S&W lock removal

[gasmandave]

Im in the process of purchasing a S&W 44mag that has the lock removed.
Thought you all would like that info.

 

[sparkyv]

This little dingus fell out of not a few of mine.

 

[edwardware]

I took the cheaper route on my one revolver new enough. . . ground the little stud flat. I didn't want to remove a piece and make extra room in there.

 

[Pat Riot]

I took the cheapest route and left the ones in my revolvers alone. I’m not being flippant. I considered removal but decided to leave them alone to see if they could fail. So far they have not.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

For me it was easy, I just never purchase a S&W revolver with a lock.
I understand that's not for everyone but it works for me.
Everyone should do what they think is best for them.

 

[mcb]

I have one internal lock S&W and after nearly 10k in competition I only think about the lock when I trip over threads like this. If it was a carry gun I might take it out but probably not... Either way it's easy to do.

 

[Riomouse911]

I have a few with a lock; a 69, 686+, 317, 48 and a 642.

I also left them alone as I haven’t had an issue with one. Honestly, I really don’t expect to, either. YMMV, so do as you do.

Stay safe.

 

[WrongHanded]

If I recall correctly, the manual says the internal lock alone should not be relied upon to secure the firearm. To me that sounds a lot like S&W doesn't consider it a lock. Which might be why they included a cable lock in the box, which they apparently do think it sufficient to accomplish that job.

 

[JDeere]

I have one 686 with the lock and shoot the heck out of it with several thousand rounds and no issues. Removing the lock also leaves that gap next to the hammer. The lock does not bother me like some folks. I'm with mcb on this, the only time I even think about it is when it comes up on a forum...

 

[gasmandave]

The lock on S&W revolvers is just a lawyers money making idea.

 

[Pat Riot]

I often wonder, how many people that claim they “will never buy a Smith & Wesson with a lock” will buy a new S&W when / if they manufacture revolvers without the locks?

 

[mcb]

Remember the company that invented that particular internal lock bought S&W several years ago. The lock is unlikely to go away under the current ownership.

 

[Tallball]

I ended up with one that has a lock and I don't care. It shoots the same as my other ones.

 

[red rick]

I often wonder, how many people that claim they “will never buy a Smith & Wesson with a lock” will buy a new S&W when / if they manufacture revolvers without the locks?

I am one , I bought a 642-1 when they started making them without the lock . I would probably buy 66 and a 29 if they started making them again without the lock .

 

[alfsauve]

I “plugged” one and was surprised at how un-sturdy, if that’s a word, the safety is implemented. That said I’ve not had any problem with my other guns. I’d replace the others but the cost is more than I’d like.

 

[gasmandave]

I “plugged” one and was surprised at how un-sturdy, if that’s a word, the safety is implemented. That said I’ve not had any problem with my other guns. I’d replace the others but the cost is more than I’d like.

The lock is not a safety as such. It's just to keep an unwanted person from pulling the trigger. Much like a padlock as it needs a "key" to unlock it
I personally would never remove a factory safety for liability reasons.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

None of my Smiths have one. They are from before the time. Heck they have the firing pin on the hammer too.

 

[Dframe]

I've put thousands or rounds through my Model 21 without any issue. The key (never used) is in the box in storage

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I have not bought a new S&W with the lock in it and won't. I would like a TRR8 from them but won't do it with that lock in it.

I think the worst are their "classics" they put out with a nice finish (and high price tag) but have that hole in the side of them. Just wrong in my mind, and NOT a classic, so I'll take my $$$ elsewhere.

If they put others in their line up without a lock it doesn't seem that they are that married to it. So, why keep the charade up?

 

[Styx]

Im in the process of purchasing a S&W 44mag that has the lock removed.
Thought you all would like that info.View attachment 1155394 View attachment 1155395 View attachment 1155396

Tough crowd OP lol. Thanks for posting the information. It will be helpful to those who make the personal decision to remove the lock.

Semiauto vs revolver, 9mm vs 40s&w vs 45acp, fullsize vs micro handguns, DA/SA vs striker-fired, budget gun vs premium guns, S&W with the lock vs no lock, so on and so forth. Just another holy war that you can't even offer helpful objective information about without all hell breaking loose lol.

 

[unclenunzie]

I have several with and without, and none have had a lock related issue. Horror of horrors though, my first double stack 9mm, H&K no less, has an ILS. Never failed either.

I prefer without but no longer concern myself about it.

 

[gwpercle]

I find it interesting how huge of a mountain some will make that little molehill lock .

I have several with and several without the locks .

With the locks turned "off" ... not one in the last 25 years has turned itself "on" and not one has malfunctioned or caused a malfunction .

You gettung all hot and bothered and worked up about Absolutely Nothing !
Gary

 

[kwb377]

Im in the process of purchasing a S&W 44mag that has the lock removed.
Thought you all would like that info.

Congrats...looks like a beaut.

 

[Styx]

I find it interesting how huge of a mountain some will make that little molehill lock .

I have several with and several without the locks .

With the locks turned "off" ... not one in the last 25 years has turned itself "on" and not one has malfunctioned or caused a malfunction .

You gettung all hot and bothered and worked up about Absolutely Nothing !
Gary

To be fair, there have been people who had failures with the IL. There have been cases, so it is a valid concern. Then there's those who are also against the IL for political and principle reasons and/or because some just don't like the look. There preferences are no more valid, right, or wrong than those who don't care about the lock.

 

[Pat Riot]

@gasmandave Thanks for posting the information on that blanking device. That revolver of yours is nice. Congratulations!

The reason I posted about me not having issues with the locks is that so far I have bought 4 Smith & Wessons with the lock.
1. 327 Night Guard .357 Magnum, weight 27oz
2. 60 Pro J frame .357 Magnum, weight 23oz
3. 63 J frame .22 LR, weight 25oz
4. 25-15 N frame .45 Colt, weight 42oz

None of them have had a lock actuate under recoil.
I used to shoot 158 grain .357 magnum loads from the model 60 Pro. The velocity of these rounds were 1250-1300 fps. Quite invigorating from a light revolver. I also shot several .357 SD brands of ammo out of it. The lock never actuated, but the barrel shroud loosened. Three different times the gun had to go back to S&W before they fixed it. Never once admitting what the problem was.

I don’t like the locks, but I am not depriving myself of guns that I want because of a lock.