Dub, I hear you about that damn lock, iys ugly, unnecessary and well just un-American but dont worry about carrying with the lock present. If it were possible to have it lock up from use Ida done it by now. Maybe when they first came out with the things but not now my friend. If recoil could induce movement of it that 500 would have locked up tight as a bank vault but it hasnt.
Not my 500 either, it's my brothers gun. Hes a big boy and shoots that thing like I shoot 9mm. He will be the first person to crack an X frame I'd wager.
Having said that, I know many people still have that hang up about those locks, I dont any longer. Do I seek lock guns out to buy? No I do not. I dont like them but I'll buy one if it has a gun that I like on it. Do I prefer the originals? Yes I do, most assuredly I do. I just feel that overall the quality was better and I myself am a craftsman who makes things with my hands so I feel more connected to those guns. There is very few hands on those new ones.