Model 60 3" - Good Multi-Purpose Gun?

[quickdraw03]

I'm intrigued by the 3" Model 60's. They seem to have a great balance of weight (enough to control recoil, but not enough to be too heavy), packability (belt portable / big pocket carry), and accuracy (decent adjustable sights) to fill lots of roles. Given the versatility of the 357 mag, it looks like a great utility gun to me. I think it would be fun on the range, good for hunting (close), and viable for self defense.

I would appreciate others thoughts / experiences. Pictures are always valuable.

Thanks,
QD

 

[jinx]

Get one. You can't go wrong.

 

[PattonTime]

Model 60

I am a huge fan of this weapon,specifically the Model 60-4 which is 38 Special only.
This is because I can not imagine any possible need I would have for a 357 magnum in such a small revolver.
Now, I know many think the versatility of being able to, is nice, I myself just think it makes cleaning more work and since I would never shoot one in it why ?
A 38 Special loaded by me to my safe maximum load is all I need.
I have several of this Model and almost bought another one today because it was languishing on a auction site at $549.00 and I think that is a great buy for such a wonderful weapon.
But, I think three is perhaps enough of them !!
Now , when I am lucky enough to find a clean , hopefully boxed Model 36-?
which is a special issue in a matte blue with the same style under lug barrel and three inch barrel I will probably buy that one!!

 

[M16]

When I really like a gun I always buy an extra. I have three 3" model 60's. Two in .357 and one .38. Get one and you won't regret it.

 

[Stainz]

New, the regular 3" 60, #162430, runs $759 MSRP. My choice, the 3" 60 Pro, #178013, runs $779. Just the nice 60 Pro-style wood grips will run you $43 + s/t + s&h, so it's other 'enhancements', like the Tritium front Night Sight, improved trigger, and slab-sided target barrel, make it a real deal. Mine, bought new a couple of years ago, is a real keeper.

Here it is with a real keeper - my 4" 627 Pro:

The 60 Pro is perfect for 158gr LHPSWC .38 Special +P's - like the Remington R38S12 - my defensive choice.

Not so fond of the Tritium NS - in light low enough to see it's 'glow', I cannot see the target. A HiViz would be better - for me!

Stainz

 

[M29since14]

I am a huge fan of this weapon,specifically the Model 60-4 which is 38 Special only.
This is because I can not imagine any possible need I would have for a 357 magnum in such a small revolver.
Now, I know many think the versatility of being able to, is nice, I myself just think it makes cleaning more work and since I would never shoot one in it why?...

Now , when I am lucky enough to find a clean , hopefully boxed Model 36-?

The gun is a nasty little thing with .357 Magnums. The 3-inch barrel and the slight additional weight over a standard Model 60 .357 doesn't make any difference in recoil, in my opinion.

I agree with PattonTime. Those are my thoughts exactly. If you are not a handloader, it may be different. I dislike shooting .38 Specials in a .357, so I don't shoot my 60-10 and shoot the 60-4 a lot more.

The other gun he mentions is the 36-6; also a nice little revolver of the same pattern, but I would not be willing to pass up the stainless construction for a trail gun. If you just shoot it at the range, that wouldn't be a factor.

 

[SWP357]

It's a great gun, I have the 2 1/8". Shoot whatever you like from it, seems to me a stout, made to shoot 357 with 38+P ammo is a great combo and isn't going to ever blink at those rounds.

 

[Martya]

I like carrying my 60-10 3", there is just something comforting in a 357. Now I do carry a pistol most of the time, but I do practice at the range with +P in the M60. When I carry I have it loaded with the old Remington "medium recoil" JHP 357 and that round it not bad for recoil, and up close and personal if it ever came to that I have a bit of an edge over +P. But I like carrying it, hides easily IWB with just a pull-over shirt.

I don't hunt much, but when I do I carry it as a backup to my rifle. Not sure I would recommend it primarily for hunting.

 

[InTheWoods]

I find my 60-15 a wonderful woodland carry gun and also often use it for concealed carry. Unlike others, I carry .357s in mine. I find the mid-range 125 grain Golden Saber .357s quite shootable in this gun. I think the large, closed-back grips I tend to put on my 'field' j-frames really help with recoil control (I find even the pro-series grips too small). This combination is not for lots of range shooting, but is perfect for field/defensive purposes, and mild enough for light practice. For lots of shooting, I will shoot specials.

When in the field, I sometimes try carrying my 66 and always ask myself WHY I am doing this when I can carry my 60-15 that possesses lots of power and a real degree of accuracy. BTW, all my field guns, including the 60-15, are sighted in at 50 yards.

 

[GaryS]

I've long thought that a model 60 or a model 36 3" would be a great general purpose "just in case" carry gun. The only thing that I would rather see is a 442/642/640 3".

Maybe I should go over to the Wish List forum and suggest it.

 

[Hoppe's#9]

I have multiple S&W revolvers and my Model 60-15 Pro is my only one from this millennium and has an IL,but I still love it and of all my guns it is my home defense gun loaded with Hornady Crictical Defense 38 special 110 grain FTX.My daughters like it way more then my other guns including my Sig 226!

 

[David Sinko]

A friend of mine is obsessed with buying one of these. I don't understand the appeal of these revolvers, since I have no use for a J Frame that won't fit in a pocket. But if this is your thing, then go for it.

Dave Sinko

 

[Old Corp]

I like'em - have shot a friends with all types of .38 and .357 ammo. A bit stout in the recoil department with magnum ammo, but doable in small amounts.
AND - since S&W has all but abandoned the idea of 3" K frames in .38 or .357, it's the next best thing.
I'll stick with my two - a 3" M65 and a 3" M&P .38 SB.

 

[Stu1205]

I've long thought that a model 60 or a model 36 3" would be a great general purpose "just in case" carry gun. The only thing that I would rather see is a 442/642/640 3".

Maybe I should go over to the Wish List forum and suggest it.

I don't know about the 442/642, but the 640 is available in a 3".

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
As I can not shoot ANY S&W wood grip in any frame size with heavy loads.
Mine has PAC Decelerators . What a difference!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PS> I HAVE shot 200gr cast max loads from it too!!!!!!

 

[petepeterson]

Another great use for these revolvers is teaching a new shooter. With light .38s they're pretty manageable, even for someone with small hands, and the sights are decent, compared to typical snubs.

 

[hotrod150]

I'm a big j-fame fan, and prefer 2" RB models for easier concealment. But an adj-sighted 3-incher make sense to me as a trail gun, whether as a hot-loaded 38 spl or a light-loaded 357. Being lighter and smaller than a k-frame makes it handier to pack along, and the adjustable sights make it easier to get the gun zero'd so you can make head shots on grouse or bunnies for the frying pan.

 

[BCDWYO]

A friend of mine is obsessed with buying one of these. I don't understand the appeal of these revolvers, since I have no use for a J Frame that won't fit in a pocket. But if this is your thing, then go for it.

Dave Sinko

I gotta agree with Dave on this one. I'm all for snubbie J-frames, but I've never really figured out the use of one longer than a snubbie. If I'm going to pack it in a holster, I'll probably choose a K or L frame.