New S&W's

[Oriondk]

Okay, what's the deal with the locks? I was on the S&W forum and saw a lot of problems that people have had with the locks. Mostly guns locking up under recoil. The number of problems is not huge, but disconcerting nonetheless. I realize you can pull the lock out and get rid of it, but then you end up with a hole in the side of the gun that can let in dirt.
And then there's the mim parts, that a lot of people don't like. Do they hold up? These can be replaced, right?
The other thing I wonder about are the two piece barrels. How are these working out?
One of the reasons I ask is I was shopping for a .357 in June. I was really leaning towards the 686-7shot. But then I started seeing all these stories about the new Smith's and started having doubts. When I went to the gunshop and asked to see the 686 and a GP100 to compare them, I was surprised that the action on the GP felt smoother than the 686's. So I bought the GP, took it a gunsmith and had the action smoothed even more and the chambers chamfered.
So what do you all think about the new Smiths? The reason I ask is I'm really interested in a 610, and it's not a gun that I see used.

[rjrivero]

There are plenty of 686's that are pre-lock. The lock isn't bad, because it's a 2 piece deal. You open the gun, remove one of those 2 pieces, and the lock won't get in your way anymore.

MIM isn't a big deal, from what Max has shared with me, it's just a way of manufacturing from powder carbon. Put under pressure and heat, and you can make parts that really don't require alot of machining. Tools are made in this fashion.

The 2 piece barrel isn't my favorite. I like a big old one piece barrel. I do have a couple new smiths, but when possible, I perfer to get them pre-locked. :2cents:

[Hammerdown]

There are plenty of 686's that are pre-lock. The lock isn't bad, because it's a 2 piece deal. You open the gun, remove one of those 2 pieces, and the lock won't get in your way anymore.

MIM isn't a big deal, from what Max has shared with me, it's just a way of manufacturing from powder carbon. Put under pressure and heat, and you can make parts that really don't require alot of machining. Tools are made in this fashion.

The 2 piece barrel isn't my favorite. I like a big old one piece barrel. I do have a couple new smiths, but when possible, I perfer to get them pre-locked. :2cents:




Hello
I go along with what rjrivero said here. I carry a Lock style piece daily. I removed the lock the minute I got it home. To disable one is very simple. I have no problem with MIM Parts in the action. They actually make an action smoother out of the box to me than the Older Forged style Hammers & Triggers.The Two Piece barrles leave alot to be desiered. I once had one loosen up and had to return it to S&W for repairs...The 431 PD I am carrying now has one and it seems to be all right to this point...Hammerdown

[budroe]

I don't find the locks a problem, as I have them removed immediately. The 2 piece barrels are worrisome. I'm pretty much sticking with the older model guns.

[StrawHat]

Is the MIM process similar to the sintered metal process?

Ruger used the sintered metal parts in the "six" sreies of DA revolvers and maybe others. I recall it was a bit harder to get a smooth action on the "sixes" but it may have had more to do with design than the parts.

[snake charmer]

I don't think the lock is a problem, I have some competition guns that litteraly has tens of thousands of rounds through them with no problems. I don't shoot light loads they must make major power factor for IPSC events. I have replaced ssome of the MIM parts with forger parts, The Performance Center also does this with a factory action job.

[Oriondk]

I don't think the lock is a problem, I have some competition guns that litteraly has tens of thousands of rounds through them with no problems. I don't shoot light loads they must make major power factor for IPSC events. I have replaced ssome of the MIM parts with forger parts, The Performance Center also does this with a factory action job.

Do you think it's necessary to replace the MIM parts or do you just do it on your competition guns?

[snake charmer]

Do you think it's necessary to replace the MIM parts or do you just do it on your competition guns?

I have some very good action jobs done on guns with the MIM parts, you just have to be carefull with them. So I don't think it is a necessary move to replace them.

[Hammerdown]

I have some very good action jobs done on guns with the MIM parts, you just have to be carefull with them. So I don't think it is a necessary move to replace them.


Hello
Any M.I.M. Action revolver I have seen is Far smoother than the Old School Forged parts right out of the Box. The MIM Process is much more true to making Parts as close to Tollerance as needed. The forged Hammers & Triggers all Needed final fitting and most Piece workers did as little as possible to get them through the final fitting process..:rolleyes: Hammerdown

[Oriondk]

Thanks. If I do get a S&W in the future, I'll have some more questions for you about this.

[snake charmer]

Hello
Any M.I.M. Action revolver I have seen is Far smoother than the Old School Forged parts right out of the Box. The MIM Process is much more true to making Parts as close to Tollerance as needed. The forged Hammers & Triggers all Needed final fitting and most Piece workers did as little as possible to get them through the final fitting process..:rolleyes: Hammerdown

Correct, but the Performance Center does replace the MIM parts with forged parts when you send them a gun for a factory action job.