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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 09-30-2017, 01:27 AM
SeamasterSig SeamasterSig is offline
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Default Finally joined the J-frame club

I brought my first J-frame home today: a model 60-7 in excellent condition for $495 + tax and transfer fee. The serial number begins BSE, which I'm guessing dates back to 1994. The action is smooth, the cylinder locks up tight, there is virtually no endshake, the timing is dead on, and judging by the very faint turn line and overall condition of the gun, it spent most of the last quarter century in someone's drawer or safe. I have a 629-3 also from the early-mid 90s and it, too, boasts an outstanding fit and finish. This will get carried a lot more, though

I would like some magnas, but the rubber grips pictured are surprisingly comfortable. I'm a big fan of 3-finger grips. Are they the old Uncle Mikes I have read about and did the gun likely ship from the factory with them?
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Old 09-30-2017, 01:33 AM
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Welcome to the club!

I have no idea what your gun shipped with, but if those grips work for you I would stick with them. Magnas on a round butt J-frame are very small, I know I wouldn't shoot well with them.
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Old 09-30-2017, 06:59 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SeamasterSig View Post
I brought my first J-frame home today: a model 60-7 in excellent condition for $495 + tax and transfer fee. The serial number begins BSE, which I'm guessing dates back to 1994. The action is smooth, the cylinder locks up tight, there is virtually no endshake, the timing is dead on, and judging by the very faint turn line and overall condition of the gun, it spent most of the last quarter century in someone's drawer or safe. I have a 629-3 also from the early-mid 90s and it, too, boasts an outstanding fit and finish. This will get carried a lot more, though

I would like some magnas, but the rubber grips pictured are surprisingly comfortable. I'm a big fan of 3-finger grips. Are they the old Uncle Mikes I have read about and did the gun likely ship from the factory with them?
Not only did you "join the club" but if you are not already cognizant you just bought the best dash version S&W ever made - the 60-7 !

The 60-7 was the first M60 to be specifically heat treated fro +P ammo, it has a wider front sight (1/8" as opposed to the former 1/10"), a wider smooth Trigger (not a thin grooved one) and a better Yoke retention system. What it does not have is an Internal Lock, cast MIM parts, barrel insert, internal hammer, and all the cheapening of production methods the new one's do.

Basically weather you bought the 60-7 on purpose or strictly by coincidence, you got the best M60 they ever made IMHO!! Congrats and enjoy it!
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Old 09-30-2017, 07:21 AM
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Congratulations on a nice purchase.
J-Frames are great for certain purposes, and I feel CC is one of them.
As for the stocks, I think you are on target with them being Uncle Mikes. They look very much like the Mikes I have on my 649 EDC. The ones on the 49 are Pachs. I like the feel of either better than the smaller wood often found on a J-Frame.

DSCF3829.jpg

Edit: Well, looking again, they are not the same. Yours have more of a banana shape.
I'm sure someone will chime in with an exact match.....

Last edited by JH1951; 09-30-2017 at 07:24 AM.
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Old 09-30-2017, 09:38 AM
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It looks good. Your 60 and my 36 are cousins.
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Old 09-30-2017, 09:49 AM
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Congratulations on your purchase. A J frame is a fine choice for edc. The grips on your gun are the extended boot grip from Uncle Mikes. The grips on JH1951's 649 are the standard boot grip from Uncle Mikes. These grip designs come from custom grip maker Craig Spegel. The Uncle Mikes rubber versions were made under license from Spegel.
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Old 09-30-2017, 10:08 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by silversnake View Post
.....but if those grips work for you I would stick with them. Magnas on a round butt J-frame are very small, I know I wouldn't shoot well with them.
I concur. I generally EDC a Airweight, and I hated those cheap little plastic scales, so I stumbled across a deal on some laminated Pachmayrs (now discontinued?), that fill up the hand nicely, without adding too much bulk or length for pocket carry. And, to my surprise, I saw a discernable improvement in how well I shot it.

Last edited by Mark IV; 09-30-2017 at 10:10 AM.
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Old 09-30-2017, 10:09 AM
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Congrats on a great looking M60! Those UM grips are hard to come by - I only have one pair and they're not in nearly as good shape as yours I didn't know they were a Spegel design. Sure enough, he knows his grips!
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Old 09-30-2017, 10:41 AM
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Way to go, SeamasterSig. Congrats, and welcome into the fold.

You made a great first J-frame choice, but now you've done it! J's are like Lay's®: "Betcha can't [have] just one!"

I'm partial to blue so, like haywood, my -7 is a 36, and it's from around the same era as yours. I gussied it up with Altamonts for its close-up.

Enjoy,

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Old 09-30-2017, 10:50 AM
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If you like the 3 finger grip yo might like to try the Altamont grips, see the top right J Frame.

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Old 09-30-2017, 11:13 AM
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Nice purchase. Mine is from 1993 which I sold to a friend and bought it back a few years later.
[IMG][/IMG]
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Old 09-30-2017, 12:27 PM
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Another great grip method is to use the original Factory wood grips along with a Tyler T Grip. It gives you a very nice grip hold and will not stick to clothing, when drawn. Allows pocket carry with no "grabbing". The "Goodyear's" (rubberized grips) are good at soaking up recoil and giving you a great griping surface, but they are not good at all if you intend on pocket carrying. They also grab sports Jackets, shirts, etc.

Last edited by chief38; 09-30-2017 at 01:10 PM.
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Old 09-30-2017, 12:37 PM
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^^^^^^^ THIS!
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Old 09-30-2017, 12:49 PM
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Nice gun and welcome to the club!

p.s. It will not be your last...
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Old 09-30-2017, 02:31 PM
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I just rejoined the club after a lapse of several years!
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Old 09-30-2017, 02:42 PM
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Default Model 60

Congrats on your 60. You will be very happy.

I got rid of those grips and installed factory j-frame "Boot Grips" because for carry those really do the job.

While they are much smaller, they are extremely manageable.

Enjoy!
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Old 09-30-2017, 04:40 PM
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I've been carrying a J frame of one stripe or another since I started in law enforcement in 1968. You cannot beat them for simple straight forward self defense, especially for us senior citizens.
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Old 09-30-2017, 06:50 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chief38 View Post
Basically weather you bought the 60-7 on purpose or strictly by coincidence, you got the best M60 they ever made
Thanks! I was aware of the desirability of the -7, but this acquisition was really just beginner's luck. I was outbid on a couple other earlier J-frames before pulling the trigger on this one. The seller hadn’t put much effort into the listing and it was kinda near the back of the line on GB, so it wasn’t getting much attention.

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Another great grip method is to use the original Factory wood grips along with a Tyler T Grip.
That’s kinda what I had in mind, or some wood banana-style grips, which thanks to Kansasgunner I now know were originally designed by Spegel. Am I correct in presuming this 60-7 probably shipped with magnas?

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You made a great first J-frame choice, but now you've done it! J's are like Lay's®: "Betcha can't [have] just one!"
I'm already planning a second J-frame purchase for my wife selling a semi-auto to fund each purchase. Nothing wrong with the pistols, I just got tired of chasing brass at the range and feel that the J-frames will serve us better for concealed carry.
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Old 09-30-2017, 07:16 PM
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You may notice that a lot of experienced shooters who have "been there and done that" have a J Frame among the guns they carry. The more you carry one and shoot it, the more you will understand why that is. You just got a great revolver. Make friends with it. Get some holsters for it.
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Old 09-30-2017, 07:29 PM
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What they all said and also don't ever let it get away from you!!!
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Old 09-30-2017, 11:43 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SeamasterSig View Post
I'm already planning a second J-frame purchase for my wife selling a semi-auto to fund each purchase.
Great on both counts!

Do you know yet which one your wife wants?
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Old 10-01-2017, 01:49 AM
SeamasterSig SeamasterSig is offline
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Talking

Quote:
Originally Posted by white cloud View Post
Make friends with it. Get some holsters for it.
I'm working on it. I'll probably get one of those inexpensive, widely available holsters like the Nemesis to tide me over until I get a nice leather or horsehide OWB and pocket holster. I just have to decide which ones and settle in for the wait.

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Great on both counts!

Do you know yet which one your wife wants?
Why, a Ladysmith, of course! Preferably another 60-7
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Old 10-01-2017, 10:12 AM
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Why, a Ladysmith, of course! Preferably another 60-7
Well, of course! Silly me.

There are the occasional low rumblings -- often refuted -- that the Lady Smiths might have had a wee bit of action work done at the plant. I can neither confirm nor deny the noises, but I must say my three (642-1, 36-2 2" and 36-3 3") are buttery smooth.

I might suggest you consider a 3" LS for your lady. They came with stocks "anatomically designed for women," according to the SCSW. The stocks aren't quite right for my big mitt, but the gals I know who've tried 'em say they are perfect.

Best wishes for a successful hunt.
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Old 10-01-2017, 03:00 PM
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Originally Posted by two-bit cowboy View Post
Well, of course! Silly me.
[...]
Best wishes for a successful hunt.
Thanks! I would like her to get some time in shooting this J-frame and let her decide. She's never shot a compact revolver, but handles my K-frame well enough - much better than the Sig P238 that she loves because it is tiny, even though she can't shoot it worth a damn. But range time for the two of us will be difficult to organize due to the very recent birth of a baby boy. It will have to wait for his grandparents to arrive and for mama to fully recover from an emergency C-section.
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Old 10-01-2017, 03:37 PM
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All the best in her recovery and your new baby!

The transition from K frame to an all steel J frame should be an easy one and I think you're on the right track letting her try and decide.
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Old 10-01-2017, 08:53 PM
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Congratulations!
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Old 10-01-2017, 09:17 PM
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Congratulations to your wife and you. Yeah, it'll be a long while before that little fella goes to the range.

All the best to the three of you.

Bob
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Old 10-01-2017, 10:26 PM
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You have chosen wisely, Grasshopper. Now begins a long descent into J-frame addiction. Soon you will hear the siren call of the fully enclosed hammer and the song of the haunting humpback.

Be strong.

(I really like the Pachmayr Compacs, and the DeSantis Nemesis works very well indeed, for little money.)
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Old 10-02-2017, 12:34 AM
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Soon you will hear the siren call of the fully enclosed hammer and the song of the haunting humpback.
My cousin-in-law had a humpback a few years back that he had purchased from a retired LEO. It was the first J-frame I ever shot. I wanted to buy it off him some time after that trip to the range, but he had already given it to his father. Knowing his father, I doubt he'd be willing to part with it, but I suppose it's worth a try if I catch him in the right mood...
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Old 10-02-2017, 11:54 PM
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I removed the side plate tonight and found the internals to be clean and fairly dry. There was only a bit of spot rust under the grips, which were indeed stamped "Uncle Mikes".
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Old 10-03-2017, 01:14 AM
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You have to be careful with rubber grips. They have a tendency to trap moisture under them and can rust the grip frame. It's a good idea to take them off every now and then to check for rust, even on stainless steel guns.
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Old 10-03-2017, 10:07 AM
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Back in January 2016 I ordered grips like those from S&W.
J Synthetic Full Size Grip SKU: 413040000 $27.75 plus tax and shipping.

I've be working with the Ergo grips I installed and haven't tried the grips.
Geoff
Who is getting more range time as the temperature cools.
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Old 10-05-2017, 01:12 AM
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I just picked up a set of used grips on Ebay inexpensively, which should be more pocketable than the Uncle Mikes. They look like original S&W service grips to me, but don't have the diamond currently found on such grips available on the S&W website. Does anyone have an idea how old these grips might be (the number stamped on the inside is 22486)?

Also, I noticed after the purchase that the groove around the checkered area on the right panel was cut somewhat lazily. Is that common? Should I just chalk that up to "personality" and forget about it?

In addition, I ordered an enhanced pancake holster and a pocket holster in horsehide from Lobo Gun Leather and also plan to order a Tyler T grip adapter shortly.
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Old 10-05-2017, 10:09 AM
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Default MY WIFES PICK

My wife and I went to a LGS to purchase our carry weapons together. This is what she chose. She said "it looks pretty!!!!
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Old 10-05-2017, 10:24 AM
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My wife and I went to a LGS to purchase our carry weapons together. This is what she chose. She said "it looks pretty!!!!
It's good to see that your wife has her carry license and is going to carry a firearm. It's also a good looking firearm.
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Old 10-05-2017, 03:48 PM
getoff getoff is offline
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problem now is its a dangerous habit, the J's... I've had a hard time not carrying my lettered Ashland 60-1 lately. its a J that even hard-core fans can't resist. it is a gun after all, and oh boy, talk about a shooter! good pick to the OP, I too am jealous of any new J purchase.
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Old 10-05-2017, 05:24 PM
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Hey getoff, how about a few pics!!!!
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Old 10-05-2017, 05:29 PM
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you will enjoy your lobo leather
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Old 10-06-2017, 02:16 AM
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Hello Seamaster, Very practical little gun, and yours appears to be a very clean example. Been known to carry a J-frame in .38 or 9MM myself. Like those Uncle Mike's grips too.
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Old 10-06-2017, 06:29 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SeamasterSig View Post
Also, I noticed after the purchase that the groove around the checkered area on the right panel was cut somewhat lazily. Is that common? Should I just chalk that up to "personality" and forget about it?
It's very common. I have three sets of J-frame grips that are cut the same way.
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Old 10-06-2017, 08:44 AM
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Default Model 60 stocks

Here is my Model 60 no dash with Altamont stocks. It is my EDC.
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Old 10-06-2017, 09:12 AM
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Congratulations. I'm in the J-Frame club. S&W's Top M&P BG with Crimpson Trace Laser....L-R 638-3, 442-2 .38+P's
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Old 10-06-2017, 09:27 AM
Dirtman Dirtman is offline
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My wife and I both have J frames. Mine is a 442 and hers a 642. Both have Crimson Trace Grips. Easy to carry with no snagging by the hammer. The laser grips make them plenty accurate for personal protection.
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Old 10-06-2017, 01:20 PM
JGR_LV JGR_LV is offline
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Default Welcome to the club!

I'll admit, though I've owned a Model 60 for 40 years, it took me a long time to really appreciate it. I was an N-frame snob for a long time. It's really hard not to love that solid feel and smooth, silky action of the big Smiths. They're just not really practical EDC guns, at least not for normal-size folks who don't live in a climate where you need a down parka year-round. I've also got several K-frames I wouldn't part with, but even a 2.5" round-butt K-frame can be a bit hard to hide with a T-shirt & shorts. Enter the Model 60. It can hide out just about anywhere, including your front pants pocket, it packs a solid punch and it's at least as reliable as its bigger cousins. The Airweight variants are so light you can easily forget they're there, too.
My 60 had been my EDC most days since I got a CCW permit, but my daughter, a field archaeologist, was heading out for Indian country (literally) and she wasn't carrying the 9MM I'd given her because of the size and weight, so...off went my faithful 60 with her. Next, I started rooting through the safe for a replacement. After a week or so of the 1911 and the 439 digging me in the short ribs, I was back to the 2.5" Mod. 19, and I was developing a bad case of the Joneses for a J-frame.
After sorting through the LGSs and the online sites for a couple of weeks, I found a Model 36 almost as old as I am for $300 and am once again a happy camper. It's been accumulating holster (pocket) wear since Ike was in the White House, but doesn't appear to have been shot much at all, typical for a J-frame. It's got the skinny sights, old flat latch, and the worn grips have the serial number stamped on the inside of one panel. I've taken those off and put modern grips on, which brings us to that question.
I've tried several options over the years. The OEM S&W grips only virtue, to me, is their small size. I don't find them comfortable to shoot at all. I've tried the newer "banana" S&W grips and didn't find them a huge improvement, not enough to make their bigger profile worthwhile. For some time I used the Pachmayr Compac grips because they were comfortable and made accurate shooting much easier, but they're very bulky. I finally settled on the Hogue Bantam grips. These are extremely small, but surprisingly comfortable. With my mid-to-large mitts there's not enough room to really get my pinkie firmly on them, but they still work well for me. The front of the grip profile is a close match for the old Skip Tyler grip adaptor somebody mentioned and works the same way, giving your fingers enough purchase to keep muzzle flip to a minimum. They leave the backstrap bare, but there's enough rubber on either side to take the sting out of the recoil. I'd recommend you spend $22 on a set and try them. They have a more compact profile than either the Uncle Mike's or the Pachmayr Diamond Pros and you may find they're a good fit.
There's one other change I'd recommend. Wilson Combat, Wolff, Brownell's and Power Custom also market reduced power spring kits for the J-frame. Apex Tactical markets a complete duty/carry kit for the newer internal lock/frame-mounted firing pin guns like yours that also has a new firing pin kit. I've used Wolff before, but I got the Wilson Combat kit for this one. The progressive mainspring and the 13-pound rebound spring lightened and smoothed the double-action pull considerably.
Anyhow, welcome. Take your 60 to the range often, as the J-frame is probably the least user-friendly revolver S&W makes. As the targets some of the crew have posted attest, they're deadly accurate little guns, but they're also what I'd consider an expert's weapon, and getting the most out of them takes dedicated practice that many owners never bother to invest.
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Old 10-07-2017, 11:46 PM
SeamasterSig SeamasterSig is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JGR_LV View Post
It's really hard not to love that solid feel and smooth, silky action of the big Smiths. They're just not really practical EDC guns, at least not for normal-size folks who don't live in a climate where you need a down parka year-round. I've also got several K-frames I wouldn't part with, but even a 2.5" round-butt K-frame can be a bit hard to hide with a T-shirt & shorts.
The smoothness of the action on my 629-3 5" Classic impresses me every time I pick it up, but I can't imagine a scenario in which I could ever carry it concealed. Too bad, really, because I consider it the best gun I own. On the other hand, I do manage to carry a 4" 66-2 concealed on occasion. But I bought it primarily with hiking in mind and generally don't bother carrying it around town. As you say: "enter the model 60" I expect that my new J-frame will see a lot of holster time.
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Old 10-08-2017, 11:32 AM
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Congratulations on joining the J Frame Club!
I carry a 442 every day but special occasions and Church when I carry my 625JM.
A J Frame can't be beat for edc.
They carry well, and actually shoot great for a small, short-barrelled gun.
Enjoy, and stay safe!
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Old 10-08-2017, 04:08 PM
SeamasterSig SeamasterSig is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by D Brown View Post
It's very common. I have three sets of J-frame grips that are cut the same way.
Strange – it seems rather sloppy for a company that built its reputation on fine craftsmanship.
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Old 11-07-2017, 12:49 PM
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Although hopelessly addicted to heavy metal guns (686, 629, 460 XVR), I also just joined the J-frame club with my first snubby, a very nice Model 60-7. I cannot abide rubber grips, so I replaced them with a lacewood set from Badger:



Looking forward to a LOT of practicing at the range!

~A~
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Old 01-17-2019, 06:49 PM
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I found a637-2 performance center with crimson trace red laser in a pawn shop for $450. Couldn’t get my money quick enough!
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Old 01-17-2019, 10:50 PM
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Congrats on your new son! I trust you and your wife are doing well.

Next... J Frames are addictive. I have 2, 642-1 no lock, 640 no dash and want another... a 3" 36 SB.
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