G11354
Member
Anyone had issues with the internal locks in S&W revolvers?
S&W Revolver Internal Locks?
- Thread starter G11354
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Personally? No, but I have only one S&W with the lock.
I have read of some problems with the lightweight revolvers and magnum loads but I have also read about things like Colt installing the barrels backwards.
Have there been problems? Sure, but with the internet, they get repeated and it suddenly seems like every lock is just waiting to fail.
Is there something specific you are trying to ask?
Kevin
I have read of some problems with the lightweight revolvers and magnum loads but I have also read about things like Colt installing the barrels backwards.
Have there been problems? Sure, but with the internet, they get repeated and it suddenly seems like every lock is just waiting to fail.
Is there something specific you are trying to ask?
Kevin
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Whoooo boy! You've asked the hot button question! I think S&W forum even prohibits this question at this point. Very few folks will have personal experience. Almost everybody has heard of somebody who has known a guy who did.
I have not ... And I don't know a guy who knows a guy who did.
springer99
Member
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- 416
If you're asking if anyone has PERSONAL, FIRSTHAND experience of the lock failing, I'm going out on a limb here by saying this thread will be real short-lived!
Iron Sight
Member
Have 4 examples with locks. Never have had a problem or use for the locks. The locks would never stop me from buying another Smith and Wesson.
I had a issue with a 442 locking up, not sure if it was lock related or not.
The center pin would not engage in the frame and function.
I fixed the issue and went on.
On non airweight model, no issues at all.
But I like s&w's.
But given my druthers, I would rather not have the lock.
But I would not let that stop me from getting one that I wanted.
I'm putting on the nomex flame suit now and going into Forrest Gump mode "That's all I have to say about that"
The center pin would not engage in the frame and function.
I fixed the issue and went on.
On non airweight model, no issues at all.
But I like s&w's.
But given my druthers, I would rather not have the lock.
But I would not let that stop me from getting one that I wanted.
I'm putting on the nomex flame suit now
and going into Forrest Gump mode "That's all I have to say about that"
Last edited:
OP
OP
G11354
Member
Just bought my first S&W revolver and had in fact read a few tales of issues with the internal locks, thought I'd look here for more input.
Zaydok Allen
Member
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- Feb 12, 2011
- Messages
- 13,274
Always a controversial topic. About a year and a half ago I started a thread on this very topic trying to discern some numbers. There were a lot of stories and opinions expressed. Of 480 guns reported 25 had lock issues, so 5.2% had problems. If you care to read or skip to the last page, the results are in the second to last post. It's a small sample and not really statistically significant, but I was curious.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=745271
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=745271
Within about 30 minutes of taking my 637-2 home, I removed the ISL and dehorned the hammer.
The ONLY reason I bought a revolver with an ISL was because I got a great deal on it.
Personally, I see no reason for an ISL and it's just one more potential point of failure.
As far as aesthetics are concerned....It's a carry gun. It spends the majority of it's time in a safe or IWB. I really don't care how it looks as long as it performs.
The ONLY reason I bought a revolver with an ISL was because I got a great deal on it.
Personally, I see no reason for an ISL and it's just one more potential point of failure.
As far as aesthetics are concerned....It's a carry gun. It spends the majority of it's time in a safe or IWB. I really don't care how it looks as long as it performs.
I would worry far more about shooting a gun with a lightened hammer than shooting one with a internal lock in place
Paddy
member
People sure do get passionate about the lock. Either aesthetics or fear of malfunction, or some deeper psychological control issues at play. For me, it's a non issue. However if I were going to carry one I'd probably put some glue on it or remove the parts or disable it somehow completely. But I don't carry one.
460Kodiak said:
Indeed. Lots of emotion, far fewer facts, which is why I asked for the initial clarification. Good input so far; and 460Kodiak's thread on the matter was very interesting.
340PD said:
A bit off-topic, so suffice it to say that, all else equal, a lighter hammer helps reliability, rather than hurt it. If you want to discuss this further, let's start another thread.
Deanimator
Member
Massad Ayoob has and I believe he's got a sticky about it on the S&W forums.
I've got a safe full of S&W revolvers, not one of which has their tragically badly designed lock. The odds are overwhelming that I never will.
Other than my Model 17, I have no use for a revolver that can't at least double as a self-defense gun. I'd NEVER trust my life to a gun with THAT lock, hence I'll never own one.
Deanimator
Member
Not at all.
My High Standard Citation is a blowback. So's a Bryco. I'll NEVER own one of the latter.
There's a world of difference between a lock and a BADLY DESIGNED AND EXECUTED lock. The Taurus is the former, the S&W the latter.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Member Paul105, who does more shooting with 329's than most folks ever will with its all-steel counterparts, has experienced lock failures. On more than one gun, if I remember right.
HankB
Member
My S&W 340Sc locked itself up once when I was shooting .357s.
It doesn't do that any more.
From all I've read, problems are rare and nearly impossible to reproduce on demand, but are FAR from unheard of.
It doesn't do that any more.
From all I've read, problems are rare and nearly impossible to reproduce on demand, but are FAR from unheard of.
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