I don’t even like unobtrusive locks. HK puts the lock in the lanyard loop base that the mainspring rides on. It’s out of the way, requires a spanner key, and unless you know it’s there you might never notice it. For $9.95 I buy the block that doesn’t have the lock and it’s a one minute swap. I’ve slowly replaced nearly all of them in my HK’s.

It is just a bad idea. Internal locks of any kinds are just a failure point that is avoidable. At least HK makes it easy to swap out.

My favorite “lock/safety” is the HK P7M8. The striker assembly is raised and with finger pressure and a twist you can remove the entire striker assembly. You want a safe gun? Remove the firing pin. No tools, no fuss.

You can do the same thing on the P7’s but you need the spanner tool. Or you can do what I did. Buy an extra M8 striker bushing and replace the flushed one with the raised and voila, no tool needed and now you have a spare.

quote:

Originally posted by pedropcola:
That sucks but it will work and look much better with the plug. I only own one Smith with the lock, 627 Pro and that was one of the first things to go. I will say I thought removing it and putting the plug in would be easy but I kind of had a devil of a time doing it. I hope it is easier than I made it look.

I've had a bunch of Smith revolvers apart, including this one, so I don't imagine the mechanicals will give me too much trouble. These stupid Pachmayr grips are horrible to get on and off, though...I dread that far more than the rest of the process. Unfortunately they're necessary on this gun unless you want a bruised hand. I know I repeat myself, but I really wish Hogue would make something for the N-Frame with a wide padded backstrap, without finger grooves, and flush with the bottom of the frame.


Speaking of grips...my buddy brought his dad's Super Blackhawk .44 to the range yesterday, and it had these Pachmayrs on it that had to be the worst revolver grips I've ever encountered. Like most Pachmayrs I've seen in recent years, the fit was pretty bad, but even worse the backstrap was hard, narrow, and kind of came to a "ridge" at the center. When you shot this thing, that ridge drove all of the recoil force directly into about a 1/4" wide section of the web of your hand, but then the gun would rotate up like any plow-handle grip is prone to do. That rubber was grippy enough that after hammering you, it would grab and rip at your skin when it rotated, and tear up your hand. It was likely close to a 50oz handgun, which ought to have been pretty pleasant to shoot for a .44, but I was actually happy to get back to the 24oz 329PD ! I own a couple of Blackhawks with wood grips and bare metal back straps...even with stout "Ruger Only" loads, they're nowhere near as bad as that thing with those Pachmayrs installed.

quote:

Originally posted by WCCPHD:
Only have one word to say about this:

OUCH

I remember buying a 329PD back in 2006 I think it was. It was one of the first revolvers I ever owned and definitely has been the only .44 magnum revolver I have ever owned. It had the wood grips. Shooting it was one of the craziest experiences I've ever had.

I had never shot a .44 magnum revolver much less any magnum revolver. The first cylinder the gun kicked so hard it cut my thumb and I bled for the rest of the session like a MAN. I was hooting and hollering the whole time. It was an involuntary response to the awesomeness that was .44 magnum. Only problem was I couldn't hit for shit with it. I sold it eventually.

I have been shooting .357 magnum in my 686+ for a while now and have grown to like it a lot. Makes .40 and 9mm feel like a pussycat. I plan to add a .44 magnum back to my collection someday. The S&W "Mountain Gun" looks like a nice platform. I might even be inclined to give the 329PD another go but not with those factory wood grips. They were punishing. It felt like someone slapping my hand with a 2x4 with every shot.

OP's target is really good for .44 magnum at 10 yards. Don't know if that is double action or single action, but still. .44 mag is tough to shoot accurately it's just so powerful. Underwood ammo is HOT stuff!

quote:

The S&W "Mountain Gun" looks like a nice platform. I might even be inclined to give the 329PD another go but not with those factory wood grips. They were punishing. It felt like someone slapping my hand with a 2x4 with every shot.

The 329PD was definitely designed around portability over shootability! The mountain guns were awesome. A buddy had one in college and it was my first real introduction to .44. We had some good times shooting that gun. I think the MG is out of production now, unfortunately...I know the used ones I've seen have been insanely priced. The Model 69 in 4" would be a viable alternative, if you can live with the 5 shot capacity.

Plug kit finally got here after some adventures with the USPS. Installed it today...no drama. I hate taking airweights apart though, I'm always afraid I'm going to bend the pins, especially the one for the rebound slide. While I was in there I went ahead and polished the internals up a bit. It had a decent trigger to start with, but it's excellent now. I also put the wood grips back on...I may regret that decision when I go test fire it tomorrow!