What's with the lock on Smith and Wessons?

[John Henry Holliday]

Howdy folks.

I bought a Smith with the lock because at the time it was the only 7 round .357 I could fine.

I removed the lock, however and will not be putting it back in. It's not necessary and if I could have found a 7 rounder at the time without it, I'd have gone that route.

 

[Frenchy]

The vast majority of Smith buyers don't inhabit forums, and if they did, S&W would have been out of business years ago.
The fact is that the buying public that Smith depends on, could care less about the lock, and indeed probably appreciates it for family safety.
Thank them for even having a company to buy from.
My opinion, of course!

 

[6Gunslinger]

I'm fairly new to revolvers (guns in general for that matter) and I own a Smith with a lock and one without.... I read what I could find on it at first so that I could make an educated decision on the blasted "lock" and came to the conclusion that while I would try and seek pre-lock revolvers if I could find them at a decent price... I didn't really care one way or another... if a lock ever did fail I would just remove it. I can't understand why people spend hours and hours complaining when they have the choice? Would it be illegal to remove the lock? Regardless.... for the short time I have have been involved in these forums I have seen enough written on this topic to last a lifetime and it seems pretty ridiculous.... its not like we're being forced to put internal locks on our older Smiths... I just don't think much more can be said, we know what they are, we know what they're not and ultimately we can make the decision.....if I never see another thread on this topic it will be too soon, but thats just my humble opinion

 

[BADUNAME13]

6Gunslinger: it is obvious you do not carry your Smith for personal protection... where if it fails you may not live to remove it.

It is not illegal to remove the lock. (Why would it be?)

As far as not liking threads on this... feel free not to read.

 

[cbsbyte]

The lock debate is a dead horse since many companies are now designing internal locks into their new models. Like it or not, in the near future most new handguns will have internal locks. The naysayers will just have to buy used pre lock models or adapt to the lock.

 

[Surefire]

So far, no reports of the Ruger "hidden lock" (on some newer SA models only) auto-engaging. I own one like that, and have been watching like a hawk for the merest hint of it happening. I've also studied mine and see no engineering flaw.

There ARE reports of auto-locking happening on S&Ws.

That's a pretty big difference.

I'll also say that Ruger QC appears on the upswing of late. My 2005-era New Vaquero was absolutely perfect, and an excellent shooter.

My 686+ 4" locked up once. Simply putting the key in and unlocking it fixed it. It hasn't done it since though. Its not a big issue for me because I use it only as a range/target gun. If it was a defense gun, I'd be worried of course.

I would NOT depend on a defense gun with a lock. That is why I use my older 686+ 6" (Pre-lock) for home defense.

 

[MICHAEL T]

We all appreciate your efforts Dawg, but I think I'll keep on buying nice, old mostly hand fitted guns made from real steel, without idiot locks, injection-molded metal and transfer-bar firing pins


+1 on above

 

[6Gunslinger]

thanks for your concern Nomad. I don't carry yet, I don't yet have my CCW. I just bought a pre-lock 640 so that I won't have to worry about the lock.... what I meant was that if a gun failed during practice I will remove the lock.... I won't put my life on the line with a "lock" gun, but I wouldn't stop from buying one for a BUG or for range use, etc. you asked why would it be illegal... are you serious? even if it wasn't... do you really doubt that a lawyer wouldn't bring that up in court just so the mere appearance of neglegence (however inconsequential) could possibly persuade a jury. I'm guessing that you "read" these threads so that you can disuade others from buying guns with locks which is admirable if you truly care about their safety, but some people just want to bash others to make themselves feel better while others just want to read that "locks are no big deal" so that they feel better about their own purchase... I just don't see the point, what more can be said? why beat this thing to death, aren't their better things to talk about... what could possibly be said that hasn't already been? but thank you for your advice about not reading these threads, your permission is very much appreciated... sorry, I don't mean to sound like a jerk, I just didn't really appreciate your reply, but I suppose that'll be "obvious" to you as well....

 

[BADUNAME13]

NOPE, I WANT everyone to buy the guns with locks... more guns w/o for me.

As long as you enjoy it...

 

[6Gunslinger]

haha! fair enough man, atleast you're honest. I suppose these threads do serve a purpose then.... I've only heard of a few lock failures, I just hope to God it never happens when someone's life is on the line. take it easy

 

[BADUNAME13]

And that's my concern.
Sorry, didn't mean to sound like such an @$$, I'm just kinda blunt.

Enjoy shooting your babies...

 

[6Gunslinger]

yeah, me too, no problem, sounds like ultimately we care about the same things, thanks man