Lock in Smith and Wesson revolvers

I can understand the view of the matter as one of principle about S&W selling out to the Clintons. But that was then and this is now. Same as Ruger. As for the lock itself. It would not bother me one bit buying a gun with a lock. No, I don't like it being there. That's why I disable it.

how do you disable the lock?
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Basically open the sideplate, remove the hammer and other internal parts to get to the lock. Then just remove all the parts associated with the lock. Voila, no lock. There's a place online that sells plugs to close the hole. Pre-finished to match some of the common S&W finishes

Here's a vid:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K7V4ev3Ti0
 
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There's a place online that sells plugs to close the hole. Pre-finished to match some of the common S&W finishes
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I had his link, but lost it. Would you by any chance, have it?
 
I do not worry about the lock and don't object to a gun with a lock (which I won't be using) in a place that's not "in your face". The only one I have which does have a lock is a New Vaquero, and I think, if you are going to put one in the gun, that's the way to do it.
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I agree with you on the lock location.

In case you didn't know this, Ruger does listen to their customers about the locks. I just purchased a 5109 New Vaquero with a 512 S/N and NO LOCK! I've heard this from others also. :)
 
I find them disgusting, abhorrent and would never buy one... well maybe a 22-4, or a 637 like my wife just bought...

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Excellent little airweight snub and yes, she'll likely have the lock neutered and plugged.
 
I'm left-handed, so can't complain much about the external appearance of the key hole, since I rarely ever see it!
While any additional parts means there are more parts to fail, I buy in to the theory that the lock is not necessarily the weak link, and so a lock-equipped gun is no more likely to fail that a gun without the lock.
I've had to return my latest gun to S&W twice for service, could have returned it a third time, but none of the issues had anything to do with the lock.
 
the theory that the lock is not necessarily the weak link, and so a lock-equipped gun is no more likely to fail that a gun without the lock.
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Theory is a good word, I guess. Although I would amend it to "only slightly more likely to fail". The IL guns have all the parts, and therefore all the likely hood of failure (small though it is) that pre-IL guns do. PLUS they have the lock.

And while there is only a very small number of actual documented failures of the lock (and includes auto activation) it has happened.

Therefore, I wouldn't say "no more likely". The risk with an IL gun may be small, but it is NOT zero.

With a pre-lock gun, the risk of the lock failing is zero!.
 
Lock??????

Several years ago, my wife and I were about to get our CCW permits and we were at a gun show looking for something for her to carry. Stopped at one table and there was the coolest looking J frame, a S&W 360; black finish; had Airweight scribed on the side; turned out to have the scandium frame, shrouded barrel with PINNED front sight :D; 38 special ( not .357 mag ) and the price was only $420.00 with tax; so in love with thing as I was, I snarfed it up. ( I've seen these model 360 revolvers nowadays in town for anywhere from $499 to $599 )

Turned out to be a little big for my wife to carry so it basically set in safe for a while. Fast forward to today, and that little rocket is my carry gun, has nice amount of normal carry finish wear. I've shot several hundred standard pressure FMJ practice rounds, and plenty of JHP carry rounds ( +p ) without any trouble.

I have recently noticed a little silver/gray looking nub or hole or something above the cylinder latch........the little nub has never bothered me so I don't bother it.

I'm happy, especially since I see what these are costing now.....at the time the good price for a nice revolver was more important for me than the lock.

Mike M.
 
I've been looking at S&W revolvers lately, a 629 to be exact. I didn't notice the lock hole honestly, because I was blinded by the worst finish ever to be put on a gun. They are deplorable with all the scratches and swirl marks. When 15 year old highly used revolver from the "used" cabinet looks worlds better than all the brand new revolvers in the new cabinet...we have a big problem. Sorry to say this S&W, but your revolvers look like SH!t.
 
Once again, Webleymkv comes through with a well written and meditated post. Thanks.

Yesterday, I acquired my second S&W revolver (M67) with the "lawyer lock." Yeah, I wish it weren't there. But I get over it soon enough.

When I first bring them home, I make sure the lock is fully in the unlock position, and that's the end of that. I also keep a key in my shooting bag just in case it locks up (it won't).

P.S. I sometimes carry my first gun with the lock - a 686+ 3"bbl. I have that much confidence it won't malfunction.
 
Foghorn, thanks for the link. I sent him a PM, and now we will see if he can offer the plug in gloss blue.
 
The issue is that on some guns, very rarely, the lock can engage under recoil and effectively turn the gun into a small cudgel. I myself simply chose not to deal with the lock, as it just adds unnecessary parts to the revolver even if the actual cases of locking guns is small. I just held out till I could find a Model 642-1 No-Lock, and eventually I did:

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Purdy, ain't she? :D
 
The supply of old guns is finite. Someone is going to buy a new gun with a lock, including me. Let's not keep beating this subject and create the implication that one is a fool, idiot, or worse for buying a new gun...maybe leaving the lock alone.
 
Maybe everyone should stop buying new product from Smith and Wesson. Maybe when the company realizes that nobody wants a revolver that has a ****ty unfinished appearance, and a ridiculous lock that appeases anti-gun politicians then they'll have to rethink their products and change to suit the market. We're the consumer...we drive the market, and we tell them what to make through our purchasing. Personally, over this weekend I've decided that I wont give S&W another dime of my money until they (1) Ditch the stupid ANTI-GUN Politician lock and (2) Make a NEW gun that looks new ie, has a finish that is free from swirl marks and scratches. Smith and Wesson has slid WAY down hill and can stay there for all I care. Hell, go out of business. I'm opinionated, and very vocal and talk to large numbers of people in the firearms industry and sports, and will have no problem telling people of my new stance. If thousands more act like this, S&W will change their tune or close their doors. If people ignore it and keep buying...S&W will continue to produce sub par crap and laugh at you while they take your money. Don't be fools. Boycott the company until we see the products we expect. There's not a person here that can't go a year without buying a new S&W. S&W can't go a month without selling new product.
 
I'm opinionated, and very vocal
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also bigoted and melodramatic. Let's move over to Ruger and Taurus, et al., so we can whine about them instead. Or maybe we could wait indefinitely for a steal on an old gun. Meanwhile, their price naturally increases steadily. You wind up with none or a gun that costs more than it's worth to shoot.
 
Boycott the company until we see the products we expect. There's not a person here that can't go a year without buying a new S&W. S&W can't go a month without selling new product
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That did seem to work for Colt and Harley Davidson......
 
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