Finally joined the J-frame club

[SeamasterSig]

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?

 

[silversnake]

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.

 

[chief38]

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!

 

[JH1951]

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.



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.....

 

[haywood]

It looks good. Your 60 and my 36 are cousins.

 

[Kansasgunner]

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.

 

[Mark IV]

.....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.

 

[GeoJelly]

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!

 

[two-bit cowboy]

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,

Bob

 

[H Richard]

If you like the 3 finger grip yo might like to try the Altamont grips, see the top right J Frame.

 

[gnystrom]

Nice purchase. Mine is from 1993 which I sold to a friend and bought it back a few years later.

 

[chief38]

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.

 

[nachogrande]

WHAT HE SAID

^^^^^^^ THIS!

 

[photoman]

Nice gun and welcome to the club!

p.s. It will not be your last...

 

[DennisE]

I just rejoined the club after a lapse of several years!

 

[ImDrRich]

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!

 

[Old cop]

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.

 

[SeamasterSig]

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.

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?

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.

 

[white cloud]

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.

 

[JAREDSHS]

What they all said and also don't ever let it get away from you!!!