S&W going no-lock?

[jhs1969]

I've seen a few people state that they heard or believe that S&W is going to drop the locks on their revolvers. Does anyone have any fact based info on this? I may be in the market for a new Smith soon but would gladly hold out if they drop the locks.

[DocH]

I think we can look for that to happen.They have already been putting some out with no lock,but you can also look for a price increase,They have flooded the market with 642's,442's,etc.,with the locks,and when the no locks become regular production again,people will flock to buy them. I may even get one,too.But,probably not.

[oldtexan]

I've seen a few people state that they heard or believe that S&W is going to drop the locks on their revolvers. Does anyone have any fact based info on this? I may be in the market for a new Smith soon but would gladly hold out if they drop the locks.

There are currently no-lock versions of various j-frame guns, such as the 442, 632 Pro, 640 Pro, 642, and maybe others, available in supply channels and listed on S&W's website. Based on what I see in stores and what I hear when I talk to various other j-frame owners, S&W is having no trouble selling all the .38/.357 short barrel j-frames (especially lightweight ones)that it can make, lock or no-lock. I don't see any indication that the lock will completely go away, but I am certainly not privy to any inside info.

For whatever it's worth, my two 642-2 and my 649-5 all have locks. Among the three, I've fired about 2200 rds of ammo, all .38, a mix of std pressure and +P. I've never experienced any lock issue with any of them.

[ST911]

You won't see the locks discontinued. You will see production runs of some additional models without the lock.

[jhs1969]

Well, I had planned to pick up a no lock 442 or 642 but bougt a 642 from a buddy with a lock. Which was not a problem as I "de-locked" it. I would prefer to get a 3" 686 with no lock but I'm not willing to wait years for it to happen. I'm trying to decide whether to get a 3" 686 with a lock or try to find an older 4" with no lock.

[Jake'sDad]

For whatever it's worth, my two 642-2 and my 649-5 all have locks. Among the three, I've fired about 2200 rds of ammo, all .38, a mix of std pressure and +P. I've never experienced any lock issue with any of them.

That's wonderful, but there have been enough documented lock failures, including with folks I know personally, to believe it's not an issue.

[LowSpeed_HighDrag]

I bought a J frame last year. Told my dealer I wanted a brand ne 642 w/out a lock for lower than MSRP. Boom, he placed an order and it was mine.

I hope SW gets rid of the damn lock for good.

[Docwade]

It will be nice to see that feature discontinued. It has also caused some inflation of price in revolvers I like as well.

[Jake'sDad]

It will be nice to see that feature discontinued. It has also caused some inflation of price in revolvers I like as well.

Well, that, and the mim parts, and general lowered quality of fit and finish compared to the old ones.

[mdauben]

I'd love to see them drop the locks. It certainly seem that no one actually likes them. I just wonder if they would be willing to face the potential liability issue of removing a "safety feature" from their products.