NO LONGER APPLICABLE

[KEVCON]

Thank you CalGuns!

[cudakidd]

A couple of factors as well. Older Smiths weren't just pre lock they were also Pre MIM and had real firing pins depending on age. The Smith and Wesson Forum even divides them in discussion by those eras...

Pre locks look nicer, have a perceived higher quality as well...

[QXSOUP]

Only pinned smiths for me. The quality is simply that much better.

[Calif Hunter]

Also, there is some concern, warranted or not, that the lock could cause the gun to malfunction when needed most. I prefer the quality of the pinned barrel and recessed chambers versions, but some of the revolvers, like the Model 29/629, have been enhanced to handle hot loads better.

[ap3572001]

I only own , shoot and carry PRE LOCK and PRE MIM S&W revolvers.

P&R is optional for me . I own both . But PRE MIM/LOCK is a must.

[jimmykan]

I didn't know the difference, so I used to not care one way or another about pinned & recessed S&W revolvers.

Then I got one, an 18-4, and knew then that I HAD to find its big brother, a Model 15 or 19.

I just got one. Will post pics soon.

[trigger945]

As has been mentioned, some people tend to not put a high value on guns with MIM parts. Just a preference, I guess. Additionally, the bluing on new revolvers seems to be sub-par relative to the bluing on older revolvers. And the lock may cause a stoppage whereas no lock eliminates that possibility altogether. Other than those, I think one other factor is that collectors are normally "older" so the guns they wanted to have before that could not get because of budget issues or whatever are the older guns - the pre-locks.

I own both pre- and post-lock revolvers. My favorite happens to be a post-lock, a 686 SSR. But I like my pre-locks a lot and am constantly seeking to acquire specific models of them.

[SevenSixTwoNATO]

My 460 was introduced after the Hiliary Hole became standard .
I also have a newer 617 .
Preference is no hole, when gunsmiths made guns, not slapped together a bunch of parts.
the 460 locked up on me the third outing, I did not have the key,
it has been removed since off that gun

[colossians323]

I only own , shoot and carry PRE LOCK and PRE MIM S&W revolvers.

P&R is optional for me . I own both . But PRE MIM/LOCK is a must.

Revolver snob

[I Swan]

I just think they look like crap and frankly I generally won't own a S&W with it. The only ones that slightly interest me are the 929, that 38super one that takes moonclips and maybe a 460. When they make models that have no lock I'm interested I recently purchased a new production on roster no lock 642. I can tell though that older models are made better.

I think the new issue versions of the model 40 and 42 had no lock either. The lock on a Taurus bugs me much less it is less obtrusive and Taurus does not have the history or glamour S&W has. I have some pre and post lock Taurus products and all work fine.

The whole reasoning behind the S&W lock and the story of how it came to be also bothers me to the point I won't buy them. In about 20 years I've only bought 2 new S&W's but at least probably about 20 or so used ones.

[AreWeFree]

I wont support that BS and I'll never own a 'post lock' S&W, they can keep them.

[bsg]

Saf-T-Hammer purchased S&W in 2001 with full intention to implement the internal lock mechanism to the S&W revolver, and it did just that in fulfillment of agreement made between S&W and President Clinton in 2000. most of the S&W revolvers since then have been encumbered with the internal lock.

in 2009 S&W announced that it would begin phasing out the internal lock mechanism in it's revolvers. in 2015 the internal lock is still alive and well and is a feature on most S&W revolvers of current production.

S&W has the right to continue to manufacture revolvers with the internal lock. i can choose to purchase or not to purchase. that being said, all of my S&W revolvers are pre-lock examples.

[Kowan]

I never owned a S&W before. Monday I pick up a 686 SSR and if still in the case, I'm putting a deposit on a 627 Performance Center.
They look nicer without the hole, but not a deal breaker to me.

[Richochet]

My 460 was introduced after the Hiliary Hole became standard .
I also have a newer 617 .
Preference is no hole, when gunsmiths made guns, not slapped together a bunch of parts.
the 460 locked up on me the third outing, I did not have the key,
it has been removed since off that gun

"Hillary Hole"!!?? LOL...

[bountyhunter]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum or if this has been discussed before (if I have posted incorrectly please direct me to the proper spot).

I own many S&W revolvers (I have been collecting them since turning the legal age to own a revolver). I own many "pre-lock's" and probably just as many "post-lock's".

Besides the timeline milestone marked by political decisions what makes the "pre-lock" more sought after (and demanding more money)?

Most of the pre locks have the better forged steel parts which many think are worth a premium price.