Advice Please-S&W Model 60 Ladysmith .38

[dispatch]

I'm having a hard time nailing down the value of this one. An aquaintence has
a Ladysmith she wants to sell. It is a Model 60-7, serial number BKD45xx with what appear to be factory Rosewood grips. It is in the original box. She said she got it 17 years ago for a house gun, has fired it twice and cleaned it once.
The gun is in virtually new condition with one very small ding (she had to point it out to me) and very light rotation marks on the cylinder. She is asking $350.00 for it. I am in the market for a .38 snubby and I doubt I'll find a used Smith in better condition.
First question- does this seem like a reasonable price?
Second question- will standard J frame grips (Hogue, Pachnyer, etc,) work on the Ladysmith frame? The gactory grips feel way small to me.
Third- any strong positves or negatives on this model?
And before anyone asks, I don't mind carrying a revolver with "Lady Smith" etched on the side. If anyone asks, I'll just tell them that's what I named the gun.

 

[bpisler]

If it's what you're looking for then it's a decent
price,i bought one a few months ago.I paid
325.00 without a box.Standard j frame grips
will fit the M-60 ladysmith just fine.

 

[carl418]

Sounds like a decent price to me, and if the 'Lady Smith' etching bothers you, just polish the gun with some Mother's Mag polish.

 

[BluesBear]

It is a Model 10-7, serial number BKD45xx

I hope that's a typo since the title says Model 60.
A Model 10 LadySmith would be a one-of-a-kind!


It sounds like a very good price. All of the LadySmith revolvers I have examined have a very nice trigger pull as well as a very nice finish.

As has been stated regular J-frame grips from any maker will work. But keep the original stocks. Just having them increases the value.
You might also consider using a Tyler T-grip with the original stocks.
They give you a better grip and a very classy appearance.

 

[dbarale]

It might not be the best deal ever but it's a really reasonable price. I paid 225$ for my wife's but without box or the original grips and I thought I was getting a good deal.
I really like that gun and I would have no problem stealing it from her if she'd let me, but that's unlikely. Really good trigger pull. i just had to smooth down the edges of the really square trigger a bit to make it more comfortable for her.

 

[XavierBreath]

First question- does this seem like a reasonable price?

Yes, $350 is fairfor this revolver in the condition you state. $350 is a gentleman's price. $300 is a shrewd businessman's price. $250 or below is the price of a scoundrel. (I like that scale when purchasing guns from women. I've seen to many women taken advantage of at the gun counter.)

Second question- will standard J frame grips (Hogue, Pachnyer, etc,) work on the Ladysmith frame? The gactory grips feel way small to me

Yes, and there are some good ones available. Remember larger grips make for less concealability. As Blues Bear stated, save the originals.

Third- any strong positves or negatives on this model?

Quite a few men like the Ladysmith because it is a nice package. It's stainless steel J frame in .38special (some were .357magnum) with no lock and no MIM. That alone is a plus.

 

[dispatch]

Thanks for the feedback. Paid $325 for it and took it to the range today. My fear that the grips would not serve me was unfounded- the smooth factory rosewood grips suit their purpose well. I won't be putting 100 rounds through it during one session, but 25 158 SWC's today were not punishing at all- sweet little .38.

 

[skeeter1]

I've got an older one, labeled a "chief's special", but my cajones are still intact, and I certainly wouldn't hesitate to carry a "lady Smith." It's the same durned gun, just with a different label. The price sounds reasonable to me.

 

[RugerSAFan]

Paid more for a used one last weekend with a bobbed hammer and trigger job.
Shot excellent.

Heart palpitations when it fell out of the carrying case onto the pavement when taking out of saddlebags.

Now have scratches on the rosewood grips and on muzzle. None too pleased.

 

[ccw007]

The price is okay but it is near the top of what I would pay.

I had one and liked it. The factory grips are not comfortable for men's hands IMO. I put a set of hogue grips on it and it was much more fun shooting it.
I traded it for a model 60 in 357 mag. Had the LS been in 357 I would still have it.

Oh I sold my grips on Ebay for 60.00!!!