3" model 60

[LC '92]

What is known about a 3" model 60? I saw one today and am interested in finding our more about it. Flash chromed hammer and trigger, round butt, no pin.

I was unable to handle it so as to see what the dash number was. Normal barrel taper, fixed sights etc.

What says this group? I have been unable to find one anywhere in this forum.

 

[TNDave]

I bought this one new years ago. There were two of them and a buddy bought the other. I would guess it was about 1990. Several years later he sold me his so I have two now. The story I was told was they were contract over runs for NYPD. They came despurred/DAO from the factory. I think it came with Hogue rubber grips on it. I carried it every day and shot it a lot back then. Beyond the two, I have never seen another. I had a 3" square butt at one time but got tight and sold it. It had the standard shiny finish instead of the frosty looking finish this gun does. It had a hammer spur and was not DAO. I see them sometimes.

 

[vrichard]

3in.60

Here is my 3in.60-3,it is my one the very few none pinned S&W I have,
it is allso one of my favarite S&W.
Dick

 

[Dale53]

I have had this one for many, many years. In fact, I picked it up at the Indianapolis Gun Show the first year they were available:

It is amazing how great this little revolver shoots. It makes a FINE field revolver (terrific back up to a shotgun in the field). I have taken many a sitting grouse or rabbit with the revolver while bird hunting with the shotgun.

Dale53

 

[LC '92]

vrichard, that is the one I saw. What is known about it? The shop wants $539.99 and it has Goodyears on it! I don't think I'll pay that much for it but I'd sure like to be better educated about it.

Dale, I've had two of them just like yours. Great trail guns. I shot wadcutters in them mostly.

 

[Stainz]

I finally decided to get a 3" 60 - new - in January. The 2" fixed sight & 3" standard full lug were $599-$609 locally. I bought a 60 Pro, SKU #178013, for $631 + s/t - a deal! It's MSRP is ~$50 more than the cheapest current 60.

I had the 60 Pro and my 3" 63, along with a 2 5/8" PC627 UDR at the FOP Range in Pleasant Grove today - great to be open again (Tornado damage!). The wood grips are perfect for .38 plinkers to +P 158gr LHPSWCs - and my wimpy .357M's, too. Great trigger - for a J-frame (As you'd expect, the PC627 is better!).

Stainz

 

[.357magger]

I have had this one for many, many years. In fact, I picked it up at the Indianapolis Gun Show the first year they were available:

It is amazing how great this little revolver shoots. It makes a FINE field revolver (terrific back up to a shotgun in the field). I have taken many a sitting grouse or rabbit with the revolver while bird hunting with the shotgun.

Dale53

Dale,

I had a twin of this years ago and VERY foolishly sold it. One of the very few that I'm sorry I sold. If you ever want to move this one out, think kindly of me and I'll probably meet your price.

Thanks for rubbing it in.

 

[W.E.G.]

I got mine!

 

[Texas Star]

There were two runs in the 1980's. Both had the regular (not lugged) heavy barrel. All that I saw had square butts. I never saw one with the standard tapered barrel. Are you sure it wasn't a nickeled M-36?

I'd suspect a re-barrelling job if you saw a round butt, but some may have been made that way. The gun pictured has target grips.

I had one about 1989, selling it to a neighbor when I needed money. I hated selling it. Thought it should be a routine catalog item. Those are superb small defense and trail guns. I have not seen any for sale in years. They are uncommon!

The later (full-lugged) M-60-4 is even better for field use. I love mine! Some of those have flash-chromed hammers and triggers and some have the usual color case-hardened ones. I think these date from around 1990-1994.

IF this gun checks out, it is probably worth the asking price, and you may have to pay that. But I feel that I should point out that until the M-60-4, the design wasn't officially RATED for Plus P use. (That info is from the factory, not from some random post on the Net.)

First thing, take your copy of The Book (or go BUY one) and see what it can tell you. Then, ask to examine the gun and see what it really is. The model number will be on the frame with the cylinder swung out. Even a nickled M-36 may be worth that price, but I'd hold out for stainless. (I wouldn't own a nickel gun. But many would.)

Let us know what you learn. If it really has the lighter, tapered barrel, that would be very unusual, as would the round butt. With rubber grips on it, are you even sure of the butt shape? BTW, I have Pachmayr Presentation Compacs on my M-60-4. It came with Uncle Mike's grips. The M-60-4 does have a round butt. But if you really have a tapered bbl. and a round butt, I'd suspect a M-36 in nickle.

T-Star
P.S. All of these guns have the normal hammer and the usual stainless polish. The DA-only NYPD guns are another item.

 

[LC '92]

Texas Star, good info, thanks.

It is stainless, not nickle.

When I said normal tapered barrel, I meant in contrast to the lugged barrels normally seen on the target sighted variants.

I assumed the butt was round as the Goodyears seemed to indicate that. It may well be square.

The shop is an hour and a half from here but I will be up that way later this week. I'll inspect it then and try and get some pictures as well.

I suspect it is the twin to vrichards shown above.

 

[wyatte]

I am on my third 3" model 60 now. I traded the first two off, and then came back to it again. There is just something about them. Mine are the model 60-10, which are 357's, but I like to shoot 38's in them. I hope this 3rd one is a keeper. It better be. They are great little revolvers. I'm not sure if they are a little big gun, or a big little gun! Whatever they are, they fit my hand well, and I like them. wyatte

 

[LC '92]

Well, I bought the little booger in question today. Cost me $500.00 plus tax! Ouch! My most expensive J frame to date.

It is, as suspected, a square butt heavy barrel. It is identical to vrichards except it is not a 60-3, it is a straight up 60.

It was at a pawn shop and I asked the kid I bought it from if he had the grips that came on it. He said no, but I asked if he had a box in the back with any S&W grips he thought might fit? He disappeared in the back room and came back with another set of Goodyears, a set from a Ruger GP-100 and a perfect set of S&W K frame targets. I told him the K frame targets would fit just fine and asked him what he wanted for them. $10.00 says he, so I snagged those too.

It is now wearing some nice J frame targets from a model 34 I have. Looks much better.

I'll post pictures tonight.

 

[ChinaSeaSailor]

I am in this hand:

 

[sourdough44]

I have a 3" Model 60 too, great 'trail gun'.

 

[Bud11]

Haven't received my first gun yet, a model 67 4" .38, but already know this will be my next gun. Glad to see the pics. and comments. Bud

 

[iyn]

How does a 3" model 60 shoot at 25 yards?

 

[Fauquier]

I have shot several 2" and a few 1 1/2" inch 5 shot groups at 25 yards with my 60-10 . It loves the Remington 158 gr. HP, +P load.

 

[Stainz]

Here is my 3" 60 Pro in a DeSantis made holster sold by S&W Accessories for ~$75 delivered:

The also shown 3" 63 also fits perfectly, too. The retention tightness is adjustable, too. Well made - and it has the S&W logo. The 3" 60 makes a neat carry piece.

Stainz

 

[stiab]

I'd suspect a re-barrelling job if you saw a round butt, but some may have been made that way.

The gun on the right below is a factory original 3" round butt Model 60. Additionally I have found and purchased two 3" square butt Model 60's, one was a 60-1 and the other was a 60-3. Hope this helps some.

 

[WHS 5906]

3" Square Butt