M-60 .38 Spl Revolver

Kollector03 · #1 07-22-2018, 01:59 AM

Just picked this up M-60 no dash pinned barrel on a trade today. Pretty sure it dates to 1979. No box or papers and wearing a older Pachmayer grip, it is definitely a nice older Smith. Had to offer a LNIB 442 for it, but the 442 was a "Spare" that I picked up so its a push in the collection. Looking forward to getting some range time with it.

Overall I'm pretty pleased with it, but would rather have a later M60-14 .357 2.1" for a 9mm project.

Jtown · #2 07-22-2018, 05:43 AM

Nice carry gun
Walt

Kframerbluvr · #3 07-22-2018, 05:52 AM

Good trade. Someone did a good job on the red ramp install. First one I have seen on a M60. This will be a “kinder to the hand” shooter than the 442. You did well. Enjoy!

Narragansett · #4 07-22-2018, 08:22 AM

Nice trade. I have one a couple years newer. I have yet to fire it

scooterfiend · #5 07-22-2018, 11:34 AM

Here's the difficulty for me to explain because I don't know the term for the part of the trigger hinge pin that extends from the left side of the frame. Is it a guide when closing the cylinder, or a stop to keep the cylinder from sliding off the crane?
When extracting brass from the cylinder, if a case head happened to hit that small extrusion straight on it wouldn't let the brass eject. You had to turn the cylinder to where the the charge holes straddled that extrusion.
This gun was going to be a SD weapon to be carried from time to time. I didn't like that little feature AT all.
Just something to watch out for.
I hope you can make sense of what I posted.

ShivasIrons · #6 07-22-2018, 11:39 AM

Good trade! I would much rather have that Model 60 than a Model 442.

viceunit · #7 07-22-2018, 01:33 PM

scooterfiend: I had the same problem with a M36 once. That part is called the frame lug, I believe. Protruded too far and prevented extraction if the cartridge was positioned just so. I stoned it down for clearance and cold blued it to make the gun workable.

OP, nice looking 60. Enjoy.

Kollector03 · #8 07-22-2018, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooterfiend

Here's the difficulty for me to explain because I don't know the term for the part of the trigger hinge pin that extends from the left side of the frame. Is it a guide when closing the cylinder, or a stop to keep the cylinder from sliding off the crane?
When extracting brass from the cylinder, if a case head happened to hit that small extrusion straight on it wouldn't let the brass eject. You had to turn the cylinder to where the the charge holes straddled that extrusion.
This gun was going to be a SD weapon to be carried from time to time. I didn't like that little feature AT all.
Just something to watch out for.
I hope you can make sense of what I posted.

I noticed that when I loaded the chambers with some dummies to dry fire. Definitely something to be aware of.

shouldazagged · #9 07-22-2018, 11:05 PM

Nice 60. If you've never shot one with the Pachmayr Compac grip (it's a single piece), I think you'll like it. Three-finger hold, fills the hand nicely, controls muzzle flip. Unlike some rubber grips, the one I've used for years has never allowed any moisture into the grip frame. I check it only every two or three years.

Stargater · #10 07-25-2018, 10:03 PM

Years ago, Curtis Sliwa came to Washington, D.C., to look into the possibility of starting a GUARDIAN ANGELS chapter. The group had reduced crime noticeably in New York and Sliwa hoped the group could help in reducing the violent crime rate in the nation's capital.

While walking down the street one evening, Sliwa was waylaid by some men in black and forced into the back of a van where he was threatened by a number of these men. It took only a glimpse to discover the identity of his attackers. Sliwa knew guns and when he saw that several of them were brandishing S&W Model 60s, he knew he was being sent a message by the Washington, D.C., police. They didn't want him or his organization in their city. And they roughed him up to ensure he got the message.

For years, the only way you could get a Model 60 was if you knew someone or if you were a cop. Stainless steel was the hot setup and the Model 60 and the Model 66 were almost impossible to get. During the 70s and 80s, I never saw either of them on a dealer's shelf. I had to wait months to get a 629 and when it came in, I had to wait another week, during which it was on display on the dealer's shelf (with a sign saying "Sold -- For Display ONLY!!") It was like a museum piece. I'd had my name on a list for a very long time.

My father got his Model 60 from a friend who knew he wanted it and when my dad died, I got it. It's a beautiful gun and I wouldn't hesitate using .38 +P in it for carry. The gun is steel and is sturdier than many think, even at the company. Like the Model 66, one can shoot magnum 125gr JHPs through it. You just need to judiciously use it.

I love the little 60s and the 36s. My love of snubbies began with the TV series, GET SMART back in the 60s. And my mom used to buy me toy snubbies before that. What's not to like? Max used to whip his little snubbie out like a flash, even if all he had on were his pajamas!

S&W 60 (top) and Rossi M88 (3-inch) are both great little
guns. Both are similar except for the barrel length, and both
are very solidly and well built guns.

..

Texas Star · #11 07-25-2018, 10:24 PM

Both Jeff Cooper and a retired CIA officer named Harry Archer, who wrote a few articles for, Gunfacts told me that they loaded their Model 60's considerably beyond what one might expect. Archer operated in South America and killed deer and even jaguars with his, using hot handloads. He also carried a Model 19 in nickel with rare three-inch barrel and found it very effective.

But the nickel finish was mottled by the jungle heat and humidity. The M-60 was unaffected.

Jeff mentioned his handload, but for liability reasons, I won't quote it here. I wouldn't load mine that hot but it remains that his didn't blow up. I'd certainly expect it to develop cylinder endshake sooner, though, if he fired it much with loads that hot. I suspect that he got the load where he wanted it, knew that he couldn't push the envelope much further, and thereafter fired that ammo only occasionally, to remain familiar with it. I'm certain that he wouldn't regard it as "range ammo." He developed that for killing, not for punching paper.

Texas Star · #12 07-25-2018, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stargater

Years ago, Curtis Sliwa came to Washington, D.C., to look into the possibility of starting a GUARDIAN ANGELS chapter. The group had reduced crime noticeably in New York and Sliwa hoped the group could help in reducing the violent crime rate in the nation's capital.

While walking down the street one evening, Sliwa was waylaid by some men in black and forced into the back of a van where he was threatened by a number of these men. It took only a glimpse to discover the identity of his attackers. Sliwa knew guns and when he saw that several of them were brandishing S&W Model 60s, he knew he was being sent a message by the Washington, D.C., police. They didn't want him or his organization in their city. And they roughed him up to ensure he got the message.

For years, the only way you could get a Model 60 was if you knew someone or if you were a cop. Stainless steel was the hot setup and the Model 60 and the Model 66 were almost impossible to get. During the 70s and 80s, I never saw either of them on a dealer's shelf. I had to wait months to get a 629 and when it came in, I had to wait another week, during which it was on display on the dealer's shelf (with a sign saying "Sold -- For Display ONLY!!") It was like a museum piece. I'd had my name on a list for a very long time.

My father got his Model 60 from a friend who knew he wanted it and when my dad died, I got it. It's a beautiful gun and I wouldn't hesitate using .38 +P in it for carry. The gun is steel and is sturdier than many think, even at the company. Like the Model 66, one can shoot magnum 125gr JHPs through it. You just need to judiciously use it.

I love the little 60s and the 36s. My love of snubbies began with the TV series, GET SMART back in the 60s. And my mom used to buy me toy snubbies before that. What's not to like? Max used to whip his little snubbie out like a flash, even if all he had on were his pajamas!

S&W 60 (top) and Rossi M88 (3-inch) are both great little
guns. Both are similar except for the barrel length, and both
are very solidly and well built guns.

..

Who made that black holster? It seems Gaylord-like and I have a similar thumb-break model by Mixon, in FL. (NOT Nixon) I was a gun writer when I bought it used at a show and I called the company, wanting to learn more, possibly to write an article on them. They wouldn't speak to me, and I still know nothing of them. But the leather and workmanship are very good.

Most companies are eager for publicity. I've always wondered why Mixon was so close-mouthed. I've never seen another of their holsters. Might yours be one?

I noted that Maxwell Smart's gun is a Centennial. Very unusual on TV then, or now.