S&W .50 Magnum key safety system?

Factual Questions
1

The new S&W 500 ( .50 Mag revolver) apparently has a “key safety system.”

Any idea what, exactly, that is?

I’m toying with getting one (in case my home is ever burglarized by a Cape buffalo or a finback whale, I want to be ready).

2

The only handguns that I’ve seen with key safety systems were made by the Brazilian firm Taurus, and incorporate a special key to lock the hammer down.

I didn’t realize that Wooly Mastodons lurked about your part of the state, Bricker. :wink:

3

You ARE planning to invest in some carbon-fiber composite wristguards, aren’t you? Otherwise, you’ll fracture your radius first time on the range. Puts me in mind of that old western ditty…

" Snapped, snapped on the range-
Where the beer and amphetamines reign.
My wrist took a turn, when the gunpowder churned
But the target was blown clean away… "

:smiley:

Cartooniverse

4

I’ve dropped a line to a friend of mine who owns one; if no one is able to provide an answer by the time he gets back to me, I’ll relay what he says back to the thread.

5

One of the European makers (Walther?) introduced a key safety a couple of years ago. There was a little cam in the slide that totally locked up the action. LE letterhead purchasers got a pistol that operated on a handcuff key and civilians got a key that looked like, for lack of a better description, a smaller version of the tool used on the M-14 to lock the metal insert into the wood stock.

A quick search on the S&W website shows no information gave no results for “key safety system”. The Taurus system has a small keyhole in the back of the hammer, just below the thumb spur. Locking it prevents the hammer from moving.

6
      • I have a S&W that has this system, I am pretty sure all newer revolvers from them do now. I remember there were ugly comments about it on gun boards, theorizing that it might accidentally engage at critical moments, but I have not seen any reliable accounts that this has been a problem. And I suppose maybe there are military/police only models without it, but I don’t know.
        http://www.norcom2000.com/users/dcimper/assorted/inanities/sw_lock/sw_locking_action.html
  • Also I have heard that the 500 isn’t real bad, not much worse than a good-sized 44. The long-barrel regluar one is a pretty heavy gun, which helps a lot. The shorty 4-incher model is the one that is gonna hurt.
    ~
7

I’ve seen the cam-lock-the-slide system… but I couldn’t figure out how the revolver side of things might be done…

8

I’m not familiar with the specifics of the S&W system but anything on a double action revolver that prevents the hammer from moving by definition keeps the trigger from moving and the cylinder from rotating. Since all S&W revolvers made sine the very early part of the centruy have a rebounding hammer/hammerblock passive safety it should be impossible to make one fire unless the hammer is released with the trigger being held all the way back at the same time.

9

Maybe you should consider a GNOM or an UDAR. (Or maybe a nice little Zeliska) :eek: :smiley:

10

http://www.smith-wessonforum.com More information about the locking system and the 500 than you can shake a stick at including detailed pics. Just search for it or ask.

11

I hefted one (the long one) at Trader Sports in San Leandro. Heavy, for sure, but I can see the appeal. I felt this odd tingling on my chest while sighting down the barrel. :wink:
Anyway, I’m going to rent one at a nearby range and see for myself what it’s like. Costs $30 for 5 rounds. Not bad.
I have no desire to own one, though. Not that I’ll admit too, anyway.
Peace,
mangeorge

12

A word of advice, wear the highest dB rated earplugs and earmuffs. :wink:

13

I’ve got that covered. Got (and wear) both for my shotgun. :cool: