Contact the company and ask for or download a manaul. Failing that, find a gunsmith and ask for help
Best left to a gunsmith
Up and down range.
Yes. It has to be unloaded and secured, you have to declare it, and the firearm itself has to be legal both at the point of origin and at the destination.
The first step for loading and unloading a firearm is to point the gun in a safe direction.
If you're determined at any point to actually have access to that firearm, yes.
High grade firearm
Recommend you find a good gunsmith or contact S&W and ask for an owner's manual.
ANY mechanical system- including the safety on a firearm- CAN fail. This is the reason for the basic firearm safety rules- including "do not point a firearm at anything you do not mean to shoot." It is rare, but CAN happen.
10-200 USd
10-100 USD or so
Laws vary by state. If unsure about a particular state, your safest bet is to keep the firearm unloaded and secure in the trunk of your vehicle. So long as the firearm is legal both at the point of origin of the trip and the destination, you're protected under the Firearm Owner's Protection Act, for example, if you drive through an AWB state with an AR-15 and high cap mags, so long as the firearm is transported in the legal manner prescribed by that state.
Assume a firearm is loaded until you have personally checked it. After checking it, leave the action open. Keep your finger out of the trigger guard until ready to fire. Do not point a firearm at anything you do not mean to destroy. If you are a youngster, I would add to that do not touch or handle a firearm except when with a responsible adult.