Smith & Wesson "New Nambu" M60 Standins

John Banks · Jul 9, 2018

Hello, everyone. Recently, I found interest in the Japanese "New Nambu" Model 60 revolver with a 3" Barrel. If you're not familiar with it, here's a link to check it out:

New Nambu M60 - Wikipedia

Sadly, they are not imported or sold in America, therefore I cannot currently get one. This being said, I am in the market for a stand-in revolver, preferably manufactured by Smith & Wesson. It's incredibly hard to find a gun that meets the set criteria to be very similar to the Nambu, so I'm wondering if any Smith & Wesson revolver experts could lend a hand. The S&W M&P360 3" is almost perfect, but sadly, it's incredibly rare, and no longer in production. I've considered just customizing a Smith & Wesson revolver from the ground up, but if I can buy a gun in the configuration I'm looking for, I could save quite a bit of money.

The criteria are:

1. 3" Barrel
2. Preferably Steel Frame (Scandium is acceptable, but not preferred)
3. Preferably J or K Frame Size
4. Chambered in .38 Special or .357 Magnum (The Nambu is chambered in .38 (as well as 9mm))
5. Five to Six round capacity (The Nambu has a capacity of five, so I'd prefer that over six)
6. Black or Dark Grey Finish of some kind (The Nambu appears to be Parkerized)
7. Must be DA/SA
8. Preferred to have frame-integral rear sights
9. Preferably still in production (out of production guns are acceptable as long as they're not overly rare)

If anyone can point out a revolver that matches the above criteria, or can at least be configured to be similar, please, let me know. Thank you.

Old_Cop · Jul 9, 2018

Look for a Model 36 with a 3" barrel, probably close to what you want and not rare.

John Banks · Jul 9, 2018

Thanks, friend! I love the reference, too. Do you know for sure if the Model 36 3" is still in production, and if not, when it was brought out of production?

Telecaster · Jul 9, 2018

Just curious what's so special about this Nambu that you want a "stand-in"?

How about a Ruger SP101? Or a 3" Ruger Speed Six in black.

Tjohns42 · Jul 9, 2018

What about the S&W 986? 2.5” barrel 7 shot 9mm as/da.

GaryS · Jul 9, 2018

My first thought was a Model 36-1 with a 3" barrel. My second is a Model 10 or Model 13 with 3" barrel.

Of the three, I think the Model 36 is the most common.

3" barrel S&W guns are not particularly inexpensive.

moralem · Jul 9, 2018

Smith & Wesson "New Nambu" M60 Standins

Model 10, 3 inch barrel.......

John Banks · Jul 9, 2018

Honestly, I just think the Nambu is a neat gun! I'd love an SP-101 in the future, but I prefer the manual of arms of a S&W revolver. Mainly because of the cylinder release. But a big part of wanting a Nambu is the appearance. I think it looks pretty classy.

John Banks · Jul 9, 2018

The 986 is a cool one, but I prefer the black finish for this particular gun. And I prefer a 3" Barrel for the perfect concealed carry barrel length. (Not speaking from experience here, but I know that .5 inches makes a difference!)

John Banks · Jul 9, 2018

I'm still debating a Model 36-1 3" as well as a Model 10 3". The only downside is I think those are both out of production and can only be bought used. I prefer the gun to be as new as possible so I can really get the "goodie" out of it.

moralem · Jul 9, 2018

John Banks said:
I'm still debating a Model 36-1 3" as well as a Model 10 3". The only downside is I think those are both out of production and can only be bought used. I prefer the gun to be as new as possible so I can really get the "goodie" out of it.

If you want new, then your options are very limited from SW. Go to their website and browse revolvers and look up the available 3 inch models. They only have less than two handfuls to pick from and only 2 that are not stainless.....and those 2 list for $1100-$1200. Good luck.

Telecaster · Jul 9, 2018

I'd find a beat up old 3" Model 36, get it refinished matte, and carve your own funky stocks for it. The lanyard loop looks like a rifle sling loop.

Naphtali · Jul 10, 2018

John Banks said:
Hello, everyone. Recently, I found interest in the Japanese "New Nambu" Model 60 revolver with a 3" Barrel. If you're not familiar with it, here's a link to check it out:

New Nambu M60 - Wikipedia

Sadly, they are not imported or sold in America, therefore I cannot currently get one. This being said, I am in the market for a stand-in revolver, preferably manufactured by Smith & Wesson. It's incredibly hard to find a gun that meets the set criteria to be very similar to the Nambu, so I'm wondering if any Smith & Wesson revolver experts could lend a hand. The S&W M&P360 3" is almost perfect, but sadly, it's incredibly rare, and no longer in production. I've considered just customizing a Smith & Wesson revolver from the ground up, but if I can buy a gun in the configuration I'm looking for, I could save quite a bit of money.

The criteria are:

1. 3" Barrel
2. Preferably Steel Frame (Scandium is acceptable, but not preferred)
3. Preferably J or K Frame Size
4. Chambered in .38 Special or .357 Magnum (The Nambu is chambered in .38 (as well as 9mm))
5. Five to Six round capacity (The Nambu has a capacity of five, so I'd prefer that over six)
6. Black or Dark Grey Finish of some kind (The Nambu appears to be Parkerized)
7. Must be DA/SA
8. Preferred to have frame-integral rear sights
9. Preferably still in production (out of production guns are acceptable as long as they're not overly rare)

If anyone can point out a revolver that matches the above criteria, or can at least be configured to be similar, please, let me know. Thank you.

Excepting the additional cost of ceracoating or some other easily applied coating, you describe Ruger SP101 three inch accurately. Its frame size is between "J" and "K", leaning toward "J" frame - that is, about the same frame size as Colt Detective Special, albeit with significantly overdesigned everything.

Hope this helps.

Wise_A · Jul 10, 2018

John Banks said:
I prefer the gun to be as new as possible so I can really get the "goodie" out of it.

Whut.

You're not buying a car. It's a revolver. A 1956 shoots just as well as a 2008.

John Banks · Jul 11, 2018

Entropy and degradation are unavoidable scientific principles. Things break down over time. Plain and simple. I don't care how "well" it shoots. I care IF it shoots. I don't want a gun that's practically falling apart, or so old that I have to be overly careful. I want one that I can trust my life to, as well as the lives of my loved ones.

Ribwizzard · Jul 11, 2018

You can buy a brand new model 60, 3 ", with adjustable sights.

John Banks · Jul 11, 2018

I don't want one with adjustable sights. I prefer the frame integram sights for as low snag as possible.

John Banks · Jul 11, 2018

I think I've come to a final decision. Unless I can find a Model 36 equivalent chambered in .357 Magnum, I'll be going with the Model 36 3" chambered in .38 Special, refinishing it, and either getting some custom grips, or making my own. Thank you to everyone for the recommendations! I greatly appreciate them all. If anyone is interested, I can post the progress of the gun build, either on this thread, or another one.

Wise_A · Jul 11, 2018

John Banks said:
Entropy and degradation are unavoidable scientific principles. Things break down over time. Plain and simple. I don't care how "well" it shoots. I care IF it shoots. I don't want a gun that's practically falling apart, or so old that I have to be overly careful. I want one that I can trust my life to, as well as the lives of my loved ones.

There are no words.

Ribwizzard · Jul 11, 2018

If you buy the 3" model 60 with adjustable sights, you can remove the rear sight and use the groove where it mounted just like a fixed sight gun. Now all you do is swap out the front sight.

Smith & Wesson "New Nambu" M60 Standins

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