Model 60-4 3" Barrel-adjustable rear sight

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Masterbuck54

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A buddy of mine said he picked up a 60-4 with the 3" barrel.
No box or doc's states it's 98%
A couple questions:
1) Does anyone know how many were made and what year?
2) What's the current buy/sell price in today's market?
3) What stocks would have come on the gun when shipped?
4) Are they considered a "rare" bird?

Thanks in advance for any and all information.

Masterbuck54
 

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Judging by that picture, it's not a 98% gun. It looks very well used and the grips (which are correct on the gun) look a bit beat. They did probably come on the gun. A 3 inch barrel on a M36 or M60 is not rare at all. I have a few laying around. If I saw that gun out, I would probably pay $325 to $350 OTD for it. Then I would go into full cleaning/restoration mode and get it back into shape. Being SS, it would be an easy clean-up, but would take some time. Unless I'm missing something, the most the gun would bring as-is might fall in the $500 plus tax ball park. I never pay what a gun might be worth.
 
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The 60-4 is a limited edition 1990 Target model with full underlug and the new yoke retention system. I have never seen how many were made, but est. less than 1000? These usually sell at or near double the regular Mod 60 prices for comparable condition. I believe the stocks were the S&W monogram Rubber Hogue's. At nearly the same time they produced the exact same format but in carbon steel as the 36-6, which is documented only 615 being made. It had the same Hogue grips. As below.

 
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Not sure how many were made, but i believe they came with Uncle Mike's combat grips. I put the pro Series grips on mine, which are a sort of SB/RB hybrid.

311p0zk.jpg
 
I'm not sure on the grips, I've seen them with various different grips, as many people change them soon as they bought the gun.

You picked the grips that fit me the best, Altamont. I have several of my J Frames in those.
 
OP,

Is it necessary to point out that the 60-4, and the picture you have posted, have the S&W adjustable rear sight, not fixed? And, BTW, there is only one rear sight, singular.
 
Dang. Now I have to go find me one of those. Didn't even know they made them.
 
The 60-4 came with uncle mikes round butt j frame rubber combats (bring a premium on the used maket, considered one of the best round butt j frame grips).

The matte blue version of the same revolver, the 36-6, came with hogue rubber round butt j frame grips.

Not sure but based on what I have seen the production numbers on the 60-4 would be in the 1000 plus range.
 
Masterbuck54 said:
A buddy of mine said he picked up a 60-4 with the 3" barrel.
No box or doc's states it's 98%
A couple questions:
1) Does anyone know how many were made and what year?
2) What's the current buy/sell price in today's market?
3) What stocks would have come on the gun when shipped?
4) Are they considered a "rare" bird?

Thanks in advance for any and all information.

Masterbuck54
Click to expand...
Many thousands of 3" Model 60 Chief's Special Target revolvers have been made over the years.

Product Code 102298 was manufactured from 1990 - 1992. Yours is most likely a 102298. A call to Smith and Wesson or a CHAT on the website will quickly confirm this if you can provide them a serial number.

A change in the engineering revision (often called dash number) does not make it a different model.

Most all product codes span two or more engineering revisions, as does 102298.

The only reason so few of the -4 engineering revision are presumed to exist is that 102298 was introduced just shortly before the -5 continued the offering with it's wider front sight.

Smith and Wesson does not track quantities of production guns or how product codes are split along engineering revisions.

Some quantities are known on Distributor Exclusives and other special orders simply because there is a written order for the product.

The only two "rare" variations of the 3" Chief's Special Target that come to mind are the 615 pieces of product code 101549, the 3" Model 36 Chief's Special Target as pictured above by H Richard and mine pictured below

36%20full%20lug%20small.jpg

Or product code 102432, the 182 3" Model 60 Chief's Special Target Small Hunters that were ordered for Lew Horton and built on the J-Magnum frame in 357

60adjs.jpg

Probably tens of thousands of the Chief's Special Target revolver have been produced since the Model 60 went to the J-Magnum frame
 
Only 2,000 of the model 60-4 were made. It's almost a rare bird. I sold one here on the forum to a "sniper" who immediately posted it on GunBroker where it sold for $2,000.
 
I've never known for certain just HOW rare the Model 60-4 is (BTW, that engineering designation is specific to the stainless 3" gun with full lug barrel and adjustable sights) but I know I looked long and hard to find one and finally Dale53 had to find one for me so he wouldn't have to hide his every time I went to visit! ;) Mine came to me ANIB but didn't stay that way long, which is OK because I don't intend to ever sell it until... ⚰️

Froggie
 
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SCS&W IV says the 60-4 was made from 1990 to 1999, but I don't recall seeing them in stores and shops during that period. I had my LGS order me one when I saw a printed ad for them, my notes say I picked it up 1-11-1990. BFV2771, paid $297.10. I haven't shot it yet. Sounds like I mebbe could get my money back out of it.

Comes close to being the .38 Special Kit Gun I always wanted.
 
BUFF said:
.... I picked it up 1-11-1990. BFV2771, paid $297.10. I haven't shot it yet. Sounds like I mebbe could get my money back out of it....
Click to expand...
That's $550, adjusted for inflation. You should be able to get that easy. That's why owning Smiths is such a great past time. Take care of them, shoot them, enjoy them for decades, and still not loose on the flip side. Even when accounting for the long term devaluation of the dollar.
 
colt_saa said:
Many thousands of 3" Model 60 Chief's Special Target revolvers have been made over the years.

Product Code 102298 was manufactured from 1990 - 1992. Yours is most likely a 102298. A call to Smith and Wesson or a CHAT on the website will quickly confirm this if you can provide them a serial number.

A change in the engineering revision (often called dash number) does not make it a different model.

Most all product codes span two or more engineering revisions, as does 102298.

The only reason so few of the -4 engineering revision are presumed to exist is that 102298 was introduced just shortly before the -5 continued the offering with it's wider front sight.

Smith and Wesson does not track quantities of production guns or how product codes are split along engineering revisions.

Some quantities are known on Distributor Exclusives and other special orders simply because there is a written order for the product.

The only two "rare" variations of the 3" Chief's Special Target that come to mind are the 615 pieces of product code 101549, the 3" Model 36 Chief's Special Target as pictured above by H Richard and mine pictured below

36%20full%20lug%20small.jpg

Or product code 102432, the 182 3" Model 60 Chief's Special Target Small Hunters that were ordered for Lew Horton and built on the J-Magnum frame in 357

60adjs.jpg

Probably tens of thousands of the Chief's Special Target revolver have been produced since the Model 60 went to the J-Magnum frame
Click to expand...


You're just confusing him. He asked specifically about just Model 60-4. There were two runs, about 1990 and maybe 1994, as I recall. Some have flash-chromed hammers and triggers and some have color case-hardened.


I paid $350 each for mine, both without box or papers, but about new. This was at gun shows, and the dealers seemed to think the guns would be harder to sell than a true snub, as the mass public wants the snub.


Both of mine had Uncle Mikes grips, but I switched to Pachmayr Presentation Compacs.


I think the Model 60-4 is the finest small revolver S&W ever made. The .357 that came later is, IMO, too much gun for a J-frame.


Those selling to collectors may try for a high price, but the average gun show dealer may sell a M-60-4 for about what any M-60 brings.


Both of mine have been exceptionally accurate, and the adj. rear sight lets you dial it in for the loads you prefer. Mine shoot the lead HP 158 grain well, but are just outstanding with Speer's 125 grain and 135 grain (Short Barrel) loads.


That gun in the OP is NOT anywhere NEAR 98%, but the scuff on the side can be polished out with metal polish and elbow grease.


I don't know how many M-60-4's were made, but if you find a nice one, buy it . Treasure it.


My holsters for these are from El Paso Saddlery. Because of the full-lug barrel, you'll probably need to order custom leather for that gun. But any holster for the later M-60-9-on will probably fit, as they also have that barrel profile.
 
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