What is the "Lock"?

[mheideman]

Ive never owned a revolver, as Ive been more of a 1911 guy. Due to all the outstanding reviews Ive heard, Im looking at buying a new 686 within the next 90 days. What exactly is this "lock" everyone seems to dislike? What is the purpose behind it? Sorry for the noob question.

 

[mheideman]

Ive never owned a revolver, as Ive been more of a 1911 guy. Due to all the outstanding reviews Ive heard, Im looking at buying a new 686 within the next 90 days. What exactly is this "lock" everyone seems to dislike? What is the purpose behind it? Sorry for the noob question.

 

[Wheelgunner840]

Welcome mheideman.

The subject has been covered in many, many posts. Please read some of these, and I think you will get more information than you could ever ask for.


http://smith-wessonforum.com/e...umOID=3001000143&p=1

 

[DonD]

To be fair, I think it should be said that there has been far more bandwidth expended on complaining about the integrated lock than has been used for an objective appraisal.

 

[DrewW]

On the 686 the main problem is going to be the cosmetics of it, if you are fine with the way it looks and the politics behind it then its not a big deal their weren't really any documented failures on L frame guns most of the documented failures were on the lightweight guns.

That being said to answer your original question the lock is just a device that locks the hammer where it can't be cocked, the hole for the lock is found on the left side of the gun just slightly about the cylinder release on the 686's.

If you want some more info on it just use the search, most people around here don't like it, some think that it the end of the world, and others don't care it is really a personal preference thing.

 

[Bob R]

I have one of the early ones with a lock, as you can see it is quite the eyesore, and damn near impossible to holster. Pocket carry is out of the question, unless you have really big pockets!

bob

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Originally posted by Bob R:
I have on2 of the early ones with a lock, as you can see it is quite the eyesore, and damn near impossible to holster. Pocket carry is out of the question, unless you have really big pockets!

bob

It'd take a whole other set of pants to carry the key for that there lock!

 

[Roger Norris]

From one forum newbie to another....I asked "Why hate the lock" and damn near started a revolution. Read the archives, TONS of words written....

 

[mheideman]

Ive done quit a few searches, but none seem to explain what it does or how it works. Just trying to get some clarification.

That being said to answer your original question the lock is just a device that locks the hammer where it can't be cocked, the hole for the lock is found on the left side of the gun just slightly about the cylinder release on the 686's.

So if it keeps the hammer from being cocked, then how do you unlock/cock it?



.

 

[boycan]

It is NOT a safety it IS a lock with a key that fits in a keyhole on the gun that locks the gun what more can be said?

Originally posted by mheideman:
Ive done quit a few searches, but none seem to explain what it does or how it works. Just trying to get some clarification.

That being said to answer your original question the lock is just a device that locks the hammer where it can't be cocked, the hole for the lock is found on the left side of the gun just slightly about the cylinder release on the 686's.

So if it keeps the hammer from being cocked, then how do you unlock/cock it?



.

 

[mheideman]

OK, I found an owners manual online, and now I understand what this is. So you can just leave it "unlocked" all the time then right?

 

[sipowicz]

If you don't lock it when you go to bed you void the warranty.

 

[stevieboy]

Oh, my brain hurts

 

[Wheelgunner840]

Originally posted by mheideman:
So you can just leave it "unlocked" all the time then right?

In theory. It may or may not lock itself under fire (unlikely, but possible), and, this is why a vast majority of us do not carry or use guns with "The Lock" for personal defense or CCW.

To each his or her own. Good luck with whatever you choose, but if you are planning to bet your life on your new gun, I suggest getting an older one that is lock free, and use the brand new one to have a blast with on the range.

My opinion only.

WG840

 

[Mickey D]

Originally posted by sipowicz:
If you don't lock it when you go to bed you void the warranty.

Oh that's it. I thought it would scurry around the house when you were asleep, killing everything.

 

[mheideman]

You guys are crackin me up.

Since Ive never owned either, it doesnt seem as big of a deal to me.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Careby]

...a vast majority of us do not carry or use guns with "The Lock" for personal defense or CCW

I cannot dispute this statement, since I do not personally know what the "vast majority" carry or use. I have only personally heard from a very vocal minority. I would have guessed that the vast majority do not carry or use any gun, with or without "The Lock". I myself fall into the category of those who support the right to bear arms with or without locks, own both kinds, carry, use, and rely on both kinds, and generally don't proselytize.

 

[DonD]

I think it is unreasonable to say that there aren't current S&W revolvers that have desirable characteristics. If you agree, buy one and if you hate the lock, just take the flag out and presto, changeo, it's gone and can never cause a malfunction. Don

 

[gumby]

I had a Model 638 Airwieght with shrouded hammer. I put over a 1000 rounds through it, including about 200 +Ps. Never had an issue with the lock. But have read of problems. I always took a key with me to the range.."just in case." Ultimately, I sold it as my wife's dainty hands said that it had too much recoil for them.

 

[Wheelgunner840]

Originally posted by Careby:

...a vast majority of us do not carry or use guns with "The Lock" for personal defense or CCW

......... and generally don't proselytize.

You had to make me go look up the word didn't you!

pros·e·ly·tize
Pronunciation: \?prä-s(?-)l?-?t?z\
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): pros·e·ly·tized; pros·e·ly·tiz·ing
Date: 1679
intransitive verb
1 : to induce someone to convert to one's faith
2 : to recruit someone to join one's party, institution, or cause
transitive verb
: to recruit or convert especially to a new faith, institution, or cause
— pros·e·ly·ti·za·tion \?prä-s(?-)l?-t?-?z?-sh?n, ?prä-s?-?l?-t?-\ noun
— pros·e·ly·tiz·er \?prä-s(?-)l?-?t?-z?r\ noun


If you are applying this word to me, it would be incorrect usage. I actually could not care less what a person does or does not do, nor do I have any desire to, "recruit one to join ones party". I do however try to to pass on information that is asked for. Based on the 875,562,309 responses to threads about the lock posted on this forum, I have concluded that a vast amount of people HERE prefer to use pre-lock revolvers when using them for defensive purposes.

Did that sound pushy?

WG840