Hallelujah! – Smith & Wesson Now Making Three Classic No-Lock Revolvers

Virtually no one has ever been a fan of the the ILS (internal locking system) feature that Smith & Wesson began adding to their revolvers back in 2001. Derisively referred to by some as “Hillary Holes,” just about every revolver buyer since then has simply ignored them, but their very presence has continued to rankle many.

Today’s announcement, though, will make the wheelgun world very happy indeed. After making a couple of J-frames without the ILS, Smith is now offering three of their most popular Classic Series models — the Model 10, Model 19, and Model 36 — without the infernal locking mechanisms.

Smith & Wesson no lock revolvers

Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ Global Select: SWBI), a leader in firearm manufacturing and design, announces today the release of three Classic Series No-Lock revolvers that include a Model 36, Model 10, and Model 19.

Crafted with the finest materials and precision engineering, this new line of revolvers displays iconic features, now enhanced to meet the demands of today’s shooters. Leading off this new line is the S&W Model 36 Classic, a J-Frame chambered in 38 Special +P that has a 5-shot capacity, which includes a 1.88-inch barrel with a fixed blade front sight, an integral slot-in-frame rear sight, and a classic checkered wood grip. Its design also incorporates a blued carbon steel frame and cylinder, which not only enhance its visual appeal but also provides durability.

Smith & Wesson no-lock Model 36 revolver
Note: no hole

Moving on to the K-Frames, this series offers two 6-shot revolvers, the S&W Model 10 Classic chambered in 38 Special +P and the S&W Model 19 Classic chambered in .357 Magnum. The new Model 10 includes a 4-inch barrel with a fixed blade front sight, an integral slot-in-frame rear sight, blued carbon steel frame and cylinder, and high-grade Tyler Gun Works walnut grips. If you prefer a .357 magnum, the new Model 19 Classic is a great one to add to the collection. It features a 4.25-inch barrel with a red ramp insert front sight, adjustable black blade rear sight, blued carbon steel frame and cylinder, and is completed with a time-honored checkered wood grip.

All three of these exciting new Classic Series revolvers exhibit unique characteristics, but they also share similarities. Some features shared across the series include a traditional frame with no internal lock, a single or double action firing capability, and smooth trigger pull for reliable performance. Experience the perfect blend of timeless elegance and cutting-edge technology with Smith & Wesson Classics, and elevate your collection with unmatched quality and heritage.

For more information on the new Smith & Wesson Classic Series revolvers, visit www.smith-wesson.com.

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14 thoughts on “Hallelujah! – Smith & Wesson Now Making Three Classic No-Lock Revolvers”

  1. I would have almost rather heard about an upgrade in Quality Control. Poorly clocked barrels, internals covered with burrs, poor timing, etc. The guts are still MIM. It is problematic to work on MIM parts without having the equipment to surface harden those parts reliably.

    Adequate trigger work can still be done with kits from TK Customs. If there is no specific kit for the model number you are working with, you can assemble one a-la-carte for not much money.

    YMMV, please come again, don’t forget the wait staff.

  2. Wow, I look forward to spending a premium to buy a un-ruined revolver they never should have ruined in the first place!!!
    New Coke comes to mind.
    How about S&W stops producing molested revolvers altogether?

    1. Tried to purchase a new 686, but wouldn’t take possession of it because it what a POS from the factory? Horrible finish rotten trigger. Disappointing to say the least, ended up getting an executive Taurus much nicer finish. Amazing trigger a couple hundred bucks less but much nicer and better built even nicer Taurus does not put a hammer lock on any of their revolver. First Taurus I’ve owned very impressed.

    2. They changed Coke because Pepsi won blind taste tests. Coke wanted to win. When people knew it was Coke, they preferred Coke because Pepsi’s marketing wasn’t as good.

  3. Jeremiah Stanley Sargent

    A good start, but get with me when I can buy a brand new 627 8 shot “Bloodwork” snub without a lock for around $1200, or a no-lock Mountain Gun in a caliber beginning with “4”. I can get nice, old-school no-lock Model 10s, 19s, and 36s in almost any pawn shop in America.

    1. My model 10 was a police trade in. Made sometime in the 60’s. Lot of holster wear but locks up tight and shoots great. And when I bought it it was less than two hundred.

        1. I cannot sing the praises of the K frame enough. Straight out of the box bog standard K frames make for a tremendous range gun. They are more accurate than most shooters, myself included.

          And they can be useful in an emergency.

  4. Medium frame revolvers with barrels between 4.25 and 5 inches in length sure look fantastic. The Model 19 Classic featured in this article is no exception.

  5. My dealer was finally able to get several of the Lipseys Smiths model 632 stainless .32 H&R Mag.
    Mine lasted 66 rds before locking up, trigger wouldn’t return, cylinder locked up & that was after 5 lite Trimmer strikes. Returned it to Smith. They replaced the cylinder & crane. So far it’s ran 150 rds w/o issue.
    Same dealer order a Smith 686 for a customer, right out of the box when dry firing, trigger would slowly return forward, that was sent back. Them sent him a new gun.
    Smith has quality issues they need to address!

  6. You can buy pre lock models for a lot less and they have the pre computer craftsmanship. I have 40+ year old S&W revolvers that will still out shoot anything made today. I prefer 6″ or longer barrels.

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