Any info you can provide such as production dates S/N ranges configuation info much appreciated.

Picked one up earlier today with nice set of smooth J frame magnas and an extra set of pachmyar compacts for $419 S/N is AYZ08XX. Flawless condition did I do okay on price?

Yours was made in January 1988, a pretty good price in the current market. Enjoy!

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

For the details that you have requested, you need the reference books. Nahas and Supica's is the most detailed.

However, Roy Jinks's,"History of Smith and Wesson" is also good.

The primary thing you need to know in a practical sense is that at M60-4, the company warranted (Rated) the M-60 for Plus P ammo. Most of the rest of what can be learned is mainly of value to collectors.

It is a good idea to learn the value of a gun BEFORE buying one. However, in general, in Texas, an M-60 (and most other S&W .38 and .357 guns) will sell for from $350-550. And there is no way to know what a particular seller will charge. I have literally walked a gun show, and seen the identical item priced at a hundred dollars difference, on the same aisle! (Yeah, same condition, too.)

T-Star

Thanks for the info guys T-star I understand all to well what you mean about researching gun values but over my years of collecting I have determined that these references do little more than provide a starting point for determining pricing. After looking at these for about a year now it appears that M60's sell from $439 to $500 in my area. I am aware that one can sometimes make a better deal by purchasing over the internet as gun values do vary from one region to another but I prefer to see what it is I am buying before laying down my money. I felt pricing was reasonable not great and revolver checked nice and clean so I bought it. I dont think I will be sorry even tough I may have found a better deal had I been more patient.

I think you did ok, if you are happy all the better. It would probably be a long time though before you recoup'd your initial amount.
Good Luck

lev, it is true any printed price guide will be inaccurate from the moment it leaves the printing press. The Standard Catalog of S & W is now also 5 years old. However, the historical information that you seek (serial numbers, model variations and modifications, etc.) is still in there and very accurate. If you are looking for such information in detail it is still a great book. I tend to look to online sales (not asking prices) for current values. Hope this is helpful.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220