Maybe it's time I got back to the basics . . .

[Ron H.]

Originally posted by azmark:
I had spent some time a while back checking prices on model 10s, but never looked for a 60. Are they as plentiful on the used market as the 10?

Sir, I seldom see Model 60s "in person" at local gun shops or shows. They're still very popular and move quickly, at least around here. Prices on them also tend to be high--$400 isn't unusual.

Model 10s are just the opposite. For example, a very nice pre-lock M10 has languished on the "used" shelf at a local shop for at least a month. Price is good, but no one's biting. It's cheap enough that I've been tempted to buy it just so it'll have a good home again.

[shrug]

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[Erich]

Stocked up on it when Cheaper Than Dirt was selling it for under $20 a box.

Got mine for under $10 a box!

 

[Erich]

A friend on another forum asked how it was going. Truth is that it makes it easier to decide what to carry! Sort of liberating in that respect. On the other hand, I'd be lying if I said that I hadn't had a mighty hankering to carry other guns (my .357 Mag, my .40, even my 10) over the last few weeks. For the most part, though, it's not a concern and I'm finding myself perfectly contented with the .38. In fact, I've started thinking of other .38s that I might want to buy.

One thing that I'm surprised to find is that the experience has underscored for me how a J-frame .38 really is the perfect "everywhere" gun. I can comfortably conceal it in any clothing that I own, and I feel confident carrying it. While I would ordinarily try to carry other small guns in lieu of the J-38 to better suit a perceived need of a given moment, I've just been "making do" with the J-frame and I've found myself a lot happier (frankly) for doing so.

 

[M29since14]

One thing that I'm surprised to find is that the experience has underscored for me how a J-frame .38 really is the perfect "everywhere" gun. I can comfortably conceal it in any clothing that I own, and I feel confident carrying it. While I would ordinarily try to carry other small guns in lieu of the J-38 to better suit a perceived need of a given moment, I've just been "making do" with the J-frame and I've found myself a lot happier (frankly) for doing so.

Chief's Specials and similar J-frame 38s have been the stock & trade of almost all the professional gun-toters I have known for the last thirty years or more, and a lot of those fellows still use them. Most of these guys (now retired) considered them the perfect gun for "when you don't think you will need a gun," and theirs are pretty rough looking - but serviceable.

I once had a deal lined up to buy an old Model 60 from one of these guys as he was about to retire. I remember appearing at the police station to meet him, money in my pocket, he with the Model 60 in a paper bag (really!) - but at the last minute the deal crashed and burned. He changed his mind - said he couldn't live without it. What could I say?

Erich - if I have missed it in the thread, I'm sorry, but what are you doing for extra ammo - how do you carry it? I find carrying anything other than speed-strips almost as much trouble as the gun. It is a shame one cannot come up with a really compact belt case for J-frame speedloaders that holds the rounds on either side of the belt - as they are made for K-frames.

 

[Wyatt Earp]

I just throw a speedloader in my RF pants pocket if I am not wearing a sport coat and in my inside LH coat pocket if I am.

 

[Erich]

Low capacity and slow reloading are two great problems with the J-frames (minimal gripframe size is another - but they're all trade-offs). I used to uncomfortably carry two speedloaders in my offside pocket. I've given up on this, and now carry two speed strips (they're in the strong side front pocket if I'm A-IWBing, in the offside pocket if I'm pocket-carrying).

I've used the J-frames (and equivalents) on and off since I started carrying in the mid-'80s. I would find something else that I thought might work better, give it a try, and then eventually reject it. As I said in the topic, this really is "back to the basics" for me.

 

[LaP]

A J-frame in one pocket and a speedstrip in the other, you're good to go. Put a CT laser grip on it and you're really set. Works for me.

 

[Poohgyrr]

One thing that I'm surprised to find is that the experience has underscored for me how a J-frame .38 really is the perfect "everywhere" gun.

When I think of how many people say this (me too), and how many "new" pistols are out there, it really seems to emphasize how good this design has proven to be. When we get those "if I could only have one handgun" threads, the J frame - for me anyway - is always one of the top 2 or 3 choices, just because it is so good at always being there.

::: to meet him, money in my pocket, he with the Model 60 in a paper bag (really!) -

I remember those days, simpler and better in some ways, not so much in others (medicine and communications). (Ummm, wait a minute. Is having a cell phone with me at all times really a good thing??)

And the "old" relatives back then were, ahem, as old as I am now. On no!! I'm an old geezer!!

 

[Groo]

Groo here
If I was limited to the 38spec then I would use a
J frame {Dad carries one with CS grips}
I have standardized on the 357 mag as my
"Do what ever guns" and now carry a
SP101 with CR grips.
ERIC do your thing and remember
Respect the man with only one gun {Cartridge}
He can usually clean your clock with it.

 

[Ed333]

Groo, why not use a Model 60 for those .357 mag rounds?
Erich, gotta hand it to you, only 3 weeks duration, we are on page 7, this thread has legs...obviously resonates for a lot of people, some good truths here.

 

[Erich]

Thanks, Ed. It's proving to be an interesting experiment - my friend bmcgilvray (a well-known and highly regarded member here) really has been an inspiration: the man has all kinds of guns, but he carries a Model 10 that he's had for thirty-odd years. I have to say that I'm finding myself not limited in the least by carrying .38 Special revolvers (although I am choosing to carry thermonuclear handloads when I go hiking up Bear Canyon - I certainly wouldn't have to do so, but they perform so well that I would feel sad if I didn't use them

) - in point of fact, this is really a somewhat liberating experience because I'm not devoting any time at all to "What should I carry now that I'm going on this particular task?"

Today it was my Model 38, but I wanted to take off my gun belt and relax when I got in, so I just stuck the Model 15 (which has usually been relegated to nightstand and hiking duty) in my waistband. Works well!

 

[Cayoot]

This has been a great thread.

I'm one who usually carries a .45 Colt Mnt Gun when I'm out in the woods. However, this thread has helped me to remember how much I really appreciate just carrying my little Ruger SP-101 (admittedly it is a .357, but it is still small and a delight to carry).

Following your line of thinking Erich, I have started playing with the "Skeeter Skelton" loads (13.5 gr 2400 pushing a 358429 - 175 grn SWC packed into a .38 brass).

As it turns out, this load shoots right to point of aim at 20 yards with my SP 101. I don't have a chrono, but I'm sure it is moving around 1100 fps, and with that heavy SWC, it punched right through a treated 4X4 at 20 yards!

I really like this load for the same reason Skeeter did, .357 brass is expensive but I currently have over 45 pounds of .38 brass.

To be honest, in all my years of snow shoeing and working my trapline out here, I've never had to shoot anything other than small critters in my traps. And while I've seen plenty of bear sign, I've not ever come face to face with one.

We have wolves and Cayoots up here (which explains why we don't have a feral dog problem...they are prime wolf and cayoot food), but I think my heavy SWC would probably take care of them very well thank you.

You are right...this is very liberating!

 

[Erich]

Hey Cayoot,

Dad's got a nice place (second house - out of Chicago the rest of the time) about 80 miles N of you, on the Montreal River Harbour. I'll have to give you a shout next time I get up that way - I can totally see an SP-101 and that load being perfect for those woods you folks have, what with the wolves and bears. (Just looked at the webcam - it's chilly up there this a.m., eh?

)

cheers, erich

 

[Guest]

Erich, this is a really great thread and folks have taken more interest in it than I was expecting. The venerable .38 special seems to be holding it's own very well.

BTW, I'm toting my 638 stoked up with some of NKJnut's 148 grain WCs that roar out of the 1 7/8 inch barrel at 945 fps. I don't feel under gunned at all.

Thanks for this great thread.

dave

 

[perpster]

When I was with NYPD and we were armed with .38's (M10) we felt undergunned. When we got the option to go to 9mm I eventually did (G19), but kept my M36 as my authorized BUG (once you went to a semi-auto BUG you could never go back). Carrying anyting but your authorized guns, even off-duty, left you likely to be unrepresented and unindemnified by NYC even if you got into a good shooting.

When I retired from NYPD and could carry whatever I damn pleased I made the decision to stick with the calibers I already had: .38 and 9mm, but I added .357 magnum since it's backward compatible with .38. The Glock has become a safe queen, while my short barrel K's and J's have become my EDC. I will admit to eyeing the new crop of almost-pocket-sized .45 ACP semi-autos and will probably get one down the road a piece, I have matured and no longer feel undergunned with a .38 J or K. I'm not a loader, so I usually have Speer GDHP 135 grain SB loaded (+P for the .38's and .357 for the .357's).

FWIW, IMHO when carring a S&W revolver always carry your reload on your RIGHT-HAND side. Since all reloading of revolvers is normally done with the gun in the left hand (unfair to lefties, I know), you eliminate extra switching of hands that happens when reloads have to be retrieved with the left hand before being transferred to the right hand. Also minimizes the risk of dropping the gun when swapping the reloads from L to R hand. Though not an absolute rule, I try to always have the speedloader or speedstrip on the right side, even when pocket carrying. There's usually enough room in the pocket for the gun/holster and reload.

Erich, good luck with your "experiment". I think you're adequately armed. BTW, what is your involvement in criminal law?

 

[Cayoot]

Erich,

That's Great! We could grant you Official, Temporary "Yooper" status!

Let me know when you are coming up this way next, the coffee pot is always on!

It's pretty nice out here this morning...25 degrees and some snow on the ground. Not too windy.

Take care, I'll look forward to meeting you!

If you have time, we will go out for a snow shoe.

Originally posted by Erich:
Hey Cayoot,

Dad's got a nice place (second house - out of Chicago the rest of the time) about 80 miles N of you, on the Montreal River Harbour. I'll have to give you a shout next time I get up that way - I can totally see an SP-101 and that load being perfect for those woods you folks have, what with the wolves and bears. (Just looked at the webcam - it's chilly up there this a.m., eh?

)

cheers, erich

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by perpster:
FWIW, IMHO when carring a S&W revolver always carry your reload on your RIGHT-HAND side.

Absolutely. I always carry IWB (except occasionally when stepping out to the yard for a few minutes) so my RH front pocket is always free. My speedloaders live there.

If I am wearing a sport coat, the loader goes into the inside LH pocket, where the right hand naturally falls when reaching across.

 

[Guest]

If I'm wearing jeans, I've found that a speed strip fits perfectly in the watch pocket.

 

[Erich]

Thanks, Cayoot - I love the way Yoopers think!

Perpster, I'm a former prosecutor, long-time defense lawyer. My office handles 96% of the criminal appeals in the state, so I get to review almost every murder that goes to trial.

I'm a southpaw, and I don't necessarily agree that I should carry spare revolver ammo on the right side. I do when I've got a gun in a left pocket, but when I'm IWB I use the left pocket for my reload - and this is my preference. I reload a revolver by transferring the revolver to my right hand, opening and dumping the cylinder, and then feeding the ammo in from the left side with my left hand. I then drop the reloading tool, transfer the gun back to my left hand, and am back at it. This method enables me to use my more "dextrous"

left hand to feed the rounds into the cylinder, while my clumsy right hand just has to open the cylinder (easy to do) and hold it in place.

When carrying a semiauto, my spare mags are always carried on my weak side - even my right hand is up to the challenge of funnelling the fresh mag in and slingshoting the slide shut.

 

[perpster]

Erich, if reloading that way works for you go for it. I distinctly recall NYPD lefties being taught to learn to reload the righty way. I always thought that was unfair, but so is life.

If you've found a way more suited to you that's great. But as you posted earlier on in this thread, it is statistically rare that a combat reload will need to be performed. Have you found that to be true in your law practice (either as a prosecutor or on the Dark Side)?