M60 Question

[OK Hog Shooter]

I'm thinking of adding a Model 60 to the herd and wanted to know the most desirable dash numbers and why. Thanks to all who respond.

[vrichard]

Sir,I believe the most desirable mdl.60 would be one of the early ones.
made in 1965 to 1968,no dash,they could be a little pricey tho.
Dick

[white cloud]

+1 on that. that said i happen to like all non-lock m60s.

[hogdoc357]

I have a M60 Pro Series, 3 inch barrel, and I love it. One of the sweetest revolvers I have ever held and shot.

[allglock]

......60-7

[Frailer]

Originally Posted by allglock

......60-7

Agreed. All of the good modern features and none of the bad ones.

[dallascj]

I gotta agree with hogdoc. Looked at one tonight at the LGS. That is a sweet looking gun.

[Robinett_11B]

Originally Posted by Frailer

Agreed. All of the good modern features and none of the bad ones.

+2....the M60-7 & no-dash M60 were the one's I actively seeked out and added to my growing stable. Now I just need to find a couple good examples from '65-'70

[alwslate]

My 60-7 is on S&W's list of guns they say are ok for use of +P ammo.

[allglock]

Originally Posted by alwslate

My 60-7 is on S&W's list of guns they say are ok for use of +P ammo.

You can shoot +P+ through them. No Problems.

[OK Hog Shooter]

Thanks to all you Forum members that have answered. To summarize, I need to look for a M60 no dash or a -7. Are both are capable of handling the +P rounds or just the -7? I really prefer the 3" barrels, so at least now I know what I'm looking for. Ah the Smith & Wesson curse has struck again!

[Dump1567]

You also have the .357 Mag J frame option. Love my 60-9.

[allglock]

[Stainz]

Check that no dash 60... the earliest 60's, like the early Ruger SP101's, were .38 Specials! In fact, they weren't heat treated for +P, I believe, until the 60-8 in 1990. The .357 Magnum wasn't offered until the J-Magnum frame, 60-9, in 1996. To be safe, if you want to shoot a bunch of +P's in an early model, I'd call S&W's Customer Service with the s/n.

Now, as to my favorite 60, here it is:



My wife thought I needed a late Christmas present in early January - and bought me this one new. They gave her a better price than they offered it to me just a few days earlier - when it still had that $50 rebate. She is a keeper (Both - the 60 Pro and my wife!).

Stainz

[turbo38gn]

Originally Posted by Stainz

Check that no dash 60... the earliest 60's, like the early Ruger SP101's, were .38 Specials! In fact, they weren't heat treated for +P, I believe, until the 60-8 in 1990. The .357 Magnum wasn't offered until the J-Magnum frame, 60-9, in 1996. To be safe, if you want to shoot a bunch of +P's in an early model, I'd call S&W's Customer Service with the s/n.

Now, as to my favorite 60, here it is:



My wife thought I needed a late Christmas present in early January - and bought me this one new. They gave her a better price than they offered it to me just a few days earlier - when it still had that $50 rebate. She is a keeper (Both - the 60 Pro and my wife!).

Stainz

Just picked one of those up last week... sure is purty now that she's all cleaned up..

[allglock]

looks like 60-4s are ok for +P according to the chart?

[turbo38gn]

Originally Posted by allglock

looks like 60-4s are ok for +P according to the chart?

Is that like an older chart? It doesn't have any of the newer models....

[allglock]

Originally Posted by turbo38gn

Is that like an older chart? It doesn't have any of the newer models....

Yes I believe it is from the 90s.

[turbo38gn]

Originally Posted by allglock

Yes I believe it is from the 90s.

Ahhh, ok, that explains it. Didn't see the newer stronger models on there that can handle the +P's and 357 ammo..

[chief38]

Allglock hit the nail right on the head! The 60-7 is the BEST of the lot. It has a specific heat treatment package (the 60-4 doesn't) for +P ammunition, has a wider front sight (1/8" instead of the old 1/10" thickness), does NOT have the internal lock OR the integral cylinder stop with the huge piece of extra metal going up the frame which I just personally dislike. The 60-7 was one of the last S&W's to come with a set of walnut Magnagrips, but that is a minor thing since a lot of people swap grips out anyway. Basically it has every thing you want, and nothing you don't.

Chief38

[deanodog]

Model 60 no dash in 38 special. I have owned several of these over the years and have sold and traded them away but I have always got another. I never shoot +p in them though.

[ar15ed]

+1 on the -7! it is a hidden gem. all the good stuff, and none of the bad stuff. the 1/8 inch sight is MUCH easier to pick up quickly. i love em!

[chief38]

ar15ed:

Looks like you put quite a nice luster on that puppy - niceeeeee!

[ar15ed]

ha! i worked on it for about 8 hours during football season. i put about 6 hours into it with simichrome by hand, then about 2 hours with mothers by hand. it took a couple of weekends. i continue to work on the hard-to-get-to spots as time goes by.

[chief38]

I hope you still shoot it! Some guys do such a nice polishing job they are afraid to get it dirty. It does look great though!

[OK Hog Shooter]

After all the comments and reference material provided, looks like I'll be looking for a 60-7. I did pick up a M60 no dash today at an OKC gunshow and will limit it to regular 38 Special shooting. It's a little worse for wear and may just have to be my "throw it in the truck" gun.

[357 guy]

My work horse is my ugly 642. My sexy 60 is a 60 pro .357.