Advice on Smith & Wesson Model 60-9 Revolver??

[ceedubb2000]

Hey everyone! I recently acquired a mint condition (I don't even think it's been fired) Smith & Wesson Model 60-9 Double Action Revolver with what looks to be about a 1.5" barrel. Apparently this revolver can handle either .357 Magnum or .38 Special +P, at least that is what I've been told. I was given this handgun to satisfy a debt of $200, but I don't know much about it. It appears to be of the early 1990's, but that is just a guess. Do any of you know about this particular handgun? Value? Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Hillbilly77]

1st, welcome to the Forum.
2nd, yes, a .357 magnum can shoot .38 special & .38 +p. The diameter of the cartridge is the same. You just can't go the other direction - you can't shoot .357 ammo out of a .38 gun.
3rd, if you were given that gun for a $200 debt, you made out like a bandit. I can't guess an accurate value, but I promise you that it's worth much more than $200.
According to "The Book" the 60-9 was built in 1996.


P.S.
We have a great Moderator staff here, and they will move your thread to the "Revolvers from 1980 - present" forum.
Don't take it personally when they move it. Everything is set up here for order and ease of use.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

The Model 60 is a fantastic small handgun and the one you have looks to be in excellent shape. It might be painful to shoot hot .357 Magnums in it, but .38 Specials should not be a problem.

 

[murphydog]

It should have a caliber stamp on the right side of the barrel; with a revolver, the measurement is from the muzzle to the cylinder face, and I think these were supposed to have a 2 1/8" length.

If it is stamped .357 Magnum, you will probably want to stick with .38 Specials for the most part due to expense and recoil. Hope this is helpful.

 

[ceedubb2000]

Thanks for the feedback fellas, and sorry for posting in the wrong forum. I confirmed that this is a 2 1/8" barrel, and is a .357 "pre-agreement" revolver, hence the lack of a lock. I took it out yesterday and out both .38 + P and .357 Magnum down the pipe, about 30 rounds of each, and man this is a straight shooting wheel gun, even at about 15 yards. The .357 was a bit much for sport, but the .38 felt real nice with the natural weight of the revolver. I'm just going to keep it as a personal firearm, have a good buddy that works at MagnaPort in Township, MI, he told me he could do some awesome custom work to it, so might send it their way and see what they come up with. With only $200 in, why not?

 

[Hillbilly77]

Thanks for the feedback fellas, and sorry for posting in the wrong forum.

No need to apologize. That's why the Mods make the big bucks.

It sounds like you've got yourself a nice little shooter there.
Congrats.

 

[riverrat38]

I had the M60-10, the 3 inch version with adjustable sights. It had maybe a thousand rounds on the clock, mostly light target loads like 125 gr plated flat nose and a .38 Spec load of WW231. It shot very well with this ammo.
I sold it for $560 with Eagle grips and a Simply Rugged holster, only because I wanted my 3 incher to be a K frame, with a 2 inch no dash M60 for every day carry. I could have gotten a dash 9 as well. It is a few ounces heavier but no problem for belt carry. I don't have any problem with the mim parts, I may even prefer them. The trigger is more comfortable, in my opinion.
I suggest Speer 135 gr Short Barrel, either in plus P or Magnum. The Magnum is a reduced load, that gives about another 100 FPS from a snubby, over the plus P.

Best,
Rick

 

[What the]

Welcome,

You can shoot any .38 special out of your gun. Wadcutters shoot very well with little recoil, for practice and plinking WC or SWC work great.

Think twice about Magna Porting your gun, lots of flame, noise and unburnt powder flying out of those ports that are pretty close to your face.

Action work on the other hand is money well spent. A $200.00 dollar debt is a good deal for you. Have fun and shoot a lot!!

 

[luangtom]

I can vouch for the re-think on a ported short-barrel. I tried doing a night-shoot once with one. The blast from the ports blew my cap right off and I lost night-vision really bad. No more ported shorties for me!

I can also vouch for the Speer GDHP round in 135-gr for short-barrels. They are amazing. It is all that I carry in my EDC revolvers, either a M&P340 or a 340PD. Both the .357-mag and the .38Spl+P are good rounds.

Y'all did really well on the $200-debt pay-off.......

 

[ceedubb2000]

Appreciate all the feedback from everyone here. Since I did get the revolver for next to nothing (Texas Hold Em' Debt, to be honest), I did have my buddy at Magnaport do a complete overhaul on the 60-9. Just came back to me today, talk about express service! Pretty happy with the way it looks though. Bill of service included: Dual porting, polished and jeweled hammer and trigger, full velvet hone bead finish on the entire firearm, polished flutes, ejection rod and all other constructive hardware, plus an inverted muzzle crown to cap it all off. Going to try to upload a few pics here, what do you all think? At minimum will make for a good safe queen, obviously haven't shot it yet. Got all the custom work done for only $150, so total investment is only $350 at this point . . . Pictures won't upload from my Macbook Pro, not sure why? Just switched from a PC, kind of a pain so far.

 

[Rogue686]

Wow, great buy.

I use my 60-9 for warmer months up here for everyday carry. I took off the wood grips and put a nice set of Hogue rubber grips and it shoots pretty well now for my big paws.

$200 is a heck of a steal. I bought mine used with a couple spots of rust on the sights (it was in a leather holster for a long long time) for $300 or so, and I thought that was a decent deal.

Treat it well, and it will treat you well

Rogue

 

[gwelker]

S&W 60-9

I have a 60-9 357 2 in barel mag ported ser NO CBU4911 looking for information on about when it was manufactured.

 

[629shooter]

I have a 60-9 357 2 in barel mag ported ser NO CBU4911 looking for information on about when it was manufactured.

Somewhere between late 1997-early 1998, would be my "guesstimate."

Welcome to the Forum!

 

[wildenout]

You sir have hit the jackpot! The 60 is a classic in all of it's forms.

 

[qballwill]

Great steal! did those grips come on it? I paid $450 for mine earlier this year with the factory rubber grips. I think we need updated detailed pictures with the completed work.

 

[Sully8548]

Appears to be a great deal. I picked up a 60-9 designated Lady Smith a few months back for $350. Thought that was a deal but $200 is a steal. I've seen new Lady Smiths going for $650. 38 and 38+P shoot great. 357's are rough out of this revolver. Wear a padded glove! I'm looking to date mine. Serial #CDE2090. Thanks.http://www.ppcadmarketing.com/images/IMG_0987.jpg

 

[mrchuck]

Today, I visited a local pawn shop and found a Model 60-9 in perfect shape. CCC8xxx. 357 Magnum.
Others here with a close s/n were said to be made in 1996.
I am very familiar with the original Model 60 2" 38 spcl.,,, as we were issued one for horseback patrol in the National Parks.
Kinda dumb to me for such a short bbl.
I preferred a Model 66 with a 6" bbl.
This would "reach out" and touch someone.