Model 60 .38

[rcmac]

Guys, I have a model 60 .38 from the early 80s with box, papers, and tools. It has been fired very little. I've shot it enough to know I can shoot it well. My intention is to catty it. Does it have colecter value? Should I get something else?

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[Ranger514]

If it's accurate and you like it, why not keep it? I have a Mod. 60 snubby that dates from 1982. I doubt it's collectable. I keep it handy around the house, and I carry it when I'm motorcycle riding or working outside. I like the fact that I can throw it in a pocket and go. If you don't want it, you might put it up for sale on the Forum. I'm sure someone will want it.

[rcmac]

I don't want to sell it. Just making sure there isn't collector value before I carry it and probably shoot it alot.

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[scruffy]

I have one from 1989 I bought new. Great gun. The only thing that keeps me from carrying it daily is I typically pocket carry or carry appendix IWB. In both those cases I don't want the hammer as they can and will snag. I have a DAO centennial frame 442 with .38+Ps for daily carry. The M60 sees a combination of nightstand duty and is kept handy in the car console on longer road trips.

I practice with both, but enjoy shooting the M60 with .38's more.

[markeb]

It might not be a big collector but check out Gunbroker and see what they are selling for with the box and docs.

[Pef]

Originally Posted by rcmac

Guys, I have a model 60 .38 from the early 80s with box, papers, and tools. It has been fired very little. I've shot it enough to know I can shoot it well. My intention is to catty it. Does it have colecter value? Should I get something else?

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In my neck of the woods (North Georgia), in very good condition with box and dox, about $550 max. Without box/dox, about $500 max. Lots of people ask for more, and the guns just sit on the forums.

In the last three years I purchased a 60-7 LS with box/dox for $500, and 60-3 for $475, and a 60-7 for $475.

Your prices may vary depending on where you live.

I'd say you have yourself a nice carry gun.

[rcmac]

Good to know, I've had a few j frames, try autos for carry and always go back to j frames. Some day I might get smart and stick with them.

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[AZretired]

I carried a M60 for years til I traded it for a 642. Love the 642 but wish I had kept the 60. Mine had a bobbed hammer and was easy to pocket carry. So I say, keep it shoot it carry it.

[gnystrom]

I bought a Mod 60 2" with box early 90's pre-lock a couple of years ago for $300. Shoot it and take care of it.

[P-229]

I have a 2" Model 60 from the same era. I still have the box. Can't say why I kept it because when I bought it I was not known for thinking in the future.

As far as collector's value, I'd doubt it. I know mine isn't. I used to carry it a lot.

With 158 grain +P loads, it is no fun to shoot. But I do carry the FBI load in it when I use it for self-defense, which is next to never. With standard .38 Special loads, recoil is noticeable. I could not imagine shooting a .357 Mag out of a "J" Frame.

If you're going to use it for self-defense, a wise investment is a sped loader. Practice loading it at night, under stress if possible.

Overall, I'd rate the Model 60 as an excellent gun. As far as self-defense, I'd rate it as less-than-marginal. It'll work if escape is not an option and a CNS hit is possible. It fails were one to have to confront more that one bad guy, which is more likely in urban areas where bangers roam.

[rockquarry]

rcmac- The 60 is an excellent carry gun. You can already shoot it well, so you're way ahead of many others who find these small revolvers difficult to master. While you can use +P ammunition, it's not necessary. Just find a good hollow point heavy bullet load that shows decent accuracy and shoots close to point of aim.

[rcmac]

Originally Posted by rockquarry

rcmac- The 60 is an excellent carry gun. You can already shoot it well, so you're way ahead of many others who find these small revolvers difficult to master. While you can use +P ammunition, it's not necessary. Just find a good hollow point heavy bullet load that shows decent accuracy and shoots close to point of aim.

Right, I can hit a 1x8 at 20 yards every time so not worried about accuracy. I've carried js off and on since 98 or so, I just get to wishing for the coolest new auto, sell my j to get it and then kick myself later. I need to quit doing that. I tend to like heavy lead bullets for carry.

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[dip]

I sent a Mod. 60 j frame in 1972 to Smith & Wesson factory and had my initials engraved on it to make sure I never sold it. Never regretted it either, bought 2 others since.

[rcmac]

Originally Posted by dip

I sent a Mod. 60 j frame in 1972 to Smith & Wesson factory and had my initials engraved on it to make sure I never sold it. Never regretted it either, bought 2 others since.

That's sounds like a good idea

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[Rubone]

I bought my model 60 in about 1977 and have carried it more than all the others combined. And it still looks good and shoots great. My wife used it about a year ago for a defensive handgun course and shot over 500 rounds all double action in two afternoons, and consistently out shot all the semis including me with a SA XD40. 4th down in the pic with the Bianchi Lawman grips purchased when it was new.
So, what was your question??

[kaaskop49]

For those younger shooters, the Model 60 was THE primo gun in the late 60s/early 70s. Literally everyone dreamed of owning/carrying one. Obtaining a 60 was another matter!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

[PUPP86]

Have a model 60 no dash from the '60's that was my fathers (only thing I have after he passed). He carried that thing everywhere he went. While I don't carry it (carry a 649-2) it will be a gun that I never get rid of. Still have the original receipt from when he purchased it from all places a gunshop in The City of Chicago.

[Roberto Renauld]

Great gun!!! it is a S&W icon!!!
Roberto Renauld

[Krell1]

Originally Posted by kaaskop49

For those younger shooters, the Model 60 was THE primo gun in the late 60s/early 70s. Literally everyone dreamed of owning/carrying one. Obtaining a 60 was another matter!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Back when the model 60 was introduced it was very easy to purchase one. I bought mine at a local gun shop in Buffalo NY and, if memory serves me, I paid exactly $110 for it. It obviously was a 60 no dash and very good shooter. I now have a 60-7 I purchased a couple years ago and that gun cost me $475. Both nice guns and fun to shoot.

[kaaskop49]

Originally Posted by Krell1

Back when the model 60 was introduced it was very easy to purchase one. I bought mine at a local gun shop in Buffalo NY and, if memory serves me, I paid exactly $110 for it. It obviously was a 60 no dash and very good shooter. I now have a 60-7 I purchased a couple years ago and that gun cost me $475. Both nice guns and fun to shoot.

Obviously, I was living/working in the wrong place! I worked part-time at a NYC FFL in the 70s, and snubs were often difficult to come by. On one occasion, an LEO looking for a Chiefs Special phoned EVERY shop in NYC. Nobody had one, not even distributors Sile and Jovino. Another time, our gunsmith re-barreled several dozen lightly used 4" 10s to 2" bbls. Peace officers snapped them up within 2 weeks. Nothing else 2" was out there.

IIRC, my 60 cost me $150 in 1976, and I was very happy to get it! Should've shuffled off to Buffalo...

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

[adwjc]

Originally Posted by kaaskop49

Obviously, I was living/working in the wrong place! I worked part-time at a NYC FFL in the 70s, and snubs were often difficult to come by. On one occasion, an LEO looking for a Chiefs Special phoned EVERY shop in NYC. Nobody had one, not even distributors Sile and Jovino. Another time, our gunsmith re-barreled several dozen lightly used 4" 10s to 2" bbls. Peace officers snapped them up within 2 weeks. Nothing else 2" was out there.

IIRC, my 60 cost me $150 in 1976, and I was very happy to get it! Should've shuffled off to Buffalo...

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Agreed! It was impossible to find one in the NYC and surrounding areas of NJ, I was on call lists at several shops and finally did get one in late 1976 or early '77 from Ray's Sport Shop which used to be out in North Plainfield.

As I recall it was an "R" serial # - should have kept it...

[Krell1]

Originally Posted by kaaskop49

Obviously, I was living/working in the wrong place! I worked part-time at a NYC FFL in the 70s, and snubs were often difficult to come by. On one occasion, an LEO looking for a Chiefs Special phoned EVERY shop in NYC. Nobody had one, not even distributors Sile and Jovino. Another time, our gunsmith re-barreled several dozen lightly used 4" 10s to 2" bbls. Peace officers snapped them up within 2 weeks. Nothing else 2" was out there.

IIRC, my 60 cost me $150 in 1976, and I was very happy to get it! Should've shuffled off to Buffalo...

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

When the Model 60 was introduced it created quite a bit of conversation at our gun club. We shot bullseye matches weekly and practiced on other days of the week. We always hung around afterward and talked guns, traded jokes and had a good time. The Model 60 was discussed quite a bit and turned out to be a great gun. I'm pretty freakin old now but, as memory serves me, it was relatively easy to pick up almost any gun you wanted. My first target gun was a Model 41 that I bought and had the dealer hold until my permit came through. Bought a Gold Cup shortly after and a .38 Combat Masterpiece.

The only guns I waited for were two custom guns from Giles .45 Shop in Odessa FL. I waited almost a year for his .22 and almost two years for a .45 wadcutter gun.

I still have the two Giles guns, a Model 52-1 and my Model 60-7. I shoot them all but nowhere near as good as I did in my youth. Everything starts to go when you get to be my age.