I was at the local emporium today fondeling a 2 1/8 inch model 60. It didn't feel as small as some other J frames have in my oversized paws.
I have been carrying a Kahr CW9. I have been wanting to unload it and start carrying a revolver. I really like the size and it doesn't feel too bad for a small gun. I don't know how a heavy .357 load will feel, but if it is not comfortable enough to shoot good, I dont know too many guys that would ask for a second .38+p round. So I figure that would work.
Anyway, What do you fellas think of a model 60 for a carry choice? Is it small enough and light enough to conceil and carry comfortably?

Thanks guys
Randy

The model 60 is a great CCW choice. Whether it is "small...and light enough" is very much your individual taste (it is listed at 23 ounces unloaded). It depends on how you intend to carry it also; a little heavy for a pants pocket, fine with a belt holster, I would think.

Full .357s would be rather brutal, so one of the .38 +P loads or the Speer Short Barrel .357s would do as you noted.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

It is what I carry. I use 38+P because I think a well constructed 158 grain bullet going 1000 fps will do everything a bullet needs to do in a human. I prefer 44s, but no one makes a small revolver in a 44/45 that I want to own.

I think my likely scenarios have me shooting at 10' or less, and a well placed 38+P will do the job.

I did swap the wood grips for a rubber one, mainly because it fills my hand better...but don't know if I like it for carry. Still working on that, and may switch back to the rosewood boot grips. I'm thinking of buying a 3" M60, using the rubber grips for OC (OK, discrete carry, which is fine in Arizona) & plinking, and carrying the wood grip 2" 60LS concealed.

Thanks fellas. I am thinking inside a coat pocket or maybe a belt holster under a coat.
Is their something that would work better? Beside it in the case is a model 637. It didn't feel as good in my hand.

Wing master

My daily carry is a 642 with #305 Crimson Trace laser grips. It is about all you want with PlusP but that's my choice of ammo (the FBI 158 gr H.P.)

I carry in a Mika pocket holster. I can wear shorts or long pants and a "T" shirt without printing. As far as I am concerned it is a good combination.

Dale53

My constant companion is an older Model 60 (2" bbl, .38 Spl). Even if I'm carrying other guns, it is always in my pocket (in a Galco leather pocket holster) or in a Bianchi 9R upside down shoulder holster. It is perfect in either mode of carry, and has never been spotted, over a period of several years. Certainly not too heavy to carry, in fact, it is possible to forget it is in your pocket. I put on a pair of smooth Rosewood combat grips, no hanging up on clothing, and they fit my large hands very well. It is a perfect carry gun, small enough to conceal under almost any conditions, completely reliable, and quite accurate if the human operating it does his job. You can't go wrong with it. BTW, a friend of mine has a stainless J-frame in .357 (a 640 or 640-1, if I recall correctly), and the only times it has been fired with .357 ammo was by me - she can't handle the recoil of the little J frame with .357s. I'm not at all recoil sensitive, and I can shoot it all day, but I can see how most people would have a difficult time handling it. The only way to find out for yourself, of course, is to try it.

There is a school of thought that favors the concealed hammer ("hammerless") gun, like the model 442 or 642, or the Bodyguard style model 38 or 49 or variations, so the hammer spur won't snag while drawing the gun.

Regarding the alloy (637) vs. steel (60) frame, another subjective call on your part - you have to decide if a light weight gun will recoil too much, or if you will tend to leave a heavier gun at home because it is too much of a bother to carry. They are structurally equivalent, so use of +P .38s in the alloy guns will not be an issue.

Decisions, decisions .

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I swap between my Model 60-9 and my G19 for daily care depending on the situation.
Full house .357 round's are fun occasionally, but I carry .38 Spl Hornady. I like having the option of .38 Spl through .357 Magnum and never feel under gunned. There are plenty of personal defense rounds out there today in .38, so just try a few and use what you feel confident in.

I'm rollin' with Dale53 on this one. I carry exactly what he does---works for me.......

I pack my 2" 60-9 (357) alternately in a winter jacket pocket, front jeans pocket without a holster, a rear jeans pocket without a holster, in a rear jeans pocket or in a casual pants cargo pocket in an Uncle Mike's pocket holster (about 10 bucks), a Galco belly band, a Simply Rugged Silver Dollar pancake, or in a Maxpedition Fatboy. I bought a Fobus ankle holster for it this week, but haven't tried it yet.

It usually wears a set of worn stags but occasionally sports a set of Crimson Trace grips.

I bobbed the hammer to my liking with a Dremel Tool. By starting the hammer with the trigger and catching it with my thumb, I've used it single-action to kill several rats around the barn and one old skinny 52 inch timber rattler. I've also shot it from 7 steps out to about 200 yards in casual snubby matches (A C-word gun is yet to shame us.) and I practice with it regularly, up close, in double action mode.

I own more impressive handguns ranging from a Triple Lock to a 454 Freedom Arms. They are all fun to shoot but spend most days in the safe. I also own several handguns that get fired a LOT more than the 60 (CAS guns, recently some Model 10s etc.) I own several other carry options, including a 1966 Walther PPK, a Bond Arms Derringer in 45/.410, a 66-3, a 629 snubby with non-adj sights, and a Ruger Alaskan, but this little gun is my most handled, most worn-looking, and most valued gun. It gets carried EVERY day.

The ammo it digests ranges from a 158 gr. RNFP in front of a modest charge of Bullseye load with which it is VERY accurate to little-used 357 loads. Its favorite and most often-carried load is Skeeter's old every-day favorite of a handcast and gas checked Lyman 358156 SWC over a stout charge of 2400, crimped in the middle groove, in 38 Special brass.

My Model 60 has never been fired in anger or in self defense. I sincerely hope it never will be. However, if such action becomes advisable, this side of awfully big critters, I'm confident she's up to the task.

As always, Wingmaster, YMMV, but I doubt it.

(burying face in hands)

I carried either a Model 36 or 60 for years without feeling undergunned. I even loaded 125 grain SJHPs in the 60 and while it was brutal, it could be managed. Mostly, I used factory wood grips with a Tyler T-grip adapter sans holster, but with a Clipdraw. It went in my waist, the ankle holster or even my pocket and kept me feeling warm and fuzzy inside. My other preference was a Model 19 with 2.5 inch barrel. I used that battery until finally switching to the 4013 and I'm not totally convinced I got the better of the deal.

Thanks guys. I think I will go for it. I just have a hard time with the alloy guns. They feel like a toy in my hand. I hope the extra weight of the model 60 is worth the good feel.

Thanks again guys.

Wing master