Regarding the lock...I got over it!

[Old Fashioned Six Shooter]

I have several pre-lock S&W revolvers with multiple specimens in J, K, L, and N variety. However, since the introduction of the lock, I will confess that I had refused to purchase another one. I sat back and looked at all of the creative new designs and the return of all the awesome classics and I liked what I saw...except for the lock. Well I am happy to announce, that I recently decided to just get over it. Since I got over it, I have purchased a Governor, a 325 Nightguard, and a 627 PC UDR. I just woke up one day and realized that I was missing out on owning some cool guns, because of my preoccupation with the lock. I would still rather that they not have it, but I decided that I'd rather have some new S&W revolvers with the lock that not to have them at all. I encourage others to get over it as well. Your gun collection will grow. Unfortunately, your petty cash will dwindle. Just my 2 cents...

 

[MacA]

Interesting that you posted this today. I am picking up my first S&W revolver with a lock tomorrow. After owning several older versions like yourself, I did some major soul searching to go through with this purchase. Although I had already committed to purchase the gun, your thread has helped to put my mind more at ease about the decision!

THANKS!!

 

[woodsltc]

Yawn!!!

You must have felt some trepidation about owning a soon to lock-up gun or you wouldn't have felt the need to post about it.

 

[stevieboy]

Breathe easily, your guns' locks won't cause you a bit of trouble. I've owned a bunch of lock-equipped Smiths. Never had a problem with any of them.

 

[one eye joe]

I looked in vain for many months for a 4 inch, 10 shot 617. I finally relented and purchased a new one with the lock. Fortunately, our fellow forum member Bullseye Smith makes "the Plug". This replaces the lock and fills the hole. It's made in blued and stainless, and maybe he's making a black model by now. He's a great guy to deal with, and his simple product vastly improves the beauty and reliability of the modern S&W revolver......

 

[logictox]

I always thought it was just a bunch of die hard lock haters until my 500 locked up at the range. Of course no key with me because I never locked it. I own two S&W's with locks out of the 50 or so S&W's I have and they will be the last two. Just my two cents after suffering a failure first hand.

 

[one eye joe]

I always thought it was just a bunch of die hard lock haters until my 500 locked up at the range. Of course no key with me because I never locked it. I own two S&W's with locks out of the 50 or so S&W's I have and they will be the last two. Just my two cents after suffering a failure first hand.

Thanks for posting this, logictox. There are those that think these malfunctions are a myth. I CERTAINLY would not have an IL in a weapon I was going to use to hunt with, or for CCW or home defense.....

 

[photoman]

I really don't care one way of the other for fun guns. For serious guns, I go lockless.

 

[mark1616]

My semi-daily carry 642 has a lock. That lock has never weighed on my mind. However, when I get it's brother, the 442, I think I will hold out for the NL, just because the hype on the forums give me pause.

 

[wogentry]

I recently broke down and bought a few lock equipped revolvers. A Performance Center 625-8 .45ACP and a Model 22 (1917 reissue type). Love them both. Never have locked them. I carry the key on the ol' key ring 'cause while I have faith in Smith & Wesson, Murphy and I have had our go rounds in the past. So far haven't had a problem and really enjoy packing and shooting them. Still.....there are times when I compare them to my non locking, Model 10s, 14s,17s, 19s and 28s and the enjoyment factor decreases a smidge.

 

[dwever]

I really don't care one way of the other for fun guns. For serious guns, I go lockless.

Yeah well, the truth of it is, for serious guns I go Wilson 1911 - but still love my S&W 627 UDR.

 

[youngda9]

Will never buy a lock gun. The old ones are "cool" enough for me. They are also made much better then the new ones.

 

[Warhorse1]

I bought my first S&W with the lock last spring, it is a 329PD.

Must say that the BBQ black finish, lock, and MIM parts seem to make no difference to me. It shoots great, and the lock has yet to engage itself under recoil.

 

[shottist]

Lock

No Lock, No Way. That idiotic devise is an anathema to me, a needless and ugly mechanical answer for imagined problems. "Forged aboud it".

 

[Revolver-time]

Got a Classic 27 and a Classic 1917. Those two have the locks, but I don't care one bit. And oh by the way, I have had a Colt Python, a Colt series 80 1911, and a Rossi 720 lock up on me tighter than the ole bulls butt. All of my newer Rugers have a lock in the grip frame and no problems there.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Me too .

 

[wheelyfun66]

I own two S&W revolvers (66 and 340), and neither one has an internal lock...

I WOULD own a 'Smith with a lock....but not one that I would be using for self-defense.

Just in the few replies this thread has generated...one person has actual experience with a lock engaging against their will...what would that have looked like in a self-defense scenario?

I might own 'Smiths with a lock someday, but for now, my 66 snub and 340 M&P are what I rely on: sans lock!

 

[CajunBass]

I've always said I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Smith&Wesson with a lock if I ever found one I liked.

A few weeks ago I got to test that boast when I found a 21-4 "Thunder Ranch" in 44 Special that had the lock.

I got it.

I probably won't carry it for SD though. That rascal is HEAVY.

 

[DonD]

Will never buy a lock gun. The old ones are "cool" enough for me. They are also made much better then the new ones.

They may have more hand attention regarding polishing etc but they aren't better mechanically. The newer guns are made of better materials and to closer tolerances. Old seldom means better. Don

 

[qwikrex]

Just picked up my first wheelgun yesterday, a 442-1. I'd been looking for a while, but most stores carried the models with the ILS. I found a no-lock version at a local gun store and jumped on it.