S & W 686 Pre-lock?

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It refers to the little internal "key lock" so that you can lock up your gun so that it won't work if you need it. An alternative for those who think they need a trigger lock, but this is one that can't be removed as easily as an external trigger lock.

Most of us consider it stupid and unnecessary at best, and something that might fail in a life and death situation. There have been reports (at least in the j frames) of them sometimes locking up unexpectedly. Not very good if you suddenly need the gun to defend yourself.

Ken
 
If you are looking to buy a 686, get one made before 2000 - this is when the locks were "deployed" - it wasn't a decision S&W made freely - they were blackmailed into it by the Clinton Justice Department in exchange for dropping a bundle of "unsafe product" lawsuits (not really unsafe, just the old "it kills therefore it's not safe" kinda lawsuits anti-gunners tried). S&W was the main target, so they bore the brunt of the lawsuits. The gun came out in 1980, so there's 20 years worth on the used market without the lock - I saw 30 or maybe more on gunbroker the other day. I have a 1985 model myself.

It is a shame that the Clinton admin. did this, but we have to live with it.

the lock is also very easy to disable if you have a flat blade screwdriver, some mechanical ability, a file or dremel tool, and about 1/2 hour. Instructions are widely available at the smith-wessonforum.com

I would prefer a pre-lock gun. Should I get a better deal on a post-lock gun, I'd take it and then immediately remove the lock mechanism, and then not worry again.

Hope this helps.
 
Thanks for the replies...very useful info. I now consider myself knwledgeable as before I was cueless.

Thanks again for the intel!

Regards,
Tim
 
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