what year is a 60-4?

manny25 · #1 08-28-2009, 01:22 AM

what year did they start making the 60-4 and has anyone ever seen one with goncalo alves factory grips? what year did they start making the 3'' full lug?

Bat Guano · #2 08-28-2009, 01:37 AM

I believe 1993 as I jumped right on one as soon as I could (dealer out of Shotgun News).

Every one I have seen has had the UM grips--but there were quite a few grip options for J frames as I recall.

gagunner 2 · #3 08-28-2009, 01:59 AM

SCSW3 says 60-4 started in 1990.

Texas Star · #4 08-28-2009, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gagunner 2

SCSW3 says 60-4 started in 1990.

Yes. I think the early ones, 1990-1992 had chromed hammers & triggers. Later ones were conventional casehardened ones.

First three-inch full-lug J-frame .38 was the M-36-6, about 1988, if memory serves.

T-Star

H Richard · #5 08-28-2009, 11:01 AM

My 36-6 3" full lug S/N BEA77XX was shipped July 1989.

manny25 · #6 08-28-2009, 01:25 PM

my book says they made a model 60 3'' heavy barrel in aug 1988 with goncalo alves combat stocks only 282 were made what dash would that be and has anyone ever seen one?

jcelect · #7 08-28-2009, 08:55 PM

This is the first time they made the 3" heavy barrel, 1972. Also, you can see, it is a square butt! This is one of 171 guns made.

This is the 60-4 which is the full lug barrel and adjustable sights. These were made in 1990. These are 38 SPL, they later came out with the same gun but chambered in 357Mag.

This mod 60-3 is a Lady Smith made in 1989. This is the only model 60 shipped with combats I know of.

jcelect SWCA#723

Dale53 · #8 08-28-2009, 09:24 PM

As far as I am concerned, the S&W 60-4 may be the premier "J" frame of all time. I love the adjustable sights. They allow you to zero with most any practical bullet and make it VERY useful as a trail gun. I have used mine as a companion to my bird gun for many years (got mine in 1990, I believe - right when they first hit the market).

I got all revved up to this design idea from a really interesting article in Handloader Digest some years before. A gentleman had adjustable sights installed on a "J" frame 3" or 4" barrel and considered that he had the ultimate Trail gun or Kit gun. It was hard to disagree with him. That article fueled the desire. I missed out on the 36-6 (they were only available a short time) but JUMPED on the 60-4.

The only criticism that I have is the trigger is curved very tight and with the extremely sharp grooves in the trigger, it can get painful to shoot. Because of the chromed trigger, I was hesitant to try to smooth the trigger a bit.

This revolver is detailed quite nicely (mine is just as jcelect has pictured). Whoever set up the specs for this had a good idea what he was trying to accomplish - Stainless steel for durability of finish in the field, a Black front sight for excellent sight picture, and of course, the excellent adjustable sight. A good shooter can do quite well with this revolver at the range or in the field.

Dale53

gagunner 2 · #9 08-29-2009, 12:05 AM

I have to agree with Dale.The wide target trigger is a little rough for extended double action shooting.Easy enough to fix by changing it to a combat trigger.