How rare is the model 60-9 ?

[lonniesraw]

I was wondering how rare is the model 60-9 in 357? I am compelled to buy one and search armslist often. There is only 3 in the usa for sale on armslist right now. One of them is a 4 hour drive for me. I havent had the time to search all my local gun shops and havent been to a gun show since i have been searching for one. The ones for sale range in price from $550-$800. I thought it was a $400 gun used. How much would you pay for one?Do you guys see them for sale often in your area? Is there a reason the one in the northwest is $800? Should i jump on the one 4 hours away from me , or wait around and hope for the best? Thanks in advance for the replies.

 

[lonniesraw]

Does anyone know how many model 60-9 were produced?

 

[Pef]

I'll see one about every 6 months on my local trade board. I also purchased one several years ago. They don't seem especially rare in that if you are patient you will find one.

$550 is a bit steep in my opinion. I'd probably go $500 max if I were in the market and really wanted one. One the other hand, if you really want one for some reason, what's $50 over the rest of your life?

 

[lonniesraw]

Is the local trade board here on this site? Which do you use?

 

[Pef]

It's a local board in Georgia. Mostly face to face sales, few people are willing to ship. I can PM you the site if you want, but if you are not from Georgia your options will be limited.

For S&W's, I use this forum and the Ga one for purchases.

 

[ajgunner]

It took me about a year to find the right one at the price I was looking to find. Then when I found out it was NIB, I had to find a shooter. Took me about another 6 months but I found one at the other end of the country. Pawn shop find in Florida via the net. Another member here shared the info below so figured I would pass it along.

60 - introduced in 1965
60-1 (1972) 3 in square butt limited production
60-2 (1987) DAO NYPD?
60-3 (1988) New yoke retention system
60-4 (1990) 3 in target sights full under lug barrel
60-5 (1990) DAO for NYPD with new yoke retention
60-6 (1989) Ladysmith version
60-7 (1990) front sight 1/8 inch wide, new heat treatment
60-8 (1990) same as 60-7 for NYPD
60-9 (1996) change to J magnum frame
60-10 (1996) Target variation on J magnum frame
60-11 (1996) New frame design for 38 Special version only
60-12 (1996) new frame nose cut
60-13 (1996) same as 60-12 but target version
60-14 (2001) Ladysmith with internal lock
60-15 (2001) internal lock on 357 mag target version
60-16 (2001) internal lock on 38 Special 2 in
60-17 (2001) internal lock on 38 Special 3 inch target
60-18 (2005) internal lock 357 Mag 5 inch target 2 pc barrel

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I think that most folks who have them tend to keep them.
That gives the impression that they are 'rarer' than they actually are, production numbers wise.

 

[BAM-BAM]

My 3" 60-10 isn't going anywhere......................

 

[palmetto99]

I wouldn't call them rarer either. I purchased mine in 1996. Most folks that have them keep them. My 60-9 is the only firearm that I've every sold and bought back a few years later. I wouldn't pay more than $550. Keep your eyes open for one and it will show up.

 

[M3Stuart]

I have one...I paid $465 - not to brag - but that was at least 4 years ago. So I'd guess $5-550 would be the going price now in really good shape.

IMHO; for that much coin, I'd just buy a new one. Yea, it would have the lock, but I'm not sure that would bother me too much.

Here it is with Hogue bantams.

 

[Tony2much]

A few months ago, I picked up this mint 3" 60-10 w/factory mag-na-port for about $500.00 from a pawn shop in South Fla. I'm not a big fan of porting, but I couldn't resist the pre-lock, 3" j-frame, .357 magnum. Needless to say, I do not regret the purchase.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

It took me about a year to find the right one at the price I was looking to find. Then when I found out it was NIB, I had to find a shooter. Took me about another 6 months but I found one at the other end of the country. Pawn shop find in Florida via the net. Another member here shared the info below so figured I would pass it along.

60 - introduced in 1965
60-1 (1972) 3 in square butt limited production
60-2 (1987) DAO NYPD?
60-3 (1988) New yoke retention system
60-4 (1990) 3 in target sights full under lug barrel
60-5 (1990) DAO for NYPD with new yoke retention
60-6 (1989) Ladysmith version
60-7 (1990) front sight 1/8 inch wide, new heat treatment
60-8 (1990) same as 60-7 for NYPD
60-9 (1996) change to J magnum frame
60-10 (1996) Target variation on J magnum frame
60-11 (1996) New frame design for 38 Special version only
60-12 (1996) new frame nose cut
60-13 (1996) same as 60-12 but target version
60-14 (2001) Ladysmith with internal lock
60-15 (2001) internal lock on 357 mag target version
60-16 (2001) internal lock on 38 Special 2 in
60-17 (2001) internal lock on 38 Special 3 inch target
60-18 (2005) internal lock 357 Mag 5 inch target 2 pc barrel

Want to add to the above excellent info:
60-1 (1982) Delete pinned barrel
60-1 (1986) Special run 2" bbl. w/adj. sights

 

[AreWeNotMen?]

A few months ago, I picked up this mint 3" 60-10 w/factory mag-na-port for about $500.00 from a pawn shop in South Fla. I'm not a big fan of porting, but I couldn't resist the pre-lock, 3" j-frame, .357 magnum. Needless to say, I do not regret the purchase.

I just bought a -10 about a month ago. No ports, but otherwise the same. Great gun! I may add it to my CCW permit if I don't add my 649-3...

 

[Sully8548]

Picked up this Lady Smith 60-9 for my wife a couple of years ago. Original owner with box, and paperwork for $425. Literally brand new. Facebook gun trading pages.

 

[gumpys]

60-9 not rare at all, actually not even uncommon. I see quite a few of them.

Eric

 

[lonniesraw]

Sully, i hear the trigger pull is lightened slightly on the ladysmiths. To appeal to the ladies. Is that true? If they are prelock as well, i would buy one of those. I would just blast the "ladysmith" off the side so i didnt have to tell everyone it was my wifes gun.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I bought my 60-12 .38 NIB in the summer of 1998 with one of my first Army 2LT paychecks. It has given exceptional service, and will always be in my active carry rotation. You don't see many for sale.

 

[Sully8548]

Ha, ha Lonnie, It actually is my wife's gun but I'm not embarrassed to say I love to shoot it and I've carried it quite a few times. I also have a 60-18, 5" barrel and I can't say I notice any difference in the trigger pull of the two revolvers. The 5" certainly handles the .357 better even though it's still a J-frame. I believe the lock started on the magnum J-frames in 2000 or 2001. The -9 is from 1999 so all clear. Not so lucky on the -18.

Sully, i hear the trigger pull is lightened slightly on the ladysmiths. To appeal to the ladies. Is that true? If they are prelock as well, i would buy one of those. I would just blast the "ladysmith" off the side so i didnt have to tell everyone it was my wifes gun.

 

[lonniesraw]

Ok , guys.. I finally bought one. I held out and got the one I wanted. I've passed up a lot of ones with key holes and earlier model 60s. Eric , all the 60-9s must be floating around in Illinois with you, cause they are not easy to find my friend.. It's been 2 long years of lurking around Armslist, gun shops, pawn shops, and gun shows To find one locally. My question is now, where can I get some nice matching wood combat style grips for this and my 686-4 ?

 

[palmetto99]

I have had a set of Badger grips on my 60-9 for almost 20 years (now sports a set of Crimson Trace). Take a look. See what you think.