Regarding the lock...I got over it!

[old&slow]

Old lock less S&W are cool..
New S&W with locks are cool..
I have both.

The 625, 610, & the 617 that I shoot for some shooting matches have locks and have never failed because of the locks.

On the 60 that I carry most of the time and the 642 that I carry some of the time, I have "fixed" the lock, just to make sure.

I prefer the lock less.
But like the song states, "you can't always get what you want".

 

[MacA]

My decision early on to by "older" versions was only because the first revolver I ever shot, and later was willed to me, was a pre-15 K-38 Combat Masterpiece. As I started collecting I was drawn more to models made in the 50s, 60s, & 70s.

The fact that I haven't purchased a revolver with an internal lock was because I never really came across one that I "had to have"! I didn't see a reason to have one with a lock when I could find one that matched my collection better that didn't have one.

That was until I found a 6.5" 626-6 Classic for an incredible price. I wanted a .44 Magnum that I could shoot any ammo I get my hands on and it would be a fun range gun. Any potential negatives with the IL didn't matter for the intended purpose of this gun.

It never ceases to amaze me at the level of emotions that this lock vs. no-lock debate generates. Buying guns is a personal choice. The way I look at is, to each his (or her) own!

 

[M29since14]

Old lock less S&W are cool..
New S&W with locks are cool..
I have both.

Let me add one line.

Old lock less S&W are cool...
New S&W with locks are cool...
I have both.
If the lock bothers me, I get rid of it. (Simple! )



I am twisting my (own) arm trying to convince myself to buy a new-production Model 24. Won't call it a "1950 Target."
I keep looking for discussion related to that gun here on the forum and don't see anything. I guess the lock has so terrorized everyone that there is no one with a story to tell. My only concern is the barrel. When I find one that looks good, I'll probably weaken. The rest of the revolver doesn't worry me.

 

[MTKTM]

Yawn. Okay, my .02 for what it's worth, probably a little less than that!

I agree that a lot of really cool new guns have come out in the last decade. I love the 500 S&W and the onliest way to get one is to get the lock. Same with the 460 and the Governor, neither of which I own, but those are new guns that were never made in pre-IL versions. There are others as well, the 327s, many of the Titanium/Scandium/Unobtainium guns, the Classics, the 627/629/657PC guns, just a lot of really nice interesting guns, some of which I want to sample, and have. If you are happy with the older stuff, that's great. I'm not unhappy with it but like the new guns as well.

I've put thousands, tens of thousands, of rounds through IL guns, including some real hard kickers like the 500s, the 340PD, etc., with nary a bobble. Would I CCW an IL gun or rely on it for SD? You bet I would, do so with great regularity as a matter of fact.

 

[Davef1]

I was parked in the "no-IL" camp until I decided to shoot ESR in IDPA matches, I bought a 625JM which is only available with the lock. The revolver has performed flawless.

 

[Ashlander]

Guys who buy semi-autos put 400 or so rounds through a gun and if there are no hitches -- it's reliable and they'd carry it. But for some guys on this forum they could shoot thousands of rounds flawlessly through a revolver, but if it has a lock -- no way they'd use it for self-defense.

There must be more to it than just the lock -- it's like S&W violated some unwritten taboo, or maybe it's just the focus of all the anger about them "not making them like they used to."

 

[dwever]

There must be more to it than just the lock

Well said.

 

[thezoltar]

Many semi auto pistols have locking systems, even my H&K's. To my knowledge no semi auto pistol has ever failed to fire with their lock in the 'unlocked' position. I think the current design of the S&W revolver lock is by design subject to occasional unintentional engagement of the locking system. If S&W redesigned their lock to a 100% reliable system there would be no issue to discuss. Many owners do not like the current lock because it has caused a small number of unwanted lockups. Replace the bad lock system with one that works and there will be no issue.

 

[Tex_1968]

About one third of the S&Ws in my collection have locks and I haven't had a single issue.

 

[m4bgringo]

400+ rounds through my 625 and never had an issue with the lock. Really don't know it's there. I shoot my guns, I don't put them on display.

 

[one eye joe]

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.

Welcome to the forum, and congrats on your find....