The hillary hole

[4t5]

Can anyone explain why s&w thought to put that stupid lock on the revolvers, but not the auto loaders ?
I ve passed on a couple revolvers because I don’t want an option , I’m not gonna use.
2 that I have , the lock has never been used, but I can’t help but see it, and I know it adds to the cost.

[JimT]

Why pass 'em up? Take the lock out .. plug the hole and shoot 'em.

[44shooter]

I think it is a legacy of the group that bought S&W a while back. The company had some sort of safety trigger apparatus . I don’t care for it either but I have bought two revolvers that have it and don’t let it worry me

[AJMD429]

Why pass 'em up? Take the lock out .. plug the hole and shoot 'em.

Yeah - it is an easy fix, and nothing about the design seems to muck up the reliability otherwise.

[marlinman93]

When S&W sold to the British plumbing company they got in bed with the Clintons and the result was the stupid key thing. Cost them a bunch of sales and bad PR until the company sold. But of course once a stupid safety is added it's never going away.

[4t5]

Jim, I was reluctant to buy my car for the same reason, a whole lot of “features” Im not going to use but have to pay for.
It’s like buying a shirt and being forced to pay for a pair of pants also.
But why only the revolvers?

[JimT]

But why only the revolvers?

I have no clue.
Like a lot of things ... I look at it .. think "Man, why is this here? That is STUPID!" ... and then fix it so it's like I want it.

[Farmerjohn]

Second generation colt, 3 screw Rugers, and firing pin on the hammer S&W's are as up to date as I can get. I tried some of the new stuff but always ended up selling them, just couldn't get to where I liked them...... John

[Scott Tschirhart]

And I like straight bodied old Ford pickups as well.

[elmo123]

The third generation autos, 4006 etc., had a magazine disconnect. It wouldn't discharge when the trigger was pulled with the magazine removed, maybe they thought this would suffice. I removed that option on all of my autos.
Or it could have been required to be sold in some states?

[Wiresguy]

Someone sells a "plug" to replace the lock. But the real turn off for me is the beauty of the original lines were ruined when the frame was expanded to allow room for the lock. On the J-Frames the hammer is somewhat hidden by the frame compared to the older models. The newer revolvers are just ugly. A good excuse to focus more on Single Action revolvers.

[Steve in MO]

https://www.originalprecision.com/lock-delete-kit.html

This is the way to go if you're wanting to replace that lock.

[Mark in MO]

Someone sells a "plug" to replace the lock. But the real turn off for me is the beauty of the original lines were ruined when the frame was expanded to allow room for the lock. On the J-Frames the hammer is somewhat hidden by the frame compared to the older models. The newer revolvers are just ugly. A good excuse to focus more on Single Action revolvers.

Thank you. I thought I was the only one to notice and find unattractive the reshaping of the frame to accommodate the lock. I'm sure they're great guns but the restyled lines just sort of turn me off.

[Crazy Horse]

I have not bought a new S&W since they added that ugly *** lock on the side. I have bought several older ones.

[samsi]

I've always referred to the IL as The Zit, since that's kinda what it resembles. That said, my sole example with the lock has been fine but I've never actuated the lock (don't even know where the key is at this point). I believe that the reported problems were with the 329PD and differential recoil (S&W engineers term), the same phenomena that causes unlocking/rolling back and double primer strikes.

I'd prefer it wasn't there and it is an eyesore, but my sample of one hasn't caused a problem.

[wvfarrier]

Interestingly they still produce some compact revolvers without the hole. The Clinton Admin was threatening to sue S&W into oblivion amd the lock was part of the deal S&W struck to avoid DOJ harrassment

[4t5]

Spending $50 to fix something I don’t want in the first place, is counter productive. They are expensive enough without the added cost.
But that is making kimber and Diamondback revolvers very competitive.

[Poohgyrr]

Yes, that “storage lock” as S&W calls it, is really, really ugly. I have two, both N frame versions of old originals that I couldn’t afford. Both match up with 16” Levers in the same rounds.

My favorite may be the 4” fixed sight 44Special that Smith came out with a few years back. Looks good with my avatar. An original M21 would be sweet, but this will do.