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S&W Model 60

txlawdogtxlawdog Member Posts: 10,039 ✭✭
edited June 2008 in General Discussion
What are some of your oppinions on my potential purpose of a Smith and Wesson model 60 with a 3 inch barrel? Good home defense and all purpose .357 mag? I am paying $340 used. Thanks
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  • txlawdogtxlawdog Member Posts: 10,039 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just got a Smith Model 60, its nice. It does not have a dash! I'm not sure if it has pine and recessed or not, I need to check. I got a new, used gun!
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  • DocDoc Member Posts: 13,898 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If it's a 38 Special it will not be recessed. Only the 22 Rim Fires and the Magnum calibers were ever recessed. The 32s, 38s, 44 Specials and 45 calibers never were.

    I think the M60 was made 1965 - 1988 and the barrel pin was eliminated in 1982. The R prefix serial began in 1969.
    ....................................................................................................
    Too old to live...too young to die...
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  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If it's a "no-dash" 60, it dates to the 1960's. That was years before they deleted the pined barrel.
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  • txlawdogtxlawdog Member Posts: 10,039 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Its a no dash 60, but the barrel is not pinned? I need to pull the grips and see what the serial number is down there and see if it matches the one on the cylinder arm. I'll be back.
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  • DocDoc Member Posts: 13,898 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Like I said earlier, the Model 60 (no dash if we really need to say it) was made from 1965 until 1988. The pinned barrel was dropped in 1982 but there was no engineering change added to the model number when this was done and it continued to be the Model 60 throughout the 65-88 time period. The Models 60-1 and 60-2 were special editions and the 60-3 replaced the Model 60 in 1989.

    If your Model 60 lacks the barrel pin it was made 1982-88.
    ....................................................................................................
    Too old to live...too young to die...
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  • txlawdogtxlawdog Member Posts: 10,039 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    No pinned barrel, the Serial number is ALA8*** What can you tell me about it? I don't think its anything special, just a good looking little solid gun.

    Can I shoot +p's out of it? I know not a regular diet of them, but would it be safe to carry +P's for a carry load?
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  • beantownshootahbeantownshootah Member Posts: 12,776 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by txlawdog
    No pinned barrel, the Serial number is ALA8*** What can you tell me about it? I don't think its anything special, just a good looking little solid gun.

    Can I shoot +p's out of it? I know not a regular diet of them, but would it be safe to carry +P's for a carry load?

    Safe for occasional use.
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  • txlawdogtxlawdog Member Posts: 10,039 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thats what I was thinking. I'm ready to go shoot it!
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  • JamesRKJamesRK Member Posts: 25,670 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Excellent choice. S&W 60 is hard to beat.

    Model 60 1965: Introduction in Stainless Steel
    Model 60 1968: Delete diamond insert grips
    Model 60 1969: Begin R serial prefix at R1

    SW60.jpg
    The road to hell is paved with COMPROMISE.
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  • JamesRKJamesRK Member Posts: 25,670 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    ALA = 1985
    The road to hell is paved with COMPROMISE.
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  • beantownshootahbeantownshootah Member Posts: 12,776 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    FWIW, the newer Smith models 60 are built on a larger, slightly beefed up frame to handle .357 magnum ammo, even the ones that are .38 special only. The older guns like this one are *slightly* smaller and thinner with tinier sights.

    Its a great classic gun, and there's a reason its been in continuous production and demand for 40+ years. Ease of use, low maintenance, high reliablity, and good power for its size and weight.

    The only thing I'd add is that many individuals (myself included) find it hard to shoot well with the standard thin checkered wood grips as pictured in JamesRK's image.

    Open backstrap "Boot" style grips add some extra "meat" in front of the grip making the gun much easier to grasp and control without affecting concealability or adding extra size to the overall package (see image below).

    If this is a gun that you intend to carry or shoot a lot, changing the old stock grips could be a good move.

    Good discussion here: http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Getting a Grip on J Frames.htm
    image020.jpg
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  • givettegivette Member Posts: 10,886 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by rufe-snow
    If it's a "no-dash" 60, it dates to the 1960's. That was years before they deleted the pined barrel.


    From the 1959 Shooters' Bible (Charging lion on the cover)...

    ..."Smith & Wesson is proud to introduce a new, all stainless revolver, the 'Chief's Special Stainless', model 60, and will soon be at your local retailer...etc". Best, Joe
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  • DocDoc Member Posts: 13,898 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Any S&W revolver made after they started tempering the cylinders (around 1922 or so) is fine with current factory +P which is loaded to pressures no higher than what the cartridge was originally intended to generate.

    The stainless guns in particular are very tough.
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    Too old to live...too young to die...
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  • givettegivette Member Posts: 10,886 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by SaxonPig
    Any S&W revolver made after they started tempering the cylinders (around 1922 or so) is fine with current factory +P which is loaded to pressures no higher than what the cartridge was originally intended to generate.

    The stainless guns in particular are very tough.


    I think this may be a [rough] guide...the S&W's that were stamped on the right side of the frame with "Made In USA" (Not Marcas Registradas-that came later) occured at about the same time as with cylinder tempering. Then again, I could be way off. Just a tidbit. Joe
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  • txlawdogtxlawdog Member Posts: 10,039 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I really like those boot style grips on S&W's. I have some Hogue, Uncle Mikes, I even have a set of Eagle grips, they are very purty. I like the original round butt smith grips with a Tyler T Grip in place, that fills up the hand better and it gives plenty of room if I want to carry a speedloader. I cleaned it up a little last night, tried another set of grips I had, but I need to get something a little better. The grips on it are pachmayr older style, compac, I think is what they look like.
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