Could any of you comment on the durability of a new model 60 3" using 125gr Golden Sabre .357 (medium velocity) rounds on a regular basis.

I'm trying to decide between an L frame 686 with a 2-1/2" barrel, and the lighter weight j frame.

The intended use will be for home defense, with 50% concealed carry in an IWB holster.

Thanks.

The model 60 is as durable as any other 'J' framed Smith. However, I feel it was best left as a 38 special rather than a 357. It is light, short, and has a small grip frame. The 'J' frame was designed as a kit gun in 22 lr then later as a 38 special. My feeling is it is not a good candidate for magnum loads of any kind. Most, yourself included, load down for control to midrange or light magnums in order to accurately fire the gun. So, why not stick with 38's and leave the magnums for a magnum. Get the 686. It is a true magnum, will handle anything you can chamber in it, is controllable as such in trained and practiced hands, and can be carried 50% of the time relatively easily.

I have a 686, and I have a 640 (which is about the same as a 60). The 60/640-1 in .357 Magnum is my favorite gun of all time, including 1911's and everything else. It is just a fantastic carry gun. Mine has an Uncle Mike's grip that allows all my fingers on there, so I can hold onto it very well. The 125 Golden Sabers are a great round for that gun and you should be able to shoot them as much as you want. If you are going to carry the gun, go with the 60. 686's are great for target shooting and home defense, but too heavy (for me) to carry. I am certainly not against 38's...I carry them in my airweight guns as much as anything else, but for the 60/640-1 I would use .357 Magnums. Personally, I use Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel .357 Magnums...they don't blast as much as some of the full-house 125 grain loads...those should be reserved for K/L/N frame guns. Good Luck, B

I would advise the 3" M60, but stick to .38 Special in 125 gr loads.

Geoff
Who has trouble finding standard pressure defense ammo for his Bodyguard.

I have a 60 3" and find it a great, accurate handgun when using the 125 Golden Saber magnum loads. I generally use it as a field gun and find it plenty accurate enough to take small game, with capabilities to handle any defensive emergency one might encounter in the wild (short of large bears). I also have a model 66 that I shoot a lot, but rarely carry. Have have equipped my model 60 with handfilling grips, making shooting it a joy.

I really like mine. Sight it in with .357 but don't shoot a steady diet of them through it and you'll be fine. Also, try the Gold Dot 135 gr. .357 short barrel. It's even lighter than Rem GS. Buffalo Bore .38 +p is also a choice. It's about the same as the Gold Dot.

As far as durability you will give up before the Mod 60 will in shooting 357mags. The 60 is built to take the 357s and should do fine and is very comfortable for concealed carry.

As far as comfort in shooting at the range the 686 will be easier to shoot than the 60. When I go to the range with both I wind up shooting only a couple of cylinders of 357 through Mod 60 while the 686 will shoot all day.

Thanks for all your replies. The reason for my starting this thread is because I'm trying to decide between a 686 2-1/2" or a 3" model 60.

I think that for me, the model 60 with the 3" barrel might be the best choice...relatively light weight, and strong enough to handle the lower power .357's as well as the +P .38's.

I can reload, so for practice, I'll probably download .357's to around 1000-1100 fps, and also load some .38's shooting 148gr wadcutters at around 700-800fps.

I chronographed the Remington Golden Sabres and the Federal full-power 125gr JHP's out of a friend's SP-101 with the 2-1/4" barrel recently, and at 10 ft from the muzzle, I measured 1113fps from the Remington's, and 1309fps from the Federals. I would expect similar velocities out of the model 60, as well as the 686 2-1/2", assuming similar B/C gaps and bore characteristics (smoothness, groove diameter, etc.)

I could tell that trying to get 1300fps from that short barrel SP-101 was going to put a lot of stress on the revolver (as well as my shooting hand)

As far as carrying goes, the model 60 will be a lot easier to do, especially in the hot summer months down here in S. Alabama.

As long as I don't try to make a hand cannon out of the model 60, I think that it should make a good multi-purpose revolver that my wife will also be able to practice with...I think that she should be able to handle and practice with at least one of the handguns I own.

I know that I started this thread by asking whether the 60 would be strong enough to handle only .357 medium velocity loads on a regular basis, and the reason for that was I wanted to know if you all thought the gun was strong enough for that. In reality, I'll probably be shooting a good mix of .38's, as well as lighter .357's for practice, like I mentioned above.

There's a really nice new 686 with 2-1/2" barrel sitting next to the model 60 3" in the LGS right now, and the extra 10oz weight and larger cylinder/frame dimensions of the 686 (from the standpoint of carrying) are the only negatives I see to that revolver.

I'll have to go back today to handle both guns.

Thanks again.

A gun you'll carry is better than anything left at home. It's self defense, actually the last resort of self defense, you're not preparing for a battle. So I'd go with the 60. There are plenty of effective ammo choices that will be no problem, I see someone already mentioned 135gn Golden Sabers, even the tried and true 158+P SWHP is a good round. If you think 125gn .357s could be a problem just don't use them. I really don't believe in magic bullet weights, velocities, etc, anyway. In my book having a firearm, situational awareness and if it ever comes to it (and we all hope it never does), rapid shot placement is key.

/c

I've fed a diet of mostly .357s through my 3" 60 (mostly 125, 158 gr.). I currently have a pearl grip with a T grip and can shoot a box of 50 no problem. To me, it's less punishing on the hand than a 642 with +P rounds.. less snappy. I'm VERY happy with it as a concealed carry gun.

I definitely prefer J frames for IWB carry, but have carried my 681 IWB a few times.

__________________
- The Federalist #46 -

Thank you all again for your replies. I went to the gun shop to see the 686 2-1/2" and model 60 3" side by side.

I don't know how to explain it, but as I worked the actions of both revolvers, the 686 was just plain smoother and felt more solid (the 10oz extra weight probably had a lot to do with that).

As I allowed the hammer of the model 60 to move forward from a full cocked position, it had some side to side movement and was rubbing on the frame surface...that particular revolver just didn't feel "right" to me.

And so, I went with the 686. The Hogue bantam grips really fit my hands well, the barrel/cylinder match-up is clean with a uniform .008" B/C gap, and my suspenders are nearby for the times I carry the gun.

I remember starting a thread here not too long ago that asked about the possibility of carrying a steel N frame...I've got to look at the replies there to recall the advice given to me then about how best to carry a heavier gun.

I've got to start looking for a holster.

Thanks again all, and have a great evening.

You will like the 686...I have a "Simply Rugged" pancake holster for mine, but seldom carry it. It is very secure in the holster, and if you have a good solid belt it makes it even easier. I bought the "Simply Rugged Real Man's Belt" to use with those holsters and the combination works very well. You will feel very secure carrying that gun. Good luck, B

Good choice. I have a model 60 3inch that I enjoy considerably, but the 686 will be far more pleasurable to shoot, and durable in the long run. Good luck with it.