Removing The S&W Internal Lock (Video)

[Doc Nonverbal]

Outstanding work! Thank you very much for creating this video.

My only suggestion is to demonstrate that the handgun is unloaded before you begin. I could imagine some yahoo watching your video and getting to the point where you're instructing the viewer to pull the trigger in order to capture the hammer strut spring - and end up shooting someone. Never underestimate the power of stupidity.

This issue aside, your work is excellent.

 

[Plottman Pops]

After procrastinating for a very long time, yesterday I watched the video and decided it was time to act. I delocked a 340pd in less time then it takes to watch the video. Then got my trusty shop manual by Jerry Kuhnhausen and did the same to a 329pd.
Thanks Gary for the outstanding video and the inspiration to get it done

 

[Mickstix]

Bump.. (Mods, why isnt this one pinned??) If there ever was a reason to pin a thread, I think this one fills the bill.. Along with the FlatTop thread about replacing the lock with a plug..

 

[acossey]

Nice work.

 

[Smitty500Mag]

I give it a 10. I like the beat and it's easy to dance to. Besides the music I give the video a 10 also.

Good job!

There's always somebody that wants to play the part of chick little...the sky is falling, the sky is falling. BS on the felony thing!! The IL is not a requirement only an agreement that S&W made with the government. If the locks were a requirement then all guns would have to have them. Companies like Glock offers the lock as an option. Geese!!!

Smitty

 

[BugBeard]

Nice video. Some parts being disassembled, such as the cylinder bolt, are done differently from the instructions in 'The S&W Revolver: A Shop Manual', but if it works who cares. There's always more than one way to skin a cat.

I can't recommend that book enough in addition to the video if one is going to do that. The shop manual is highly detailed with many pictures. For no more than 60$ you can get that book, a 20 set S&W screwdriver set, and a brass hammer. For a little more you can get some specialized tools such as a rebound tool for the rebound spring and bolt.

Again, nice work!

 

[celllman]

Excellent video! I have yet to buy a handgun with the internal lock (all my revolvers predate) but when I do your video will be a great help! Thank You!

 

[akr]

An asteroid might fall on my head too.....

That's the way I see the possibility of the lock failing.

 

[magnum12pm]

I used to think the possiblity of the lock failing was remote, until mine failed at the range one evening on my Model 60. My snubby had no more than 500 rounds on it if that, as I bought it new. I guess I was mistaken...

 

[Revolver King]

Originally posted by cprher:
Unlike some I'm not concerned with BATF. What I am concerned with is your exposure to litigation should someone follow your example, and then have someone misuse the weapon. Do not take this as a criticism, only an observation. Should anything happen and it can be traced to this video, your exposure may be very high. You might want to think about at least removing it from Youtube. Just a thought.

Hum, Must be a lawyer.

 

[rdc]

Great video that is appreciated. I think I'll remove all safety parts from my M-22.

BTW, there is no law making it illegal to remove safety devices from firearms. Maybe in France but not in the USA!!

 

[can'tshoot4crap]

Thanks soooooo much for posting this video. I just finished removing the lock from my model 642, and everything went real smooth. The video was great!

 

[myanof]

Excellent video, but why not just file off the nub and leave everyting else in tact? That's what I did with my 340PD. Turn the key and nothing happens.

 

[m37ral]

What happened to the video?

 

[m37ral]

Great! now it is there. Was saying it was no longer available.

 

[JAFO_SW]

Nice video. I just finished watching the AGI DVD and there was no discussion of removing the mainspring from J-frames. As I hadn't yet noticed the hole in the strut, you just saved me some time.

I'd have to agree with most that I'd like to have seen that the cylinder was checked prior to starting, but I thought the video was very well done. Everything was explained well and easily observed.

And I'd also have to agree with some in that a lock is not a safety. Removing it does not compromise any of the safety features designed to prevent accidental discharges.

Now as for grinding the nub off, I personally couldn't find a source for a replacement flag and I want to be able to restore the gun to factory specs, should it need to go back to S&W for service. I was also under the impression that the gun couldn't be sold with the lock disabled (perhaps that's only to an FFL?).

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by JAFO_SW:
I was also under the impression that the gun couldn't be sold with the lock disabled (perhaps that's only to an FFL?).

There is no Federal law that says firearms have to be sold with a functioning integral lock. Same goes for all states I am aware of.

So long as the buyer is aware of the condition of the gun at the time of purchase, nothing criminal has happened. Otherwise fraud might be committed.

I don't think that there's any liability attached if you sell the revolver without the lock arm (aka the flag). You can turn the key all you want and never get a "locked" indication. However, it is a far different story if you sell a revolver with the flag installed but its stud ground off. You can now turn the key and the lock arm will show the word "locked" but the action is still free to fire. Bad from a civil liability standpiont.

ETA: On second thought, even selling the gun without the flag in it might cause problems. The sideplate still has the "L" and the arrow pointing CCW to it, so someone not familiar with S&Ws can turn the key towards the "L" and expect it to lock not knowing that the flag is absent and the gun is still free to fire.

If you do not already have spare flags, then don't grind the stud off. Just take it and its return spring out and save. Reinstall and test if you want to sell the gun.

 

[Match10]

OK, so much for the turd in the punchbowl.....

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by Match10:
OK, so much for the turd in the punchbowl.....

Say what?

 

[Match10]

My post regarding the feature on another make was removed.