I bought my first two revolvers today.

I traded my Glock 42 with Desantis pocket holster plus $200 for a Model 60-4 (no original box/papers) with new soft case and box of ammo. Perhaps, not the greatest price but I fell in love with the revolver. I have Hogue Bantam Ribber Grips on order from Amazon, and will probably pick up some wooden grips down the line. I will give her a good cleaning tonight and shoot her sometime later this week. She ain't "perfect" but I am confident my wife and i will enjoy shooting it.

Then, a Ruger Bearcat "Shopkeeper Model" tugged on my wallet and asked if he could go home with me. How could I say no? My 14 year old and 11 year old sons (and my wife and me) should have a lot of fun with this one.

Pics...because it did happen today!

Nice catch, ScottN! I've got a 60-4 on my wanted list. I'm jealous.
The Bearcat's a cute 'lil thing, isn't it?

Don't think that's the original cylinder release. Someone probably swapped it out. But unless you're a diehard collector, it probably doesn't matter.

Congratulations on the revolvers.

I think you're right.

In case an "old style" is wanted, here is a link.

Smith & Wesson Thumbpiece S&W 60 63 631 632 637 638 640 642 649 650

Very nice!

I like them both the 60-4 should make a great little carry gun and the Bearcat a great plinker/camp gun.

Great guns! Congrats and good shooting

Thanks for the heads-up on the cylinder release. I am not a collector but will likely buy the original part.

The 60-4 and the Bearcat will be for plinking and target shooting. There is the possibility the 60 could find its way into the SD rotation.

Thanks everyone!

One of my favorite parts of my 60-4 is the minitaure target hammer and trigger. They are so cute, lol. Good snag on the 60. even if it was at the top of its price range, in a couple of years you will be looking back at your great buy.

I'm not so sure. I think it could be original. According the SCSW S&W discontinued the .38 Spl 3" Target in 1996, and in that same year switch over production to the .357 Mag Target as the -10 on the J-Magnum frame. I know from my own studies that the "Nike" style angled latch was already in use in 1996. S&W was using it on a lot of revolvers that previously had the standard latch. There was no engineering change or new dash number when this was done.

If the OP's gun is from that 1996 transition era then it's probably the original latch, and one of the last -4 Targets made. If the gun is earlier then more research is needed, but it's less likely original. Unfortunately, I've never seen a factory letter, box end label, or a Jinks post mention the style of latch from this transition era, so I'm not sure it's something the factory even kept a record of (even if someone wanted to shell out $50 for such a trivial thing).

__________________
~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Very nice looking gun.

These grips were made for THIS gun!

They are great guns and one of the best of the J's.

I would err on the side of caution and leave the thumbpiece alone. It might just be correct.

As much as I like the baby Glock, I think you did a fine trade!

This thread points out that I have much to learn about S&W revolvers and their history. I enjoy learning so it will be fun figuring stuff out.

I figure I paid about $565 after figuring in the trade-in, new soft case and box of ammo. On the high end but at least I didn't have to pay shipping or a ffl transfer. It's the only used M60 I have seen in the several months I have been looking. I knew it was too high at $650 but when he lowered it to $600 I knew he was ready to sell it. I'm happy as can be. I'm a guy who would rather pay more now and be able to enjoy something than pay less 6 months or a year from now.

I ordered a couple of Star speedloaders and the next search is for a OWB holster. Right now I'm looking at at the Crossbreed Snapslide, Galco Stinger, and Desantis E-Gat Slide.

I would appreciate any other holster recommendations.

If you want a concealment holster, look at our member Lobo Leather's line. He has a semi-pancake the model of which eludes me, but it looks good. It does have the hammer protector level of leather not present on a similar model.

If a more casual level of concealment is wanted, mainly for an outdoorsman's holster, I got two from El Paso Saddlery, which seems to claim that they are the successors to the old S.D. Myres firm. Their quality is indeed excellent and of the traditional style. www.epsaddlery.com

One of mine is their version of the old Safariland Model 29. They call it the Model 2. The other is their Tom Threepersons style. Both are dark tan, with lining and basketweave stamping. I have their river belt, also basket stamped.

Both holsters and the others that I have from them are of very consistent quality. If you favor the old Southwest gunfighter/Texas Ranger style holsters of the 1920's-1970's, these are as good as you'll find. The Model 60-4, so carried, is a superior trail gun for the backpacker or camper who doesn't want a lot of bulk or weight, and who isn't too concerned about bears.

I do advise the lining, which has kept my stainless guns looking virtually new, even when some were worn almost every day for years.

I DO NOT recommend Bianchi any longer. Their older holsters made here in the USA were very good, but that 's changed and when I called to ask about getting a holster for my M-60-4, the lady on the phone just told me dismissively to cram the gun in and stretch the leather! Otherwise, I'd suggest their Model 5BHL, and in older ones made for the standard three-inch barrels, I'd still suggest that. The full lug M-60-4 barrel is too wide for this holster, but a M-36-1 or the fairly rare M-60 with normal three-inch barrel are very good fits in that holster. I do use older ones in black on a river belt for duty use, or did until I retired from wearing a gun openly at work.
(Gun is a M-66-3 in the appropriate size holster of that Model.)

As for the cylinder release, I'd use whichever suits you best. I find the older style easier to operate. But the newer may be less likely to cut your thumb in recoil if you hold the thumb carelessly. There is a very good reason why Ruger styled his cylinder release as he did.

I think you'll like this gun, but keep in mind its intended role. It'll stand up well for such a small item, but if you plan serious long-term use as a primary target gun, I'd suggest a larger gun. But my M-60-4 shoots like it thinks it's a Model 14. If you're up to it, you can head-shoot snakes with it. Or shoot blue grouse out of trees where legal.

What's the s/n? "X" out the last one or two if you like. Did it come with the box? I see some of the paperwork. If "yes" post a pic of the end label. Otherwise, just the s/n will let me narrow down the year and probably the month.

__________________
~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Kernel-

Sorry to interrupt, but who's in your avatar? I would PM about it, but probably others are curious, too.

Everyone knows that's Kernel Crittenden, who only slightly outranked Colonel Hogan!

Looks like an RAF uniform to me, and Col. isn't one of their ranks. I think it'd be Wing Commander, but am not sure.

And if this is about Hogan's Heroes, I only occasionally watched. Probably don't know all the characters.

ScottN, this isn't a S&W comment, but about your little Bearcat instead. My brother got one of those and was having some extraction problems... it seems that some of them escaped from the factory with rough chambers if discussion on the Ruger Forum is to be believed. He sent it back to Ruger (through his dealer, under warrantee) and they polished out the chambers and generally smoothed up the gun. It's now a favorite of his (as well as his young grandsons') I am sure you will love it.

Froggie

Green Frog - Thanks for the feedback on the Bearcat. I'll watch him close and send him to Ruger if need be. I have had very good experiences with Ruger customer service in the past.

Texas Star - Thanks for the holster recommendation. El Paso Saddlery has some excellent stuff.

As to my intended usage for the M60, it will mainly be to enjoy shooting it. It won't be my primary target gun as that designation goes to my Browning Hipower with smooth, crisp 5 lb trigger. My trail gun is my Keltec PMR-30.

I try to shoot at least once a week. I can be at the range shooting within 30 minutes. Here's a list of my different range sessions:

1. Defense Day - I shoot some combo of my M&P Compact, Shield and Taurus TCP. I like to do this type of session every other week.

2. A Browning Day - I break out the Buckmark, BDA and HiPower all for target fun.

3. Family 22 Day - I take the family out with some combo of the Buckmarks, Ruger 22/45 Lite, Savage Rascal, Ruger 10/22 TD, and now the Bearcat. This is my favorite range day.

4. Bolt Rifle Day - Typically just to sight in and get the boys some trigger time.

5. Revolver Day - The first session will hopefully be this weekend. I expect it to be lots of fun.

In the end, the M60 will mostly be a range gun. It could be a carry option if I end up liking it more than my Shield...which would be saying a lot. It is definitely a trail gun option but 30 rounds of 22 Mag in the really, really easy to accurately shoot PMR is tough to beat. I could see the M60 becoming a gun I leave in my vehicle lock box as a "you never know" option. I'm just excited to shoot it and enjoy it.

This was probably way more info than anyone wanted...but that's usually how I roll.

The paperwork was not original. It was an "extra" he had lying around his shop. Is the s/n stamped on the revolver? I'm at lunch break right now and don't have it handy.

The serial number is found on 2 places. One is on the butt of the grip. You will have to remove the grips if they wrap around the bottom. The other place is on the frame under the yoke. Open the cylinder and it will be stamped on the frame.
It will start with 3 letters followed by a series of numbers.

Scott-

Yes, all guns made since 1968 have to have serial numbers on the gun, I think. The one on the butt is the actual serial. Others are model numbers or assembly numbers. Various models also have the serial in more obscure places.

BTW, there are two Ruger boards, .com and .net. I'm on the latter; just visit the former. Both are good, and should be read by all Ruger owners.

Texas Star is right. It's a play on the old TV show Hogan's Heroes character Colonel Crittendon. It was a nickname I had from high school, long before there was an internet or avatars. My real last name has the same number of syllables and sounds somewhat similar, and my dad is a retired USAF LTC. So it was not a long stretch.

__________________
~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Serial # is BFY77xx.

Cleaned her up with some Ballistol today. Cleaning brings out the imperfections but I'd still say it is in pretty doggone good condition. That's probably not a true gun collectors condition description, is it?

Here's my model 60-4 wearing some factory J frame targets. Looks like a mini model 686. Also note my serial number, BRK1609, is later than yours and I have the early latch. Yours also has the earlier flash chromed hammer and trigger that indicate it is earlier than mine. (lucky dog)

Attached Images

Model 60-4_resized.jpg (69.0 KB, 50 views)

__________________
NRA Life
Walk softly, but carry.

I must admit the wood grips look super fantastic but I wonder if they are slippery.

Last night, I installed the Hogue Rubber Bantam Style Grips. They are far from pretty but I like the feel...especially for $14. My only concern is that the grip is shortened considerably. My pinky finger fits around the bottom like one would hang the pink finger around the knob of a baseball/softball bat. It feels comfortable but I'll have to see if the grip is solid when shooting.

Saturday morning is revolver shooting time!

January 1991. That "Nike" latch is not original. Not that early. I even have a BFY64XX in my s/n collection that happens to be a 3-inch M60-4, your gun's brother, and my notes say it had the Standard Latch and product code 102298.
March 1994.

__________________
~ S&W aficionado in training ~

A METAL revolver for a polymer Glock? OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOOD JOB!!!!

***GRJ***

S&W 60-4 handles better with the round to square grips.

Attached Images

DSC_0008.jpg (179.2 KB, 25 views)

Well...I got 60 rounds down range this weekend. I shot 130 gr rounds and shot from 5 and 7 yards.

The first 10 rounds with DA were not pretty. Very erratic. It felt good...recoil was not a problem at all, grips were fine. Using more trigger finger just felt awkward compared to my semi-autos.

The last 50 rounds I really focused on a firm grip and slow trigger squeeze. I didn't get great or consistent groupings but I was inside the 8 ring about 80% of the time. I was happy enough with that result.

I only shot 10 rounds of SA. I will say it is scary how light the SA trigger is. One time, I simply put my finger on the trigger and it went off. I couldn't believe it. I was in my stance and pointing at the target...and it actually landed just outside the bull in the 9 ring. It wasn't dangerous because I don't put my finger on the trigger unless I intend to shoot...but I just didn't intend to shoot that quickly.

All in all it was great fun. I have a lot of room for improvement and need a lot more practice. I definitely am very happy with my purchase.

The 60-4 also works well (and looks good) with the Pro Series grips.

One of Smith & Wessons best ideas.

I got my 60-4 the year they were released at an "Indy 500" gun show. I have done more than my share of bird hunting with my Beretta O/U Silver Snipe and ALWAYS carried a revolver. I carried my 60-4 cross draw. When I came upon a sitting rabbit (both cotton tail or, in Michigan hunting grouse, a snow shoe rabbit) the 60-4 did yeoman's work with my standard target wadcutters.

I took a number of small game animals and also "saved the world" from an occasional poisonous snake with both wadcutters and shot loads. The compact .38 Special is a very practical field pistol in my area of the world (Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, and Tennessee, not to forget Pennsylvania).

My "standard" load is a dbl ended H&G #251 w/c seated with one ring outside the case or the H&G #50 BB seated at the crimp groove ahead of 3.2 grs of Bullseye or equivalent. I have shot a number of targets with this fine revolver standing on the 25 yard timed fire target that score above 95/100. That's pretty good with a snubby, my old range buddy used to say.

ScottN, you did GOOD!

Here's my well used and well loved 60-4:



Dale53

I must admit that I haven't been shooting the 60-4 much in recent years. I am too old to ramble the hills, like I used to do. My shooting today is confined to the range (both indoors in inclement weather and outdoors when possible).

However, yesterday, after my trip down to North Carolina and Virginia (where we spent a few very pleasant days with the Green Frog and his family including a trip to HIS range) my thoughts of the 60-4 have been rekindled and I took it to the range. The first five shots were NOT memorable (three eights and two nines(:>()... However, the next five were MUCH more satisfying (three "x's" and two tens(:>)). Now, THAT's better. I haven't shot iron sights for some time. It just took a bit to get back on track.

These little revolvers can be shot quite well (far better than you would think). If you get a chance, try one out. It's a dern shame that they are not readily available. Seems to me there should be such a FINE trail gun available all the time. Guess if the manufacturer can't sell a million then the item doesn't even get considered. Maybe Lipsey would be interested if they had some requests from the membership - like ten thousand or so requests, huh? It just takes a couple of clicks...

FWIW
Dale53