S&W 686, lock or no lock?

The lock has no bearing on whether a handgun is a good one. Plenty of good ones have the lock.

That said. The lock sucks.
 
The lock has no bearing on whether a handgun is a good one. Plenty of good ones have the lock.

That said. The lock sucks.
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I guess it's a matter of opinion which is what most of these discussions are about. I've had 15 S&W revolvers with 7 of them older/no lock and 8 of them newer/lock in various sizes and calibers. The cheap hollow yolk screw broke off in the frame of my 500 before I even got to shoot it, sent it in for repair and S&W said it was unrepairable. I waited 5 months and they couldn't produce a single one to send back to me, so I just asked for a refund.....oh, and no horse play was involved, it just broke and fell on the floor when I took it out of the safe to go to the range, glad I noticed it before I shot a single round in it. Never would of happened with a brand new solid yolk screw.

None of my new S&W revolvers had actions even close to being as smooth as the older S&Ws and 6 of those older Smiths were unfired. That's just how S&W made them all, not only a few for extra coin like today. I no longer own any of the newer/lock models now.

I did a Google search and some guy had the a lock on his 686 lock back his hammer. This was a Performance Center model too. Interesting and probably rare as can be, but it would sure change my mind about the lock if I already didn't despise them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzKh5Y0TaY0
 
With All Due Respect, Internal Locks remain a Stupid Idea. Like trigger/magazine disconnects... while they can be removed or ignored, guns were invented and otherwise designed to go BANG when necessary. Would you choose an airplane built to have the wings fall off, no matter how many ways you were reassured this just wouldn't happen ?

Politics should have no place in firearm design and construction.

Find a nice pre-1999 Smith and you get forged internals, too. And no inertial firing pin.
 
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The lock itself doesn't matter to me. The reason I want an older gun is because the older gun is usually a better gun. A firing pin on the hammer would be best. I have a late model 686 Plus, timing was off on 3 chambers in the cylinder, sent it back to S&W, they replaced the extractor, now it has a hitch on 2 or 3 of the chambers. The gun is functional but shooting D/A with it isn't what it should be. Get an older 6 shot gun if you can find one. I have a 586 that's a real pleasure to shoot. I have a late model 642, has a burr in the forcing cone but still works fine, and a 625 JM, had to send the 625 back to S&W to have the extractor replaced, it also has a dish on the rear end of the bbl like someone took a swipe with a dremel on the left side. They did replace the extractor, didn't address the bbl even tho I pointed it out to them. The gun works for IDPA and it is one of my favorites but it's not what it should be. I prefer their older guns but not because of the lock.
 
New model 66

I handled a new model 66 today at my LGS. The cylinder lock-up was the best that I've ever seen in a Smith. Lock or no lock, I am impressed with it.
 
I think the problems of the lock itself are greatly exaggerated. However, if I have a choice, I always go no lock.

As mentioned, fewer parts and I disagree with the lock on principle.
 
Another consideration is new or used. If the model you want only comes with a lock, then you have to buy used to get one without it.

Because the lock caused such a stink, some people with the older "pre lock" guns have used forums like this to beotch so much that it conveniently increases the value of the older guns. Manufacturing processes have changed over the years whether you're talking guns or cars or television sets.

Get what you like (either way) and don't worry what others think, you only have one person to please.
 
Because of my aversion to more parts and dislike of MIM parts, I prefer no lock, but if the price was cheap enough, I'd get a used one with lock.
 
To lock or not to lock ??? I can only say if given the chance to purchase a 686 for a good price, dam the lock I will buy it. The Smith 686 is one of the finest revolvers ever made in my opinion, which is worth just about what you paid for it. I will add it always comes down to price but if I was lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time and had a choice I would go for the one in the best condition. The 686 is one of my dream guns and someday I WILL have one I can call my own.:)
 
I've owned a number of L-frames over the years and still have several. None have ever had the IL and I don't foresee a circumstance where I would purchase one with the IL. YMMV!

Dave
 
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