That is probably a good retail price for new now. Just before S&W switched to the lock, they were advertising them for $300 retail! (Wish I had found a couple at that price myself!)

I am always on the lookout for a nice one, and I would pay up to $350 for a NIB older (but late) model without lock. $300-350 seems to be the going rate here for excellent used older guns. I personally will do wothout before I will buy one with the lock...but that's just me. I would prefer a 442 in blue without the lock to a 642 with.

Quoted: A few weeks ago I picked one up used for $250.00 ETA mine has the lock.  Whats so bad about the built in lock?

Just one more thing to break and tie the gun up. There have been a few instances of such breakage, but not all that many as I understand it. I will not buy one because these are last ditch, "Holy Shit" handguns and I want to know beyond the shadow of a doubt mine will work. The hole for the "key" is also one more place for crud to enter the action.

As much as I like S&W's older products, I cannot think of a single one they make today that interests me enough to even try it out. With any luck, they will bring back the non-locking revolvers as a "Classic" design and call them collector's items...but I ain't holding my breath.