Model 60-9 Cylinder

[Gedson]

I am a regular reader and today I am a first time poster. I own 13 S&W revolvers and love the personality of each one.

I have a Model 60-9 pre-lock in 38 caliber only. Serial Number beginning in CDY. I need to replace the cylinder and I am only able to find 60-9 38/357 cylinders. My question is, will the 38/357 cylinder fit my 38 caliber 60-9?

From various forums I have gathered that there was a time in about 1996 when S&W was making both 38 and 38/357 in the 60-9 model. I have a couple of damaged chambers that according to a gunsmith were over expanded due to excessively high powered loads. I have never knowingly used +P but I have used factory reloads from a well known ammo supplier in Los Angeles and I suspect I had some hot loads from there that caused the problem. I am unable to extract spent casings from two of the chambers without a brass dowel. I have thoroughly cleaned the chambers and have tried different brands of ammo. Magtech 158 grain fmj seems to offer the least resistance to extraction but still not able to do it using the extractor rod.

I appreciate you reading this and all thoughts are welcome.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! I think a call to factory customer service will tell you if the cylinders have the same dimensions (I suspect they do, since having the same part and only having to alter the depth of the charge holes makes more sense economically than two different sized parts). If the parts are the same, the factory still uses the same cylinder for the current .357 model 60s and they will fit and install it for you.

 

[Gedson]

Alan, thanks for the encouragement to call the factory. I received excellent service. The phone number for S&W parts and repair is 800-331-0852, #2, #4. A live human with a clear and cheerful voice by the name of Marc answered my call immediately. He asked for my serial number and told me the gun was made in 2000. The good news is that they have the right cylinder for the gun and it is $110 plus shipping. He recommended I have a gunsmith install. He acknowledged that hot loads can damage the charge holes but that the cylinders were rated for +P in 1997 so the damage I caused in the cylinder was most likely from some very hot factory 38 reloads that were off the chart. No more factory reloads for any of my guns. He further told me that 158 grain loads were best and the Magtech 158's are a good ammo for this gun. I like the FMJ flat face for paper target practice as they leave a cleaner hole than round face.

 

[palmetto99]

Hmm, thanks for sharing story. I didn't know that some 60-9's had .38 cylinders. I'm actually carrying my 60-9 (which I purchased in 1996 new) today. I'm also fascinated by the story of damaged charging holes. Good luck with the swap out.

 

[BUFF]

The Model 60 cylinders are quite stout, with the locking notches offset from the thinnest part of the chambers. That must have been some kind of hot rounds if they bulged the chambers. I won't shoot reloads unless I loaded them myself. Many commercial loaders do make good product but some don't always.

 

[Gedson]

Final note on this issue: I received the new cylinder from S&W. The included extractor did not communicate well with the timing hand. In double action the hammer would not release. I switched the new extractor with my old, not expecting it to fit. Amazingly, it did fit perfectly. Timing seemed to be right on using snap caps and spent casings alike. I took it to the range and both single action and double action worked correctly. I also "rapid" fired 5 rounds in 3-4 seconds, several times with no issues. I really like having my "snake gun" back.

 

[murphydog]

A happy ending! Thanks for the follow up.

 

[Waveski]

Am I to understand that the early model 60 .38 special cylinder has the same diameter as that of the later 60-9 .357 magnum cylinder?

I own a 60-3 in .38 , and a 60-9 in .357. I was of the impression that there is a difference in cylinder diameters. Perhaps I need a caliper.

While I am at it , is there a difference in frame dimensions between the .38 and .357 chambered J-frames? My eye says yes...

 

[Waveski]

Still hoping for answers to the questions asked ; on topic , I think...?

 

[murphydog]

The 60-3 had the original dimension cylinder for .38 Special, and the 60-9 the larger "J Magnum" version. There are a few J Magnum .38 Specials and they are the same size as the .357.

 

[Waveski]

Thank you.