S&W Integral Locks

[fizik]

I've gotten curious and done a few nights looking on the net about these things. I had a 638 that, AFAIK, didn't have the lock. I keep seeing horror stories about these blowing up, and locking up the gun. I just can't figure out what exactly these are supposed to do, what they look like, or what they are at all. Are they like the locks on some autos that are on the frame, turned with a key to 'lock' or 'unlock' the gun?

[Guest Verbal Kint]

Yep. It's a lockout feature that disables the gun... similiar to the locks on semi-autos, as you said.

Here's a photo of one such lock:

[fizik]

Okay, mine definitely didn't have that. Thanks for the pics too, all I have found were pics of the internal nub on it, apparently to grind it off disables it. I dunno. But I will try and avoid these if I can.

[shaftbass]

I'd rather they not be there, but they are on newer S&W models. I keep a key to my snubby revolver on my keychain in case it locks itself. Hopefully if that happens, it isn't when I might need the gun.

Isn't that gay. Guns require keys now

[DaveTN]

M&P’s you can get with or without the locks, 1911’s don’t have them. Most new revolvers have them, but there have been some “special runs” without them.

I couldn’t find a used 617 so I had to buy new and it has one; but it’s not an issue because it’s not a carry gun.

You can find almost any S&W you want used in a “Pre Lock”; they just usually bring a little more.

I have thought for a long time they would be dropping the locks but now that I have bought one with a lock they probably will drop them.

They are left over from when the Brits owned S&W and they need to be gone.

Heres a link for all things Smith & Wesson...

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/

[Guest Verbal Kint]

Most new revolvers have them, but there have been some “special runs†without them.

Yep. Most recently there have been runs of 442/642's without the ILS system. Not sure if they're still selling them, but it was fairly recently (last couple of months) so they may still be.

[VERO1]

I think they are kind of like seatbelts on a horse! If you need them, you probably shouldn't own them. One of the distributors, RSR, I think,is showing a listing for a new 442 minus lock, so maybe there is hope that Smith will cut out some of the nonsense.