A few months back I was given an opportunity on a 60-3 Lady Smith , 3" barrel. The owner , a person quite familiar to me , bought it new and never really shot the gun. It literally rested in a nightstand for years. The price was very good - $300.
I considered the pros : Good price , I am a J frame fan , 3" barrel was intriguing, chambered in .38 special. All good things.
Cons : Ugly but very functional Pachmayr finger grooved grips , satin bead blasted finish (not to my personal taste) , Lady Smith laser etching.
I was able to range test --- Excellent shooter! The 3" barrel makes a huge difference vs 1 7/8". Done deal.
After carrying for 2 months I decided that I wanted to lose the Lady Smith logo. I know that there are those who believe that leaving original is an imperative , but I decided that the 60 is not collectable , I paid little for it , and don't plan to sell it anyway as it is now my favorite carry. Ford's was willing to polish the stainless for $250 , and I considered that. I am sure that they would have done a great job. But , I determined that a winter project was in order. I went at it with cloth dremel wheels , Flitz , and lots of time. I left the barrel flutes and underside surfaces as is for contrast. (and convenience) I found it difficult to achieve the same finish in all areas ; kept at it until I said "Enough already!". The laser etching is barely visible to the eye, although the camera picks it up ; I stopped buffing that area for fear of creating an area of high gloss which I could not match elsewhere. I kind of like the ghost-like remnant of "Lady Smith" ; reminds me of the origin of my revolver.
Take in the images of my re-gripped former Lady Smith. Opinions are welcome.
I considered the pros : Good price , I am a J frame fan , 3" barrel was intriguing, chambered in .38 special. All good things.
Cons : Ugly but very functional Pachmayr finger grooved grips , satin bead blasted finish (not to my personal taste) , Lady Smith laser etching.
I was able to range test --- Excellent shooter! The 3" barrel makes a huge difference vs 1 7/8". Done deal.
After carrying for 2 months I decided that I wanted to lose the Lady Smith logo. I know that there are those who believe that leaving original is an imperative , but I decided that the 60 is not collectable , I paid little for it , and don't plan to sell it anyway as it is now my favorite carry. Ford's was willing to polish the stainless for $250 , and I considered that. I am sure that they would have done a great job. But , I determined that a winter project was in order. I went at it with cloth dremel wheels , Flitz , and lots of time. I left the barrel flutes and underside surfaces as is for contrast. (and convenience) I found it difficult to achieve the same finish in all areas ; kept at it until I said "Enough already!". The laser etching is barely visible to the eye, although the camera picks it up ; I stopped buffing that area for fear of creating an area of high gloss which I could not match elsewhere. I kind of like the ghost-like remnant of "Lady Smith" ; reminds me of the origin of my revolver.
Take in the images of my re-gripped former Lady Smith. Opinions are welcome.
The model 60 was the first SS revolver available from S&W and demand is still strong.
