Good news from S&W

[MJB]

If you hate internal locks.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=82463&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15702&isFirearm=Y

[fredglock]

That wouldn't be a picture of the actual revolver. It's a new-style frame and the keyhole is gone but the locking flag pin is still visible.

It is likely that the real 642 is being made on older style frames that were left in stock. We'll find out when someone gets one.

fred

[MJB]

Fred, I think they photoshopped the pic but the gun is for real.

http://www.topgunsupply.com/revolver-handguns-smith-wesson/

[Short Cut]

Interesting. Just when I thought S&W would never listen to its customers who are so strongly sided against their internal locks.

[fredglock]

Fred, I think they photoshopped the pic but the gun is for real.

http://www.topgunsupply.com/revolver-handguns-smith-wesson/

I don't doubt the gun is real. I'm just saying that it's likely to be made from older frames still in stock. Smith does that sometimes.

A lot of people would like to hope that Smith is going back to no-lock frames, but this isn't necessarily an indication of that. It's not likely they'd start manufacturing two different J-frame sizes, and they aren't going to dump the lock or the .357 frame, so....

fred

[revel8]

im still waiting on that no lock 442

[Jim Watson]

Rumor was that they are contract overruns from an order by some agency that knew what they wanted.

[mhillsing23]

im still waiting on that no lock 442
^ I'm with stupid. :)

[fastbolt]

Lots of internet rumors running around about this subject.

FWIW, I've been told by more than one person from the factory that the 3 J-frame models they've produced without the ILS (642-1, 442-1 & 37-2) were all older frame stock they finally decided to use for some small production runs. As the older parts/frame stock were used up the runs would end.

I personally spoke with a dealer (whom I know) who called back to S&W and was told that all of the available production of one of the models had already been shipped out, and there wouldn't be any more of them made. He was referred to a couple of distributors who had received them in order to locate and order one.

The limited runs of the reportedly older frame stock of 642/442's (serial numbered and used to make new production guns) were large enough to probably merit the "New Products" release on the factory website. Notice the other new release J-frames were not listed without the ILS, though.

The regular 642's, and other 'regular', current production models, equipped with the ILS are still being produced and shipped.

That's what I've been told.

I've also been told that LE agencies ordering J-frames have been receiving regular production models with the ILS.

Now, as far as rumor control goes ... I've also heard second-hand unsubstantiated rumor (meaning I haven't heard it myself from anyone connected with the company) of potential further production runs of new revolvers without the ILS, 'testing the waters', as well as a potential redesign of the ILS (keeping an ILS in the revolvers, in other words, but changing the way it functions and its cosmetic appearance).

Dunno. Rumors have a way of running wild ...

Guess time will tell.

[revel8]

im starting to think the no lock 442 was just that, a rumor. i think someone somewhere saw the no lock model 37, didnt know the difference, and thats where all the rumors began.

[fastbolt]

im starting to think the no lock 442 was just that, a rumor. i think someone somewhere saw the no lock model 37, didnt know the difference, and thats where all the rumors began.

http://www.rsrgroup.com/cgi-bin/cgirpcux/WTM-002O

Dunno what they've got in stock, though.

The other model (442) in the New Product release ...
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=11101&langId=-1&productId=82470&tabselected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=15702

[AdminJarhead]

It would be cool if the one that they have of mine (642) that I sent back because of an internal lock problem was replaced with one of these! But I won't hold my breath on it...