Ahh, the Dreaded Lock!
I wish you well on locating one that fits your other requirements without the lock, but you may have to wait a looooong time to find it. I, too, basically despise the lock and, until a few years ago, would not even look at an S&W with it. However, I was too tempted by a .500 at an exceptionally good price a few years ago (of course, they never made one without The Lock), and have enjoyed it ever since. A few months later, it was followed by another .500 (a 4" this time, 8 3/8" came first), also a great gun. I picked up a 432PD (again, at a very good price) a few months ago, with that darned lock. Then, about a month ago, a good friend made me an offer I couldn't refuse on a 6.5" 629-6 Classic with the full ribbed barrel and factory power port, plus a factory-engraved Grizzly head on the side plate - MIM, Lock and all. Honestly, I bought it figuring on trading or selling it later; however, I made the mistake of going out and shooting it - doggone it, it's very accurate, and a hoot to shoot. Although I own a LOT of other S&Ws, including a "Pre-29," a couple of 29-2s, and a 629-3 (4" with the full endurance package), the 629-6 Classic really impressed me with its quality, excellent fit and finish, and a nice, smooth action. Its now a keeper. Frankly, my other S&Ws that have locks are also extremely well made and very smooth. I remain philosophically opposed to the lock, and find it aesthetically offensive; however, I haven't had any problems with any of the guns that are so equipped. That being said, I keep hearing rumors from the other guns in the safe that the guns with the locks intend to "accidentally" lose the locks and associated parts some evening. With that in mind, I need to remind myself to order several sets of "The Plug," an ingenious device to plug the unsightly hole left in the left side of the gun after those superfluous parts accidentally fall out of the gun. It is made by a forum member, and can be located in a thread in the Accessories for Sale section of the forum. From my experience (years and years, and 100s of S&W revolvers which predate MIM, the lock, etc.), the new guns are quite good, even if they do have an unsightly blemish on the left side. There is a remedy for that. I say - go for the gun you want, and enjoy it!
BTW, the 432PD may have to keep its lock in place. I bought it anticipating giving it to my girlfriend, and the lock may be a good thing (as a backup to properly securing it) when her grandchildren visit her. Of course, I had to shoot it, do a little action work on it, etc. and I think the gun may have permanently adopted me! (I'm a sucker for a pretty face). That being the case, I won't mind if she loses her lock by accident while she is in the safe some evening, either.
