New S&W without lock?

[woo18]

I just noticed a retailer advertising a special run of a S&W 37 airweight without an internal lock. What prompted S&W to do this, and can we see this on other models in the future?

 

[Shade00]

There is speculation that these are either leftovers or cancels from a foreign contract run, or that they have been assembled from left over parts. Either way, they're new guns without locks!

 

[Bentonville]

I have one and I really like it. The trigger has smoothed up and lightened ever so slightly after about 200 rounds and maybe 300 dryfires.

 

[ugaarguy]

The M37s are left over pre J-Magnum frames without locks assembled as a special run for RSR group. The no-lock 642s are current production J-Magnum frame guns that were from a canceled export order.

 

[csmkersh]

S&W is still making the Model 36/37 non-magnum j-frame. The frames may be leftovers, but have nothing to do with S&W's j-magnum Model 60s or 640s.

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[ugaarguy]

S&W is still making the Model 36/37 non-magnum j-frame. The frames may be leftovers, but have nothing to do with S&W's j-magnum Model 60s or 640s.

Nope. 1997 37-3 changed to J-Magnum frame and rated the gun .38 Spl. +P. 36-9 in August 1996 also changed to J-Magnum frame and .38 Spl. +P rating. All current production J Frames, regardless of caliber, are built on the J-Magnum frame.

 

[csmkersh]

I had to break out the micrometer and compare my 640 to my 442. They're the same.
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[ugaarguy]

Apparently they switched to all J-Magnum frames for production cost. If you look at your 640 and 442 they have the elongated cylinder stop that's part of the frame. Earlier guns had a more rounded cylinder stop that was machined separately and pressed into the frame. Interestingly enough even the .22 LR model 317 uses the J-Mag frame.

 

[Gator]

There is speculation that these are either leftovers or cancels from a foreign contract run, or that they have been assembled from left over parts. Either way, they're new guns without locks!

Yeah, and Smith won't say exactly, which gives me hope for what the future may bring. So far we have had 642s and 37s without locks and the 442s are on the way. I wrote S&W and thanked them and asked for more, I think everyone should do the same...let's give them some encouragement (in addition to buying up all the no-lock guns)!

 

[csmkersh]

Gator, I wrote S&W the first day I learned of the revolvers without locks. Got a Sgt Schultz response, "I don't know nothing." They are learning. Their latest semi can be ordered with or without lock or mag disconnect.


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[Gator]

They answered me only with "...we will continue to manufacture revolvers with the lock...." Now, they didn't actually say they wouldn't make some without the lock, did they?

 

[Drgong]

I wonder if a distributor made a special order for no lock revolvers if S&W would make it..

 

[18DAI]

Perhaps S&W has finally removed its head from its rectum, and is trying to sell as many handguns as possible, including all the folks that want lock free revolvers.

 

[george29]

I just bought a 642 and had the choice of with and w/o lock so apparently they are producing more w/o locks. Of course I politely declined the one with the lock.

 

[Zeede]

Wouldn't something like the MagnaTrigger be a lot better than these hokey internal locks?

Cameron