Superb choice and I've had 50+ years of owning and carrying S&W's. As to your questions:
1. No hurt
2. No harm
3. I have 3 Smith's now with the lock. Combined they have 4-5000 rounds through them, with daily carry here on our farm on a variety of conveyances: tractor, a half dozen horses, lawn tractors, two jeeps and a pickup doing a variety of sometimes down right disgusting chores...you get the idea...no problems with the cursed internal lock. Still wish it weren't a part of their current line, but it is what it is. They still put out a great revolver, accurate and dependable...
HTH's Rod
1. No hurt
2. No harm
3. I have 3 Smith's now with the lock. Combined they have 4-5000 rounds through them, with daily carry here on our farm on a variety of conveyances: tractor, a half dozen horses, lawn tractors, two jeeps and a pickup doing a variety of sometimes down right disgusting chores...you get the idea...no problems with the cursed internal lock. Still wish it weren't a part of their current line, but it is what it is. They still put out a great revolver, accurate and dependable...
HTH's Rod