back up gun for someone carrying a s&w model 60

[Doc Holliday]

A M649 or a double-barrel derringer in .38 Spl
.

 

[Yurko]

For me the 60 would be a BUG to my 66-2

 

[SuperMan]

.....well...I have a 60-10 3" with adjustable sights that I use while backpacking, fishing, canoeing and anything else around water. Under those situations I really don't feel the need for a BUG but if I did it would probably be a 317 3" adjustable sight AirLite.

But if you are talking daily carry for personal protection and can't afford the room for a second M60 or maybe one of the AirWeight/AirLite Centennials I would look at the KelTec .32. Can't get any smaller, lighter or easier to hide than one of those with its own belt clip...or a big knife...

Bob

 

[TAROMAN]

IMO, a second model 60 would seem to be the best option.

+1 -- A New York reload:

 

[Babalooie]

+1 -- A New York reload.

Yessssssss

 

[K Frame Keith]

I remember an old FBI firearms instructor back in the mid 80's who regarded the Chief Special as the ultimate backup. He said that even if your primary weapon was a J frame, carry a Chief special as the backup as well.

 

[Bud11]

I think if you are going to carry a back up to a 5 shot it should be the same caliber so reloads will work in either. I think these would do just fine.

Model 60 2” 357

And a 340 SC 2” 357

I think I would set them up with Crimson Trace grips too.

That 60 2" with the shrouded hammer is nice. Must have stopped making them as I have not seen one before. Have been looking at the 2" and 3" models lately. Bud

 

[ar15ed]

definitely another model 60!

 

[Decker]

All depends on what the "Back-up" is expected to accomplish.

A model 60 was designed to be a back up gun. Get something bigger caliber, or bigger capacity for a primary carry gun.

I have never understood why anyone would want or need a BUG. The only exception, in my opinion, is that of law enforcement personell who intentionally go in harms way as part of their job.
But for a CCW holder, why?

If a person practices standard "awareness" tactics, then their probability of having to pull a weapon AT ALL drops to about 1% of 1%.
And if they do have to draw, the odds of having to fire are small, and if they have to fire, only a few rounds at most would be needed to get themselves out of the situation.

All that said, I mostly carry small pistols such as a 642, Rohrbaugh R9s, or LCP.
But if I ever feel the "need" to carry a BUG, I instead opt for a high-cap pistol such as an XD9SubC, and the only times I feel the need to do that is around Christmas time when we spend a lot of time walking across large shopping center parking lots... stuff like that.

So I sure wish someone could explain to me why a private citizen who observes tactical awareness methods when they're out should feel the need to hang yet another piece of equipment on their belt or ankle or whatever.
I'm already annoyed having to manage just the one pistol and a cell phone.

And if you think you need a BUG just in case your primary weapon malfunctions, then you're carrying the wrong primary weapon.

 

[squidsix]

I would get another 60. Nothing wrong with two J-frames.
I have carried two of the same gun before. Sometimes it's even easier than carrying a reload.

 

[Broadside]

Dear Smith and Wesson forum. I have a question for my fellow Forum members. What would be an appropriate back up gun for someone carrying a Smith and Wesson model 60 .357 magnum revolver with a 3 inch barrel? sincerely and respectfully mg357 a proud member of the Smith and Wesson Forum.

mg357,

Could you clarify whether this is for you personally, or if this is for a character in a story you are writing?

As several have already mentioned, I've always looked upon J-frames as being a back-up gun.

If it is for you, I would recommend looking at the current, no-lock Model 340PD's They are a Scandium, Centennial J-frame in .357 Magnum caliber. You could easily carry one in a pocket or an ankle holster.

If it is for a story, I would go with what another member already suggested and look at one of the small Berreta's. Berreta makes several small pistols in .32acp or .380 that would probably fit in nicely with a story.

 

[jimmyj]

+++ What roundgunner advised.
Model 60 .357 w/3" barrel would be a holster carry.
I would chose a Model 60 2" RB for B/U.
Same ammo.
Desirable to have B/U same caliber as primary.

 

[Corinto]

If you don't want to carry alot of hardware around, the little NAA revolvers are excellent choices.

 

[sunday bill]

I'm already annoyed having to manage just the one pistol and a cell phone.

To paraphrase the sawbones on the old Hee-Haw show:

Don't pack a cell phone.

 

[TSQUARED]

I carry a Kahr PM-9 with 7 rounds of 9mm in a very slim package.It makes a great back up gun for individuals whose primary weapon is much larger.

 

[66 shooter]

Remember, more tools does not replace good quality training, and that's not just going to big name schools, it's mastering what you are going to use. There is nothing wrong with carrying a J frame or such as a primary CCW weapon. If you are going to carry a back up though try and make it the same caliber and the same type, revolver-revolver..semi-auto..semi-auto so under stress you will function. And the biggest thing is no matter what you carry it doesn't matter what you have if you can't hit with it, so practice, practice, and more practice.

 

[4330Inroute]

+1 -- A New York reload:

If you insist on a back up. Two of the same model 60 makes sense. The fastest reload is a second handgun. Ammo interchanges, holsters match and can be switched, speedloaders or strips work on both, training only for one type of handgun.

Unless you train consantly switching from one type of handgun to another (revolver to semi auto or the reverse) is hard to accomplish especially under stress.

Many moons ago when I was in uniform the Dept. required that you qualify with your back up as well as your duty weapon. One of the courses of fire was to run up to the firing line, fire your duty weapon dry, then draw your back up and fire and reload and fire again. It was a challenge for some and difficult for most.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[Pointblank2U]

If a J-Frame is your primary, I'd recommend a good pair of running shoes as a backup.

 

[Broadside]

I have never understood why anyone would want or need a BUG...

...If a person practices standard "awareness" tactics, then their probability of having to pull a weapon AT ALL drops to about 1% of 1%.

By deciding to carry a firearm in the first place, you've already decided not to play the odds.

Firearms break, or get knocked out of your hand, or can't be reached because you are injured or are struggling with someone.

 

[stantheman86]

A backup gun, for a backup gun?

I use my Model 60 for deep concealment, or as a "last ditch" carry gun for when the clothes I'm wearing won't allow me to carry anything else.

J-Frames were designed as defensive, not offensive weapons. The short extractor rod doesn't allow for as fast a reload, I find half the time I'm hand extracting half ejected empties from the chambers, no matter how brisk I hit the rod with the gun pointed up. I consider my J-Frames to be "extreme emergency" guns, the ballistics aren't as good with +P, the effectiveness of .357 in the newer ones is debatable IMO, most of the unburned powder blows out the barrel because it hasn't as time to burn, and you get 1 less round in the cylinder........if I ever had to fire all 5, I pray I have already ran to safety,and/or the threats are stopped, and I have no need to reload.