S&W 60 j-frame questions

I recently bought a new S&W model 60 J frame, 3 inch, for a summer/work CCW. I would like to get this gun a trigger/action job, have the hammer bobbed, and replace the sights with something I can see with my middle aged eyes (nightsight if possible). Would I be better off sending it to Smith & Wesson to have this done ? I do know a local person that does nice work with S&W revolvers ( i.e. knows what he is doing) and he would certainly be quicker, but would this void my warranty ?? Also, what are some alternative sight options for the 3" model 60 ?

Tylden,

I don't want to pop your bubble on building a decent CCW carry weapon, but you may want to consider a few things.

You purchased the J-frame as a carry gun, assuming that some day you may have to use it and actually shoot someone, the "modifications" to your weapon may come into play by a defense attorney and you would be hard pressed to explain why you needed a "trigger job". This is why none of us cops have trigger modifications done to any weapons we routinely carry.

Also, shooting your weapon to become efficient will smoothe out the action in time. Sights? I agree, specially on a fix sighted J-frame. I would suggest the XS "Big Dot" tritium sight (http://www.xssights.com/sightimages.html).

Just food for thought.

JKirk
Cop in SC
aka "HiVelocity"

Thanks for the tips HiVelocity. Maybe an action job would smooth things up enough ? Really though, out of the box the trigger is quite heavy, a bit too heavy IMO. I do realize for a ccw you don't want too light of a trigger pull and for good reasons, but at least manageable would be nice, and certainly smoother. Also, a bobbed hammer would essentially convert it to DAO.
I like the XS big dot. The only one I saw for a J frame was the front sight only (shown on model 640).

Installing sights that will work under adverse conditions is not a big deal, either in terms of being complicated work or in terms of legal exposure, and is recommended by most trainers.

Without commenting on the trigger job idea, many newer guns, including S&W revolvers, seem to come with half of the waste from machining left inside the gun and no lubrication. As a first step, cleaning out the gun and properly lubricating it might be worth a try.

I know we all tend to worry about the after, but it is necessary to survive the event before the after.:uhoh:

By all means prep your gun so you have a gun that you can shoot well and safely. the XS sight on the front will be a help, as will a trigger job. The Bobbed hammer will keep the spur from catching.

You are on the right track--good luck:) and do not forget to get some lethal threat management training along the way.:)

"The Bobbed hammer will keep the spur from catching."

Yep. It may also cause misfires. The J frame hammers are small and light and if the weight is reduced and/or the spring is weakened, they often don't have enough momentum to fire the primer reliably. Yes, I know people who will tell me about all the success they have had doing those trigger jobs, and that I am full of it, but I do have a tendency to prefer a defense gun with a stiff trigger pull that works to one with a great trigger pull that doesn't.

If you want a hammerless J frame, S&W sells several very nice models; do a trade and forget bobbing the hammer.

Jim