Question on S&W "Lock" vs "No Lock"

[entropy]

I would post this over at the "mecca of all things Smith and Wesson" but dont feel like enduring the wrath of the FUDS and never really getting the answer...

I would like to pick up a 4" Model 29. None of the guns I own are non-use museum pieces. I treat them well, but they are tools and I'm not afraid to scuff them. The prices for a pre-lock 4" are insane, especially for a working gun. The -10s are reasonably affordable.

So the question is, besides the lock (which I would remove and plug) are there any internal differences that would either cause concern or lead to issues? I read someplace that the frame was "redesigned". How so? Just internally (pin/post/etc) to accommodate the pin or is it more substantial? How about the rest of the lockwork?

Again, I appreciate the info. Im not google lazy, but it seems that the subject always degrades into the realm of ridiculouness. I know I can get a honest, straight forwrd answer here.

Thanks

[fatdog]

I can only base this on the pre-lock J frames and the lock version J frames, both of which I have. My original 642-1 no lock made before the buyout of Thomson and the creation of the lock models clearly has a different trigger and hammer geometry from the post lock versions. They also created a post lock labeled 642-1 that was without the lock but it had the new post lock trigger and hammer parts internally. They changed the action geometry when the locks came, just a little, I think is is worse than the pre-lock mechanism in terms of the trigger action, but still manageable. With all of the MIM internals and the move to a frame mounted firing pins that happened in that same big time window, they made the hammers different anyway.

Aside from the geometry the other thing I noticed was the MIM sear is not in any way pined to the hammer, just rides in a slot, and the sear spring is now very tiny in those new actions. I cannot say that is a big deal, but it is different. I lost a sear spring once and that was almost impossible to do in the older models...

I had a M29 mountain gun that came with a lock. On any of those lock guns, I immediately grind the tab off the lock flag and install a plug in the frame, rending it a no lock model. That M29 performed quite well and took a lot of abuse. I sold it because the value spiked and a friend wanted it badly, he still has it and it has run fine. Not sure about changes in frame dimensions.

[entropy]

Thank you. That was the exact no frills answer I was looking for.

[LtDave]

Entropy, I sent you a PM.
None of my Smith & Wessons has a lock. I have a couple of recent no lock j frames with mim parts, but won’t do any new ones with locks.

[OlongJohnson]

Google "N frame endurance package" for details on the durability upgrades.

[sharps54]

Is there any concern that they will stop making parts for the pre lock guns?

[RevolverRob]

Is there any concern that they will stop making parts for the pre lock guns?

Not currently. And even if they did, there are enough pre-lock J/K/N frame Smiths in circulation that parts could be found, with relative ease.

I'm reasonable certain I could spend a couple of grand and buy enough parts to fix/repair any J or K frame I came into for the rest of my life.

[sharps54]

Thanks!

[Bushytale]

Apparently some of the parts for the "pre lock" and "pre MIM" guns have been discontinued. I recently sourced some DA sears from Bowen Classic Arms he is having made. EBAY and Brownell's are also good sources for parts as are a number of others.

[Hemiram]

I don't have, or want any of the guns S&W makes with the locks. I don't really care all that much about MIM parts. I've never had anything made that way break. Every S&W semiauto I've owned has had them, and they all worked fine.