The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Bought a used S&W 686-3, but it doesn't have a safety... can I add one?

orionengnr · November 7, 2010, 10:10 PM

The first training class I took over 25 years ago had, as the lead instructor, the armorer from a large west coast city PD. He included some examples of handgun safety, including an S&W revolver which had been dropped by an officer while in a helicopter from about 500 feet. Fortunately, this was broad daylight in the city and there were units on the ground, so it didn't take long to find it, and it did not fall into evil hands.

After that drop, it did not discharge. That (and a few more of his examples) told me all I needed to know about modern firearms.

Bottom line--S&W revolvers have been perfectly safe for well over 100 years, as long as the operator keeps his finger off the trigger until discharge is desired.

November 7, 2010, 10:10 PM	#12
orionengnr Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2004 Posts: 5,173	The first training class I took over 25 years ago had, as the lead instructor, the armorer from a large west coast city PD. He included some examples of handgun safety, including an S&W revolver which had been dropped by an officer while in a helicopter from about 500 feet. Fortunately, this was broad daylight in the city and there were units on the ground, so it didn't take long to find it, and it did not fall into evil hands. After that drop, it did not discharge. That (and a few more of his examples) told me all I needed to know about modern firearms. Bottom line--S&W revolvers have been perfectly safe for well over 100 years, as long as the operator keeps his finger off the trigger until discharge is desired.