Safety locks, sometimes referred to as integrated locking systems, internal lock mechanisms or trigger locks, are a fairly recent development in handgun design and are not yet ubiquitous as of 2010. Handgun safety locks are different from other manual safety mechanisms in that they require a key to operate. Gun manufacturers include safety locks in various locations on the pistol. The only major U.S. gun manufacturer that features safety locks as of 2010 is Smith and Wesson.
Instructions
Smith and Wesson Modern-Style Revolver
1. Hold the pistol by the grip, in your right hand with the barrel pointed safely away from yourself and others. Keep your finger outside of the trigger guard.
2. Slide the movable button near your right thumb forward. This button is called the thumb piece.
3. Push the cylinder from the right side so that it flips out on the left side of the pistol.
4. Make sure that the cylinder is empty. Unload it if necessary.
5. Locate the safety lock on the right side of the gun, just above the thumb piece.
6. Insert the key and turn it clockwise.
7. Remove the key; the safety lock is now released.
Springfield Armory 1911-A1 Semiautomatic Pistol
8. Hold the pistol from underneath so that it is upright and facing away from you. You must be able to see the back of the grip. Make sure that the barrel is not facing anyone.
9. Identify the safety lock in the middle of the back of the grip at the top of the textured area. The lock looks like a small circular button with two smaller circles inside it. If locked, the little circles are side by side horizontally.
10. Insert the key and turn it counterclockwise. The key will turn 90 degrees until the little circles are one on top of the other vertically.
11. Remove the key; the safety lock is now released.
Tags: safety lock, away from, back grip, Hold pistol, Insert turn, little circles, lock released