CDR, while I agree with you on the lock I have to point out that the reason the guys pistol locked up was because the recoil caused the bullet to work out of the casing far enough to jam up the works.
Hi Tom,
I wasn't referring to any particular case or individual when I expressed my feelings toward the S&W lock. I was just speaking in general terms as I have read a number of cases over the last several years where the locked suddenly deployed under recoil. In some instances, it was a complete lock failure and in other instances it occurred when a gun owner may not have turned the lock all the way into the open position which eventually worked its way into the locked position after recoil. In either example, it is completely unacceptable in my opinion. What iced it for me was when Michael Bane experienced the exact same failure during one of his filming sessions.
The case you may be referring to regarding the charging bear may be the Alaskan resident who was on Tom Gresham's GunTalk show earlier this year. An incredible story where the bear charged this man and fell dead just as he reached him. Fortunately, he was able to fire off 4 shots of 454 Casull loads before his revolver jammed. The gun's cylinder jammed as a result of the bullet jumping the crimp from the fierce recoil. The guy had used handloads which is something he will never do again....not in bear country.