686 internal lock problem

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Armchair Warrior

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I keep hearing that the S&W internal lock is a problem. I have several S&W revolvers but only my 638 has a lock and I rarely use that gun so have had no problem with it. I want a 686 but do not want to spend months looking in the used gun area of gun stores or pawn shops to find an older one. Is it really such a problem that I should go to great lengths to get an old one? If so, what is the most efficient way to find one.
For me looking around in gun stores is much like going to the dog pound. It is difficult to leave without bringing home a new one even if it was not what I went there looking for:). So it could be costly if I have to go many places looking for what I want.
 
Much ado about nothing.

I guess there were a few reported cases of locks locking themselves on the very light hard kicking alloy J-Frames a few years ago.

Do you really think S&W would continue with the same design all these years if they were getting flooded with repair returns and lawsuits??

IMO: If it isn't broke, don't fix it.

rc
 
If you do not like the lock, pull it out. There is a youtube video that explains it in step by step detail.
 
AW - Don't sweat The Lock. I've a later 686 with The Lock: As my primary match gun, it's seen a good bit of use (guestimate 60-70k rounds to date) and it's holding up fine. The Lock's been a non-issue. Enjoy your new 686! ;)
 
Despite the lock just being an eyesore, there really is no cause for alarm. The complaints were legit, but few and far between.
Would the complaints be less without the lock? Definitely. No lock... no chance for the lock to fail.
 
In all fairness, let the buyer be warned: An S&W with a lock will not hold its value like one without. If you plan on keeping it... no problem, but if you are worried about resale... keep looking for a pre-lock. Just because someone says the lock is OK, does not mean that everyone with a wallet agrees. There are many (like myself) who would not touch one with a 10 foot pole. Wrong or right?? Doesn't matter. The fact is the lock is a deterrent to many and a big reason why their used value is less.
 
I just wish they would offer a no-lock version on all of their revolvers like they do with some of their J frame models. Until then I will buy used.
 
I haven't had any problem with my 2.5" 686-6 plus with lock and MIM parts. It's probably my favorite of the S&W revolvers that I own and I wouldn't hesitate to recomend one to anybody. Buy any modern S&W revolver that grabs your fancy and is priced correctly and you won't be let down!
 
skidder said:
In all fairness, let the buyer be warned: An S&W with a lock will not hold its value like one without. If you plan on keeping it... no problem, but if you are worried about resale... keep looking for a pre-lock. Just because someone says the lock is OK, does not mean that everyone with a wallet agrees. There are many (like myself) who would not touch one with a 10 foot pole. Wrong or right?? Doesn't matter. The fact is the lock is a deterrent to many and a big reason why their used value is less.
Click to expand...

In all fairness, your opinion is not shared by most folks I know nor is it shared by most LGSs. LGSs around here along with the majority of folks I know that enjoy revolvers put the value on common modern firearms like L-Frame .357s on their condition. In other words a -3 @ 95% will be worth more than a -5 @ 80% and vice versa. The insignificant hole in the side means little except to those with a personal opinion. If those folks want to pay more for a firearm in poorer condition because it does not have the lock........so be it. 686s regardless of production date are far from becoming a prized collector item. They are a shooter and for the majority of folks that use them as such, are priced accordingly.
 
Ever get hit by lightning??

Me neither, but I don't take cover under a lone, big tree in the center of a large open field or golf course during a thunderstorm...

Smith & Wesson internal locks seldom cause any problem, but problems are not unheard of, and the principal reason current and recent handguns have them is to protect the manufacturer from lawsuits for not making a safe, secure product.

I would rather buy an older gun because I believe the newer ones have in several ways been degraded by (necessary) cost-cutting changes. I can "fix" the lock, but not the other issues. In all fairness others often strongly disagree with me.

So roll the dice and take your pick.
 
In all fairness, your opinion is not shared by most folks I know nor is it shared by most LGSs. LGSs around here along with the majority of folks I know that enjoy revolvers put the value on common modern firearms like L-Frame .357s on their condition.
Click to expand...

I never said "most folks","most LGSs" or "mojority of folks". It doesn't have to be the majority to bring down the value. There is a large number who will not buy them if they have a lock. This is a fact, therefore it does effect the value.
 
I have not seen much of a price premium, if any, for no-lock 686 guns versus those with a lock. For example, I have an absolutely mint 686 no-dash, M-stamped 6" gun that I doubt would fetch more than $650 today. I see the same model with locks under glass asking at least that much, or more, with those awful rubber grips to boot.

And, I suppose, they all shoot quite nicely. Funny though, I would sell a newer model as fast as I'd sell a used pair of shoes; the no-dash, it's here to stay because they certainly "don't make 'em like that anymore".

It's hard to explain love I guess :)
 
While I prefer the look of the older no lock Smiths, there is nothing wrong with the current models. If the lock is an issue, simply remove it.
 
Thanks for the input. I do not buy my guns for resale value but not being a moron it is logical to consider it. For my purposes you have caused me to realize that the lock should not be a significant factor.
For my next question -- 3 LGSs have them with 6 in barrels in the 745-750 dollar range. Is that reasonable?
 
That seems about $50 higher than I'm used to seeing around here, but markets do differ. If you find a 686+ (7-shot) in that price range that would be nice.

As skidder said earlier, S&W guns with locks will be passed over by some, myself included, but that doesn't mean they are junk, by a long shot.

All I want for Christmas is a 4" -4 7-shot :D
 
I have two S&W's that have locks, a 629 and a 610. Neither have given me any problems. Other than checking to see that they did in fact work, I have kept them unlocked since purchase. The 629 only has a few hundred rounds through it. I used the 610 regularly for USPSA matches, primarily with .40 ammo. It has over 20k rounds with no problems. On the other hand the S&W's I have without a lock, a K-22 and a 686+ (which has seen the same use as the 610) have not given me any problems either.

While I would prefer a revolver without a lock, I wouldn't shy away from one simply because it did.
 
The bulk of the complaints most often heard, is that they take away from the clean lines of a pre lock model, an eye sore.

GS
 
There's more to it than just locks, it's been hashed out here many times. The lock is just the most obvious change, it's visible and lends itself well to being a landmark.
 
IMHO, a few people who had problems with S&W's agreement with the Clinton administration spread a lot of lies about S&W's products in general and the "lock" in particular.

I honestly tried to get more information on what really happened, but was reviled and cursed by people I can only describe as totally insane. Having no first hand information and never being able to duplicate the lock "problem", I finally concluded that it was pure nutcase invention and not anything to worry about.

Jim
 
New 686's cost a pretty penny new, but in 10 years if anyone thinks that a -6 with the lock in the same condition as a pre-lock will fetch the same used prices, they are kidding themselves. I'm not sure what it's like elsewhere but it's rare that I talk to a "revolver guy" who wouldn't take a pre-lock hands down if given the choice. Post that questions on the S&W forum and see what kind of response you get.
 
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