I recently acquired a model 60 no dash, stainless, pinned barrel, fixed sights. Serial number is 5160xx with no prefix. I'm trying to get an approximate date of manufacture and find out if the bobbed hammer is possibly original or if it was done after it was shipped. I'm not new to guns but this is my first s&w revolver and don't really know anything about them, I've always been put off by the seemingly complicated system of frames, model numbers, dashes, screws, etc. Hoping to start learning a little as I'm starting to find revolvers more appealing. Thanks in advance for any help any of you can offer!
Help with model 60
- Thread starter Ingryakam
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Welcome! Your model 60 is likely from 1967. It may have had a spurless hammer installed but I have not seen one from the factory from that era; most likely the previous owner did or had the modification done. Photos would help here. Enjoy!
ACORN
Member
Welcome to the cult! Stick around here and you'll learn more than you'd imagine. Your "discovering" revolvers, just shows you are becoming more refined in your tastes and is a sign of growth and maturity. It's a good thing.
I have my share of bottom feeders, but we all have skeletons in our closets.
PS I have a 60 Target, a 60 .357, and a 60 Lady Smith. They are great guns!
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Green Frog
Member
I have a slightly later (Model 60-4) issue that is still factory configuration. I'm considering a target hammer and smooth trigger to "make it right" for me. I say this to bring out that the Model 60 lends itself as well as any other to personalization... they often are intended for EDC, so this can be important. That bobbed hammer may actually work well for you, so don't just discard it without trying it. If you're actually using it, customization is not a dirty word! 
Froggie
Froggie
" I'm not new to guns but this is my first S&W revolver"
You are off to a great start. Don't be put off by the complicated system of frame sizes , etc. , just take it as it comes. Your S&W model 60 is a J frame , the smallest frame size for Smith & Wesson. The S&W frame references are specific to that manufacturer. The 60 is the stainless steel version of the "Chiefs Special" , a compact concealable snub nose revolver introduced in 1950. (?) No exaggeration to say that the Chiefs Special took the revolver world by storm ; it is still considered the quintessential snub nosed .38 special.
There you have it.
Now , your particular gun has a bobbed hammer. I would encourage you to either replace that hammer with a stock one , or acquire another 60 or Chiefs Special (or perhaps something in a K frame , the next size larger...) ; as you become versed in the ways of shooting revolvers you should not be denied the joys of single action.
As I said , you are off to a great start. When I finish this post I will get dressed for church ; a model 60 will ride inside my waistband. (I alternate between a 1 7/8" and a 3" barreled 60 - sometimes carry both.)
You are off to a great start. Don't be put off by the complicated system of frame sizes , etc. , just take it as it comes. Your S&W model 60 is a J frame , the smallest frame size for Smith & Wesson. The S&W frame references are specific to that manufacturer. The 60 is the stainless steel version of the "Chiefs Special" , a compact concealable snub nose revolver introduced in 1950. (?) No exaggeration to say that the Chiefs Special took the revolver world by storm ; it is still considered the quintessential snub nosed .38 special.
There you have it.
Now , your particular gun has a bobbed hammer. I would encourage you to either replace that hammer with a stock one , or acquire another 60 or Chiefs Special (or perhaps something in a K frame , the next size larger...) ; as you become versed in the ways of shooting revolvers you should not be denied the joys of single action.
As I said , you are off to a great start. When I finish this post I will get dressed for church ; a model 60 will ride inside my waistband. (I alternate between a 1 7/8" and a 3" barreled 60 - sometimes carry both.)
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Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.
S&W launched the Model 60, its first stainless steel revolver, in the fall of 1965 so yours is among the early ones. Great beginning to your S&W revolver collection. Congrats.
S&W launched the Model 60, its first stainless steel revolver, in the fall of 1965 so yours is among the early ones. Great beginning to your S&W revolver collection. Congrats.
Welcome to the asylum. It is a fun place to hang out.
bigggbbruce
Member
dajonga
Member
I picked up my 1985 60 no dash a few years ago and love it. I have acquired a collection of grips as I searched for what worked best for me.
If you decide to ditch that bobbed hammer, I would buy it from you.
If you decide to ditch that bobbed hammer, I would buy it from you.
Murphydog - Thanks for the info. I was thinking it was probably an earlier production based off of what I was reading about the "R" prefix. I'll be posting photos in the next post.
Acorn - I'd like to consider myself pretty well rounded for a young guy (29). I've owned a lot of guns over my first decade of adulthood. I've owned some other revolvers that I enjoyed target shooting with, but I'm just now adventuring into the realm of carrying a revolver and have never owned a S&W. I generally carry a polymer automatic, especially when working or fishing, steel doesn't get along with all of the sweat and saltwater here. My preference for automatics has always been 70 series 1911s though. Thanks for the welcome, hoping to learn a lot, I'm not very informed when it comes to S&W.
Greenfrog - I agree with you on that. I've done a lot of work on rifles, 1911s and Ruger revolvers, I'll get around to taking this one apart to get it all cleaned, polished and lubed. Once I take it out and shoot it a little I'll probably be doing a little work to it, nothing that can't be reversed though. And I'll probably find myself another hammer so that I can put it back to original configuration if I ever want to.
Waveski- Thanks for the info, I've already learned a lot about S&W revolvers over the past 24 hours and looking forward to learning more. As stated above, I've owned some other revolvers, just never a Smith or anything to carry. I've had SA Rugers and still own a DA Ruger, they've always been target or cowboy guns though. I've had a few pocket pistols and they did what they were intended to do, but I just didn't like how they felt in the hand and so I've ventured into the world of concealing small frame revolvers. As far as target shooting/plinking, I find revolvers to be as enjoyable as a nice 1911 and much more enjoyable than any Glock that I've ever owned or shot. Since you mentioned carrying one, do you have any recommendations for IWB holsters?
two-bit cowboy - Thanks for the welcome and info. I really enjoy getting my hands on older guns, I knew that this was an older model, but knowing that it's an early production makes it even better.
Thanks for the welcome and all of the information that everyone has provided. I've owned rifles ranging from .22 to .338 lapua mag and handguns from .22 to .50ae. Some of my favorite guns are old pump shotguns, lever action rifles, 1911s and old revolvers. I've owned my share of polymer guns and still own some of them. They're very good at doing what I bought them for, but I definitely enjoy shooting steel framed autos and revolvers more. I'd like to think that I'm pretty well rounded, especially for my age, and I'm a lot more old school than most people my age and even a lot of people older than me. I've got a lot to learn in the world of S&W revolvers, but looking forward to the learning process. I like Colt and Ruger too, but Ruger can get boring after a while and Colt owners seem to think that the gun is made of solid gold.
Acorn - I'd like to consider myself pretty well rounded for a young guy (29). I've owned a lot of guns over my first decade of adulthood. I've owned some other revolvers that I enjoyed target shooting with, but I'm just now adventuring into the realm of carrying a revolver and have never owned a S&W. I generally carry a polymer automatic, especially when working or fishing, steel doesn't get along with all of the sweat and saltwater here. My preference for automatics has always been 70 series 1911s though. Thanks for the welcome, hoping to learn a lot, I'm not very informed when it comes to S&W.
Greenfrog - I agree with you on that. I've done a lot of work on rifles, 1911s and Ruger revolvers, I'll get around to taking this one apart to get it all cleaned, polished and lubed. Once I take it out and shoot it a little I'll probably be doing a little work to it, nothing that can't be reversed though. And I'll probably find myself another hammer so that I can put it back to original configuration if I ever want to.
Waveski- Thanks for the info, I've already learned a lot about S&W revolvers over the past 24 hours and looking forward to learning more. As stated above, I've owned some other revolvers, just never a Smith or anything to carry. I've had SA Rugers and still own a DA Ruger, they've always been target or cowboy guns though. I've had a few pocket pistols and they did what they were intended to do, but I just didn't like how they felt in the hand and so I've ventured into the world of concealing small frame revolvers. As far as target shooting/plinking, I find revolvers to be as enjoyable as a nice 1911 and much more enjoyable than any Glock that I've ever owned or shot. Since you mentioned carrying one, do you have any recommendations for IWB holsters?
two-bit cowboy - Thanks for the welcome and info. I really enjoy getting my hands on older guns, I knew that this was an older model, but knowing that it's an early production makes it even better.
Thanks for the welcome and all of the information that everyone has provided. I've owned rifles ranging from .22 to .338 lapua mag and handguns from .22 to .50ae. Some of my favorite guns are old pump shotguns, lever action rifles, 1911s and old revolvers. I've owned my share of polymer guns and still own some of them. They're very good at doing what I bought them for, but I definitely enjoy shooting steel framed autos and revolvers more. I'd like to think that I'm pretty well rounded, especially for my age, and I'm a lot more old school than most people my age and even a lot of people older than me. I've got a lot to learn in the world of S&W revolvers, but looking forward to the learning process. I like Colt and Ruger too, but Ruger can get boring after a while and Colt owners seem to think that the gun is made of solid gold.
Thanks! I can see myself getting lost in old threads for days on end. Still trying to figure out how to use the functions on here. Haven't figured out how to quote multiple people in one message.
Gee.. Thanks Dad...
haha My dad told me something similar when I was first "discovering" girls!
I'll keep you in mind, but I'll probably keep it even if I do replace it. (I always keep all of my old/extra gun parts) I'll probably look at some other grips for mine as well, but I actually like the ones that's on it so will probably end up sticking with those.
The assembly numbers match and the serial number on the right grip panel matches, the left grip panel doesn't have any numbers. The assembly numbers have an "S" stamped near it and the right side of the frame behind the grip has a "5" stamped on it. Hopefully these pictures load correctly, no high speed internet, cable tv, etc. where I live.
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bigggbbruce
Member
Recently had a thread about the best grips. I have a newer 60 with the Uncle Mikes.. they fit the hand nicely and even tame .357
bigggbbruce
Member
"S" is stainless.. (and that's an S not 5)
Stainless looks similar to carbon steel in white.. don't want to mix the finishing process up..
Stainless looks similar to carbon steel in white.. don't want to mix the finishing process up..
ACORN
Member
Only funnin' with you. 1911's and now S&W's you're on the right path.
I can't recommend a holster for IWB. I have a hard enough time fitting me into my jean without a gun too.
It's definitely a 5, there is a 9 on the left side that I forgot to mention, along with the S. I'm attaching pictures. You may have to zoom in a little. The numbers may have no real significance, but they're there.
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I'll have to check it out, thanks!
My dad got me hooked on something much more expensive than any drug when I shot my first 1911 at about 6 years old! And I know what you mean about the jeans! Lol I've lost about 15 pounds over the last couple months and it's made a world of difference.
