Hi,
I found a used Smith Wesson Model 60 - 38.spl. - 2" barrel -
5 shot - Serial # ALC 35xx - wood grips and silver metal finish with a fixed sight. The gun has a box with manual.
The gunshop wants $ 495.00 for it.
The trigger pull in double action appears to be easy and smooth.
Any idea if it is overpriced? What is the date of the production? How is the recoil with the wooden handles on this model?
Is this a good gun or should I wait to find a model 66.
I like it for personal protection/concealed carry and target practice. What are your thoughts?
Thanks in advance,
Mary

marygardner
for my purposes it would be a super nice choice for all the reasons you
mentioned. I suspect that it is one of the earlier models with the hammer
mounted fireing pins. if it were me I would not let it get away. get a 66 in .357 later and use the 60---38 for backup. the price is a tad high but
don,t let that keep you from having it


it will shoot like a pussycat.

WELCOME ABOARD !!

FWIW I've been carrying a J Frame for over 40 years and the Model 60 is one of the best. Don't let it get away from you.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Best carry gun ever! The price may be a little high but not too high to stop the deal. IMHO

Absolutely nothing wrong with a Model 60, and I don't think the price is too far out of line considering original box and manual. However, depending on your experience with revolvers, I do think a model 66 or other K-frame may suit your needs better. I personally find a K-frame much easier to shoot well than a J-frame. 38 sp with an all steel J-frame isn't too bad for recoil, but it is still less in the K-frame, plus you would get an extra round! Just my 2 cents! Welcome to the Forum by the way Mary.

Price is a tad high....IMHO. You can pick them up for less on auction sites, but then you have the shipping and transfer to fool with. They ARE great little guns and there is no need to haggle over the money for the price of a tank of gas if you really want it. You did not mention the dash number, so I assume it's the 38-special. I'd stay away from +P in it, unless it is rated for +P. I have been helping another poster here on the forum find a replacement cylinder for a Model 36 due to a bulged chamber. The 60 is pretty much a Model 36 in stainless steel.

Great guy for almost anybody. The price is fine for the entire package; but the gun should be in excellant conditon. Great fun gun to shoot lite 38 special loads. My daughter has a Model 60 LS (Ladysmith) which is a "Jewel". Very lite and easy to conceal. As long as the mechanics are fine and the condition really very good, rest assured you will be happy. "Packaged" i/e original box, etc., model 60's go for about $595 on some of the gun sites. You can alway look aroud if you like; take a loot at GunsInternational--they should have a number of model 60s.

I'm with BCDWYO, I don't think the J-frame gun is a good choice for any but the most accomplished shooters. Snub-nosed guns are notoriously difficult to shoot well owing to the short sight radius and typical light weight. A K-frame gives the user substantially more to hang onto, better sight radius (and often better sights) and more weight to help hold it steadier. I have been a revolver shooter for several decades, but only recently felt I was capable of wielding a J-frame well at anything past Halitosis range. Even now, it takes constant practice to maintain what I consider proficiency. Good grips that truly fit your hand can be a HUGE aid to good shooting.

But if you really like it and think you can adapt to its foibles, I'd still look for a better deal. I see new S&W Model 642's for less than that price all the time. I have a M-36 (3") that I love, but I also know that I shoot ANY K-frame a lot better. In concealment the difference is very slight, and I'm not a real big guy. But then, I probably don't have the same figure you do, either!

A Model 60 will hammer nails all day, then shoot flawlessly all night. It is a great little gun. Does it take some practice to become comfortable with? Absolutely ... but that shouldn't dissuade you, especially if you're looking for a carry gun. If you're recoil sensitive, feed it a diet of wadcutters and you'll think you are shooting a .22. If that doesn't work for you, Hogue and Pachmayr make a variety of rubber grips that will lessen recoil. As to price, free no lock S&Ws are an urban legend ... spend the money, and enjoy a classic.

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I'm with the banned ...

Looks like it was made about 1985. I'd snap it up but you might want to look for some grips that handle the recoil better than the standard wood grips and start with wadcutters ti you get used to the recoil.

Sent from my Ally using Tapatalk 2

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Mary, I'm not a big guy, and started shooting J-frames with the 642.
Recoil wasn't too bad with those rubber boot grips. When I
graduated to a Model 36 with original wood grips, I expected to get
beaten up by recoil. Not SO!! A good grip on the M36 was all it took to
handle the recoil with that steel frame! Don't let a Mod 60 get away due to recoil considerations! I've been looking for one myself, and
a good M60 seems to run in the ball-park of what you found, and
not even with any extras. A grip adapter will make it easier to
shoot, but it's not really necessary.
Whatever you decide, that or a K-frame, pics will be nice. TACC1
(Oops, welcome aboard!)

The price seems a bit steep. Of course, the price paid for a good gun is quickly forgotten. The converse of that is also true.

I do want to play devil's advocate for a moment. You don't know the history of the used revolver. A new one would carry the lifetime warranty, with free pickup/delivery to your door, should there be any problem. The most expensive model 60 nowadays is the 3" 60 Pro, SKU #178013, and it will run you $670 brand new - or less - locally. It comes with a great wood grip, tritium Night Sight on front, slab sided barrel, eased entry chambers for faster reloads, and a bit improved trigger. It is an inch longer - and may weigh .6 oz more than your local example. Neither is considered a pocket gun - but, from a purse, there would be little difference. The modern 60 Pro is rated for any standard .357 Magnum load, so +P .38's are fine from it. My wife enjoys shooting mine - and I like it as well.



I keep speedloaders with Remington R38S12 158gr LHPSWCs in .38 Special +P ready for my 60 Pro. Good luck with your decision and welcome aboard!

Stainz

Thanks for all the replies. I will get a new one since the price difference is not much. The 3" barrel, tritium night sight and the option of using .a 357 magnum load is well worth the price difference.
Thanks again.
Mary

First off, welcome to the Forum.
If you are looking for a revolver for concealed carry, a J-Frame is a good choice. I'd be willing to bet most folks who have been carrying very long have at least one. The M60 is a good revolver. I started out carrying my late Grandfathers. Still do occasionally. It is of course a .38 Special, as it was made in the mid '70s.
My favorite J-Frames to carry today are called the Centennial models. I.E the M442 and M642 in .38 Special and M340 and M640 in .357 Magnum. These do not have an exposed hammer, so there is nothing to snag on the draw. I carry a M340PD in my pocket every day. It weighs about 12 oz. and hurts to shoot with .357 Magnums, but that's what I carry in it. The M640 is all steel, and weighs about twice that much. It's not exactly pleasant to shoot with Magnums, but it's much easier.
If you are going to get a revolver for concealed carry I would recommend the M442 or M642.They weigh about 15oz. and can shoot .38 Special +Ps. You mention the M66 in your OP. That is a larger K-Frame. I have a 2 1/2" M66-1 and it is my favorite carry revolver. It takes a bit more to hide it, but it's not too hard.
Whatever you buy, please don't skimp on the holsters. Get ones of high quality, and you definitely won't regret it.
Jim