Thoughts on the 3" Model 60's Durability

Edmo

Edmo

US Veteran
Joined
Jul 19, 2009
Messages
1,200
Reaction score
1,698
Location
Central Arkansas
I've been "eyeing" the Model 60 with the 3" barrel, adjustable sights, and chambered in .357 Magnum. However, I've heard negatives (from a local gunsmith & S&W revolver fan) on the durability of this J-frame/357 combination. I'm looking for those who own one to give thoughts on durability with a diet of full power rounds. I think this gun would be a great tag-along gun for hunting and hiking.

3" Model 60

The other gun I've picked as a candidate to fill this role is the Ruger SP101. Same general 5 shot configuration, but a slightly beefier design. From the owners I've talked with, the SP101 will easily handle the above mentioned full-power diet.

I have a drawer full of S&W revolvers and several of Ruger's, so I'm not brand myopic... I just want something usable and durable. I tend to lean towards S&W for revolvers, but not if there will be a durability issue down the road.

Thoughts?

Edmo
 
Register to hide this ad
I carried my 3 inch M60-10 as a trail gun, and recommend one for that purpose.
But, I wouldn't feed it a steady diet of full power magnums, both out of consideration for my hands, and the gun.
On the trail, I would carry it loaded with Buffalo Bore 180 gr hard cast "bear loads", but I would not shoot any except in the "gravest extreme" *. They approach the energy level of some .41 magnum loads.
At the range, the M60 is fun to shoot with .38 Special loads.
I used 148 gr plated wad cutters over 4.2 gr of W231., loaded in magnum brass.
If I were going to shoot a steady diet of magnum loads, I would prefer a 3 inch M686.

* From "In the Gravest Extreme: The Role of the Firearm in Personal Protection" by Massad F. Ayoob




Best,
Rick
 
Last edited:
As the notches in the J frame are offset, the J frame cylinder is probably stronger than that of a K frame, which has the notches cut right above the thinnest part of the cylinder.

That said, other things besides cylinder strength figure in when considering the issue of durability. There is also the issue of comfort when shooting.
 
The model 60 is by far the better carry gun IMO. However, if you are happen to be one of the unusual guys who feels you have to fire full house 125's every round, buy the Ruger. There is no doubt it is a heavier made gun/more durable and it shows when you carry it all day.

I load my 3" 60 with Gold Dot .357 short barrels, which are well researched, excellent loads. There are not full power, but highly effective. I shoot the M60 as well as any of my N frames.

The 60 is a phenomenally accurate little gun, lightweight and easy to carry. Nothing wrong with the Ruger, it's a nice gun, but to my mind, if I'm going to carry a gun that heavy, I'd rather it be a K/L frame.
 
Last edited:
The durability of my hands/wrists would be my immediate concern, if shooting actual .357 mag ammo (not this heavy special ammo that's currently offered) through a 60.
 
I keep 125 grain .357 Golden Sabre loads in mine for trail use. Like the .357 135 grain Gold Dots, they are less than full power .357s and seem perfect for this fine gun. I use reloaded .38 specials of moderate power for my practice rounds. My hands and wrists will wear out before the gun.
 
Edmo said:
I've been "eyeing" the Model 60 with the 3" barrel, adjustable sights, and chambered in .357 Magnum. However, I've heard negatives (from a local gunsmith & S&W revolver fan) on the durability of this J-frame/357 combination. I'm looking for those who own one to give thoughts on durability with a diet of full power rounds. I think this gun would be a great tag-along gun for hunting and hiking.
Click to expand...

The 60 you have in mind is a phenomenal carry gun, one that will give you many years of service ... even shooting heavy loads. The sights are excellent, though you may want to experiment with grips to find the most recoil-reduction.
 
You might also consider a Taurus Tracker. Same general design as an S&W.
 
I've owned a 3" barrel Ruger SP-101 in .357 since 1996. I had it Magnaported shortly after I bought it. It has given me excellent service and I could not be more pleased with it. It has easily handled any and all .357 loads I have used in it over the years.
Aside from size and weight differences, the only advantages of a 3" mod 60 would be a better (smoother) action IMO, and a MUCH wider variety of factory and aftermarket grips that are available. (It may also be a little easier to have custom holsters made for a 3" mod 60 than a 3" SP-101).
Adjustable sights on a carry revolver may be considered a plus for some, but a negative by others.
 
I bought a 3" 60-15 in the early days of The Lock, and was delighted with it. Right up until I oafishly knocked the unloaded gun off a counter onto a hardwood floor, and the lock self-activated. Figuring that was the sort of rough treatment a defensive gun might have to take during a scrape and still come up shooting (and with THE PLUG not yet on the market), I took it right back to the store where I bought it new, and traded it off at a loss.

A pity, as it was accurate and seemed very durable.

It did not however, convey the same durability as my 3" SP-101 (I shoot old school .357 loads, myself), which is a tank. As Mr. McCarver states (and as our departed friend Stephen A. Camp demonstrated in a good article), there are other strength concerns than cylinder thickness - I'd put the SP up against the 60 for durability any day.

12july12SP-101002.jpg


That said, it strikes me as pretty unlikely that you'd wear either out. If you're planning on a lot of really hot, really heavy loads, I think the SP is a better choice.

IMG_20130804_145340_422.jpg
 
Last edited:
I have had one of these for about ten years, and it has become my favorite trail gun with its excellent combination of carry ease and power. I have shot loads up to 180 gr. with no problem, but do not make it a habit. Overall, I have probably put in excess of 500 rounds through this gun with no problems.
 
Shooting .357 Magnum ammo in a J-frame is not fun unless you really enjoy very sharp recoil and ferocious flash and blast. Everyone I know personally who owns a .357 J (or, now that I think about it, an SP101) carries +P .38 Special in it. For a .357 trail gun I'd want an L-frame with at least a four-inch barrel if I could still shoot the Magnums (I can't due to arthritis), or a Model 19 at the lightest. YMMV.
 
I owned a S&W Model 60-10 for a number of years and i did not feed it ANY .357 magnum ammunition because the gun is so light weight the recoil would be unbearable
 
I have 640 357 shot 500plus 125 gr hp through it with no signs of wear.Iwent through s&w armor school in 1979.The 640 is awsome.I put thousands of rounds through my org 60 whith no problems.However its not a 627.Do yourself a favor,Buy the S&W.thanks,Bob.
 
I bought one in 1996 when they first came out. Nice gun with .38s not so nice with .357s. The issue I've observed with M60s as well as M19s and early M29s is not cylinder bulge but frame stretch and gas cutting. Picked up a M65 3" that I like better and shoot better. My 3" SP101 is closer to the K frame than to the J-Mag and I shoot it about as well as the M65. If you shoot 500-600 rounds per year either gun will work. If you shoot 500-600 rounds per month the Ruger will outlast you and the Smith.
 
Edmo,
I have that very gun and it is a great gun. You mentioned putting a steady diet of .357 through it and for the life of me, I can't see the reason. That gun with mag ammo is a flinch maker. zero it with the mag ammo you want and practice with something that will help you avoid the hand surgery later in life. With bullet design and construction, what it is today, they have become a far more important factor than velocity. I do and have done FBI protocol ballistic shoots for a couple of major ammo manufactuers for many years, and there is nothing I have seen of late that justifies the punishment of a mag over one of the better .38 loads now available, especially from a short barreled revolver.
 
S&W Model 60

I say go for it. My wife has one exactly like it....has fired several hundred rounds of both .38 Spl. and .357 Mag. ammo thru it without any problems. Just keep it clean, and runs like a clock.
 
S&W Model 60 reply

Edmo said:
I've been "eyeing" the Model 60 with the 3" barrel, adjustable sights, and chambered in .357 Magnum.

I have had a S&W model 60 for over a year now. I like the gun but have it for home self-defense. It is great with .38 special loads. The .357 has quite a bit of kick and I prefer shooting the .38's for target practice. I would not recommend it for primarily shooting .357's.
Click to expand...
 
I shoot a model 60 Pro with a 3" barrel. I got it primarily to carry when hiking and fishing the back country. After I swapped the stock wood grips for Pachmyrs, itsoftened the recoil with .357 loads quite a bit, and I don't even feel .38 special loads. But think about why you are getting the gun. As a carry-along for hunting and hiking, how much are you really going to shoot it with full house loads? I'm guessing you'll do like most. Practice with .38's and load it up with magnum loads for the trail in case you need it. You'll have to run into a lot of trouble to shoot that thing enough to wear it out. If you're that unlucky......
 
I have a 3" 60 and shoot .357 and .38 spl through it.
I have seen a lot of threads about J frames and 357 mags in general. My engineering mind does not believe that S&W would design a gun to shoot .38 spl and occasionally .357s...just from the legal liability they would not sell it to shoot .357s at all.
Doing so would be a terrible business decision and engineering recklessness. Not that I personally want to shoot .357s all the time but, the gun has to hold up to them if it is sold to do so.
They took the K frame Model 19 off the market and went to the L frame when that design proved not to be able to hold up the the hotter 125 gr .357 loads. So why would they start/keep selling the J frame if it was not designed to handle the load?
Just one mans opinion.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

jimmyj
S&W Model 65-3 Revolver
Replies
1
Views
442
Tom S.
Tom S.
38SPL HV
Had enough? S&W Airweights
2 3
Replies
51
Views
3K
familyman357oh
familyman357oh
E
Model 60-15 with Polygonal Rifling
Replies
5
Views
439
Alk8944
Alk8944
M
Holster for 3" Horton N frame
Replies
3
Views
360
murphydog
murphydog
Waldmeister
Model 60-7 barrel length
Replies
9
Views
444
stansdds
S

Latest posts

Back
Top