M2MikeGolf
US Veteran
Although I don't agree with TTSH about not purchasing IL S&Ws, I understand what he is saying and agree about removal. From my perspective (which is not to say is THE perspective), fiddling around with original designs can open one up to all kinds of problems. You bring on unknown risk as well. If one wants to do that, that is fine, but it adds risk, and in this case perhaps some liability as well. I don't argue against anyone else using the plug. If there was a small cap that could fit over the lock itself, I might consider that.
I also have to say, that again, while I don't agree with TTSH about not purchasing an IL S&W due to the lock (and I suspect he doesn't care for MIM parts, two piece barrels and such modern additions), he is a fellow S&W owner and aficionado, so I support and respect his opinions on the forum; that's what makes this forum great, the many viewpoints and experiences of its members. I have learned a lot on these forum boards and made some friends too, even when we disagreed in taste to some degree. I will state my own fondness for the pre-lock era S&Ws. There is something about that near hand finished quality to many of them. I recently purchase a 1960s era model 36 (see picture above), and it amazes me how excellent the quality of that pre CNC machining and finish is on it.
I lived in Germany for many years, and was a hunter and sport shooter. The old German hunters love old S&Ws for finishing shots. They also love an old weapon called a Drilling. The Germans will tell you that the new Drillings (with super high price tags and CNC built) are junk, and that the old ones are the best. I have an old Drilling, and you can see that many parts were hand filed and finished. I think it's a similar issue; I don't think the new ones are junk really, but the older ones have an appeal due to that attention to detail that the new ones just don't seem to have. It is a "badge of honor" to show up for a group hunt over there with an old one, and the old hunters will nod their heads with approval. If you show up with a modern semi-auto (I have one of those too), they will roll their eyes a little, then expect a whole lot out of you from then on (in terms of adhering to hunting rules and taking game).
And for bananaman, it seems somewhere I read or saw something just like you mentioned, either an altered or oversized cylinder release. Has anyone heard of that or seen it? Seems like a saw a photo that someone had posted of it some time ago.
Geez, can you insult me a little more? 
