I did something I'd promised I'd never do. I purchased a cute little 3" model 60 in .357 Magnum with the integrated lock. Have I made a mistake? Will this weapon hold up to a "modest" diet of .357 Magnum loads? Will the lock jam up and leave me "up the creek"? Questions for the wise readership.

You know, I like the looks of the Pro series and SSR. I wish S&W would just put full night sights as an option instead of just the front sight. At any rate, I like your 60 pro I hope you have thousands of rounds thru it with no problems.....they really are good looking revolvers.

I really like the grips on that Mod 60. I sure don't think you made a mistake in buying it. As far as reliability goes you'll have to shoot it then shoot it some more to see.
Here's a 60-10 that I just bought. I changed the Hogues out in favor of some factory combats.



You'll find that these J frame 357's are sure "snappy" with 125gr & 158gr loads!

quote:

Originally posted by GF:
I really like the grips on that Mod 60. I sure don't think you made a mistake in buying it. As far as reliability goes you'll have to shoot it then shoot it some more to see.
Here's a 60-10 that I just bought. I changed the Hogues out in favor of some factory combats.



You'll find that these J frame 357's are sure "snappy" with 125gr & 158gr loads!

My buddy is now carrying the Model 60 pictured, but a newer model with the lock. He loves it and it shoots great. He has not had a problem with it yet.

The Model 60 Pro is on my list to acquire. I have a Model 60, a 640, and a 442 ... all three have the locks. Put over 500+ in each one ... no problems with the locks whatsoever.

It looks like a great little J Frame to me, and I agree, I love the grips.

Dr. Bill

I just bought a new 60 Pro also--for many reasons: It is real "cute" and may be a special limited run; the unique barrel matches my 625 JM/PC 5" 45acp revolver; I will use it as a "trainer" for my young grandsons starting with primer-powered plastic bullets and working our way up thru 148 wadcutters to .38spl; and it is just neat-esp the grips!! It is only for a range gun--never HD/SD/EDC. I have already slicked up the action; polished the mainspring strut; and put in a wolff 8# hammer spring. Even tho I like the look of the unique wood grips, they hurt to shoot .357 loads--so I replace them for actual shooting with Pachmayr grippers w/closed backstrap--good gun--and S&W will always back it up with their great wty coverage--dmd

Thanks for the input guys, I've got a 60-3 and a 36-7, both in .38 Special. I've never had a problem with either J frame but I've always been suspicious of the internal locks. I just liked the package.

GF, I wish it had your full length underlug barrel, nice grips too.

When the J Magnum frames were introduced I read an article somewhere that S&W had run tests on these guns and they held up to use comparable to the number of magnums in their other frames. Don't know where it was but also have never heard of anyone wearing one of the "J Mags" out. Anyone out there with info?

Any info on how many 60 Pro's were built--or will be built? I hardly ever see them around--dmd

Mine sits on the nightstand next to the bed. I removed the lock flag, so no worries there. I shot 100 rounds of .38+P last night, with no problem. It's wearing Pachmayr compacs, and handles very well. I don't think I'd like to shoot a lot of full boat .357s through it, though. Not so much for the gun's sake, but for that of my wrist.

Groo here
I got one and put a box of Fiocchi 142gr
fmjs through it.
I like the grip but after 30 or so mags
it tends to get somewhat hard to handle.

Hey picwik. Man that`s a sweet 60!
I have a 442 ,and have not had lock problems.
However,the fact that I could is always in the back of my mind,so I`m going to disable the lock.
As far as defense ammo goes,you always have the Speer Gold Dot 135gr.+P "short barrel" option.
In my opinion, full house 357`s are just too much for a "J".
Regards, Pete

You made a big mistake. I'll be glad to fix it by taking it off your hands JK

I love mine. Shoots and carries great! You should not have any lock trouble with the 60. Nice lookin little gun ya giot there. Enjoy, and please give us a full report with pics when you get a chance

shooter429

First impressions, shot 50 Federal 130 grain fmj .38 Specials through it today without a problem. I then ran a box (25) of Remington 125 grain Golden Saber .357 magnums through it. This load I consider to be .357 (light) because it only clocks about 1,200 fps out of a 4" barrel. Actually quite brisk but not unpleasant.

I shot a friends 2" Scandium model 340SC with full power Cor-Bon 125 grain .357's. Now that's a handful!

I have one of the little 60Pros. Cute is a good description. Great little gun. Mine has Pachmayr Decelerator grips and shoots very nicely. It is part of a matched set with the 627PC and 686SSR.