Choosing a J frame

[treeduck71]

A local place has two J frame Smith & Wesson revolvers for sale. Both are used but in great condition. One is a Model 60 in .38 special. The other is a Model 10-8 also in .38 special. The Model 60 is a 2 inch revolver and the Model 10-8 is a 3 inch model. There is about a 200 dollar difference in price with the Model 60 being the more expensive firearm.
If you had to choose between the two which one would you choose and why. I would most likely use this for shooting at the range and possibly as a concealed carry firearm.

Thanks for your opinions.

 

[JP@AK]

Welcome to the Forum.

To be clear, the Model 10-8 is not a J frame revolver, it is a K frame and the cylinder holds six shots instead of five.
Also, someone might correct me, but I don't think I ever heard of a Model 10-8 with a 3" barrel. Are you sure of this?

To more directly answer your question, both are fine revolvers. The Model 60, since it is built on the smaller frame and has the nominal 2" barrel, would be much easier to carry concealed.

 

[murphydog]

There are 3" model 10-8s; as Jack mentioned, a model 60 would be easier to carry, but if you will be an 80% range user and 20% carrier it would be hard to beat a 3" K frame. $200 less than a model 60 may also be a very attractive price, depending on what number that is . Good luck in your decision.

 

[treeduck71]

Thank you for the replies.
JP@AK: Thanks for the correction on the frame size. I must have crossed it up with another model when I looked it up. It does have a 3 inch barrel.

Murphydog: The model 60 is a no dash model. Thinking about getting both.

 

[grcoffman104]

Grab the 3 inches while you can

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

 

[Green Frog]

Thank you for the replies.
JP@AK: Thanks for the correction on the frame size. I must have crossed it up with another model when I looked it up. It does have a 3 inch barrel.

Murphydog: The model 60 is a no dash model. Thinking about getting both.

When torn between buying two guns, buying both is usually the default answer! This assumes of course they are reasonably priced. The 10-8 is a good utility revolver that will hold its value well and be as reliable as a freight train. The 60 is a cut above in desirability and is a great concealed carry revolver. Yep, I think the correct answer is probably "buy both!"

Oh yeah, welcome to the S&W forum where enablers abound!

Froggie

 

[alwslate]

Buy both if you can as already suggested. Maybe they will cut you a
deal if you buy both at the same time. I have a 60-7 and a 10-8 3"
RB and like them both. Given equal condition the 10-8 for $200 less
is a steal.

 

[murphydog]

Thank you for the replies.

Murphydog: The model 60 is a no dash model. Thinking about getting both.

Another crisis averted .

 

[donmateo25]

Agree buy both! I love my Model 36 J-Frame. 2 in snubby great for concealing.

 

[Frank46]

Great bunch of enabelers here. I'll chime in with the rest as you probably could cut a deal for both of them. Frank

 

[charlie sherrill]

I have two model 60's, well , my daughter confiscated one of them. It's the most accurate snubby I've ever shot. I would dearly love to find a reasonably priced mod 64 2" but would settle for a model 10 if it was 2" round butt. Buy both of them.

 

[jsalas2]

What they said, buy both. You will wish you had, if you don't. Too many stories of the one that got away.

 

[KSDeputy]

I have a model 637 and am saving up for a model 60. I sold mine when law enforcement changed to semi-auto pistols. I have regretted it ever since.

 

[dcopper]

Ditto, If you can Buy both! 3 inchers are getting difficult to find at reasonable prices! Model 60s also!

 

[gwpercle]

There's a lot of great things to be said for a 3 inch 10-8.

Only at concealed carry would the model 60 excel.
I would get the model 10 , put the model 60 on lay-away .
I've learned once you pass up a good deal.....it does not come back...all you got then is regrets...why didn't I buy both back then...they were so cheap, I was so stupid....don't make this mistake...go for both, when those deals are gone...they are gone .
Gary

 

[Xfuzz]

For CCW....go with the 60

 

[TDC]

Treeduck71...

Here is a side-by-side size comparison of a J frame 2" Mod. 37 Airweight with a round butt beside a K frame 2" Mod. 10 with a square butt. Variations of both guns exist (ie. J frame 36, 37, 60, etc.) but the basic dimensions relating to frame size of both guns remain the same except for butt shape and other barrel lengths.

Others have covered many of the pros and cons of each of your choices... From your usage description I'd be inclined to suggest a 4" Mod. 14 or 67, both K frames, as a revolver to be used almost exclusively at the range.... Much easier for the occasional shooter to become proficient with.....

 

[wrangler5]

FWIW, I have both a 2" 64 and a bunch of 2" +/- J frames. I shoot my 5 shot 640 more accurately out to 30 yards or so than the larger 6 shot 64.

However, I shoot a 3" 65 better than either of 'em and just about as well as a 4" M10 - it's what I use now in our club's IDPA matches, where I don't feel like I'm giving up anything by not using an inch longer barrel. So if you can really get a 3" M10 I'd grab it before it gets away. You CAN carry one concealed, with the right holster, and grips, and cover garments, but you probably won't like it much if you've ever carried (or later try) a J frame. For your primary purpose, though, a 3" K frame is going to be very tough to beat.

 

[daddy bear]

Both are desireable. I have five J frames, three of them are Model 60s. You can't go wrong there. I Have two pre 10s, but no three inch. I frequently covet owning a three inch model.

If funds are limited, get the 3" 10. They are harder to come by. You can always score a 60 within a few days looking. Both would be great.

Jack

 

[GCF]

Also, someone might correct me, but I don't think I ever heard of a Model 10-8 with a 3" barrel. Are you sure of this?

Here are a few shots of a 3" / HB / RB / M10-8, that I sold a couple of years ago. Very nice revolver.

Also sold a couple of nice pre-lock 3" / HB / RB / M64's.

Still have a 3" / HB / RB / M65-3 in .357, that was purchased LNIB from a forum member here. It is not going anywhere - in the foresee-able future.

Although J-frames are more utilitarian (my daily in town EDC), the 3" M10 is harder to find. If in good condition, I'd grab it first - & J-frame second.