Internal Lock on S&W
After reading through a number of threads and posts going back several years on this subject I became concerned as to the hard failure validity regarding the controversy over these internal locks failing at a very bad time. Not that anytime is a good time for a handgun to lockup.
With me, as I’m sure with many firearm owners, absolute reliability is paramount. After reading many opinions on both sides of this controversy and being the owner of two new S&W revolvers with the internal locks I really went through a bunch of Internet material. I was trying to find something solid that said, “I was shooting my gun and it lock up all by itself”. So far, to this, I’ve not been successful. It must be out there but I just haven’t found it.
Being a mechanical kind of person I fully understand mechanical things will fail. I also believe in the keep it simple method of design. I also think sharing information gained through hands on experience is valuable to all.
One of the new S&Ws is a 617-6, 4”, 22 long rifle. I’m really not too concerned about this one. The other, a 629, 6.5”, 44 mag. is the one I’m going to keep a close eye on.
I must also admit I purchased both of these revolvers prior to reading about the internal locks. Quite frankly at the time of purchase I paid them no mind basing my decision solely on the positive experience I had with pre-lock S&W.
Prior to reading about the locks I had only fired only about 100 rounds of 240 gr. SN Winchester through the 629. Most all of this was single action. What I did on Monday this week was fire 50 rounds of 180gr JHP High Velocity all in Double Action at a fairly quick rate of fire. Warmed up the gun pretty good.
What I notice during this range secession disturbed me. Although the gun did not lock up while in use I noticed the little indicator flag would sometimes be stuck part way up such that I could start to see the word LOCK on it. I didn’t fiddle with at the range but when I was cleaning the gun I discovered that after cocking the hammer I could quite easily pull the flag up with my fingernail and at that point the gun would lock up if I pulled the trigger.
I also notice that the side of the hammer is becoming scratched from rubbing against the internal locks flag. Also the flag will move a bit even when dry firing. Not enough to lock-up but enough for me to believe in the potential to lock, especially if the gun was hot and a little dirty with a fast rate of fire.
I’ve attached a couple pictures of the slight scratching on the side of the hammer. It’s not that I haven’t seen this type wear on my other S&Ws with out the locks, it’s the fact that this rubbing has a tendency to push the flag up as the hammer travels back.
This revolver only has 150 rounds through it so far. At this point in time I will continue to shoot it but I really don’t believe I trust it right now. In the past I carried my 29-2 a lot. At times it was rained on, snowed on, in freezing weather and a bit gritty when trail riding and I never worried about a built in safety devise locking it up. Maybe I’m being a little paranoid but after what I observed on Monday I believe that’s warranted.
After reading through a number of threads and posts going back several years on this subject I became concerned as to the hard failure validity regarding the controversy over these internal locks failing at a very bad time. Not that anytime is a good time for a handgun to lockup.
With me, as I’m sure with many firearm owners, absolute reliability is paramount. After reading many opinions on both sides of this controversy and being the owner of two new S&W revolvers with the internal locks I really went through a bunch of Internet material. I was trying to find something solid that said, “I was shooting my gun and it lock up all by itself”. So far, to this, I’ve not been successful. It must be out there but I just haven’t found it.
Being a mechanical kind of person I fully understand mechanical things will fail. I also believe in the keep it simple method of design. I also think sharing information gained through hands on experience is valuable to all.
One of the new S&Ws is a 617-6, 4”, 22 long rifle. I’m really not too concerned about this one. The other, a 629, 6.5”, 44 mag. is the one I’m going to keep a close eye on.
I must also admit I purchased both of these revolvers prior to reading about the internal locks. Quite frankly at the time of purchase I paid them no mind basing my decision solely on the positive experience I had with pre-lock S&W.
Prior to reading about the locks I had only fired only about 100 rounds of 240 gr. SN Winchester through the 629. Most all of this was single action. What I did on Monday this week was fire 50 rounds of 180gr JHP High Velocity all in Double Action at a fairly quick rate of fire. Warmed up the gun pretty good.
What I notice during this range secession disturbed me. Although the gun did not lock up while in use I noticed the little indicator flag would sometimes be stuck part way up such that I could start to see the word LOCK on it. I didn’t fiddle with at the range but when I was cleaning the gun I discovered that after cocking the hammer I could quite easily pull the flag up with my fingernail and at that point the gun would lock up if I pulled the trigger.
I also notice that the side of the hammer is becoming scratched from rubbing against the internal locks flag. Also the flag will move a bit even when dry firing. Not enough to lock-up but enough for me to believe in the potential to lock, especially if the gun was hot and a little dirty with a fast rate of fire.
I’ve attached a couple pictures of the slight scratching on the side of the hammer. It’s not that I haven’t seen this type wear on my other S&Ws with out the locks, it’s the fact that this rubbing has a tendency to push the flag up as the hammer travels back.
This revolver only has 150 rounds through it so far. At this point in time I will continue to shoot it but I really don’t believe I trust it right now. In the past I carried my 29-2 a lot. At times it was rained on, snowed on, in freezing weather and a bit gritty when trail riding and I never worried about a built in safety devise locking it up. Maybe I’m being a little paranoid but after what I observed on Monday I believe that’s warranted.