S&W 360PD trigger lock malfunction

[cchurchi]

I bought a S&W 360PD for concealed carry, so reliability is my prime concern. The only thing I didn't like about this revolver was the silly trigger lock. I figured that I would never use it, and I hoped it would never be a problem.

Well, I was wrong. Yesterday at the range, on my second cylinder, I had a failure to fire. I figured it was a bad primer, however upon inspecting the cartridge, I noticed that there was no indent in the primer. So I loaded it up again and this time when I had my second failure to fire, I kept the trigger pulled back and inspected the revolver with it pointed down range. I noticed the trigger lock flag was up.

I then went home and dry fired it several times and was able to replicate the problem (photos below). The first picture shows the revolver fuctioning correctly with the firing pin protruding into the cylinder. The second photo shows the triger back, hammer forward, but not protruding firing pin! If I touch the flag it snaps down, and the firing pin moves forward. I have used the key to be sure the lock is fully disengaged and it made no difference.

Even after I get this fixed, how can I trust this revolver again?

 

[pinkymingeo]

Just disable the lock permanently, and you won't have to worry about it. What's happened is the "flag" torque spring is incorrectly installed, so not holding it in the disengaged position. If you don't want to fool with it, S&W will fix it for free, and it probably will never happen again.

 

[HOME DEPOT GEORGE]

The biggest issue is that you shouldn't have to disable it or send it back for the prices that S&W gets for their guns. As far as I know there has never been a documented failure of a ruger lock(which is hidden under the grip on the models that have the lock) and their guns average 200 dollars. Sorry to get off topic but if it were mine I would call smith and request a shipper and send it back, you shouldn't have to pay a cent to fix a safety feature on a brand new (top of the line revolver).

 

[Dgreno]

Thats crazy. If it were me, I would pull it apart and remove the lock. Good luck!

 

[18DAI]

Wow! S&W should be contacted, and sent pics. To date thay continue to claim that they are "unaware" of any lock failures .

I'd trade it on a reliable pre lock. Good luck! TJ

 

[pinkymingeo]

I have a 340 and 360 with disabled locks. Combined round count is +5K and climbing, without a single hiccup. The scandium guns are the best thing S&W has done in a long, long time. If I had a working lock though, I'd disable it.

 

[cchurchi]

Update:

Smith and Wesson has sent me a pre-paid shipping memo so I'll be sending it off for repair next week.

 

[HOME DEPOT GEORGE]

Correcting my last post- rugers average 200 dollars cheaper than S&W.

 

[GJgo]

FWIW, my 360 PD did the same thing. Also, with full house loads (ouch!) it would sometimes rebound the hammer back upon firing and lock it in a half-cocked position making it unable to fire until cleared. :\