twist!

[MBaneACP]

We were filming an episode of SHOOTING GALLERY for 2010 today, and late this afternoon I started to put some Remington 240-gr .44 Magnum loads through my 329PD. This is the same gun I had a lock failure with using Buffalo Bore 255-gr Keith loads. I have since put many .44 Specials though the 329, along with a few Black Hills 240-gr JHP magnums, without incident.

On round 3 in a DA string, I experienced a lock failure of the same sort as before — the "locked" flag popped up and hung the hammer as it fell, causing a jam with a live round in the chamber.

We caught this one on 2 HD cameras, with my 2 videographers, sound man, director and production assistant as witnesses. I took the gun over to Camera 1 and showed exactly how the jam happened, then cleared the jam on camera with a multitool.

It's going to take us a little time to capture the HD footage and convert it to an MPEG for the web. As soon as I have the footage, we'll post it on DRTV and make it available to the S&W Forum.

Michael B

 

[USAF385]

AND send it in to S&W.

 

[dynamike]

plz send the footage to S&W!!! BTW, i like your shows!

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Post it on The Firing Line forum. There are a lot of failure non-believers there.

 

[Crazy K38]

I had heard of failures before, IMO when I get a 442 or any other S&W with that usless lock I am going to remove it please post the video

 

[Sgt 127]

A video of the mythical lock failure? You jest, Sir. What else is on that tape? Bigfoot? Aliens at Area 51? Nessie floating on the surface and sunning herself?

Actually, I think its amazing that you caught it on tape, and, thank you. I was never really that worried about the lock failing, there have been a few reports here and there, but, I hated it for what it did for the looks of a grand old design. You having actually filmed it, while doing nothing wierd to the gun, simply shooting it, as it was designed to do, adds considerable concern as far as I am concerned.

 

[Nard]

Lock

I hope you are going to make that part of the show. Please!!!!!

J.B.

 

[panamajack310]

Send it to S&W and post it on Youtube..That will get someones attention....

 

[Revolver King]

Michael, Thanks for the post, I too DVR all of the shows on Weds. Keep up the great work. Now you have caused me to take a second look at the lock issues.

 

[HoosierMike]

Mr. Bane, thank you in advance for sharing the video. I am sure that it will be instructive.

Love your shows, never miss them.

 

[peyton]

Please post and tell us where it is. My dear wife can not understand why I buy only "old S&W revolvers". Your show and you have an outstanding reputation. This event captured on film will help convince the S&W corporate office that the locks do fail.

 

[18DAI]

Even with video, there will probably still be people on this board who don't believe it happened........or will claim some other cause. Regards 18DAI.

 

[lagavulin62]

you will always have your disbelievers but yeah send it in for the simple reason non lock guns are getting expensive. would be nice for a newbie smith enthusiast to have the thrill of buying a new gun like it was the 70's all over. ............now mind if i get lazy and ask the title of this show and broadcast times? I watch very little of the outdoor channel. thanks

 

[GF]

I wonder if sponsorship or whoever the "powers that be" are might take a dim view of your lock failure segment.
I'm a fan of all the Outdoor channel programs, hunting and self-defense shows. Smith & Wesson is always a prominent advertiser. If you have final say on the content of your show, please give this the attention it deserves.
I hope to see the video and your commentary on your show and not just on the S&W Forum.
Thank you Mr. Bane

GF

 

[JD 500]

Mr. Bane, thank you in advance for sharing the video. I am sure that it will be instructive.

Love your shows, never miss them.

+1 Sir !

And thanks for your work on this issue Mr. Bane. It would be a great thing if S & W would be proactive after seeing your work and correct / eliminate this danger for the benefit and safety of thier customers.

 

[pinkymingeo]

I have several IL revolvers but the locks are a non-issue, because they're disabled. It's a simple job for anybody who knows how to remove the sideplate and hammer. If you don't know how to do it you should, so buy a couple of screwdrivers and a book or DVD. I can't even imagine owning and using a gun I can't disassemble and put back together again. Or maintain, repair and make simple changes to.

 

[zephyr]

Excellent, that will be hard for S&W to ignore. Thanks for doing that and thanks for your shows too! I watch them all the time now that I switched to FIOS.

 

[nmcb3]

Send it to S&W and post it on Youtube..That will get someones attention....

Exactly, that lock needs to go the way of the Dodo.

 

[Mule88]

Awe Come on now! You know those locks NEVER fail. Just ask anyone at S&W. They wouldnt lead us astray....would they!

 

[smitholdtimer]

Internal Lock Failure

Thanks to you, Mr. Bane and The Outdoor Channel for the pro-gun entertainment, I personally find it refreshing to hear the truth coming from the tv for a change. My pre-conceived notions have already prevented me from owning anything with an engineered internal lock but your personal experience coupled with the credibility you have may induce the powers that be to further investigate their folly. We all are very interested in seeing the video you have and having it published for the shooting world to see. An "Heads Up" as to the air time is eagerly awaited. I thank you , Sir.