Question about a Ladysmith 60LS .357 mag 2 1/8" - A Christmas Present for my Wife that came into my FFL. I have a recoil question and a couple of othe

.460V & XVR Magnum Man · Nov 20, 2009

Question about a Ladysmith 60LS .357 mag 2 1/8" - A Christmas Present for my Wife that came into my FFL. I have a recoil question and a couple of other questions to anyone that has one of these!

Just got in to my FFL a 2 1/8in .357 Model 60LS Wood Grips Satin Nickel. This is going to be a Christmas Present for my wife. Anyone out there have one of these? I would like to know how they shoot with Magnum loads, as I wouldn't want too much blast for her to handle. She shoots my Ruger Service-Six 4" with magnum loads with no problem. But being this is a lot smaller any imput would be greatly appreciated. I haven't seen the gun yet as it just arrived from Bud's and I am about to go start the CA 10 day background check. I just wanted to get some information on the recoil, what kind of wood the grips are made of, and how it is with full magnum loads and .38 specials. An overall gun report would be appreciated and any information or advise would be great. She has been really patient with my getting a good collection of S&W's going for myself and I know her eyes will pop when she opens the little box on Christmas morning. I work nights on the weekends and her little Baretta Bobcat 21 .22lr I felt wasn't quite enough as crazy as the world is getting out there. So I thought I would kick her up a notch or two.

Thanks for your help!

handgunner356 · Nov 20, 2009

I don't have one of those but have used the Rem Golden Sabers in my 3" K-Frame. They're listed as a med velocity round about 200fps less then the full house load. The Winchester Silvertip 145gr is suppose to be another good one for short barrels/lighter recoil.

Pisgah · Nov 20, 2009

How well she will tolerate the recoil is anyone's guess. But I'll tell you this: I'm a pretty tough old bird when it comes to recoil, but to say that shooting a magnum J-frame is unpleasant is a major understatement. I can handle it -- but I do not like it. It feels like a pretty good-sized firecracker, or small grenade, going off in my hand . Ever hit a baseball and had that painful twang course back in to your hand through the bat? Multiply that maybe a dozen times, and add to it a startling blast.

Anyone who decides to step down to .38 +p loads will hear no criticism from me.

jpwhel · Nov 20, 2009

The biggest problem I see with shooting magnums from a J frame is the grip. I put the Pacmayrs (sp) on and it becomes manageable. A larger wood 3 finger combat grip, not the 2 finger boot grip, also makes it a bit more manageable but the rubber grips are the best.

If her current defense round is the .22lr then a step up to .38spl or .38 +p should be a good move. The good thing with the magnum J frame is that if the .357 mag is too harsh there are many alternatives in the .38 spl loads.

I have a 3" Mod 60-15 and it handles magnums well with the rubber grips but is a bear trying to control with the 2 finger combat type grip.

OKFC05 · Nov 20, 2009

1. Gold Dot .357 Short barrel
2. Gold Dot .38 +P Short Barrel if 1 is too much.
3. Lessons and practice if 2 is too hot.
4. Wood grips are pretty, but goodyears help recoil.

pred · Nov 20, 2009

Have her shoot it for the first time with 38 wad cutters, The load is mild and it wont turn her off to the recoil.
You can have her pack whatever you wish for self defance, But when she first fires it I recommend the wad cutters.
I personally carry an old model 37 and keep the wadcutters in it at all times because I find that I can empty the cylinder very rapidly into a 4" circle at 45' really fast, Way faster than regular power 38 specials.
I know that some will say I am running too little power with the WC loads, But when I can keep all 5 on target just about as fast as I can pull the trigger I am confident that if needed, My shots will go where I want them,,,,
I have seen some woman turned off to the J frame from shooting higher power loads first time... So WCs is also what I use to introduce new shooters to the wonders of the J frame!!!
Peter

Wee Hooker · Nov 20, 2009

PLEASE Skip the 357's!!! As mentioned even seasoned shooters don't enjoy shooting them in a J frame. Putting 357s in that gun to shoot is almost a certain recipe for her never wanting to shoot it again. Give her light 38 target loads to get accustomed to. Then gradually (!), once she's comfy , try some +P 38 loads. Then ASK her if she wants to try 357's. That way she can find her own comfort level. Trust me , she'll be allot more proficient (and able to protect herself) with ANY 38 load if she is proficient and comfortable with the gun. ( Read: a J frame stuffed with 357's is useless if it's home and she's afraid of it.)
In reality, 38 +P is all she'll ever need anyway.
p.s. If you doubt any of this, try shooting 50-100 rounds of any 357 out of that gun before asking her to. ( Don't even have her there as the muzzle blast will likely scare her.)You'll understand then.

pps. Great little gun/gift BTW!

Iggy · Nov 20, 2009

I have carried and shot a .41 magnum since 1966.

I got a 640-1 stainless steel .357 for concealed carry. I fired two hot magnum rounds in it. Now my Momma raised some dummies, but they was my sister!!

I now stick with .38+P's in all J-frames.

Beans · Nov 20, 2009

FWIW

I just finish co-teaching a NRA certified pistol course. A lady, I would guess to be in her mid 50's, (I didn't ask her age as she was over 21) brought one of the Model 60,s .357, 3 inch barrel to the range portion.

Her statement to me was that she could shoot her 4 inch model 19 with factory .357 loads, but with her model 60 she stepped down to .38 special +. because of the recoil.

The range course required all shooter to keep 15 rounds on a 8 inch paper plate/circle at 7 yards. She did it with no problems, and she was shooting mostly DA

She was shooting standard velocity 158 LSWC Factory ammo.

rock doc · Nov 20, 2009

pred said:
Have her shoot it for the first time with 38 wad cutters, The load is mild and it wont turn her off to the recoil.

+a bunch. All good advice so far. My petite wife has a Ladysmith 60-14 with the wood grips. It sure is purty!!

It was bought for the added weight/less recoil for when she shoot 38s. I tried 357's and it is not a pleasant experience. Much like shooting 38 +p in a 642. Gloves are also recommended for at the range. After a few cylinders of 38s, the wife's strong hand developed a blister on the web between the thumb & index finger.

NiklasP · Nov 20, 2009

Here is another vote for 38 Spl WC loads to start and maybe forever. Standard 38 Spl 158 grain loads at 800 fps are good next choice.

I have a M60 and found that the pretty rosewood grips on it from factory -- same pretty ones as on many M60 LadySmiths -- made the gun hard to control with anything more that 38 Spl WCs, especially in one-handed DA shooting. I ended up with set of Pachmayer Gripper grips and find I can shoot P+ loads nicely (158 grain SWCHP at 950 fps) and shoot almost as well with 158 grain SWCHP GC at 1200 fps. With those Gripper grips I have a far higher level of confidence in hitting target than with any S&W factory standard grips I have tried on that J-frame.

Niklas

Ed333 · Nov 20, 2009

stick with .38...

I gave a m.60LS to my personal trainer, who is a tall, fit and a very strong lady, with good sized hands, a former body building champion. My advice to her was stick to .38 special, it will do every thing you need it to with less fuss, always assuming that shot placement is primary. The 60LS has those pretty rosewood grips, and overall has a very sexy appeal, but I wouldn't want to tackle magnums with those grips, and I am 6'3" and 230 lbs, and I work out daily. You won't be doing her any favors steering her to magnums, and if you really want to have her continuing interest, then get some .38s, and they don't need to be +P either. Wadcutters sound fine, 158 RNL sounds fine....Don't project on to her your needs/goals/visions/ambitions. My two cents...don't ask me why I believe these things...just call me the Voice of Experience.

JWiley · Nov 20, 2009

Craig, if the lady is bothered by the recoil, even with the +P's or just plain Specials, try the Pachmayr SJ-G/D grips. I just got back from the range testing my 'Chief's Special' (model 60 in stainless). The grips being longer and thicker were a great help in taming the .357 magnum rounds. I also found that my gun/hand position helped.

.460V & XVR Magnum Man · Nov 20, 2009

Thanks for all the replies...just got back from my FFL and Paperwork and looking over the little gun with the big hole!!!

I got to look at the little gun and you all are right. A magnum load would be hard to tame. So when I get it in 10 days I will start her out with some .38wc and go from there. I sure appreciate all your feedback on this, as I never had something this little. Once I actually got to hold it and tried to imagine a .357 in it, I knew it would be too much. I will say one thing it sure is a pretty little piece of work, and she is into wood so I know in advance the grips will stay. So I will start her out as you all suggested and go from there. I want to say again to all who took the time to give me some imput on this, thank you so very, very much. It is nice to deal with some really nice and friendly and knowledgeable people. Hope you all have a great weekend!!!!

BarbC · Nov 21, 2009

I like the Gold Dot .38+P Short Barrel in my 60LS. It's enough of a defense load yet remains very controllable and accurate.

PS - I put Crimson Trace laser grips on mine. (The 205 series has since been discontinued and replaced by the 405 which has more rubber comfort molding.)

http://usera.imagecave.com/BarbC/Guns/42551415_133286807_0.jpg

bnkrtstk · Nov 21, 2009

I bought my wife one for Christmas last year. If it didn't say LadySmith on the side I would carry it. She can not handle the .357 loads, I don't mind them and have on occasion carried it on hikes with .357's in it. She is very recoil sensitive and can handle 38+P with no problems.

devildog66 · Nov 21, 2009

I do own and shoot a 60-9 LS and even with Herrett stocks, these are fuller than std J frame grips, on it the .357 loads are not a day at the beach.

BTW, it could be called the "Nancy Pelosi lady turd" and I'd still carry it; it is that nice of a gun.

For me the biggest rap on .357 in a J frame is not the recoil tolerance as much the time between shots. I can place 5 shots of .38 +P in a 6" circle at 15 yards in a very quick time; however, .357 starts to expand those time gaps not to mention the group also opens up. If I could put the .357 in a tight time and space group I would deal with the recoil but so far it hasn't worked that way. I would stick with .38 +P and a set of Ahrends or Herrett short j frame grips. I like the Federal but use Speer +P 129 grain load.

Ed333 · Nov 21, 2009

LadySmith grips

One thing I scratch my head about, the S&W site says the laminated finger-groove rosewood grips on the LadySmith are specially designed ergonomically for the hand of a woman...I cannot spot what they are talking about, and I don't feel that difference either. Maybe I am missing something, anyone able to tell me what is uniquely and ergonomically 'feminine' about those grips?

magnum12pm · Nov 21, 2009

bnkrtstk said:
I bought my wife one for Christmas last year. If it didn't say LadySmith on the side I would carry it. She can not handle the .357 loads, I don't mind them and have on occasion carried it on hikes with .357's in it. She is very recoil sensitive and can handle 38+P with no problems.

I have had the 60LS for couple of years, grab it quite often for a quick jaunt out of the house. I don't care what it says on the side many folks don't want to be on the receiving end of the Lady Smith (which is both ends with 357s

). However it does take some skill in defensive situations with 357s. The plus P as stated already are easily managed for defense and practice....

magnum12pm · Nov 21, 2009

Ed333 said:
One thing I scratch my head about, the S&W site says the laminated finger-groove rosewood grips on the LadySmith are specially designed ergonomically for the hand of a woman...I cannot spot what they are talking about, and I don't feel that difference either. Maybe I am missing something, anyone able to tell me what is uniquely and ergonomically 'feminine' about those grips?

The grips seem just a little thin width wise to me, but I have large hands, I could be wrong. That would be the only thing I can see. I kinda think its just the LadySmith on the side that makes the difference than any other M-60

Question about a Ladysmith 60LS .357 mag 2 1/8" - A Christmas Present for my Wife that came into my FFL. I have a recoil question and a couple of othe

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