Dealer says he has a "no internal lock" S&W 442, but how will I know?

[KAYSPOP]

The gun shop I use tells me they have what I am seeking: the S&W 442 with no internal lock...but how will I know when I see it? I mean, it won't say "no internal lock" on the side, so....how can I tell if it is indeed a "no -lock" model??

Thanks

 

[drgrant]

Uhh, it has no lock hole on the sideplate... It'll simply be "not there. "

-Mike

 

[Hanwei]

Um... the revolvers with the internal locks have a key-hole on the left side of the gun right above the cylinder release latch.

So... if the revolver you see does not have a key-hole above the cylinder release latch, it is indeed a non-internal-lock version.



Internal Lock

No Internal Lock

 

[MetalgodZ]

Pics here: http://www.gunblast.com/SW-25Mountain.htm

As the previous posters said...if there's no lock, there's no hole.

 

[ScottS]

S&W 442 with lock. Look above the cylinder release:

S&W without lock. Look above the cylinde release:

ETA: SECONDS! MERE SECONDS!

 

[KAYSPOP]

cool thanx guys

 

[Fooped]

This is something I never quite got. What difference does it make if the gun has an internal lock or not? Is it simply the fact that there's a "nanny device" on the gun, thus making less desirable?

 

[ScottS]

This is something I never quite got. What difference does it make if the gun has an internal lock or not? Is it simply the fact that there's a "nanny device" on the gun, thus making less desirable?

A device that's not there cannot fail into the Lock position and render the gun inoperable.

 

[Cuda444]

This is something I never quite got. What difference does it make if the gun has an internal lock or not? Is it simply the fact that there's a "nanny device" on the gun, thus making less desirable?

Supposedly there are reports of the internal lock failing, rendering the gun useless in a time of need. I haven't seen the reports, nor have I looked all that hard. My 442 has a butt-ton of rounds through it and never a hiccup.

 

[K-DUB]

Having owned & carried both, I personally would prefer the no-lock model. I'm paranoid of it accidentally locking itself & thus being useless as t*** on a bull if I need it.

 

[Uncle Fester]

This is something I never quite got. What difference does it make if the gun has an internal lock or not? Is it simply the fact that there's a "nanny device" on the gun, thus making less desirable?

It's a combination of that, and that it's one more mechanical complication (an unnecessary one at that) that could fail at an inopportune time.

 

[drgrant]

This is something I never quite got. What difference does it make if the gun has an internal lock or not? Is it simply the fact that there's a "nanny device" on the gun, thus making less desirable?

1. The lock sucks, it's worthless.
2. See number 1.
3. Even if you didn't read #2, there's a slim (albeit, non-zero) chance the lock could fail and engage itself, which turns your firearm into a brick.

#3 doesn't happen very often, but there have been some documented cases with S+Ws where it did happen. Even if you have a gun with a lock, you can usually have a competent smith make it inoperable.

It'd be a lot better if it wasn't there at all, though. Eventually I think S+W will get a clue and the lock will start to disappear from more and more models.

It's not something that would stop me from buying an S+W product, but I
can say that I'd much prefer not having the lock.

-Mike

 

[Fooped]

Thanks for the clarification. Seems like a reasonable gripe with the gun.

 

[Atlas]

Not long ago, near the end of a range session, I took my 642 out of my pocket, removed the SD ammo, loaded up some target ammo, aimed, squeezed and could not budge the trigger. What a feeling that was, I carry this gun often. After unloading and checking it over it seemed that the lock must have engaged. I had been wanting to remove the stupid thing for a while but had'nt got to it. So I went home, looked up the youtube vid (s+w internal lock removal) which is excellent, removed the lock and now the gun functions fine. This gun had seen many rounds and was always perfect before this happened. I would urge anyone with these lock's to remove or have them removed asap.

 

[appraiser]

there are multiple videos on youtube on how to remove the lock mechanism with basic hand tools.

 

[Atlas]

It's also very easy.

 

[yanici]

Not long ago, near the end of a range session, I took my 642 out of my pocket, removed the SD ammo, loaded up some target ammo, aimed, squeezed and could not budge the trigger. What a feeling that was, I carry this gun often. So I went home, looked up the youtube vid (s+w internal lock removal) which is excellent, removed the lock and now the gun functions fine. This gun had seen many rounds and was always perfect before this happened. I would urge anyone with these lock's to remove or have them removed asap.

The thing to do. I wouldn't carry an S&W revolver with the lock.

My 22 cal. 617 has an IL but that's strictly a range use gun. My 642, 38 snubbie has no lock. That's my pocket gun.