Thinking about a S&W Model 60

[littlecanoe]

I did a really dumb thing and passed by a pre lock model 60 357 about a month ago. 
It was peachy and hadn't been shot much but had sat in a safe or drawer for most of it's life.
500$ was the asking price and I waited a few days and lost out.

So.  I've been thinking about doing a serious search for a 60 for a CCW.
Is there a better option for a small wheel gun and what are you guys seeing out there for availability.
I'd like to have a pre-lock make.

thanks,
lc

[RIF]

Indian chief says: "Kick too hard!!  Makum tear come to eye when shootum." 
But from one gun guy to another...I would never fault you for getting one at a reasonable price. 
I like a snub in 38 special.  The 357's are just no fun at all to shoot.  I realize that you could shoot 38's out of it.  But she costs twice as much...Its all in what you want. 
Take care

[rsl]

Best little carry gun I own....  Good luck

[Dee]

I've had a couple. They hurt when using 125 grain JHPs in 357 mag. With 158 grain JHPs in 357 mag. hurt is an inadequate word. Excellent carry gun, and in a bad situation you ain't gonna notice the kick. But the bad guy will. Buy the lightest practice 38 specials you can find, and practice. A LOT! The barrel is short, and you'll need it.
 
Good Luck,

[SHOOTALL]

2 cent worth , M 60 and SP 101 are about same size both are heavy for a carry gun these days IMHO. I like a lighter gun , I like the airweight with covered hammer in 38 spl. around 14 ozs or the 340 PD in 357 mag. about 12 ozs. . Kick is very hard with 357 loads and to be honest stout with +p 38's. The 38 cost around 400 bucks maybe a bit more maybe a bit less. The 38 can still be had less the lock and nither gun has a transfeer bar since there is no exposed hammer to hit. These guns require pratice and pratice often. At the distances they are effective it is more point and shoot than aimed fire .

[SHOOTALL]

OH yea I tote one every day

[zoner]

I bought a nice model 60 in 38 Special 2 years ago, took it home and the "Queen"(my wife) picked it up, checked it out,put it in her purse and I haven't seen it since so I went out and found a really nice 640 in 38 Special for me . I recommend either but will admit to having a weakness for pre-lock Smith and Wesson revolvers.......Mike

[littlecanoe]

For the MOD

After some respected advice could I have this thread moved to an appropriate forum.
Looks like I need to make it more of  Q&A post rather than a want ad.

Thanks,
lc

[littlecanoe]

Thanks to Mod for moving the thread.

Having shot hot hand loads in a 44 sized frame 8 shot Taurus I understand the advice on full loads in the small frame. 38/38+p makes more sense. The 60 that I passed on had the three inch barrel which I really liked. This seems like a functional size to carry while being a bit easier to shoot.  What barrel length 60 are you guys carrying?
lc

[jimster]

I have a model 60-3 with a 3" heavy barrel, it's an older pre-lock model and is one of the "Lady Smith" guns. It's a .38 spl. I also have a model 36 pre-lock with the 1 7/8" barrel, both J frames shoot POA with the fixed sights and standard 148 to 158 grain loads standard pressure, but it's a lot easier to hit with the 3" barrel plinking and target shooting at longer ranges. I like the 3" better for all around use. I prefer .38 spl over .357 mag in the small J frames with short barrels, practice and plinking is more pleasant. I know the .357 has a lot more power and the 125 grain load is the best stopper, but for my short barreled J frames I'll stick with the .38 spl. for now. I do love a 3" barrel barrel though. I have had my eye on the model 60 .357 though...because it has adjustable sights, that might be enough to make me go with a .357 right there.
I don't get too embarrassed over "Lady Smith" being engraved on the sideplate, One of the kids was chuckling at me once, but it was all in fun. 

[zoner]

my M60 and M640 both are 2" barrels

[SHOOTALL]

I have owned one mod 60 with a 3 in bbl and 2 mod 36 with 3 inch bbl. all three were 38's . There were 2 357 mod 60 with 2 inch bbl. For what its worth they are all gone and only a Ruger SP 101 with a 3 in bbl remains. It fits the same holster is with in a couple ozs in weight and cost less and shoots as well or better . It also handles recoil better. And I have never had to return a Ruger revolver to the factory for repair , I have the S&W JU frame. Now to be completely honest I carry a 340 PD as it weighs 12 ozs maybe a tad less as my grips are lighter than factory grips. As a true self defense gun I find it better to use the short bbl. as it hides much better. And weight is everything for most of the time.

[45-70.gov]

i prefer the 640...concealed hammer




i would NEVER recommend cocking the hammer under stress...so why practice that way


i now carry the ruger LCR.......I LOVE THE HAND HELD ''FLASH/BANG GRENADE''


you can get used to the recoil
the recoil won't hurt as bad as haveing to hit some one because the gun didnt stop'm

[Ladobe]

Opinion will vary simply because what's good for some is not so good for others.   IMO for CCW especially total confidence in what you carry, total ease in using it makes a BIG difference if the time ever comes to need it.
 
Not a Model 60, but my last #1 or #2 carry revolver was a Taurus 606 357MAG w/2" ported barrel, and I absolutely loved it.   To qualify that, I loved it for it's quality and reliability, comfortable carry, it was very easy to manage with full house 158's so what I could do with it was all in spades.   It's only flaw was it was VERY LOUD.   Not as big a deal in a for personal defense situation maybe, doubt you'd even hear it, but for practice plugs AND muffs were better than either alone.  The petite wife of a friend carried a non ported Ruger Speed Six 357MAG snubbie.   It was her favorite, it was her revolver, not his and she was deadly with it with full house loads.   Let another friend talk me out of mine a couple of years ago, it's still missed.
 
Unlike some folks from comments, I always practice with the exact same ammo I am going to be using for whatever purpose.   Maybe easier for me with magnums because of how very long I have used serious handcannons that makes a 357MAG a whimp to me at best, so they don't bother me at all.   Anybody who is going to carry CCW should practice alot and on a regular schedule with the full loads they will carry IMO.   IOW lesser/lighter may be fine to get used to a new revolver (IE 38SPL vs 357MAG), but is not good practice after they are.   My other carry revolver then was a Taurus 431 3" 44SPL, very easy to shoot for even my petite wife and young son.   At one time I had a S&W 29 3" 44MAG for the purpose as well that soon with practice was a piece of cake to shoot.
 
FWIW
 

 
 
 
 
 

[littlecanoe]

The SP 101 has come across my radar.

The Taurus revolvers have not been a serious contender because of concerns about smoothing out the trigger and issues I had with a 608 in 357 mag which started shedding lead in the forcing cone after several hundred rounds.

lc

[Gray Paw]

I like the original M60 .38 Special only with the pinned barrel.