Magazine Safety

[swingcatt]

Hey Harley! I have a bad feeling that I might be a serious abuser of your services in the future! :)

My question is on the Magazine safeties that the new S&W autos are advertizing. I have heard it described as something new, but haven't magazine safeties been around for quite a while? (Magazine safety being the bell/whistle that prevents an auto from firing when the magazine is removed) Can you tell me what the first gun to have this feature was? Thanks man and keep up the good work! -SCatt

[Harley Nolden]

Swingcat:
In researching this project I have found that the Model 41, .22 Cal. Match Pistol had a magazine disconnect. This pistol was introduced in 1957.

When S&W says "new," they may mean Magazine Safety rather than Magazine Disconnect. I notice that the Model 422 and 622 have a magazine safety in the parts list. These particular pistols were mfg'd in 1987 and 1990 respectivley.

HJN

[Harley Nolden]

SWINGCAT:
I did not find a magazine disconnect or magazine safety on any other S&W S-A's prior to 1957 therefore I surmise that the model 41 Match SA pistol was the first.

HJN

[James K]

Swingcatt and Harley,

I don't know for sure, but the earliest auto pistol to have a mag safety may have been the .32 Colt 1903 Hammerless (Model M) which had the mag safety added about 1910.

As for S&W, the Model 39, the first of the new generation of S&W autos, had a mag safety, and that came out in 1952 (or 53?).
The old .35 (1913) and .32 did not have one.

Jim