Cylinder edges sharp or rounded?

[franke85]

Hi Everyone,

First time poster here. My favorite firearm is a S&W Model 60 3". It is my constant hiking/camping companion and just a sweet little shooter. I liked it so much that I couldn't resist picking up a second one for a 'matched pair' when I found another nice pre-lock M60 for sale. I bought both revolvers in used-like new condition, so I don't know the history of either one.

Now to my question. One of them has the edges of the cylinder lightly rounded or 'melted'. The second one has very sharp and crisp edges. Both are pictured below.

Could these differences be attributed to simply variation in level of factory fit and finish from S&W or is the rounded one definitely something someone did after they bought it?

I prefer the slight melting of the edges (It seems to have a more classic look, like older Smiths). I was considering doing it to the sharper one. Would slightly rounding the edges of the cylinder have any bad affect on the revolver or detract from its value?

Thanks for the help!

And yes, those are both sporting the new pro-series grips

 

[franke85]

Hi Everyone,

First time poster here. My favorite firearm is a S&W Model 60 3". It is my constant hiking/camping companion and just a sweet little shooter. I liked it so much that I couldn't resist picking up a second one for a 'matched pair' when I found another nice pre-lock M60 for sale. I bought both revolvers in used-like new condition, so I don't know the history of either one.

Now to my question. One of them has the edges of the cylinder lightly rounded or 'melted'. The second one has very sharp and crisp edges. Both are pictured below.

Could these differences be attributed to simply variation in level of factory fit and finish from S&W or is the rounded one definitely something someone did after they bought it?

I prefer the slight melting of the edges (It seems to have a more classic look, like older Smiths). I was considering doing it to the sharper one. Would slightly rounding the edges of the cylinder have any bad affect on the revolver or detract from its value?

Thanks for the help!

And yes, those are both sporting the new pro-series grips

 

[flat top]

Sorry...cant tell you about the cylinder edges (you would need to talk to one of the pro's on this forum), but, I will say...that is one sweet pair of Smiths!!!

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Hello, and welcome to the forum! I have a 60-15 with the lock that otherwise looks just like yours. It has the slightly rounded edges as well. By the way did your guns come with those stocks or did you buy them after?

 

[rburg]

On blue or nickel guns, thats a sure sign of refinish. Probably not on a stainless gun. How close are the serials?

It could very possibly be just a gun to gun variation. Remember the old caution against buying a car built on a monday morning or a friday afternoon?

 

[franke85]

Thanks!

The stocks did not come with the guns. They originally had the rubber uncle mike's grips. You can order the pro-series stocks from S&W, but you have to call them because, last I checked, they did not show them on their website. One pair was about $55 shipped.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

I bought a nearly new, but used, 432 that has the smooth, or "melted" edges on the cylinder as you describe. I recently bought a very lightly used 642-1 that surprised me as the edges are all very pronounced and "sharp". Though they are both J frames, subjectively the 432 fits better in a pocket holder and feels better in the pocket. In my copious leisure time, I might try to gently radius the edges on the 642 with a Scotch brite pad, or maybe some 3000 or higher grit wet/dry sandpaper.

Regards,

Dave