I'm seriously considering getting one. The three inch barrel and adjustable sights in a "slightly longer than snubby" appeals to me. But... Is the extra cost worth it? They make a plain model 60 3" also and at this point I feel comfortable messing with the trigger to get it to where I like it. The performance center is about 75-80 bucks or so more than the regular and has a magna-like grip vs. smith rubber grips. The performance center also has a front night sight installed.

kenneu,

I don't own a Model 60, but I do have a 36-6 which is the 38 Special carbon steel base model of the 60 you are looking at. I love my little 3" Chiefs Target Special. I would even consider buying it in stainless if I didn't have a 686+ 3" on the way.

Personally, with all that I have read about problems with the extra cost Performance Center guns, I would ask why pay extra for the aggravation? Yes, it may have a sleeker profile, but that isn't what motivates my purchases. I would suggest that you look at a regular lugged barrel Model 60.

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Judge control not gun control!

I am guessing that you are not referring to the Performance Center Model 60ET?
This firearm is produced in the Performance Center on their CNC mills, with their specific code, for the frames and parts.

I am guessing that you are referring to the Pro Series Model 60, correct?
Pro series guns are from the production side of Smith and Wesson and then get a few of the Performance Center bells and whistles added on for better value

Either way I think both offerings are worth every penny that Smith and Wesson asked for them. I purchased both new and you would be hard pressed to get me to sell them.

You can ignore the tritium sight. The front blades are so thin that the Tritium vials are small. Unless you have above average night vision or are in total darkness there is not enough Tritium gas for decent illumination

Thanks, yes, I'm referring to the pro series... If the front night sight is more or less worthless, it's down to grips, "pro" improvements, and looks.

And on that first one, it appears they are rarer than hen's teeth? I did a quick search and found only one listing on a site called "invaluable", lol. What is one of those worth?

The front sight is not worthless to everybody.

I personnel like the look of the tapered barrel

This is not my first 3" Model 60, it is my most recent 3" Model 60.

I have others. Including a Lew Horton Model 60 Small Hunter
I like the 3" Model 60s as trail guns, you know for places where I do not believe I need a firearm but it is nice to have a 357 Magnum just in case

For personal defense I much prefer to carry the 2" Chief Special

Every month we see things sell at auction sites for prices that most people would not expect.

I know this sounds rude or undiplomatic, but when you are talking about things that change hands so infrequently that a pricing trend can not be established . . . . It is worth whatever a buyer and seller agree on.

Hi kenneu!

I have a Pro Series model 60. I like it. I think that it's worth the extra money, at least it was to me. The stocks themselves almost justify the difference in cost. The front night sight is small, but useful in the dark. The grips are more of a banana style than magna IMO. Hope this helps!

I have the 60 pro and regular 3in 60. The pro is at Smith now for the second time in the 5 years I have owned it.
The first time was a broken hammer pivot pin, this time the hammer wont stay back when I try to shoot in single action. I'm sure they will fix it like last time.
That being said, it is a nice gun and I carried it everyday for a few years. I have shot probable 4000 rounds thru it. Half 38s and the other 357.
The fit and finish on it is far above the other 60s in the picture. The trigger is much better too.

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I bought a Pro series Mod 60 for my daughter for Christmas a couple of years ago. It is a very accurate easy to shoot revolver. She disliked the factory wooden grips and I replaced them with with a set of Crimson Trace LG305's which really helped her learn proper trigger control. I painted the front sight bright orange and other than that the gun is good to go out of the box.
These little j-frames with a 3' barrel are great fun and very accurate at longer distances.

Carbon and stainless. The carbon steel is hard to find. It took me years to find this one and I paid over $900.

Recently bought from my LGS at $600:

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

Here’s my 60 Pro wearing Pachmayr Diamond Pro J frame grips. I highly recommend these grips as I found the gun shoots much more accurately and comfortably with these.

The other point which hasn’t been discussed is the finish difference between the bead blast finish on the Pro and the standard S&W finish ( I have some times heard this refered to as matte although I am not sure this is the proper term) on the regular model. If you are going to carry it or handle it in a way that is not very carefully, then the matte finish on the regular model will be more durable. I also find the matte finish is easier to clean.

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Accuracy supercedes Speed

I like mine, but only you can decide if the features are worthwhile to you. I like the lighter barrel/underlug of the Pro Series versus the regular production model, other people don't. The Pro Series are finished a little bit better, and I like that since I'm both vain and petty.

Hyar's mine with Herrett's Detective grips (I have large hands) in a Galco Stinger holster:

Thanks all! I'm definitely going to get a 60 3". I just need to decide which one. Still leaning toward the pro, though, as I like that tapered barrel look. I've been watching for one used but they don't seem to come up much. I may have to give up and get one online.

You can't go wrong either way. For me I like the standard 60 better. Mainly for the more classic look.The little extra weight of the full lug is not a bad thing.

My 60 3" Pro series is one of the best shooting revolvers that I have and I'll hang on to it until the end.

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Foster Positivity.

Love those grips!

believe the pro saves a few oz's I think it is probably one of the best carry revolvers. Enough weight that magnums arnt brutal, and enough barrel to actually get some power out of the magnum loads.

I traded my Pro model in for the standard version.
I prefer the balance, and I like the satin finish v. the bead blasted finish on the Pro.
I do like the Pro grips, but I usually replace rubber grips with any revolver I own.
And, if a double action revolver will suffice, check out the Kimber 3 inch K6S. This is a gun I have thought S&W should offer for quite a while. A couple of ounces heavier than the 3 inch M60, and it holds 6 rounds of 357 MGN ammo. The added weight improves shoot ability, and doesn't seem any more of a burden to carry on the trail. Construction of mine is flawless. My EDC when clothing permits, otherwise, its my M442 in a pocket holster.

Best,
Rick

REVISED:

1 is a 640 Paxton Quigley with a .38 Special Cylinder installed and a 9mm cylinder in the box, too with moon clips and shell remover tool.

2 are both Performance Center 60 ET Comp / Ported

Then NON PC Models

1 940 in 9mm
1 640 in 38 Special
1 642 in 38 Special

All are early to mid 1990s series.

>>>>>


I have a few from the early to mid 1990s. I like them very much.

2 of them have an machined oval port (width-wise) in the barrel IN FRONT of the front sight. Nice rosewood stocks with MOP insert on some of them. Uncle Mike's on others.

I even purchased extra sets of Rosewood stock with inset diamond or heart shaped MOP insert.

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

I've got a handful of J frames including a 640 Pro, 3" Model 60, and the 60 Pro. I have a hard time choosing a favorite between the 640 Pro and 60 Pro, but I know I carry the 60 Pro more than any other.

The Pros seem to have a better trigger than the standard gun, and I shoot them better than the others - but just barely. The perfect combo would be the 640 Pro sights on the 60 Pro.

I finally got a chance to order my pro 60. One of the online dealers had it @ 609 shipped (no tax) but they've been out of stock for quite a while. Hopefully I'll have it this weekend... I'll come back and post impressions as soon as I have a chance to get some down range.

I can’t speak to the 60 Pro, but I sure appreciate the aesthetics, fit and finish of my 640 Pro.

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I would rather have the standard 3” Model 60 because it has a tad extra recoil absorbing weight out front.

However, I just can’t get past the lock... I guess I’ll never own one because of that one issue.

Edmo

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TRUTH: Don't delete my posts!

This afternoon I am off to do the paperwork on my jailed 60 Pro. Got it for $615 shipped. Good to see mostly positive comments on the critter.

60 Pro is a great gun, you mainly have to decide which look you like better, the regular or the Pro, grips and sights can be changed on either. Which S&W would start cutting some of the SA/DA Js for moonclips, no reason to only cut the DAO models...

Bought a Model 60 Pro for my daughter a couple of Christmas past. Solid,, accurate, easy manual of arms, foolproof operation, and adjustable sights. She could not be happier with her first gun.
As for the lock, that is for you to decide. I have been witness to hundreds or thousands of rounds fired from S&W's with the dreaded "lock".
Not one failure or malfunction of any kind. In fact I have only met one customer that ever used the damn thing and he brought his gun into our range gun and forgot his key. I keep two keys on my car fob. A handcuff key and a S&W lock key. It is the only time in well over twenty years I have ever had the need to put either to use.

I looked at and handled both the 60 and 60 Pro in February, 2015.

At the time that I made my purchase decision, I could not justify the cost differential and actually preferred the looks and finish of the standard model. Mine shoots well and is carried comfortably in a Milt Sparks VMII.

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