A friend had one of these at the range the other day.

3 inch barrel
No lock
.357
J frame
Target sights

What gives here? I never see or hear about this model and found very little info in the search.

Though I did not fire it, it looked like the perfect little packer.

Opinons, factoids, photos, prices?

I can't believe this little 686-esque darling is not talked about more often. Is there a blue version?

Let's talk...

Interesting that you should bring it up. I have been thinking about my next gun.. beside a pre 29... which will wait awhile I have been thinking about 2 that I would love to have.
1 is a .45 ACP N frame model 25 or variant.
2. The other is a J frame .357. And I was looking over the possibilities.. the model 60 seems like the perfect little hard punching package that fits the bill.
I don't know alot about them either.. can any of you Model 60 fans speak out!!??

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

I've been shooting the .38 special 3" Model 60 from the limited run that started this config, for over 20 years. Eats it up at BUG matches. The students that shoot my .38 3" 60 with wadcutters as their first revolver keep wanting to buy it--it is really slick from all the shooting. Not for sale.

The current .357 model is around $650 new, when/if you can find one, from what I've seen.

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Science plus Art

I own a model 60-10, just like the one you described. It is a great little gun. So far I have fired only 38 Specials in it, and will probably continue to do so into the future. The first time out with it the sights came loose and almost fell off, but I have cinched them down tighter, and we'll see what happens. I haven't resorted to any loc-tite yet. They are great shooters for their size, and everybody that has seen it really like it. wyatte

Yeah, the baby 686 -- it's a nice little set up. There's a blued version, brief run in the late '80s of the 3" Model 36 with underlug -- not commonly found, but out there.

I have a 3" Model 60 with adjustable sights for the .38 Special and it has a full underlugged barrel. The extra weight on the front end holds steadier than my similar Model 631 (4") in .32 H&R Mag.

I was originally a bit disappointed that it had a 3" barrel instead of a 4" barrel. However, after shooting it for a bit, I was truly impressed with how well that little gun shoots. It is the perfect side arm when bird hunting. I carry it cross draw to avoid interference with my Beretta Silver Snipe over/under grouse gun and it is immediately available for the sitting rabbits I run onto (cottontails AND snowshoe rabbits as well as the occasional wounded grouse). It has turned out to be a most useful little handgun:



Dale53

My oldest son gave me one of these for Christmas about 10 years ago. Best little carrying revolver I have seen yet. I shoot mostly .38 specials in it but it will digest the heaviest handloads without complaint. Like a casefull of W296 under a 125 gr. XTP in .357 cases.

It earned the name "the flame thrower" at one of our desert camps one night because of the huge fireball it throws after dark with the 296 load. The 3" barrel for me is much easier to shoot with accuracy than a 2". Mine has the plain black steel sights, not those plastic ray things that belong in a duck blind.

I agree, a little locktite on the rear sight screw is a good thing. Shoots right to the POA with most 150-160 gr loads, and a little lower with the 125's. I have never had to adjust the sights.

The grips mine came with are kind of an extended boot grip. They are well designed and soak up the recoil of full bore .357 loads. Of course if you don't like the grips any of the J-frame round butt grips will fit. I would describe the recoil as brisk, but not painful. The gun rides well in a little cut-down belt holster I have, or in the inside breast pocket of a Carhartt jacket.

When the model 60 is doing house chores, it is loaded with Federal's 125 gr Nyclads, when going further afield, it is loaded with heavy handloads using Hornady's excellent XTP bullets. Most plinking is done with the RCBS 150 gr SWC.

Well, I kind of teared up when I opened the box that Christmas, so I had to give my son my much carried 2" model 36. Then he in turn a bit later returned the Colt Police Positive in .32 S&W long which I had given him several years before, which I am holding to give to my only daughter. Well it is still all in the family.

Best regards from Nevada duke

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old bird

Yes, they shoot surprisingly well for a small gun. A number of members here own them. Do a "search site/google" search and you'll get pages of hits.



Mine is not for sale either.

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"I also cook."

60-14

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JR

I've thought of getting one of those - and certainly would for the right price. But I have to point out; having shot this 60-9 pretty extensively that, for me anyway, it is not a fun gun to shoot with anything bigger than medium-heat 158gr handloads. You are at the very bottom end of the weight limit for an all-steel S&W "target" revolver with that 60-10 3" and your hand will feel the recoil.

With that in mind; for the occasional shooter - it's at the top of the list. For the 'rangemaster' - maybe less so.

Here's my 60-9;

Attached Images

IMG_1227.jpg (117.9 KB, 172 views)

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But then, what do I know?

Do I see the absence of a lock that once was?

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

The 5" 60-10 is also a neat gun, it's just so odd to see a long barreled J-frame that I need one

I have an older 60, but the new underlugged "baby 686" is a neat looking gun. I wouldn't shoot a ton of .357's through it but the capability is nice. I would love to get a 3" 60-10 and put the new Dymondwood magnas on it.

The Ruger equivalent of the 60-10 is the .357 SP101. Both are in roughly the same size and weight class, many people feel the SP101 is better able to handle a steady diet of .357. Not many people run that much .357 through any J-frame size .357 anyway, so it's usually not an issue.

The 3" M60 is one of the best J-frames ever made, IMO. I like the 60-4, which is .38 Special only. It has a slightly smaller frame window and cylinder than the magnum frame J's.

.38 Specials are a joy to shoot in this accurate little revolver.

I looked at the 60-10 for years when one popped up somewhere. However, got a deal on this one and had to get it. I really like my .38 special only 60-4. Those grips are gone now and it has some cheap wood round butts. Looking for some better grips...

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Joe

Yes,Thanks to "Bulls Eye Smith"

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JR

My 60-10 really likes the Remington 158gr. HP, +P round (FBI Load). No need for .357 ammo in this revolver, in my opinion.

Fun little gun. Never carry it, rarely shoot it, but it was the first gun I ever purchased.



Guess it does look a little like this one...

I have one of the 60-10 versions. Great with +P 38's. The only issue I have is that the front sight is too fat, 0.125" IIRC. Does S&W make a thinner one or is there a good after market replacement?

LT

I have the 60-9 in 357.



It has the 2 1/8 bbl. It gets shot a lot, I use it for my NRA class and IDPA bug matches. It is my favorite J frame to shoot and is fine with mid range 357.

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Shoot fast & live long
Warren

I also have a 60-9,no lock. I had to put a set of Pach Compacs on it,but it is a fine shooter. I prefer K frame snubs,but this J has the weight to help it along as a shooter.
Mine is the 2 1/4 inch barrel as shown above.I use 125gr. Golden Sabers or 135gr.+P Gold Dot 38's for carry. Those are about all I care to wrestle with.

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Blessed be the Lord,my Rock