Model 60 dash questions

[buckyjames1]

So me and my wife went to the range the other day and she fired my 686 4". Long story short, the frame and overall weight was a bit much for her smaller body and hands. Looking at the weight differences 23.99oz for Model 60 vs 38oz 686Plus. 15oz could be the saving range day grace.

Enter the quest for a Model 60. My questions are:

1. I want the 3" barrel length, Pre IL, .357mag but 38spl. will be loaded in the gun. Is there an endurance benefit to getting one chambered for .357 and only shooting .38spl? Mentality being since it will be an older gun the slightly beefed up .357 might age better eh?

2. Its alittle trickie keeping up with all the dashes on this model but which ones are the .357 and Pre IL dashes? Possible list of a few dash changes?
3. Was there any inherent flaws with any dashes in particular? Almost bought a 60-4 (3in. 38spl) which the buyer said was a desired dash but I'm doing alittle research first on this night stand wife protector.
Looks like the bug will yet bite me again.

686+ 4in.
Model 51 .22Mag (beautiful little gun bought from Diamonback68)

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Did i mention "interested in Model 60 3in.?...hmmmm

 

[diamonback68]

So me and my wife went to the range the other day and she fired my 686 4". Long story short, the frame and overall weight was a bit much for her smaller body and hands. Looking at the weight differences 23.99oz for Model 60 vs 38oz 686Plus. 15oz could be the saving range day grace.

Enter the quest for a Model 60. My questions are:

1. I want the 3" barrel length, Pre IL, .357mag but 38spl. will be loaded in the gun. Is there an endurance benefit to getting one chambered for .357 and only shooting .38spl? Mentality being since it will be an older gun the slightly beefed up .357 might age better eh?

2. Its alittle trickie keeping up with all the dashes on this model but which ones are the .357 and Pre IL dashes? Possible list of a few dash changes?
3. Was there any inherent flaws with any dashes in particular? Almost bought a 60-4 (3in. 38spl) which the buyer said was a desired dash but I'm doing alittle research first on this night stand wife protector.
Looks like the bug will yet bite me again.

686+ 4in.
Model 51 .22Mag

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Did i mention "interested in Model 60 3in.?...hmmmm

John, I have a 3" 60, but you ain't getting all my guns.

 

[Penquin]

BJ1 - I believe you are looking for the M60-10 which is the same as the M60-4 except in .357 mag and the beefed up frame w/no IL. I have the M60-9 w/2-1/4" full lug barrel - .357 mag. The M60-4 would be a nice night satnd gun for the wife, if she is going to shoot .38 spl anyway. The 3" full lug barrel would help a little with recoil. I think the beefed up frame was to help it stand-up against .357 mag. But I'm not sure many folks want to shoot that many .357's in a M60 for that to be a factor. Here's my M60-9 which I haven't shot yet, but I like it already. I hope you find one to fit your needs. PEN

 

[AKAOV1MAN]

If your wife has a problem with shooting the 686,she will probably not want to shoot the 60 in .357. I believe the one you want is the 60-10. I would suggest that you get her a .38 special. Using the right ammo, such as from Buffalo Bore you can get quite good performance from the .38. in fact the additional oomph you are getting from the 3" barrel is probably minimal, you will be getting a little more, but I do not think it will make a difference. The lower weight you will gain, you will also gain in recoil, I promise. I have several 60s in 3 inch, including the 60-10, anda 60-9 2 1/8th in .357.
Shooting the .357 out of either gun is an attention getter-on both ends.

I usually shoot 38s for training, even in big frame guns, then shoot one string with .357 just to make sure I am spot on with that gun. There really is no reason to shoot the big loads all the time, even if you can afford it.

 

[buckyjames1]

Yeah I didnt clarify the range info but it was 130gr .38spl bulk.
Recoil was not the problem. It was general manipulation and hand position.
We used both the Hogue rubbers and a set of Rosewoods, Its just the frame size was a bit much for her.
So far looks like M60-4 could be a winner or dash 10

Now I'll just have to keep working on Diamondback68 to get him to part with yet another "I cant live without"

 

[twomoons]

bucky
its amazing we both asked the same questions in different posts on the same day isnt it
steve

 

[buckyjames1]

Yeap, looks like it comes down to the M60-10.

1. 3inch barrel
2. .357 cal even though .38 will be kept in her
3. Pre-lock

Anyone notice any sound/flash differences going from 4in. to a 3in.?
All pistols I shoot are 3 1/2 and above.

 

[Texas Star]

Yeap, looks like it comes down to the M60-10.

1. 3inch barrel
2. .357 cal even though .38 will be kept in her
3. Pre-lock

Anyone notice any sound/flash differences going from 4in. to a 3in.?
All pistols I shoot are 3 1/2 and above.

Before you buy, check the Ruger SP-101. It will handle .357 recoil a bit better than a J-frame S&W. But I think she wants a .38.

A factory rep told me that they tested the J-Magnum guns to 10, 000 rounds when they were new, and they held up well. If true, that is very impressive!

T-Star

 

[linde]

Yeap, looks like it comes down to the M60-10.

1. 3inch barrel
2. .357 cal even though .38 will be kept in her
3. Pre-lock
[/QUOTE

Even though I expected serious recoil with 357 ammo, I found the 60-10 quite pleasant to shoot. I did, however, change out the factory provided Uncle Mike's boot grips for a set of Hogue Monogrips before I got completely comfortable.

Good luck in your search,

Russ

 

[wyatte]

I have a model 60-10, and I think you pose a very good question. I view mine as an ultra durable 38 Special. I think it's a great size and weight for the 38, even though it is designed to shoot 357's also. With 38's it's very easy to handle. I think what you are asking is will it be more durable using 38's because it is a 357? I think the answer is yes. As others have stated, it is a j-frame, although beefed up to handle the 357 round. I think you would like it very much, if you can find one. wyatte

 

[Nanook 450]

I think the grips make all the difference in handling recoil - this is my BBQ 60-10 and my wife seems to love it.

 

[H Richard]

The 60-4 3" with full lug barrel is one of the most desirable J frames out there. It has the lighter weight and smaller size of the J Frame, nut the 3" full lug barrel adds just enough weight to make +P ammo very easily controlled. I would definitely stay away from any .357 rounds in a J Frame for your wife. The recoil in that light weight frame is hard to handle and not much fun. The 60-15 (has the IL) Pro is another model where the 3" barrel and underlug make it easy to handle +P.

 

[mikeysdad]

Another option may be a Model 19 or 66. They are K frames and a little smaller than the 686, bigger than the 60.