treeduck71,
I can't opine because I don't know your intended usage.
The Model 60 is a belly gun, meaning it's a short work gun. When I bought mine about 30+ years ago, I went with an all-steel model. Shooting the FBI P+ load in it is not pleasant. Weighing only ounces more that its lightweight brethren, I figured that the added weight was was not a burden but an advantage due to manageability when shooting P+ loads.
The Model 60 is not a target gun. Within ~10 feet or so, with practice, you ought to work up to the point of point shooting all five rounds in a silhouette's head, which is desirable. At that range, without immediate incapacitation, expect to take bad guy's rounds. Any farther, running to cover or the heck outta Dodge is probably the better response.
The 2" Model 60 is an easy gun to conceal.
The very serious obstacle is its capacity limitation. 5 rounds might work if you were to confront only one bad guy. Add another bad guy or more in the fray, and your survival might be in doubt. Reloading 5 more rounds with a speed loader will take up to five seconds, which is a long time were bad guys are putting rounds on you.
I'll never sell my Model 60. But it is at best mediocre for saving my life. And I consider my life a lot more valuable than mediocre. My P-229 with 13 rounds of 180 grain LE ammo is a much better choice, and it's not much more difficult to conceal. In my opinion, a 1911A1 with 230 grain bullets resides alone at the pinnacle of self-defense guns. I've carried one with W-W white box 230 grain ball & never felt vulnerable due to ammo choice.
BTW, my Model 60 has been, since I bought it, and remains loaded with the FBI load. I wouldn't consider a bullet weight lighter than 158 grains.
If I were to buy another gun for saving my life, I'd probably go with a P-239 in .40 S&W. I'd carry two spare mags. But even then, I'd almost assuredly carrying my P-229. And when I carry it, it's always loaded with 180 grain LE ammo.
BTW, I saw reference to a Model 60 with target grips. Make no mistake: the Model 60 is not a target gun. Mine has its original factory wood grips on it. They're very small, which aids in concealment.
I've seen people shooting J-Frame revolvers at 25 yards. It ain't a 25 yard gun. When I shoot mine, it's at 10'. I point shoot at neck and head. If you practice, you ought to be able to put five rounds in a silhouette's head at 10 feet. Remember that at that distance, without immediate incapacitation, expect to take bad guy's rounds, and that is never good.
Were I to buy a gun with a longer barrel for self-defense, I'd go with a semiauto. I love revolvers, but for saving my life, a semiauto is a vastly superior option.
One more point before I leave you. When I got into the bad guy chasing business, I bought a 2.5" Model 66. At first I loaded it with .357 Mag rounds. Well, a range master, I believe, or someone who knew a lot more than I was certain that I knew asked me what I expected to achieve with mag rounds. Youthful illusory intelligence replied, "Greater probability of immediate incapacitation." Well, he schooled me in .357 Mag ammo. It's loaded with double based, slow burning powder, meaning it requires longer barrels to come close to its embellished velocity. Out of short barreled guns, there ain't no such thing as high velocity .357 Mag ammo. In an instructional, paternal manner, he told me that I'd be better off using the FBI load. Then I got to thinking. Adjustable sights on a belly gun made about as much sense as Prius. So I sold it & bought a lighter and easier to conceal Model 60, a decision that I haven't regretted. Whether 6 shots are better than 5 in a close quarters confrontation is most assuredly opinion. As for me, I'd rather have lighter weight and quickness to battery. There is tactical advantage to firing the first round at a bad guy who intends to have you autopsied the following day.
Without knowing your intended use, I'd say go with the Model 60. Even a 3" barrel gun will offer nothing that a 2" barreled gun can't at 10'.
Best of luck to you, and a very, very long and healthy life.
I can't opine because I don't know your intended usage.
The Model 60 is a belly gun, meaning it's a short work gun. When I bought mine about 30+ years ago, I went with an all-steel model. Shooting the FBI P+ load in it is not pleasant. Weighing only ounces more that its lightweight brethren, I figured that the added weight was was not a burden but an advantage due to manageability when shooting P+ loads.
The Model 60 is not a target gun. Within ~10 feet or so, with practice, you ought to work up to the point of point shooting all five rounds in a silhouette's head, which is desirable. At that range, without immediate incapacitation, expect to take bad guy's rounds. Any farther, running to cover or the heck outta Dodge is probably the better response.
The 2" Model 60 is an easy gun to conceal.
The very serious obstacle is its capacity limitation. 5 rounds might work if you were to confront only one bad guy. Add another bad guy or more in the fray, and your survival might be in doubt. Reloading 5 more rounds with a speed loader will take up to five seconds, which is a long time were bad guys are putting rounds on you.
I'll never sell my Model 60. But it is at best mediocre for saving my life. And I consider my life a lot more valuable than mediocre. My P-229 with 13 rounds of 180 grain LE ammo is a much better choice, and it's not much more difficult to conceal. In my opinion, a 1911A1 with 230 grain bullets resides alone at the pinnacle of self-defense guns. I've carried one with W-W white box 230 grain ball & never felt vulnerable due to ammo choice.
BTW, my Model 60 has been, since I bought it, and remains loaded with the FBI load. I wouldn't consider a bullet weight lighter than 158 grains.
If I were to buy another gun for saving my life, I'd probably go with a P-239 in .40 S&W. I'd carry two spare mags. But even then, I'd almost assuredly carrying my P-229. And when I carry it, it's always loaded with 180 grain LE ammo.
BTW, I saw reference to a Model 60 with target grips. Make no mistake: the Model 60 is not a target gun. Mine has its original factory wood grips on it. They're very small, which aids in concealment.
I've seen people shooting J-Frame revolvers at 25 yards. It ain't a 25 yard gun. When I shoot mine, it's at 10'. I point shoot at neck and head. If you practice, you ought to be able to put five rounds in a silhouette's head at 10 feet. Remember that at that distance, without immediate incapacitation, expect to take bad guy's rounds, and that is never good.
Were I to buy a gun with a longer barrel for self-defense, I'd go with a semiauto. I love revolvers, but for saving my life, a semiauto is a vastly superior option.
One more point before I leave you. When I got into the bad guy chasing business, I bought a 2.5" Model 66. At first I loaded it with .357 Mag rounds. Well, a range master, I believe, or someone who knew a lot more than I was certain that I knew asked me what I expected to achieve with mag rounds. Youthful illusory intelligence replied, "Greater probability of immediate incapacitation." Well, he schooled me in .357 Mag ammo. It's loaded with double based, slow burning powder, meaning it requires longer barrels to come close to its embellished velocity. Out of short barreled guns, there ain't no such thing as high velocity .357 Mag ammo. In an instructional, paternal manner, he told me that I'd be better off using the FBI load. Then I got to thinking. Adjustable sights on a belly gun made about as much sense as Prius. So I sold it & bought a lighter and easier to conceal Model 60, a decision that I haven't regretted. Whether 6 shots are better than 5 in a close quarters confrontation is most assuredly opinion. As for me, I'd rather have lighter weight and quickness to battery. There is tactical advantage to firing the first round at a bad guy who intends to have you autopsied the following day.
Without knowing your intended use, I'd say go with the Model 60. Even a 3" barrel gun will offer nothing that a 2" barreled gun can't at 10'.
Best of luck to you, and a very, very long and healthy life.
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