+ P Ammunition in Stainless Model 60-1

[reisman]

Can someone give me information on a revolver? It is a S&W Model 60-1 and the Serial Number is ALU4951. Other numbers on it are 31912 and 7723, but these are not the serial number, in my opinion.


Would like to know date of manufacture or shipping date, whatever you have. If you have some idea what it is worth, that would be great. 2" barrel with Stainless finish, and Pachmayr Presentation Grips. Thanks, Mike

[murphydog]

Welcome! These were part of a special production run for Ashland, a then-large gun distributor, in 1985. Reportedly only 660 were made but they are seen for sale quite frequently, so I suspect the production number was higher than this.

The ALU prefix and number are the serial number; the others are factory internal codes. Hope this is helpful.

[two-bit cowboy]

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

You have a neat one.

As the story goes, it's one of 660 stainless steel Chiefs Special Target models made for and shipped to Ashland Shooting Supply in Ohio in 1985. Many, but not all, had the "ALU" serial number prefix.

In the last year the average prices I've seen are above $900, but that's with the original box and grips. I did see one go for more than $1,300 in May 2020, but I believe that was a result of an over-eager bidder on one of the auction sites.

Your rubber grips are not original, at least I've not documented one with those grips.

Hope this helps.

[RGNewell]

Mine has checkered magnas and too has ALU prefix.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[reisman]

Thanks for responding to me. This was very helpful. Mike

[reisman]

This gun was from 1985 and of course does not have the + P designation on it, but I am curious if this revolver would safely handle + P ammunition for self-defense. Can anyone give me any information on the best way to go? Safety to the shooter and not damaging the weapon is critical.


Thanks, Mike

[RGNewell]

Back in the early 70s I ran +Ps through a model 37 airfreight with no problems

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[colt_saa]

Welcome to the Forum

The Model 60 Chiefs Special Target is one of my favorite snubbies.

I started carrying mine back in 1986. The red ramp was added to mine after the revolver left the factory

Yes you can fire 38 Special +P ammunition in your firearm without the fear of catastrophic failure.

Just remember that with any mechanical device, the harder you use it the faster the parts wear.

Even with that warning, it is unlikely that you will be able to wear out a Chiefs Special Target in a lifetime of shooting.

These snubbies left the factory wearing wood grips

[reisman]

Does anyone know where I can obtain the original wood grips for this model? Not copies but the authentic S&W ones.


Also don't have the original box? Is that important for value? Should I try to get a replacement or is that a waste of time?


Thanks, Mike

[murphydog]

Agree with occasional + P use, but getting accurate fast multiple hits with a non-+ P round is a good goal.

Try posting a Wanted to Buy ad or look at the classified ads for the stocks, they are common and inexpensive.

Some are really obsessed about having not only 'a' box, but 'the' box (matching serial number, etc.). Since your chances of finding 'the' box are about the same as winning a lottery grand prize, personally I wouldn't worry about it. If you bought it from the original owner, contacting them to see if it might be in a dusty corner somewhere would be your best bet.

[colt_saa]

Originally Posted by reisman

Does anyone know where I can obtain the original wood grips for this model? Not copies but the authentic S&W ones.


Also don't have the original box? Is that important for value? Should I try to get a replacement or is that a waste of time?


Thanks, Mike

Grips show up on the auction sites and in this Forum's classified section all the time.

Also you will almost always find a set or two at the larger gunshows.

Your revolver is used, having a box or not will not be a deciding factor when it comes time to sell.

[Texas Star]

If a couple of nasty looking men follow you into a dark parking lot, its value will be inestimable.

[Sistema1927]

Originally Posted by Texas Star

If a couple of nasty looking men follow you into a dark parking lot, its value will be inestimable.

And if a couple of nasty looking men follow you into a dark parking lot you won't notice the difference in recoil between standard loads and +P.

[reisman]

I am hoping for this to happen, as I want to know that I can get two in the chest and one in the head in less than 3 seconds with this revolver. I can with my Semi-auto, so this is a worthy goal.


Thanks for the advice. Mike