I'm thinking I might want a Pro Series, model 60 with 3 inch barrel and adjustable sights.

Bud's has them for a little over $600.00

I've also considered a 5 inch model 60.

Just seems like a neat little J frame revolver in 3 or 5 inch.

Any first hand experience here?

Regards,

Jim

I have 3 M60's w/ 3" barrels (all slightly different). IMHO they are the best of both worlds, small enough to conceal but w/ an extra bit of distance between the sights to assist accuracy. My 3" heavy barrel will outshoot any other handgun I've ever held.

The three inch for me. I have one TH & TT, full lug barrel, adjustable sights. Just a 38SPL. Three inch is my favorite barrel length.

I've owned both. I sold the 5 inch on this forum a while back. The 3 inch J frame .357 is a great compromise between sight radius/ velocity and ease of concealment. Get the 3 inch, you won't regret it.

The 3" with adjustable sights would make a great belt gun.

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Centennial Every Day

Thanks guys,

I'm going to drop the hammer (figuratively speaking) on a 3" model 60.

Bud's has a 3" model 60 with adjustable rear and "HiViz" front sight for about $584 but I find the sight ugly.

They also have a Model 60, 3", full lug, adjustable sights, for $601.00 and a Pro series with wood laminate grips for $16.00 more.

The full lug looks more attractive to me.

Are there advantages to the pro series other than the grips. It looks like the lug is machined down to save an ounce or so but I've never seen or held one.

Comments?

Thanks.

I'll check back tomorrow and then make my final decision.

Jim

My 3" is a very handy revolver. I think you made the right choice.

I have & like the 3", very nice.

I've got a 3" Pro Series 60, it's a great gun. An absolute tack driver. Pretty nice looking with those wooden custom grips.

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Jack C

I would personally go with the 3" for all the reasons others have stated. It's just a great barrel length. However, it really depends on what you want to use it for. If you plan on using it for hunting, then you will need to check your state/local regulations. Here in Iowa, you can't hunt with a handgun with less than a 4" barrel. And personally, I wouldn't select a J-Frame for a hunting handgun. That then brings me back to the 3" for a M60. I personally have the 2" M60. But it serves me well as my primary carry gun.

Also, you may want to check out some of the online auction/sales websites. I know buying over the internet can seem a little daunting, but I have had decent success finding what I was looking for. But for me, I like used pre-lock S&Ws & the local used handgun market isn't very good. So I am more or less forced to broaden my search scope to find what I am looking for. For example, there are a few pre-lock 3" .357 M60s (-9 through -13) on Gunbroker right now for less than $500. I would set a price point, be patient and wait until you can get one for less than that amount. It only took me a few weeks to find one at a price I was willing to pay with the attributes I was looking for.

Most of all, good luck, have fun & be safe!

I purchased a 60 Pro last year, and it is a great gun. It has a good kick with 357's. I use 38 plus P defense ammo for PD and 38 special for practice. Go to Smith&Wesson's web site for a 360 view and specs of the gun. You won't regret your choice.

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I have never owned the 5" model, but I do have the 3" model 60-10, and I think it's the perfect barrel length for that frame size. This is the third that I have owned, because I keep coming back to it. Great gun. wyatte

I have two of the pre-IL 60-10s. One is standard and the other is a Lew Horton special that was Mag-Na-Ported. Both shoot great.

Have only handled the 5" models but to me they just don't balance as well as the 3" guns. I have shot these guns side by side with a 3" Model 65 and found little difference in the recoil or speed of recovery when using .357 Magnum ammo. To me if I want a longer barreled .357 I'll buy a 27 5"...

A friend bought a 60-15 and had me remove the IL and put in one of Bullseye Smith's Plugs...looks much nicer and no worry about the gun locking up on you... I would take JDWs advise however and look for a nice used 60-10. I just picked one up for $475 and sold it to a friend who has been looking for one since shooting mine. I use mine for backpacking, fishing, canoeing and anything else around water....

As to grips, find something compact, recoil absorbing and that really fit your hand well...I use the Pachmayer Compacts on all my Js but they don't fit everyone....

Bob

3" is the nearly perfect size weight balance ratio for a J frame (to me).

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I just sent my order to Bud's.

I ordered the Pro Series 3".

I don't know how long it will take Bud's to ship but I hope it's not too long.

Thanks for all the input.

Jim

You'll love your 60 Pro! Congratulations - and don't worry - it'll be here before you know it. Mine has a home:



I have fondled several 5" 60's - but never A-B-ed it with my 3" 60 Pro. I do have their near equivalents in the .22 LR J-frame 3" & 5" 63's, however:



I had the 5"-er for fifteen months when I bought the 3"-er, nearly a year ago. The 3"-er see's a lot more range time, the balance especially being so good. I think you'll be happier with the 3" - 60 or 63 - than the 5" of either caliber. Of course, I have no plans to say goodbye to my 5" 63 - and I know a store that still has a new 5" 60 for ~$600, if I ever hit it big! Right now, I am enjoying my J-frames - and, obviously, love that wood grip on the 60 Pro, too.

Stainz

I'd like a 640-1 with a 3" barrel.

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60-10,640-1,G30,G41MOS,1911

Oh .......... the gun porn!

Just don't know if I can STAND IT!!!

Very nice Stainz .......... very nice!!


Three 44s

Man.... youu have got it going on!!! And you even own a Governor. I love it, we just got them approved to sell in Mass, that's on my list along with the M&P 45c they also just approved for sale.

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Jack C

Thanks Stainz,

Those pictures will keep me going for a few days,

I always CC using an IWB. I'll be contacting Tommy Theis today to order my holster.

Jim

The 3" model 60 with adjustable sights is going to be my next purchase also. Looks like a great all around revolver. Bud

I have a model 60 with 3" barrel and adjustable sights...it's one of my favorites. It shoots well and has option of .38 or .357 the 5" barrel isn't my cup of tea!

I found a Model 60 in a 3" barrel for $600 in Stockton. I almost bought it but decided to get a new 360 M&P 3" due to the weight differance for carry. I will probebly get a 60 3" later. I had a Model 38 Bodyguard I bought in the late 80's and selling it, I think the 3" barrel is just right because of sight radious and the 360 I am buying I have the option to using 38+P or 357 Mag. Something I didn't have in my Bodyguard.

Had a 60-4 since '93. Great little gun.

I had both at one time. Both Shot about the same, good of course, but I just liked the 3 inch with the adj sights a little better. As some have said the balance with the full lug barrel is about as close to perfect as you can get. I did take the 5 inch gun deer hunting a few times after I had gotten my buck and was driving deer for others. Never got a chance to use it but would have felt confident in a decent shot if one had presented itself. One thing is for sure it was a joy to carry as opposed to a slug gun. The Desantis holsters sold on the S&W website are very nice. I had holsters for both and was very pleased how high they rode and how close the the body they kept things. I did sell the 5 inch gun however to fund the purchase of a 625 with some regrets. Both would be great additions.

I like your first thought, the 3" barrel would be an easier carry if your thinking of doing that. I have a 2.5" 327 and really like it. A 5" presents other carry problems, but you could probably be happy with either, huh.

I wear my 3" all the time with a good holster just feels right

Whew this thing is pretty.

I'll get it to the range this week. I hope my wife decides to make it "her" gun. Right now she is carrying a S&W BodyGuard 38. It's a nice revolver but she has great difficulty in firing it accurately.

She enjoys shooting our K, L, and N frame revolvers but they are too big to carry.

She chose the BG38 and thinks she has to live with her decision. She forbade me from buying "her" a new revolver. She did not say I could not buy myself a new toy.

She has already dry fired it several dozen times and is making "gee this is nice" comments. With luck she will adopt it.

I'll learn to take better pictures.

Jim

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I have a 3" Model 60 that has been fired exactly 10 times. I would like to trade it for the 5" model in similar, good condition. If anyone is interested in doing a deal, please let me know. Mine is in the box with all paperwork as it came from S&W.

IMO, the 3" M60 is a near-perfect small-frame handgun.

I just bought the 3" Model 60, Pro Series, this past Saturday. According to the members who posted last November, I would have saved some money, if I had purchased it then, rather that February 25th, 2012.

I like mine.