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I had purchased a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver some time ago. It was a pretty rare revolver because it did not have the 1& 7/8" barrel but had a 3" barrel. Also, it did not have one of the lightweight frames but was all stainless Steel. It was also a 357 magnum which is not the most popular in the J-frame.
I had not wanted a J-frame in 357 because you lose most of the power of a 357 with the very short barrel. Also a lightweight frame is great to carry, but not nice at all to fire in a 357 magnum.
The reason I bought it was the price. A new one like that cost close to $800 and it was priced at close to half that. I thought it would be a good investment, or a better place to put money than cash that may be worth close to nothing in the future.
I had S&W revolvers in the past, but had not had one for some time; so I never had one with the newer internal "safety" lock on it. This might be a good thing for parents with small children, but I did not like it or want it. A revolver is still popular because it is so reliable; but it is so reliable because it is so simple. There is nothing you can do wrong, just pull the trigger and it fires.
The semi auto has many things that a person can do wrong. They can forget to pull the slide back to charge the camber with a round when they insert the magazine. They can forget to disengage the safety under the stress of being attacked and the gun will not fire. They can pull the slide back under stress and not pull it back all the way or follow it forward with their hand and it malfunctions. They can even load the magazine incorrectly and it will not fire.
But a revolver is so simple, You open the cylinder and the shells will only go in correctly; then it is obvious the cylinder is open and you need to close it. There is nothing more to do. Nothing to forget as long as you load it, it is ready to go.
Well I got it out the other day and took it apart to see if I could take the internal safety lock out. I seen that I could take it out, but I did not do so. But this made me research the lock and found out that some people have had the lock engage itself and lock the gun up when they fired it. The heavy recoil of magnum calibers can cause the part that locks the revolver to move into the lock position.
Turns out this lock may be a safety device to save criminals. It was then it dawned on me that I did not have the lock KEY to engage or DISENGAGE the lock. I also did not get a manual for it.
So I went on the internet to purchase both, but I could not find one. One place carried the key, but was out of stock. So I dreaded calling S&W to get one. Some companies today will not sell any parts, you have to send the gun in to be repaired; no matter how small and easy to replace.
But I got on their web site and seen a CHAT function. So I entered all the info needed to talk with their chat person including the serial number and model number of the gun.
Hi this is Brett - how can I help you
I explain my situation......
Brett: What is your full name and address and I will send you a manual and key.
I was waiting for the other shoe to drop - how about my credit card number, but said nothing
I entered the info he requested
Brett: OK I will send both of those items out today for you
I was stunned - what you are sending me these for free
Now I will admit that a paper manual and a little key are not very expensive. but the shipping and handling are a cost
I replied, thanks very much, I guess it pays to deal with companies like S&W
Brett; Thanks have a nice day
In this world which is so full of hostility, cruelty, dishonesty, and greed; it is like a cool drink of water in the dessert to be treated like this.
I just now became aware of even better news.
I can not repay S&W or Brett except to say thank you, but our Lord will repay them. He repays those who we can not repay.
Now that is really good news.
Philippians 4
14Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
It is difficult sometimes to receive help from others. When others sometime send me contributions, I worry that they may need it and I may not be worthy.
BUT no matter what the circumstances on this earth, it is certainly a blessing to know that they will be rewarded, with interest, for all eternity by The Creator of everything that exists.
The Kingdom of God is certainly a wonderful place.
Lou Newton
I had not wanted a J-frame in 357 because you lose most of the power of a 357 with the very short barrel. Also a lightweight frame is great to carry, but not nice at all to fire in a 357 magnum.
The reason I bought it was the price. A new one like that cost close to $800 and it was priced at close to half that. I thought it would be a good investment, or a better place to put money than cash that may be worth close to nothing in the future.
I had S&W revolvers in the past, but had not had one for some time; so I never had one with the newer internal "safety" lock on it. This might be a good thing for parents with small children, but I did not like it or want it. A revolver is still popular because it is so reliable; but it is so reliable because it is so simple. There is nothing you can do wrong, just pull the trigger and it fires.
The semi auto has many things that a person can do wrong. They can forget to pull the slide back to charge the camber with a round when they insert the magazine. They can forget to disengage the safety under the stress of being attacked and the gun will not fire. They can pull the slide back under stress and not pull it back all the way or follow it forward with their hand and it malfunctions. They can even load the magazine incorrectly and it will not fire.
But a revolver is so simple, You open the cylinder and the shells will only go in correctly; then it is obvious the cylinder is open and you need to close it. There is nothing more to do. Nothing to forget as long as you load it, it is ready to go.
Well I got it out the other day and took it apart to see if I could take the internal safety lock out. I seen that I could take it out, but I did not do so. But this made me research the lock and found out that some people have had the lock engage itself and lock the gun up when they fired it. The heavy recoil of magnum calibers can cause the part that locks the revolver to move into the lock position.
Turns out this lock may be a safety device to save criminals. It was then it dawned on me that I did not have the lock KEY to engage or DISENGAGE the lock. I also did not get a manual for it.
So I went on the internet to purchase both, but I could not find one. One place carried the key, but was out of stock. So I dreaded calling S&W to get one. Some companies today will not sell any parts, you have to send the gun in to be repaired; no matter how small and easy to replace.
But I got on their web site and seen a CHAT function. So I entered all the info needed to talk with their chat person including the serial number and model number of the gun.
Hi this is Brett - how can I help you
I explain my situation......
Brett: What is your full name and address and I will send you a manual and key.
I was waiting for the other shoe to drop - how about my credit card number, but said nothing
I entered the info he requested
Brett: OK I will send both of those items out today for you
I was stunned - what you are sending me these for free
Now I will admit that a paper manual and a little key are not very expensive. but the shipping and handling are a cost
I replied, thanks very much, I guess it pays to deal with companies like S&W
Brett; Thanks have a nice day
In this world which is so full of hostility, cruelty, dishonesty, and greed; it is like a cool drink of water in the dessert to be treated like this.
I just now became aware of even better news.
I can not repay S&W or Brett except to say thank you, but our Lord will repay them. He repays those who we can not repay.
Now that is really good news.
Philippians 4
14Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
It is difficult sometimes to receive help from others. When others sometime send me contributions, I worry that they may need it and I may not be worthy.
BUT no matter what the circumstances on this earth, it is certainly a blessing to know that they will be rewarded, with interest, for all eternity by The Creator of everything that exists.
The Kingdom of God is certainly a wonderful place.
Lou Newton