Another Model 60 w/5 inch barrel question.

[Phoenix357]

I was told out in Wyoming that the Model 60 with the 5 inch barrel is not catologed at S&W. I looked on their website and saw the M60's w/the shorter barrels but not the 5".

Does anyone know if the 357 M60 with the 5" barrel is still in production?

I've been told two different things from two different gunshops.

Thank you for any info. on this.

 

[LittleChickie]

Model 60 with 5"

Interesting. I bought one a couple years ago and really like it. Local gunsmith smoothed out the action very nicely. I haven't got up the never to shoot .357s yet but got a box of Buffalo Bullets in 158 gr. +P, so that's my next outing with it. Initially got it for backup hunting hogs.

 

[Phoenix357]

Interesting. I bought one a couple years ago and really like it. Local gunsmith smoothed out the action very nicely. I haven't got up the never to shoot .357s yet but got a box of Buffalo Bullets in 158 gr. +P, so that's my next outing with it. Initially got it for backup hunting hogs.

Actually, .357s was leading me into my next question. I was running 38s 128 gr. +P and was holding nice groups... I stepped up to .357 158 gr. and after a few rounds the groups started opening up and became random placement w/no apparent grouping.

Two guys next to me came over and let me borrow their rest and we ran some more rounds... high center, high right, bullseye, low right and completely off the paper target; and that is impossible. In the Corps I was allowed to shoot expert 5 years in a row and there's no way a round isn't going to hit the paper, unless I'm being tickled or have serious gas.

LC if you get a chance after you've fired some 357s through your M60, could you let me know how she fired? My local gunsmith that I bought her from said it shows some wear. Hmm? I've only run 250 rounds through and the cylinder has always had a very minute amount of movement to it.

Something I've read on here though has me wondering whether I should send it in. I read the J frame can't handle firing the 357s for very long before the cylinder misaligns and the bullet starts hitting the pressure tube off center, which in turn causes random bullet placing. Have you ever heard of this problem before?

Thanks LC for responding. Didn't mean to rattle but I'm concerned with the accuracy problems that I'm starting to have and I actually really like this revolver. The way it feels when shooting and when you carry. Perfect for camping and/or hiking in grizz country.

 

[NiklasP]

I have not had any indications of degraded group sizes with my M60, 5 inch barrel revolver, with any loads from 38 Spl wadcutter target loads to 357 Mag 158 grain handloads at 1200 fps. I did find some loads that did not group nearly as nicely as others.

I do find that I cannot shoot as small 5-shot groups with that M60 as with Ruger Blackhawk revolvers, no matter what the load.

I also found that some loads leaded barrel quickly and some almost not at all. No surprise, loads that did not lead much, if any, gave smallest groups.

Niklas

 

[LittleChickie]

Model 60 w/5"

After reading your last post, I don't think I'll be shooting any .357 in my Model 60. I agree that the gun is over-loaded with that round and if the +P, 158 gr Buffalo Bore groups well, that's where I'll stop. I have a couple of Rugers that double as hammers and both of them eat .357s for snacks so why mess up my fancy little S&Ws?
Back when the 658's were new, I had one of the 6" ones. Shot great. Then I shot .357 thru it and the cylinder got so stuck, the gunsmith asked me what had I done it - like it was child abuse or something. S&W eventually got that problem sorted out (an L.A. policeman was killed from an armed encounter when his 658 cylinder bound up) and the gun went on to become very popular. That episode with mine also resulted in my having to have a jeweler cut a ring off my finger - the recoil mangled the metal.
I'm thinking the Model 632 will be a super fine gun - the .327 magnum Federal but I can't get one yet as the state of CA is sitting on the safe gun roster.
If I were you, I'd send the 60 back to Smith and see what they say.

 

[Phoenix357]

What I found out today...

My M60s forcing cone has been getting scarred on the left hand side and had been getting shaved on the immediate edge of the cone.

It appears the cylinder is misaligned and may have been so from the factory; I just don't know.

FedEx just picked her up about an hour ago and she's on her way to the factory.

By the way: Does anyone know when they stopped making the M60 in 5 inch?
It is official. I asked the guy at the factory and he said they stopped making her. Duh, I forgot to ask when.
They started making 5 inch in 2005 and would be interested in finding out how many were produced.

Before she bit the dust I really enjoyed carrying, handling and firing this revolver. 357s never were uncomfortable and honestly didn't feel all that much different to fire than the 38s at 125 gr.

Thanks everyone.

 

[blackpowder30]

Phoenix, I just responded to your first M-60 5" question. They were last listed in the 2008 factory catalog.

 

[Stainz]

I have it's rimfire sibling - the 5" 63. It, too, was dropped - but last year (It's not in the 2010 catalog.). The 3" 63 announced 1/2010 still isn't in production. That 63's an 8-shot .22LR, however - different animal. My 5" 63 still needs a holster, a problem with it's .357M brother, too, from what I've heard.

Incidently, the 60 - like the Ruger SP-101 - started life as a .38! Their .357M rating followed some changes.

Stainz

 

[NiklasP]

I bought holster sold by S&W for M60 5" and have been quite happy with it. I was looking for holster that I could use on right or left side, for either right or left hand but, such were basically custom items and way more $$$$$ than I wanted to spend. Fortunately, my right arm and hand are working OK presently but not my left -- if that flips I am looking for another holster, maybe same S&W holster but for left hand.

I looked at 22rf version but, for that much money I can load and shoot lots and lots and lots of 0,358, 38 Spl HBWC loads.

Niklas

 

[northslope]

Incidently, the 60 - like the Ruger SP-101 - started life as a .38! Their .357M rating followed some changes.

...and I seem to recall in an article in one of the gun rags a few years ago when the president of S&W mentioned that the J-Magnum frame was one of their proudest and toughest innovations -- lotta engineering to beef that frame up to handle .357.

I agree that it's a tough gun to shoot well - putting a giant grip on it kinda defeats the purpose. I settled on the "banana" grips -- they give enough to hang on to, they look great, and the are about the perfect size.

J-combats work nicely too, but they cover the backstrap.

--Neill

 

[Phoenix357]

Northslope, nice pic! I have to agree those grips look perfect.

 

[Phoenix357]

Northslope, that is one helluva nice pic of a 'righteoues' revolver. Thanks for the pic. Now that mine is in the shop, your picture is working on my Patience... till I'm reunited... lol

 

[LittleChickie]

Nice grips indeed

OK Northslope - give it up - where'd you get those pretty grips? My Model 60 has the small rubber(?) grips it came with and they're not pretty enough for that pretty little gun but yours are!

 

[Elmer]

I have it's rimfire sibling - the 5" 63. It, too, was dropped - but last year (It's not in the 2010 catalog.). The 3" 63 announced 1/2010 still isn't in production. That 63's an 8-shot .22LR, however - different animal. My 5" 63 still needs a holster, a problem with it's .357M brother, too, from what I've heard.

Rob at Simply Rugged will be glad to make you a dandy custom holster for the price of a mediocre off the shelf one.

 

[northslope]

OK Northslope - give it up - where'd you get those pretty grips? My Model 60 has the small rubber(?) grips it came with and they're not pretty enough for that pretty little gun but yours are!

Thank you

The grips are S&W factory J-frame "combats" from about 20 years ago; bought them on a local gun board last year sometime.

They actually fit in your hand about like the Uncle Mike's that came with the gun - because they cover the backstrap.

I can't put my hand on the photo with the banana grips at the moment -- but 1) they look better and 2) they feel better too...

--Neill