Smith Wesson Brings Back Classic 'No Lock' Revolvers

After a long, dark period, S&W has listened to collectors and fans of wheel guns to bring back a line of revolvers that look more 20th century than 21st.

Smith began marketing the abomination known as the internal lock revolver during the Clinton era, defiling their fine handguns for generations. Now, for 2025, the company is bringing back a line of "No Lock Classic" revolvers that not only have the old style "no hole" frame but also traditional features such as a blued carbon steel frame and cylinder, a concave, checkered thumb latch cylinder release button, half-moon front and “gutter” rear sights, and checkered medallion walnut grips.

The new guns will be offered in a J-frame (Model 36) five-shot snub-nosed .38 Special +P, and a pair of K-frame six-shooters: a 4-inch Model 10 in 38 +P and a 4.25-inch Model 19 in .357 Magnum.

The biggest difference between these models and their more current brethren is that they lack the unsightly internal lock hole that has been a staple of the company's revolver line since the 1990s. This has made older "no hole" guns more desirable with collectors. (Photos: S&W)

The gun that is the coolest of the trio – in our opinion – is the Model 36 variant, which looks a lot like early Chief's Specials from the 1950s, including the half-moon front sight and rear gutter sight. In 2023, Guns.com came across the "first" Chief's Special, the gun presented to Police Chief Edward Boykin in 1950, and it has similar features. Not to chest thump too much here, but we publicly suggested at the time that Smith make a run of "Boyko Specials" with those features, which maybe they listened to or didn't. Either way, it's here now, baby.

The new S&W Model 36 Classic no hole — The new S&W Model 36 Classic, a J-Frame chambered in 38 Special +P that has a five-shot capacity, 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.

The new S&W Model 10 Classic no hole — The new Model 10 includes a 4-inch barrel with a fixed blade front sight, an integral gutter rear sight, blued carbon steel frame and cylinder, and high-grade Tyler Gun Works walnut grips. It has a very 1940s Commando .38 vibe.

The new Model 19 Classic no hole — The new Model 19 Classic is a great one 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.

The MSRP on the Model 36 is $849, while the Model 10 is $979 and the Model 19 is $1,099, all of which are honestly reasonable.

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