dear smith and wesson forum i would like to hear some opinions from my fellow forum members about the s&w model 60 .357 magnum revolver sincerely mg357 a proud member of the smith and wesson forum

I have never fired a 357 in a J frame and I don't want to. I think the recoil would be terrible. Don

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"Don't worry be happy"

I have fired .357's in a 60-15 Pro model, 3". With 158 gr 357's the recoil, while stiff, was very controllable. The redesigned grips and 3" barrel add weight which assist's with this. However a 2" light weight, either airweight or scandium, are too much recoil for me. In an all steel gun, the 2" I would limit to Plus P.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

+1 on what H Richard said. I also have a 60-15 3" and it's not unpleasant to shoot at all.

I agree with Hawkeye. A little too snappy for me. Even if I had one I would limit to .38+p.

I have a model 640 in .357. I haven't shot .357 rounds out of it, only .38 +P. I did own a 3" Ruger SP101 in .357 and the recoil was stout in this revolver which is heavier than the J frame. I am afraid that .38 +P is all I would ever want to shoot from a j frame. As a matter of fact, given the opportunity, I would trade my 640-1 for the somewhat lighter 640 (no dash) in .38 spcl.

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otis

I've got a 640-3 and a 340SC. The 340 is truely wicked with 357s (much worse than my 629 Mountain Gun with magnums) so I usually run Federal 158 lead +Ps through it. At least the 640 is controlable with 357s; not pleasant but certainly controlable.

I have a magnum J frame (60-9). I do not like shooting .357 rounds through it. Recoil is pretty sharp. Follow up shoots are slower. I'm not saying it can't be done, It's not for me. I stick to standard or +P rounds for both of my model 60's.

I've got the Mod 60-15 in a 3 inch version, I put rubber grips on it to shoot .357 mag. It is fairly manageable with the rubber on, not so much with the wood grips. It is a pleasure shooting .38 spl.
The Mod 60 is a nice little gun, you won't regret getting this j frame.

I had an early model 60 with 3" barrel. It was loaded with .357 for the trail, but .38's were a pleasure to plink with. I regularly hit clay pigeons at 25yds. I gave this to my friend when they had their first child. I had installed a Saf T Loc on it and thought it appropriate with a child in the house.

get the 60 pro dude!

60's are great guns, I have a no-dash in .38spl in my pocket as I type this, very easy to carry. I have shot .357's in the 640, 110gr rounds were not too bad but full-house 125gr were a bit of a handful. It will depend upon how sensitive to recoil you are and how well the grips fit your hand.

I love all my Smiths'..but my Model 60 is the one thats always with me.

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"Give me Liberty..."

With these grips I can shoot full power 357 rounds.... not a lot, but I can practice and it is manageable..




Do the same with these grips and it is like setting a grenade off in your hand....


Now ask which one carries better. The wood grips don't "stick" or snag if you are pocket carrying. The goodyears make shooting the full power stuff doable.

I love my little 60 and it gets carried most of the time. It has a good trigger and gives me a 357 option if I want. 38 specials +P are a breeze to shoot.

P.S......

The Speer Gold Dot "Short Barrel" loads in 357 are pretty good in any of my grip configurations.

I have used my model 60 to shoot pins with 38's . I actually did ok . Great folllow up shots . I carry with 38's as this is what I practice with . Go with what you are comfortable with .