Smith and Wesson revolver safety lock.

Some years ago a gent showed up for a club IDPA match, apparently his first attempt. He had a handgun with a lock of some sort and he realized he left his key at home. He was wandering about asking people if they had a key. No one had a key. Last I saw he was wandering around muttering about how he couldn't understand why no one had a key.
 
During the height of the pandemic and gun shortages I went out to buy a pair of 642's. I had a hard time finding any, but a LGS had three in stock. One had no lock, the other two were lock models. I bought the one with no lock and one of the lock guns. Both have basically identical feeling triggers, both have had a roughly equal number of rounds through them, and, if I weren't looking, I couldn't possibly tell you which one I was shooting at any given time.

The next gun I'm likely to buy is a new Model 60, and as far as I know they're only available with the lock, and it's fine with me.
 
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I think that lock problems are sort of like eclipses. I know that some people have reported them, but that is just anecdotal. I've never seen one. I have heard the explanations of how they supposedly happen, but I am already 77 years old, and it has never happened to me.

Probably just another internet rumor.
 
jimmyj said:
Why is S&W continuing to manufacture revolvers with the "Lock"
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This. It's been awhile since I read up on it, but didn't S&W add it to keep Clinton away? Now that they and the threat of them are long gone, why do they still force it on buyers. I don't think any other manufacturer does so, do they?
 
shawn mccarver said:
Good question. As near as I can tell, Taurus has stopped putting its key lock on its revolvers.
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The gun I mentioned in post 32 wasn't a S&W, but I don't recall what it was. Some unkind soul did mutter something about his choice of firearm.

Could be the liability lawyers have something to do with the continued presence of the lock. OTOH, I saw a late production M&P9 1.0 that didn't have any provision for the lock. If there's a lock on the 2.0, they put it in a different place. There do seem to be a few revolvers in production without locks.
 
Years ago I bought a 642 as my first EDC. It had the key lock that I never used. I found this YouTube video and removed it in less that 1/2 hour. Problem solved. I now carry it loaded with snake shot while walking in the desert.

I now have a Sig 365 and a Shield Plus. I tend to carry the Shield Plus more. Both have the Armalaser green dot lasers mounted on the rail.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVPYgohVCNM[/ame]
 
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ImprovedModel56Fan said:
Probably just another internet rumor.
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I've never had any issues with mine either. I've read the problem is mostly with lightweight J frames firing 357 magnum. it was on the internet as well, so it must be true.
 
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I've carried five different J frames over 29 years on the job and another 20 retired. My EDC now is a 442-1 no lock. Sadly I have a 36 classic w/lock which if I don't sell, I'll remove the lock next time I open it up.

Looking to buy a model 60 3" PC next. It will be a training/range gun. But if it needs trigger work the hole gets plugged and the parts get yanked. Yeah, grumpy geezer, I fit the profile.
 
I have almost two dozen S&W revolvers, only one of which -- a Governor -- has the lock. I will not buy a new revolver with either a barrel liner or that lock. (The only reason I bought the Governor is that a member here had won it in a raffle, didn't want it, and posted it for sale at 50% of the MSRP...too good a deal to turn down.)
 
I have some with locks and some without. People will ***** about anything that's different, my god you should hear "real" truckers ***** about automatic transmissions... The lock has been there for over 20yrs with no credible examples of failure so sometimes I'll carry one with a lock and sometimes I won't.
 
I don't carry a Smith & Wesson with a lock; it's an unnecessary failure point.

I also wouldn't remove a lock from a gun. Massad Ayoob had a great article in Combat Handguns a few years back. In the case he cited, an individual used a gun in self defense and the prosecutor used a Browning Hi-Power the individual owned (thought no used in the shooting) that had the magazine disconnect safety removed to paint the individual as reckless because he removed a safety device and made the gun unsafe.

This debate has come up several times on another forum I'm a member of, snubnoir.
I'll quote the admin, Michael J. de Bethencourt on this topic that I think sums it up nicely:
"I spent some time as an instructor at the SIG Academy and as an adjunct instructor at the S&W Academy. I had snub gun classes at both locations that featured snubs that locked up. While teaching I generally kept the S&W frame lock key on me to unlock the guns as most (nearly all) of the owners had disposed of them claiming the did not/never locked the guns and would have no need for the key. My most memorable lock up was one that disabled the gun so completely we could not unlock the gun with the keys on-hand. I had to stop the snub class and have the gun walked to the factory to get it up and running again. I used to note these failures in the classes and was personally phoned and "encouraged" to curtail the practice. I did not and subsequently moved class training locations. Anyone interested in first hand, direct from the fellow's mouth report of the "it never happens" mid-shooting string information is welcomed to contact me. Michael de Bethencourt [email protected]"
 
The reason the lock still exists is quite simple. Removing any type of "safety" device would 1: drive the antis into an absolute tizzy about how careless and irresponsible S&W is and 2: have lawyers lining up at the doors just waiting to sue. :mad:
It was very poor judgement putting it in the guns in the first place. Now you're just stuck with it. :rolleyes:

I own a bunch of S&W revolvers. None have the internal lock and I plan to keep it that way. ;)

In fact, I surprised this thread hasn't been locked. This subject usually doesn't last very long. :rolleyes:
 
Have the lock on these two "Classic" Models 27 and 36. Do I wish I could have purchased them without the lock? Absolutely. In 17k rounds downrange between the two, has the lock ever presented a problem? Nope.
 

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About post 47, there's a massive difference between the design intent of a storage lock and that of a magazine disconnect. To be fair, would an unethical attorney make the distinction? No.
 
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Just used my 625-8 to qualify for CCL - in that way I can carry up to 45 caliber revolvers concealed. While I normally carry my Shield 45 (same deal - any semi-auto caliber up to 45 caliber), I occasionally carry the 625 without concern for lock reliability. If there's ever a lock problem, I'll reconsider, but there's been none for the years I've owned it and hundreds of rounds fired.
 
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The truck in post 52 appears to have a main and secondary transmission (the secondary sometimes referred to as a "brownie box"). I learned to drive big trucks on a dump with 2 4 speeds. Different shift patterns in them too. I do recall the main was unsynchronized, can't recall if the secondary was or not.
 
I've owned a 642-2 for probably over 10 years, although just been carrying it for 1. I would guess I've shot at least a couple 1000 rounds through it without a malfunction. The only issue I've had was a few months back is locked up during dry fire practice (trigger wouldn't return). It turned out to be a timing issue, not a lock issue. S&W fixed it and is back to running like a champ.
 
WR Moore said:
The truck in post 52 appears to have a main and secondary transmission (the secondary sometimes referred to as a "brownie box"). I learned to drive big trucks on a dump with 2 4 speeds. Different shift patterns in them too. I do recall the main was unsynchronized, can't recall if the secondary was or not.
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I used to own a 1956 CJ5 with the old F head engine and an unsynchronized Warner transmission.

Double clutching was just how it was done.

My only dislike of that vehicle was the constant addition of gear oil. The front differentials needed frequent topping off (1500 miles per the manual, but about twice that in practice) and if you did too much wading in creeks with it, you'd need to change the oil in both the front differentials and the rear differential.

I still think of that Jeep every time I smell 90 weight gear oil.
 
zeke said:
mack b81 shifting - YouTube

type of truck to learn on, but shifted one handed. It was about 25 yrs old in mid 80's
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Ah! The old Mack Tri-Plex. 5 speed main box with a 3 speed auxiliary. A total of 15 forward gears and 3 reverses. It took skill and timing to run that thing. There was a time many years ago when I could drive one. But those days are long past. Its a real PITA to learn and it'll work you plumb to death. :rolleyes:
 
So the bottom line is:
If you don't like em,
don't buy em!!!
Jim
 
Except the Model 69 only comes with the lock and no one else makes a 5 shot medium frame double action .44 Magnum.
 
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