Recently I acquired a new Model 60 Pro with a 3" barrel for wilderness hiking. It came with handsome wood factory grips, but after a hike and shooting session, the .357 Magnum rounds were a little tiresome. So I went onto the S&W website and bought some J-frame rubber grips for $27, the kind that come standard on Model 60 and Model 63.

Immediately after changing the grips I noticed that the hammer wouldn't stay cocked while shooting single action (double action presented no problems). I changed back to the wood grips and the problem went away. Put the rubber grips back on...problem recurs.

Looking at the hammer, it looks like the back of the hammer is bumping against the top of the rubber grips that cover the top of the backstrap, and that prevents the hammer from engaging in single action unless I use extreme pressure. At least that is what appears to be causing the issue.

Has anyone else had this problem, and can you recommend a solution? One reason I bought the rubber grips directly from S&W is that I expected them to function flawlessly.

I'm wondering if you got grips intended for the internal hammer centenial frame like a 442. I tried my Hogue Tamer Grips that I bought for my 442 on my 36 (exposed hammer) and they were too close to the hammer and did not work. Could you trim them to make them work? I couldn't with my Hogue Grips. Contact S & W.

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Two Handguns every day

And while you are contacting S&W, see if they will sell you a set of the rubber grips they install on the regular model 60-15 with the 3" barrel. It is a comfortable grip and should mount on the 60 Pro with no problem. I looked and S&W doesn't offer it in their store, so you would probably have to talk to them to get it from them.

I've had similar problems with rubber grips. I just "kissed" them with a bench grinder off the gun to remove the offending spot. Worked great and hardly noticeable..

I have had this condition on a new model 63 with factory rubber grips and a new 317-3 with factory grips. For sure on my guns the rubber prevented the hammer from reaching full stroke to cock it. The simple inexpensive fix is doing what Saemetric suggested. I put a pair of open back strap boot grips on my 317 and it works perfectly in single action hammer operation now. The condition in my opinion is a potential safety problem with the hammer not latching into the cocked position and maybe causing an accidental discharge. I hope Smith & Wesson is aware of this condition and addresses it.

Rat Tail File - There can't be MUCH interference.

And I'd write S&W a letter telling them of their problem. They won't know unless somebody tells them.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

I looked carefully at the rubber grip / hammer contact which interferes with single action cocking. It was a quick and easy fix with my Case Trapper surgical steel blade to trim away a tiny bit of rubber to make hammer clearance for easy and positive single action cocking.

I think you (and everyone here) are on the right track. When cocking to single action, the hammer goes back just a bit more than double. A slight trim of the grips should solve the problem.

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Centennial Every Day

My 60-15 came from the factory with rubber grips. I have no problem cocking for single action, but the hammer spur comes REALLY close to the grip.

On the other hand, it looks to be very easy to shave a bit off with an Exacto or razor knife.

Thanks for the excellent replies.

For clarification, the S&W grip I purchased is SKU 41304000 with 3 finger grooves, not 41303000 with only two. For some reason the 41304000 is not on the S&W website any more. It is identical to what comes on a new Model 63 or Model 60 non-Pro.

Today I called the factory, and the customer service rep told me that he has seen the problem in the past, and he recommended that I use a razor blade or other sharp object to trim the top of the grip (I assume an X-acto knife or grinder would work as well). He said the other option is that I could send it in and they would fix it, but not if I trimmed it first.

Thanks again and I'll let you know how my trim job goes.

Sounds like S&W is willing to help you.

BTW-I also replaced the factory rubber grips on my Model 60 but with a Packmayr Diamond Pro grip. I like them alot. They fit my hand much better.

Attached Images

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No such problems with my model 63. I have not shot my new model 60 yet.

Easy fix.

Sometimes you just have to take care of things on your own.

Trimmed it with a razor blade, works great. Thanks all for the advice.

The proper grip is aka the S&W Boot Grip. It should fit your gun just right and not interfere with functioning.

Just an FYI regarding grips, especially the rubber ones, regarding
cocking the gun for single action:

It's an old "problem" dating back decades and decades.

In producing one size fits all grips, the maker can't
take into account all the slight frame variations nor the
slight variations in the hammer tangs.

Not in this instance, but it may also pay to check if the grip screw bears against the mainspring. I had this happen on a snub 66 with a "2nd Generation" Compac RB-K grip. Seems the grip screw was no longer relieved in it's midsection as was done in the past to clear the mainspring. My gunsmith relieved the screw in the midsection to ensure clearance and proper functioning..

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103