NOTE: The trigger lock was discontinued in 2011 with BB series pistols and possibly some BA models. The two internal components were deleted from installation. The holes are still in the frame for these parts but the polymer cover no longer has an access hole for the key. This feature was origianlly required for importation into the U.S.
There seems to be some concern and confusion over the function of the internal trigger lock on the P22. It had been assumed that if this device was engaged and the trigger then pulled that the pistol would "lock up" in a manner where the lock could not be disengaged nor could the slide be removed in order to disassemble the pistol to remedy the situation. Actually, function of the pistol and several key components are locked when the internal lock is engaged but this is the exact intention of the device.
The P22 will not lock up if the internal safety is engaged and the trigger is pulled or an attempt is made to cycle the slide. It might be that one P22 owner did not understand the function of this device and assumed it locked the pistol in an unwanted manner or possibly had a damaged or worn pistol. Aside from the original post regarding this I have never read any other posts where this situation was addressed nor have I been able to duplicate any unwanted locking or jamming of the slide, trigger or safety.
Most of the following pictures are self explanatory. It should be noted that the steel key is designed so that it can not apply too much torque to the lock. The "V" slot will slip over the tapered top of the steel lock before any internal damage is done. On the other hand it does take firm pressure to make this type of nose engage the safety. So press firmly. It should also be noted that if the safety is in the fire position and the hammer is cocked that it will not be possible to rotate the safety using the key. This is because the trigger shoulder will be in the way. The solution, simply lower the hammer, the safety is then free to be easily rotated to the safe position.
When the internal safety is engaged a number of parts on the pistol will no longer function. This is because the function of the trigger, trigger bar, hammer strut, hammer and slide are all connected. If the trigger can't move.....then neither can the the slide because in order to do so it has to cock the hammer and the hammer is tied to the trigger through the hammer spur and trigger bar.
From the picture above it should be pretty clear that attempting to pull the trigger simply presses the shoulder of the trigger assembly against the internal safety. It might be possible to pull the trigger with such force as to jam it since the trigger is made of polymer but this would take much more force than would be reasonable to apply.
One final note. My pistols, with the internal safety engaged, will not allow the trigger or my thumb to partially cock the hammer. If you had a pistol that for some reason had wear or damage to the trigger shoulder you "might" be able to cause the hammer to engage the safety notch. (This is the only scenario I can come up with that might cause the lock to get stuck. Properly functioning components do not allow this to happen.) A partially cocked hammer would put pressure on the whole chain of fire control parts. This situation would press the trigger shoulder against the internal safety. Again, this would not be normal but from looking at the picture above you can see that pressing forward on the rear of the trigger and holding the pressure would pivot the trigger shoulder up and off the safety. This would then relieve any pressure and free the safety to be rotated to the fire position. :bthumb: M1911
08-11-2012, 10:05 AM
P22 Trigger Lock Function-Pre BB models
