S&W Model 60 (in .38 Special)

[KevinB]

Came across this .38 Special caliber S&W model 60 awhile back in the used counter of a local gun shop. One of the employees knows me pretty well, and we share an appreciation for classic handguns. He saw me from across the shop looking into the case and said "Ah, I see you found that little gem!" He told me someone had come in and traded it for something of the plastic semi-auto variety, though I don't what exactly.

I'll admit I'm not the most knowledgeable when it comes to the various generations and models of S&W handguns over the years, but I knew it was an older example given the hammer mounted firing pin, caliber, and lack of "dash number" designation.



It checked out splendidly, and honestly looked like it had never been fired. There was no box and it has handling marks and a light scratch or scuff on the outside of the barrel, but I don't buy guns to be safe queens. The gun shop employee said if it was his he wouldn't shoot it, but that sounds like a boring life philosophy to me. I've shot it and it sometimes works it's way into the carry rotation.



Thought it was a pretty cool little find, and I paid just over $400 if I remember correctly. This was right before all the Covid stuff really hit the fan though. Been wanting to share it here for a long time but finally gathered the motivation to learn how to post pictures.


With a snub nosed cousin:




I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts on the model 60 and see who else is a fan. Anyone else fond of the .38 version?

 

[Pat Riot]

Very nice looking snubbie you have there. You did good.
I really like the contours of that revolver.

 

[stonebuster]

Beautiful Model 60 and you stole it IMO. I think you'll enjoy it more than a 357 in that weight revolver. Yesterday I bought a 30+ year old Model 64-5 3" 38spl. I made the choice of the Model 64 38spl over a Model 65 because I'd rather shoot 38s in a K frame vs 357. Hope you enjoy shooting yours as much as I am mine.

 

[cfullgraf]

Nice looking revolver. The 38 Special J-frames just look a bit better than after S&W stretched the frame for the 357 Magnum versions

I'd shoot it but I don't carry mine. I have a 642 and 442 for when I want to carry a J-frame.

Here is a photo that shows the difference in the 38 Special length frames and the 357 Magnum length frames.

 

[Jack19]

OP, that is a thing of beauty. Completely jealous.

$400

 

[J-Bar]

My 60 no dash is on me whenever I leave the house. It holds one-inch groups at 7 yards with just about anything I feed it. If you decide you don’t want yours, send me a personal message.

 

[KevinB]

Thanks everyone.

I agree if it was a .357 version I would most likely be shooting .38s out of it anyway as they are much more enjoyable in a revolver this size. Currently I just use standard pressure Hornady Critical Defense as a carry load.

I had noticed the cylinder length difference with my 442. I found it interesting that cylinder lengths were increased across the board for the .357 and .38 at some point a long the way.

Jbar I'll do that if I ever think about parting with it.

 

[Dinomite]

I bought the .357 version as soon as they came avail. in the 1990s.Still have it.I shoot 38+ or +p+ in it.Those .357 loads are painful in such a small gun.But what a ka boom when I do fire a few!

 

[KevinB]

I love those 1990's style model 60s with the full underlug. Wouldn't mind coming across one of those.

 

[cfullgraf]

I love those 1990's style model 60s with the full underlug. Wouldn't mind coming across one of those.

S&W still catalogs the Model 60, 357 Magnum, with 2-1/8" and 3" barrels with the full underlug.

The lug tames the recoil a bit in my 3" Model 60-15 but it is a bit less easy to carry than one without the lug.

 

[Rubone]

I've had my old Model 60 since the mid '70s. It was my carry gun for decades. A few years back my wife used it for a defensive handgun course and shot 550 rounds out of it in two 3 hour sessions all double action and outshot everyone else in her class, most with modern 9mm plastic guns. It is in the picture (bottom right) with the shrouded Bianchi Lawman grips on it that have been on it since about '79. I put a smaller pair of Uncle Mikes on for her class. 7 of these are .38 only, 1 .357, and 2 .22!

 

[bannockburn]

KevinB

You got one super sweet deal with that Model 60!

Way back when the Model 60 was "THE" J frame to have. They were few and far between and if by chance you came across one, you could expect it to be priced more than a king's ransom!

I always lusted after them but never bought one, changing my interest instead to the Model 649 when it first came out. I really like the concealed hammer design of the Model 38/Model 49 and stayed with them all these years.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Had an early M60, and ended up trading it on an early 640, which I still have. Just like how much lower the Centennial sits in your hand.
All that said, have looked at a couple 60s at gunshows; at that price, I'd have been all over it like white on rice. Nice catch; great little gun.
Moon

 

[wcwhitey]

You did well! Nice revolver and a great price.

 

[Old Dog]

I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts on the model 60 and see who else is a fan. Anyone else fond of the .38 version?

Big fan. I have zero use for the later versions in .357. The early models are splendid, perhaps the best examples of the J-frame extant.

The only issue I have with mine is that the trigger was worked on (a former cop's back-up gun) and while the pull is sweet, I sometimes get light primer strikes that don't ignite certain brands of ammo.

 

[243winxb]

$400 great price. Have my 60 for many years. Retired it for the lighter 10 oz 337 PD.

 

[P5 Guy]

60-4

60 no dash

The 60 was my first CCW. I still take it to the range, as I do the 60-4. My 158 SWC handloads shoot well from both and the fixed sights on the 60 are good for hits on the 10 ring at 15 yards,

 

[earlthegoat2]

I like a great variety of J-Frames but my favorite is the 60. I have had it since about 2008 and I believe it is a -2. I have the original grips. Somewhere along the it’s life it had the hammer bobbed and converted to DAO. These are features I desired at the time but am more ambivalent towards today.

That was all I could afford back then for a carry gun and it served its role for over a decade before I fell on better times.

I got it for a great deal even at the time since I worked in the shop it came into on trade. I most likely paid under $200 for it but I cannot remember.

 

[Zeabed]

Beautiful piece of history. Continue to enjoy it and have fun shooting it. I love my model 60-7 in .38 Special. I sometimes use it as my concealed carry with +P ammo, which the dash 7s were designed to digest.

 

[Riomouse911]

Nice! At the veeeery beginning of the COVID shutdown in early 2020 there were deals to be had since no one knew what was going to happen, your $400.00 model 60 is a perfect example. (Don’t even ask what I stole my new-but-last-years-model 2019 diesel F350 for )

Once the idocy in the streets started dominating the news, guns and ammo panic buying went haywire. You got in at the right time, well done.

I don’t have a 60, but I have others similar; a no-dash Model 49, 642, 442, 3” Model 36, etc. I must say I do like the all-steel Models 36/60 over the alloy 642/442 to shoot, those lightweights are great to carry but hit my palm like a hammer handle.

Youll be well served with the .38 Critical Defense loads in your revolver. I’ve been to a couple of Hornady demos and their duty and defense rounds were extremely consistent across the board.

Stay safe.

 

[Rodfac]

Yep, you got a great price on that little gem. Mine travels with me better than 50% of the time when going to town (a Sig P365 covers the rest). For longer outings to the city where the neighborhoods vary considerably, it's a Sig 1911 RCS .45.

But we're talking about Smith's excellent M-60...my example (in .357) is a relatively new acquisition with a 3" fully lugged bbl. and of course that cursed lock. Love the lug, & curse the lock but have had no issues with it in this gun nor any of the others I've owned.

The lug on that 3" bbl. really helps with DA fire, as does the use of +P .38 Spl, 135 gr rounds & is no impediment to CC use with my chosen OWB holsters. And those shorter cases sure do eject a lot easier than the longer .357 hulls.

Expansion's good with either caliber, but follow up shots of controlled pairs are infinitely easier with the Specials. Lastly, I really like adjustable sights, and no...they don't move themselves nor have they been damaged in the 50+ years I've owned S&W adj. sighted guns. I'm a civilian, not running to the scene of a fight, so I'm comfortable with my choice that some have called a 'fragile' gun.

Best regards, & YMMv, Rod

​

 

[JCooperfan1911]

One of the best concealed and carry’s, even today.

I don’t trust the small automatics. I’d rather 5 for sure than 7 maybe.

 

[welldoya]

I would’ve bought that one in a second.
I’m going to pick one up when I find one at a good price.
I do have a .357 version that I bought in 1999 and two model 36s I picked up at pawn shops as well as a model 49. I love the old J frames.

 

[Don Van Winkle]

I carry my 38 SPL every day and here at the house because strangers come by all the time. You never know is all I can say. Like I read somewhere if you do not think a 38 SPL is a worthy EDC, just ask all of those deceased from being shot by this round over the years. If you know where to hit and intruder to disable him/her, even a 22 will do the job. I never aim to kill, just put them down so they can no longer harm anyone in my home.

 

[Tallball]

Very nice! What a nice-looking example!

I mostly carry snub 38's. I shoot revolvers better and prefer them.