I have a Model 60-4 that the previous owner bobbed the hammer to make it DAO. Would any J Frame hammer work to replace the present one?
TIA

It will work, however I've heard that sometime a little "hand" fitting is required but in my limited experience, I've never needed that.

If you are looking to return it to original specs, you are looking for a J frame flash-chromed semi-target (0.375") hammer. Agree it may just drop in.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

It is also quite acceptable to use case hardened triggers and hammers as the M60 has been produced with both types throughout the years. I have had M60's with both types.

When replacing sometimes they just drop in and sometimes they require some minor fitting.

Chief38

Chief.....you have solved a puzzle for me that I had not been able to find an answer for. I almost passed on a minty Model 60 of VERY early origin (as in no "R' in the SN and pinned-barrel)....likely 65 or 66, because it had a case-hardened hammer and trigger. Not knowing for sure if Smith ever built some with this feature, I was about ready to decide the gun was a make-over. I actually wound-up buying the gun, box and papers for a very good price.

Mine has the forged (non stainless) hammer and trigger. Do you think I am "good-to-go". I do know the stocks have been changed and the SN is 4785XX.

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the early model 60's came with Case Colored hammer and trigger...Your gun dates prior to 1969.

The SCSW states serial number range 475001 to 480000 are usually seen with bright finish and case colored hammer and trigger

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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

Thanks guys. I have a houseful of j-frames, but somehow....the Model 60 had escaped my possession until now. I plead total ignorance of the intricacies of the model. I know it has gone through some 18-dashes and possibly not all the engineering changes were noted with dash-number updates. Looks like I have a good "period" little-fired gun in my hands.

The 60-4 had the "semi-target" hammer that is wider than the normal Model 60 hammer. These are difficult to find as not many wide hammers were produced. A normal width hammer will work fine, but the standard Model 60 hammer is not correct for the 60-4.

Hope this helps.

Steve

There is a difference in Case Hardened and Color-Case Hardened.

The earliest 60's had Case Hardened lock-works, but they were olive in color.





This is 477,1xx shipped in November 1966



Number 476,7xx (not shown) was shipped in January 1967, and has this sort of Case Hardening but is "BRITE" Polished.

Drew

Did the OP find a replacement hammer? I also need an original front sight and I think the rear sight notch has been widened. I can't imagine what went through the previous owners mind.

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Yours will will have the standard .260" wide hammer spur.

Just get one to match the finish on your trigger.

Be sure to get one like yours with the pin in the base for the forked hammer spring strut like your gun.

99.9% of the time, they are a drop in fit, but I always use the double action sear (i.e. hammer fly) from the original hammer. It's been fitted to your trigger. Just push out the pin and be careful not to lose the little spring behind it.

You can use the target hammer (it's not a medium target hammer, it's the the only one issued for the small J frames) with a spur that measures .365"-.370" in width. They came on the later Mod 36s and 60s with target sights and are a big improvement over the skinny spur hammer IMO.
On ebay, use this search title: "Smith vintage parts"

Target Hammers:

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Front and rear sight blades are still available.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Replacing the hammer was really easy. Ordered a "stainless" hammer from Numrich and got a nearly new case hardened hammer. Dropped right in and works fine. However! My 60-4 has a replacement 0.250 partridge front sight and it shoots very high with my usual HBWC reload even with the rear sight bottomed out. Brownells has different height replacement ramp front sights. It will be some time before i can make it to the range to really measure "how high" so I'm thinking i will buy the highest - 0.296. What is standard front sight height on a 60-4?

DBH1956 The factory front sight is .265 tall ramped sight. The hammer is .360 wide.

Snubbiefan,410bore My model 60 with SN 49005X came with flash chromed hammer and trigger,bright finish and with the diamond grips.Didn't check box for exact date though.