3" 60 or a 2 1/2" 66?

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

I think I've had enough of the crappy trigger on my sp101. It's a nice gun and I love Rugers, but the trigger is sub-par even thought it's been smoothed up. So what to replace it with between the 3" 60 and the 2.5" 66?

Thoughts?

 

[Old cop]

It depends on your tolerance for weight and girth. The 66 is bigger all around and will weigh you down more (+ one more round) while the 60, albeit w/the 3" bbl, will carry better IMHO. Both are accurate enough to get the job done.

If it were me I'd go for the M60.

 

[mc5aw]

Very different animals. The 3" J-frame will surprise you with its accuracy, but the 66 snub is as perfect a carry revolver as you will find. I have a 3" 36 (late 1960s vintage) that is an amazing for CCW, and I also have a pair of 66 snubs, one of which is in regular rotation for CCW. Both will suit you well, depending on personal preferences.

 

[BUFF]

The heavier M-66 will kick less with any ammunition, which matters more with .357 Mag than .38 Special. The smaller M-60 is easier to carry concealed. The K frame leaf mainspring M-66 is likely to have a better trigger pull than the J frame coil mainspring M-60.

Both are great guns, I would let your intended uses guide your choice.

 

[Model39]

Get Both

If you can afford it, get both. This way there will never be a doubt in you mind whether you made the right choice. I have both, and they each work very well for different CCW options and the guns will always keep their value.

 

[Asta]

I like to CC my 60-4 3". But I also like to carry it out in the desert for some plinking. It is a great "all around" gun for me.
I don't have a 66 in 2 1/2" but would guess it would be good for CC...don't know about it being a plinker...

Good luck with your decision...

Joe

 

[C Islander]

I've got a 2.5 66, and it is a fine carry gun. My favorite however, is a 3" 65. I believe the 65 is as good as it gets for a carry revolver.

 

[SuperMan]

I have a 3" 60-10 .357 with adjustable sights, a 3" 66 and a 3" 65....If I were forced to keep just one, for what I do with a .357, I would take the 60-10.

This gun is mainly used as a Trail Gun. Hiking, backpacking, fishing, canoeing or anything around water. It conceals and carries much easier than a K frame.

If however CC and light weight don't matter and this will be your only gun you may be better off with the K frame.

Bob

 

[mr-mom]

I have both. They are very different, both very effective. The j-frame 60 is a nice carry gun but .357's out of it kick my butt. The larger 66 fits my hands better, shoots more accurately for me, and I don't mind .357 out of it at all. I recommend you try to handle and shoot both before making a decision.

 

[Black Knight]

I tried the trigger on a model 60 about 2 years ago. It was the absolute worst trigger I have ever seen on any gun even my mother's old RG10. I would deffinately choose the 66 before I chose a 60. The gunshop guy said it could be made better but would cost about $100 more. Why should I pay an extra $100 for a gun that should be good to go from the beginning. Quality control, more like profit protection.

 

[Stainz]

I like my 2" 10 - and 4" 64. I only have one 66 - and it's a 6". Still, interpollating between the 2" & 4" K-frames still leaves a dedicated holster gun. I covered the .357M CC revolver need in two sizes - a 3" 60 Pro and a 2 5/8" PC627 UDR. The former, actually a 60-15, came as shown below - with a lot of standard features - new, for a few bucks more than the base 3" 60. It carries almost unnoticed in a belt holster - or, in cargo pants, in a pocket holster, albeit not quite as easily as a 642. The UDR is bulky - an N-frame - but an eight-shooter - and needs a decent holster.

I am not as fond of the tritium Night Sight on the 60 Pro, although some folks love it. The wood grip, slabsided barrel, and improved trigger are great attributes, however. It's a nice package - worth considering. Another consideration would be the 2 1/8" enclosed hammer 640 Pro, which looks like my 632 Pro, except it's, like the 60, a five-shot .357M (My 632 Pro is a six-shooter in .327 Federal Magnum.). Note: tritium Night Sights front & rear - adjustable in windage. Also... no IL!

Stainz

 

[mg357]

I suggest the 3 inch model 60

 

[jeff7salter]

Mod. 60 3" & Mod. 66

I've owned a Mod. 60 3" for I guess a dozen years and for some of those years I carried it (with a permit) in my briefcase daily. It's a favorite of mine and I shoot it more often than any other revolver.
My brother has a Mod 66 -- but with the 4" barrel -- which I shot for the first time this week. It's a beautiful firearm --- has the older style firing pin, so I'm guessing it's about 1980 vintage. Great workmanship.

The single drawback of the Mod. 60 is the 5-shot capacity. In the same J-frame dimensions, S&W have made 6-shot revolvers ... and, of course, Colt & Ruger makes 6-shooters in their small frames.
If i could go buy a 6-rd. cylinder for my Mod. 60, it would be the perfect revolver for carry on the farm (where I now live) and for CC, if that was desired.

 

[mike from st pete]

Mod 60-4 owner here and I'd suggest this or the later 357MAG model 60 with the 3" barrel.
If one round less makes one nervous, dive behind the dumpster and reload?

 

[labworm]

Just yesterday I dumped my Ruger SP101 .22 for the same reason as you, trigger and hammer pull.

I do own a 66 2 1/2, and a 60 .357 3 inch.

The Model 60 is just a great all around revolver, .38 SPL or .357, your choice. Easy to carry daily and great little gun for the range.

Both are fine firearms, but my vote is for the Model 60.

 

[DeeBee]

I love my 60-10. I am a J-frame shooter, and I shoot them well... I cant say that about the larger frame Smiths. So my vote is for the 3" model 60.
Oh yea, this gun is crazy accurate!

 

[JayHutch]

If you can afford it, get both. This way there will never be a doubt in you mind whether you made the right choice. I have both, and they each work very well for different CCW options and the guns will always keep their value.

YES - get both if you can. Neither will ever loose it's value. Particularly if what's-his-name is re-elected. (Still have saying that name out loud)

 

[JayHutch]

I love my 60-10. I am a J-frame shooter, and I shoot them well... I cant say that about the larger frame Smiths. So my vote is for the 3" model 60.
Oh yea, this gun is crazy accurate!

That 60 is stunning! Been looking for one in that condition and it's hard. Beautiful piece. Looks like a mini 696.

 

[smokey04]

I am fortunate to have a Mod.60 3" .38Spc. and a Mod. 60 3" .357. I also have a Mod. 66 2&1/2 that I have had for years. All of these guns are fine pieces but fullfill different roles to my way of thinking.
If you think you're going to shoot a lot of .357 Mag. go with the Mod.66. If you want lightweight versatility the 3" Mod.60 is ideal. I had two in .38 Spl but I recently traded the wifes off for the newer .357 Mag version.I don't plan to shoot .357s in the Mod 60 but I thought there might come a time when ammo became hard to find and that gives me another option.
If I knew I was facing a fight I'd be carrying a .45 backed up by a 12 gauge or good rifle,but I'm comfortable leaving the house for my morning walk through town with a 3" Mod. 60.It will serve me for an occassional snake,coon, possum, dog, and two legged miscreants should that be necessary.The 3" 60 in .357 Mag gets my vote for "casual" carry. Nick

 

[DeeBee]

I just shot my 60-10 yesterday at the range. I started of with 10 rounds of full house .357 158 gr. I felt like Dirty Harry. It handles them with no problem, but feels like your shooting a .44 Mag. in a bigger gun!