S&W model 60 why no love?

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Propforce

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Hello THR,

I have a fondness for revolvers and have 686 and 19 for .357 magnum and a 638 j-frame. I would think a model 60 in .357 would make a good CC gun when it's comforting to carry that powerful 357. But I don't read much about people recommending it while many own & recommend the SP-101 instead.

What's your experience if you own & carry the model 60? Shooting experience? Or your reason for rejecting it as 357 magnum j-frame?

Thanks.
 
Most folks don't get over the unpleasant experience of firing .357s in a J frame. Most prefer a hammer-less J frame that even if chambered in .357 is loaded with .38 specials.
 
Why? Because too many shooters are being convinced you can't carry a revolver with an exposed hammer. I guess they don't know all you need to do is place your thumb on the hammer when drawing it to prevent the hammer from catching on anything. Same goes for the M36.
 
If I stumbled upon a good deal on one, I'd buy it. I usually carry a 640, so it wouldn't be vastly different. I don't think I've ever seen one at a shop, though that may just be a matter of timing.
 
I have a 3" -60 and think it's a great choice(for me) for CC, especially for belt carry. I'm a small-framed guy and anything larger or heavier just doesn't work. Small, light and still packs a strong punch if and when you need it. I do shoot many more 38Spl P+ rounds in it though, as it's my range trainer for my 642, and those make extended range time a lot more fun. If I wanted to pocket carry it though, I would bob the hammer, as I only shoot it DA anyway.

Like it's similar 22LR brother, the Model 63, the small J frames are also a perfect Kit Gun to keep around everywhere.
 
I have carried a 60-10 for several years. I started with a Chief's Special , went to a 60 in order to preserve the Chief.

The stainless J frame is perfect for my taste and needs. The hammer makes for a more enjoyable range session , and poses no problems carrying or drawing from my right side IWB Bianchi. The stainless construction relieves all worries about corrosion from carrying in summer. The finish is durable and ding resistant. I ditched the rubber grips which came with the revolver , (functional , but not to my taste) , found and fitted a set of SYLE wood grips which look like a large round butt grip. (My 60 is square butt , as are all 60's I think...?). The checkered wooden grips have a classic look , and the rounded shape is not prone to printing. The large grips make 357 manageable , but , IMO , not fun or practical. (loud report , muzzle flip , flash , etc.) I carry a stout .38 special load ; .38 ammunition from a stainless 60 is perfectly manageable and fun to shoot.

I will try to post a picture later in the day.

"S&W model 60 why no love?" --- I love mine!!!

Addendum -
I also own a Ruger SP101. It is a very well made revolver , but I find that it does not point as readily as the Smith , and offers no carry advantage over the 60 which would offset the slightly greater bulk and weight.
 
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RON in PA said:
Most folks don't get over the unpleasant experience of firing .357s in a J frame.
Click to expand...

This the camp that I am in. I don't care to shoot 38 Special +P in my Airweights so I can only imagine how brutal a Model 60 would be with full house loads.

I recently tried a new set of grips that are a bit larger than the factory grips. They have made my j-frames more comfortable to shoot with only a small penalty in conceal ability.

That said, if I stumbled into a deal,I'd buy a Model 60. I'm a sucker for a good S&W revolver.:)
 
We've had our 60 pro series for about 2 years now and here are the pros and cons as I've either experienced first hand or heard/read from others. It's light for .357 this is good and bad at the same time. It's easy to pack around but the cylinder walls tend to not withstand prolonged usage of hi power .357 loads. The da trigger is not as nice as other da triggers I've used in heavier s&w frames. Sa is pleasant but I recommend having everything polished up. With full loads she bucks pretty good as one would imagine but using 38 and 38+p loads follow up shots are easily made. She shoots accurately enough to put 3/5 hornady +p hps in a 60 lb raccoon last fall at distances from 5 yds to 20 yds. 2 or 3 weeks ago, with slow well aimed shots, I was able to thump 2 liter bottles out to 50yds with handloads. Not 100% success rates but often enough to grin with my buddy. Overall I'm quite pleased with it. I like hammer guns and this is one the wife uses with confidence. Some people don't like the sights but they work fine for us. Also with that light weight, she heats up FAST, after emptying the cylinder a few times we let her rest a bit. I recommend them to anyone who can afford one and can work the action.
 
I have a Model 60 no dash, obviously in .38 Special. I prefer to carry my nickel Model 38 Airweight just for comfort. I don't shoot +P in it. I have a Ruger Speed Six 2 3/4" in .357 but prefer +P .38s in it. Guess I'm getting soft in my old age, but recoil bothers me a lot more than it once die.
 
I've never seen a 60-pound raccoon. I can understand why it would take 3 shots to stop a charge. Pictures?
 
Gun weight is a big factor for CC (for me)

You have a 638 j-frame . I would want to know the bullet velocity difference between it and a model 60-357 ? Then there are 2 model 60's , both weigh more then the 638 for CC. The long barrel 60 would be a more pleasent gun to shoot. Adjustable sights are great, but not needed for CC. I have the old 60 in 38, but carry a 10 oz 337PD. Lite guns recoil hard.
th_CarryGuns_zps7llwubdj.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
 
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Sadly no, but next time I get one I'll share them on here, my neighbor grows them in his silage pit, my dog (Pitt, chow, border collie) sure had his hands full, I usually take 1 45-60 lb raccoon every year, sometimes in a trap around the yard and sometimes attempting to climb the lilacs up to my roof. Just got a call for endangered chickens down the road so I'll likely have a good chance or two next week when the temperature drops again.
 
I have all steel .357 Magnum J frames and alloy .38 Special +P J frames and IMO the felt recoil is greater in the Airweights than the all steel magnums.

If you find the recoil objectionable with the shorter boot grips replace them with slightly longer grips availability from S&W, Pachmayr, Hogue and many others. Here is a picture of my M640 and M642. You will see the slightly longer grips on the M640. Both are Rosewood Badger Custom grips.

twins-2.jpg

twins-1.jpg

S&W has similar style grips in rubber that used to be made by Uncle Mike's and now buy another vendor. S&W currently ships Airweight revolvers with the boot grips and the Magnum J frames with the slightly longer combat style grips.

S&W Boot Grips: http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...58003_757843_757837_ProductDisplayErrorView_N

S&W Full Size Grips: http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...58003_757843_757837_ProductDisplayErrorView_N
 
About a month ago, a guy offered me a Model 60 Ladysmith (w/ original case) in trade for my XDS9. I was on that like a duck on a junebug !! The m60 quickly became my new favorite toy ! It's just a slick,cool little gun, and doesn't feel as heavy or as clunky as it's Ruger counterpart, the SP101, so it feels to me to be a better pocket-carry gun (though i loved the two SP101's i had).
And, as much as I like the Airweight pistols, these don't have that frail, cheap feeling that they kinda have (or the finish issues that inevitably develop).
I tried a .357 round through it, and while it wasn't exactly brutal, it was pretty damn ''spicy", so I would recommend inexperienced or smaller shooters stick with 38's.
In fact, if i carry it, I'll probably stick with +P 38's myself ( but I'm thinking it might be practical to run just the first round as a 357, and the rest be 38's, if anyone is following my reasoning here.)
 
S&W model 60 are my favorites. I have a 60 no dash and a 3 inch 60-4.
Smith&Wesson's worst mistake was stretching the frame that little bit and making the 'J' frames a 357MAG. I'd say the same for the 'K' frames too.
Too much of a good thing isn't always a good thing.
 
QUOTE: "I've never seen a 60-pound raccoon..."

Sometimes at night, when your flashlight batteries are low, a hog with a striped tail can fool you.
 
I have a Model 60-15 .357 Mag w/3" Bbl. and W&E Adj Rear SIght.
usual SD/HD load is .38 Special +P Bonded JHP 125 gr.

Long term 'on the list' is a holster, and some Herrett's Jordan Trooper
grip At 24 oz empty it's handy and pointable
If I had wanted the fixed sights w/2 1/8" Bbl. I'd go with the shroudd
hammer 640.

& a couple of Safariland speedloaders

I would carry it but no holster, enjoy shooting it EDC is a
Springfield Armory Rnage Officer Compact in .45 ACP

Randall


R-
 
My apologies - two errors in my earlier post. ---

My 60 is a dash 9 , not dash 10. Also , round butt , not square. Haven't had the grips off for quite a while. I took the picture right out of the holster , therefor somewhat "linty" about the trigger.

As to the frame (and , I think barrel) stretch of the later 60's to accommodate 357 magnum , while the classic lines of the m.36 Chief's Special were compromised by that modification , it is my opinion that the 357 version is a slightly better shooter as a result of slightly larger platform. Again , I rarely load the magnum , rather .38+p.

So , my 60 is my utilitarian daily carry , my nickel Chief is my Sunday go to meetin' carry.
 

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Waveski said:
My apologies - two errors in my earlier post. ---

My 60 is a dash 9 , not dash 10. Also , round butt , not square. Haven't had the grips off for quite a while.

As to the frame (and , I think barrel) stretch of the later 60's to accommodate 357 magnum , while the classic lines of the m.36 Chief's Special were compromised by that modification , it is my opinion that the 357 version is a slightly better shooter as a result of slightly larger platform. Again , I rarely load the magnum , rather .38+p.

So , my 60 is my utilitarian daily carry , my nickel Chief is my Sunday go to meetin' carry.
Click to expand...

Very nice! I have been on the lookout for the exact same gun- .357 capable, pre-lock.
 
You guys are making me feel better about buying a 60 next time I see a deal.

A follow up question, can all S&W j frames use the same speed loaders and holsters? I am just wondering if I can use the same speed loaders from my 638 and the same nemesis pocket holster?
 
Can they use the same speed loaders? = Yes. Holsters, probably, but not always. A holster with a thumb break made for the original size J frame will not close over the hammer of the newer extended J frame. At least that’s what I found out the hard way. I don’t know if that holds true for the hammerless models.
 
Back in the day I would have loved to have had a Model 60 but they were few and far between and were like twice the price of a comparable Model 36. Then I bought a Model 649 when they first came out and never looked back. A few years ago I picked up a Model 638 to carry in the warm weather months.
 
Roscos_zpscdflvqpi.jpg
[/IMG]

I have the 649 with shrouded hammer, other than that it's not much different than the model 60.

I really like this gun.
 
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