Model 60 or Model 64?

[fat tom]

I'm not a stainless guy. So,for those of you who are,which would you prefer for carry and why? Which of the two is the more desireable to Smithophiles? Which is more valuable assuming that the guns in question are both .38 no-dash snubbies and NIB?
f.t.

[mg357]

I would prefer the S&W Model 64 i currently own a Police trade-in model 64-5 and i love it very much.

[Hapworth]

Originally Posted by fat tom

I'm not a stainless guy. So,for those of you who are,which would you prefer for carry and why? Which of the two is the more desireable to Smithophiles? Which is more valuable assuming that the guns in question are both .38 no-dash snubbies and NIB?
f.t.

Everything being equal, I think a very slight value edge goes to the Model 64.

As for which I'd prefer to carry? Presuming we're talking about daily, concealed carry -- Model 60 all the way. You just can't adequately concealed carry a 64 year-round on every occasion unless you wear a nightshirt exclusively, but a 60 you can easily.

[gmiller0737]

For CCW The Model 60 would be My Choice Reasons:More Easily Concealed & Lighter,In fact I often carry My Model 60-7 IWB

[Marshal tom]

Hi, my friend. What are you trying to accomplish? I carry an M&P 340 all the time now and love it. I also carry a Shield .9mm on the bike and at church. I would consider an M&P as an everyday carry over a 640 or any of the other stainless models.

[RussellD]

I have both. Easier to shoot the k frame well and see the sights. Easier to tuck the model 60 into a pocket holster in warm weather.

There have been a lot of very nice police trade in model 64 snubbies on gunbroker lately at very attractive prices.

[VM]

ft - buy em both and quit messing with us!
You are on a new year roll.
Seriously, put the 64 in a belt holster and the 60 as a BUG in a ankle holster.
If you've blown your gun funds, send me a PM and I'll buy some more Mercury's

[shawn mccarver]

I would prefer the 64 over the 60. Conceals about as well (both are too heavy for the pocket, so if a holster of some kind is required, might as well have the K frame), shoots better for me because of the smoother K frame action, and holds one more round.

[Chukar60]

+1^, I have a 3" 60-10, a 21/2" 19-3, and a 21/2" 66-1. 90% of what I shoot is 38 even when I am carrying. I just shoot the 38's much better in rapid fire.
The 60 is a 3" but even if it were a snub, it would not conceal much better than the 2.5" K frames.
i never carry the 60 anymore. It does not conceal any better than the K frames and that one extra round may come in very handy.

[JP@AK]

Okay. I will weigh in.
My current carry piece is a Model 36 from 1964. I've never owned a Model 60, but as you know it is the same gun, except for the material it is made of.
However, I carried a Model 64 2" in a shoulder holster daily for nearly 10 years. Occasionally, it was carried IWB in the kidney position, but since I was driving a lot in those days, it mostly rode in a S&W shoulder rig. I'm not a big guy, but I had no problem with daily carry of the K frame.
So it really comes down to what you personally prefer. The advantage of the Model 64 is one more available shot, and I don't find the size or weight to be that big a deal.

And, of course, the standard answer around here is buy them both! Then you can alternate carrying them until you figure out which one you like the best. Then the other one can become your backup or home defense piece.

Now you've been enabled. Go do your thing.

[fat tom]

Thanks for all of the replies thus far. Nearly all of them bolster my own opinions. Last question,is 1K too much to pay for both? Keep in mind that at my age,I don't want to buy ANYTHING that I can't recoup my money quickly if the need should arise.
f.t.

[M29since14]

I think that's too much, but I am living in the past when it comes to prices. And (probably like you) I can be selective about what price I buy at because I already have more revolvers than I will live to wear out.

I would buy the 60 and be done with it. A 2-inch K-frame doesn't make a lot of sense to me as anything other than a conversation piece. If it were a 3-inch gun, that might be different. JMHO. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Hapworth]

Originally Posted by fat tom

Thanks for all of the replies thus far. Nearly all of them bolster my own opinions. Last question,is 1K too much to pay for both? Keep in mind that at my age,I don't want to buy ANYTHING that I can't recoup my money quickly if the need should arise.
f.t.

You described them as "NIB"; if by that you mean the guns, unfired save for factory tests, correct serialized boxes, unopened cleaning tools and all original factory papers -- then $1K is perfectly fair.

[fat tom]

That's what I mean. Thanks!
f.t.

[kf4ocv]

[QUOTE=JP@AK;138309799]Okay. I will weigh in.
My current carry piece is a Model 36 from 1964. I've never owned a Model 60, but as you know it is the same gun, except for the material it is made of.

Just wondering? What is the model 60 made of? I have a 36 in nickel.

[fat tom]

Stainless.
f.t.

[JP@AK]

Originally Posted by kf4ocv

Just wondering? What is the model 60 made of? I have a 36 in nickel.

As Fat Tom stated, the Model 60 is made of stainless steel. The Model 36 is the same revolver made of carbon steel and finished either with nickel, like yours, or blue.
The Model 60 was introduced in 1965 and was the very first all-stainless revolver made by anyone, anywhere. An historic milestone that changed the industry forever!

[Biggfoot44]

For many many years I bought into the prevailing wisdpm that 2in K Frames were pointless and silly. Until I used one ! Lust at first fondle , and still enamored with them , with a M10 and a M64 .

If you specifically wish to carry in pants pocket or on ankle , a M60 would get nod. For belt carry , a K Frame with Magnas or Boot grips will conceal at least as well as a J Frame with oversize grips, but will shoot as well as a full size.

[JP@AK]

2" K frame useless? Merely a conversation piece? Hardly! Why anyone would think this - if he ever owned, carried and/or shot one is beyond me.
Here is one I'm rather fond of. I've shot it a fair amount and carried it some. It dates to September, 1947, and is still giving good service.
Go ahead, try to take it away from me . . .

[perfectcircle1]

I shoot a 64 2 inch up to 45 ft as good as any 4 inch. Short barrel=no accuracy is a myth..

[fat tom]

Originally Posted by JP@AK

2" K frame useless? Merely a conversation piece? Hardly!

Got a couple of those myself,and I totally agree with your assessment!
f.t.

[JP@AK]

Tom
The revolver shown in Post #19 was wearing the post-1953 stocks when I bought it. They are nice stocks, but incorrect for an S prefix revolver. They have since been replaced with correct sharp-shouldered Magna stocks and the gun looks a lot better! No pics with its new shoes, but it is sitting here next to me as I write this. It says it feels better . . . (who says guns can't talk?).

[srsmyth]

I have both and obviously the Mod 60 is more concealable but I like the 2" 64 better if clothing permits. I live in cold country requiring heavy jackets in winter so what I would really like is a 3.5" 27-2. Take VM's advice and buy em both.
Steve

[DRYHEAT]

Love 'em both. 60 for warmer weather carry, 64 for cooler weather or when you feel you may need 20% more rounds.

Can't go wrong either way, IMO.

[buckeyejake]

Get the sixty , for sure .

Jake

[66Park]

I used to own and carry both. Mostly the M60. It just conceals much better.

[DAinTX]

You can't go wrong with either. To belabor a point: the J carries a little bit better in warm weather/light clothing; the K handles a little bit better and works fine under jacket, sports coat, blazer, or suit. Value and "desirability" are both going to be close with these two models. Again...you just can't go wrong here.

[CajunBass]

I've never cared much for any J frame.

I'd get the 64.

[Jim NNN]

I prefer blued guns when you're talking about vintage stuff, but stainless has one advantage - it would be a vintage gun that I wouldn't be so concerned about carrying since the finish is so durable. So that would make the model 60 preferable, as it's much more concealable as a carry gun than a 64. If the wood grips were in great shape, I'd save them and put on a set of aftermarkets.

A two inch 64, however, would be fairly concealable, however, and have the advantage of an extra round. Best of luck.

[ISCS Yoda]

Concealment is different for everyone, I suppose, but as a rule a 5 shot Model 60 is far easier to hide than a 6 shot Model 64, even if they're both snub-nosed. . The new, longer barrels on M 60s do change that, however, but I'm thinking about snubbies in the true sense of that term, not small framed guns with long snouts.

Concealing a Model 64 short barrel is no different than concealing a snubbie Model 10 - NEVER as easy as hiding a J=frame.

As for value, my recently acquired/"previously owned" 4" barrel Model 64s both cost less than any of my recently acquired/previously owned stainless or alloy J-frames. A snubbie Model 64 would probably cost 100 bucks more. I still wouldn't be carrying it daily.

***GRJ***

[dcopper]

JP@AK Sure would like to find one like yours, My birthday 12 Sep 1947! That would be awesome! OP needs to buy both!

[gmborkovic]

Oh Geez! put a Mod-37 or 38 in your pocket. Mike 2796

[JP@AK]

Originally Posted by dcopper

JP@AK Sure would like to find one like yours, My birthday 12 Sep 1947! That would be awesome!

They are out there! Look for one somewhere between S926xxx and S942xxx. In my database I see lots of them in that range that shipped in September, 1947. There are also a few in that range that shipped in August, but most of them on my list around those numbers shipped in September. Lots of 6" and 4" examples, but also 2".

[Rule 303]

I have several Model 60s and two Model 64s. One of the 64s and three of the Model 60s are New-Unfired.

The Model 64 I carry on occasion is a used LE Trade in that has CDC stamped on the lower portion of the frame just below the Cylinder.
It has the best trigger job of all the S&W Revolvers I have.

I have no problem carrying a Model 64 or a 65 on a good belt with a good holster.

Back in the Olden Days when most of us were carrying a revolver on the street, stainless steel was a great thing to have, especially for my Model 60 two inch that I carried in an ankle holster as a back up for my belt gun. I wiped it down every end of shift, but I didn't have to worry about it like I did when I carried a Model 36.

Rule 303

Jungle Work

[chief38]

My first carry piece was a M10 RB 2" (blued version of the M64) and after a year or so I gave it up and got a M60 to take its place. Yes the K frame holds one more round. Yes it is a little easier to shoot with stiff loads The problem was it was just too heavy and too large for Pocket carry which I do often. If you wind up leaving the gun home because it's too uncomfortable or too heavy it certainly does you no good if needed.

For someone who is a NON - LEO, the M60 is just about the perfect combination of size, weight, convenience and stopping power and I felt all this was worth giving up one round for. I still do.

While I think S&W Revolvers are #1, another viable option would be the Colt Detective Special. It's only 2 ounces more than a M36/60, only slightly bigger, holds 6 rounds, very reliable and great quality and is still a lot smaller and lighter than a K frame. They don't make them anymore but they are still available all over. While slightly larger and heavier than the S&W J frame M36/60 the Dick Spl. can still be carried in a pocket (obviously not as comfortable as the J - but still doable). Changing grips on the Dick Special helps conceal it in a pocket and there are several different sizes that will fit. Just saying.............

[AZretired]

For the choice between the 64 and the 60 I prefer the 64 in a snubby. The 60 is too heavy for pocket carry (IMO) so I carry a 642 or a 638. when I belt carry I carry a 2" 64.

[dr. K]

I like the idea of another round in the cylinder, but I like the ubiquity of J frame holsters, and they're that much easier to carry IWB. But then I have a little problem with J's... can't get enough of 'em.