Model 60-13 .38 Spl. - Confused?

Dump1567

Dump1567

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I just picked one up at a local shop today for under $600 OTD. Gun only, nothing else. The lack of lock got me, as I've been mostly focused on 2-inch guns (this is a 3"). This is a .38 special marked gun made in the late 90's.

It seems to be built on the J Magnum frame, so I was confused why it isn't just a .357? Was this just basically a target model for those that just wanted to shoot .38 spl.?

I'm assuming it can handle the hottest of .38 spl. loads, as it is the Magnum frame. Could it be bored out to .357? Not that I would, just wondering.

Thanks.

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I would have to guess no on the boring out.
Mostly I wish I could run across a $600.00 Model 60 like that. I would snatch it out of the shop so fast I would be a blur
 
I have two Pro series model 60s, (60-15), one the usual .357, the other only chambered in .38. I cannot tell a difference between the two, I haven't tried it, but I believe the cylinders could be interchanged. I personally prefer my J frames to be chambered in .38 as opposed to .357. How many actually shoot magnums thru their J frames?
 
I've shot plenty of 110 and 125 grain full power 357 loads through my 640-1. I don't do it anymore, I find 38 Special +P to be far more controllable and the follow up shot comes a lot faster. As to boring a 38 cylinder for 357 Magnum, assuming the cylinder is long enough and the heat treatment is the same, the 38 Special chambers only need to be reamed to accommodate the longer 357 magnum cases. Would I alter the cylinder? No, at least not unless there is absolutely no doubt about the heat treatment given to the cylinder. 357 Magnum operates at nearly twice the pressure of 38 Special +P.
 
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prescobd said:
I have two Pro series model 60s, (60-15), one the usual .357, the other only chambered in .38. I cannot tell a difference between the two, I haven't tried it, but I believe the cylinders could be interchanged. I personally prefer my J frames to be chambered in .38 as opposed to .357. How many actually shoot magnums thru their J frames?
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That’s pretty much why I bought it. I really don’t see shooting or carry a J with .357 mag. I did put a cylinder of Rem. Golden Saber .357 through my 640. Wasn’t too bad, but that ammo runs mild for 357. I’ve got some BB 158 SWCHP +P if I ever want to carry something hot in it.
 
gmarshall99 said:
The cylinder doesn’t have to be bored out. .38 and .357 are the same diameter. It just has to be long enough for the round to fit.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I used the wrong word.

I did drop a .357 into it, and it’s too long to seat. So the cylinder is .38 spl.
 
Wow.

Congratulations on a very neat find. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Your Model 60-13 is the third one I've documented for the Chiefs database.

After S&W launched the J-magnum frame in 1996 the company released three Model 60s in .38 S&W Special caliber without the internal lock: Models 60-11, 60-12 and 60-13. According to S&W Historian Dr. Roy Jinks, most of these went to Argentina and Thailand.

My Model 60-13 is serial number CCB4700, and it's one of 80 shipped on December 22, 1998, to Sports, Inc., in Lewiston, Mont.
 

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two-bit cowboy said:
Wow.

Congratulations on a very neat find. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Your Model 60-13 is the third one I've documented for the Chiefs database.

After S&W launched the J-magnum frame in 1996 the company released three Model 60s in .38 S&W Special caliber without the internal lock: Models 60-11, 60-12 and 60-13. According to S&W Historian Dr. Roy Jinks, most of these went to Argentina and Thailand.

My Model 60-13 is serial number CCB4700, and it's one of 80 shipped on December 22, 1998, to Sports, Inc., in Lewiston, Mont.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. My serial number is CCB6770.
 
I believe all the new J frames have the longer window.

I also highly doubt the steel and heat treatment in a J frame 38 cylinder is any different than one in 357. Production, tracking and liability issues would preclude that. At this point I am sure S&W can order round stock with the exact metallurgy and heat treatment they desire straight from the mill. Heat treatment post machining is not a good plan because changing the grain structure will result in some amount of dimensional change. Completely heat treated cylinders are not hard to machine, especially with modern carbide and ceramic cutters.

But, if in doubt you could buy a J frame 357 mag cylinder and abuse your hands all you want. There is a point where, no mater how much recoil doesn't bother you, that the trade off in recoil recovery time needed for a quick and effectively aimed 2nd shot suffers to much.

I have huge hand and wrists. I several J frame 38 specials, steel and alloy , plus a J frame 640-1 357. 2nd shot time with 357 rounds suck. I have a 431PD in 32H&R and I also reamed a J frame 32H&R cylinder to 327 mag and installed it and a barrel in an alloy 642 J frame. The gun handles it fine, but the amount of time I need to get off a decent 2nd shot over the H&R rounds isn't worth it. Granted these are alloy framed guns and therefore lighter, but it will still hold true in a steel frame especially with a bigger heavier round. I am going to try the barrel and cylinder in my steel 640-1 next

But, I would rather have the ability to rapidly fire a second accurate shot than depend on more power from the first round.

On the other hand having the ability to chamber and fire a more powerful round isn't a bad thing, just don't believe it is the end all in self defense handguns
 
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steelslaver said:
I believe all the new J frames have the longer window.
Click to expand...

S&W launched the J-magnum frame in 1996. The ones released after that with the milled cylinder stop do have the larger window and cylinder. All the way into 2005 the company also released several models without the J-magnum frame, using leftover parts (frames, cylinders, etc.) .
 
It looks like the 60-13 does not use the J-magnum frame. It has the old frame with the deep scoop on the back. The 60-13 looks exactly like my 60-4 except for the MIM hammer and trigger instead of chromed forged steel on the -4.
 
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