What is keeping S&W from deleting the lock?

[gnappi]

Whatever their reasons are for continuing the lock, they're a no buy for many like myself.

Judging by the lock model 629's alone that sit unsold at my LGS, gun shows, and online while pre-lock guns commanding a higher resale price go fast, I gotta believe whatever reason(s) they have are costing them sales because more than one dealer I spoke to told me they only buy a lock model upon a customer's paid order.

 

[ladder13]

I am considering getting some "plugs" to delete my locks. I figure I have never used them and I do not like the looks of them.

What company have you guys used to get your plugs? I am mainly looking to match the S&W stainless finish and close tolerances.

Member epj


http://smith-wessonforum.com/member.php?u=110946


http://smith-wessonforum.com/137865338-post1.html

 

[steelslaver]

Whatever their reasons are for continuing the lock, they're a no buy for many like myself.

Judging by the lock model 629's alone that sit unsold at my LGS, gun shows, and online while pre-lock guns commanding a higher resale price go fast, I gotta believe whatever reason(s) they have are costing them sales because more than one dealer I spoke to told me they only buy a lock model upon a customer's paid order.

I doubt that the majority of buyers know the difference between a lock model, pre lock, 3 screw, 5 screw, pre model, dash whatever.

Those that do know about such things are probably well under 10% of the new gun market. Then the same guys who won't buy a lock gun, are also far less likely to buy one with M parts. No doubt S&W realizes thos and there fore pretty much write off the "never gonna buy a lock gun" crowd.

 

[ladder13]

So, if those that don’t know, or care, are buying new Smiths, make them all without the lock and add the folks who will buy only those.
Sounds like good business, ie revenue, to me.

 

[K Frame Keith]

My only complaint with the lock is aesthetic; it changed the shape of the frames and I don’t care for the new look.

 

[steelslaver]

So, if those that don’t know, or care, are buying new Smiths, make them all without the lock and add the folks who will buy only those.
Sounds like good business, ie revenue, to me.

Last year just 23% of S&W handgun sales were revolvers. I doubt that they made a big surplus that is unsold. If deleting the lock increased sales of revolvers 5% that would only increased sales 1.25% and I doubt the bean counters that make the decisions will make a move that has any potential legal or political repercussions over that amount. I am not a lock fan and have removed the ones on the few guns I have bought with them. $50 and 30 minutes

 

[malph]

Last year just 23% of S&W handgun sales were revolvers. I doubt that they made a big surplus that is unsold. If deleting the lock increased sales of revolvers 5% that would only increased sales 1.25% and I doubt the beam counters that make the decisions will make a move that has any potential legal or political repercussions over that punt.

Good points. Smith seems to just be coasting with their revolver business.

It's mostly likely a declining part of their overall business.

The best thing that could happen is the revolver part of their business gets sold to someone who really cares.

 

[rockquarry]

Good points. Smith seems to just be coasting with their revolver business.

It's mostly likely a declining part of their overall business.

The best thing that could happen is the revolver part of their business gets sold to someone who really cares.

Go to a public range or private gun club range and count the number of revolver shooters, if there are any to count.

 

[gnappi]

I doubt that the majority of buyers know the difference between a lock model, pre lock, 3 screw, 5 screw, pre model, dash whatever.

Those that do know about such things are probably well under 10% of the new gun market. Then the same guys who won't buy a lock gun, are also far less likely to buy one with M parts. No doubt S&W realizes thos and there fore pretty much write off the "never gonna buy a lock gun" crowd.

Well, then the "90%" crowd doesn't seem to be buying the lock models while the "10%" crowd is buying the pre lock models.

I wonder how many other companies throw away 10% of their potential clients due to correctness.

Not my loss.

Another issue I have is S^W calling the lock models, "CLASSIC" none of my true classic revolvers have a lock

 

[A10]

To be honest, and though I don't really care for the aesthetics or the potential for unintentional activation, the lock doesn't bother me as much as some of the QC issues I've seen....but that's a subject for another time.

 

[NY-1]

My assumption is that institutional inertia keeps the locks around. It's a shame. Given the contemporary revolver market is measurably smaller than the semi-auto market, it makes sense to pay more mind to enthusiast comments IMO. Enthusiasts act as ambassadors for new entrants into that more limited market.

Hopefully new entrants and increased competition in the revolver marketplace (Ruger, Kimber, Colt, Taurus, Rossi, etc) drives S&W to change their ways, because at best folks are indifferent to the locks, and at worst they swear off buying the guns and/or recommending them. And I'd like to see S&W do well because they still have the capability to make some of the nicest revolvers around.

 

[malph]

To be honest, and though I don't really care for the aesthetics or the potential for unintentional activation, the lock doesn't bother me as much as some of the QC issues I've seen....but that's a subject for another time.

I'm with you on that. I don't like the lock either but the QA issues are the deal breaker.

 

[shil]

There’s also the aging factor.

Older guys like me are more likely to dislike the lock than the younger guys who have little to no experience with the non-lock guns.

For folks who’ve only known the locked guns, that’s what they buy and they’re happy to do so.

I agree. I am one of the older guys. Newer Smith and Wesson purchasers don't know anything different. I mean that in a nice way.

 

[Tom S.]

Sir, I must point out that S&W includes a padlock with all of its guns anyway, so eliminating the internal lock would save on intricate machining, the tiny extra parts, the keys, etc. The IL is not a substitute for a padlock, just an additional method to secure the weapon. So, their solution actually costs more money than just throwing in a cable lock since the cable lock is in there anyway.

I stand (or sit) corrected. I have bought several lock models but most were used and came without locks so assumed they were no longer provided. So I went back and inspected my last NIB purchase and sure enough in the box under the foam was a cable lock.

 

[Alton]

The top two do not have locks, the bottom two do. I really do not give a ****. All I know is every year Smith raises the price on their revolvers, while Colts continue to drop.

 

[ken158]

SO YOU SAY.............NAME ONE(Just one case S&W applicable)..........Just one.

You don't disable the lock - you delete the lock. If someone thought they had locked the gun when the internals were not there would be the issue.

 

[Pisgah]

Removing the lock would be an admission that it was never worth anything. Corporations are narcissistic, and narcissists never admit error...

 

[Tom S.]

OK, tired of cleaning up after warning was posted.

Thread Closed.