Model 60, Getting Wet on the Trail

[NCBeagle]

It is nice to have stainless options for wet weather carry. Went for a short hike on the Boone Fork Trail, just outside Blowing Rock, NC this afternoon. It poured rain. We got soaked. So did the Model 60 and my Lobo IWB holster. Both will dry out just fine.

 

[M29since14]

Nice to see someone getting actual field use out of their S&Ws.

 

[rockquarry]

As I hazily recall a popular 1965 (full page?) magazine ad for the Model 60, it depicted an outdoor scene and the gun had water droplets on it. Am I remembering that advertisement right?

Yes, it's refreshing to see people not reluctant to expose their guns to the elements.

 

[mikerjf]

For years my "woods gun" was a Jennings 22, because I knew Zamak wouldn't rust…

 

[Bald1]

One of my favorite pics was me and my son at our cabin the day before deer opener. We just came out of woods from quickly checking cameras. I had my 6" 629-2 in a leather chest rig and 2" of snow on my hat and shoulders. My son looked at gun and said good thing it's stainless. It was soaked pretty good…… I lost that pic when I lost my phone.

 

[Alk8944]

Remember when a gun, especially with rubber stocks, soaked like that there is probably water inside and under the stocks. The springs are not stainless steel and need care the same as on a carbon steel gun. Water trapped under the stocks can also cause rusting of the stainless too. Don't expect it to just "dry out" and be OK.

 

[NCBeagle]

Remember when a gun, especially with rubber stocks, soaked like that there is probably water inside and under the stocks. The springs are not stainless steel and need care the same as on a carbon steel gun. Water trapped under the stocks can also cause rusting of the stainless too. Don't expect it to just "dry out" and be OK.

Agreed. Back home. Removed grips and gave it a wipe down with CLP. Swabbed out the barrel and chambers. One small drop of oil into the works. It'll be alright.

Going to let this Lobo holster dry out for a couple days. Good thing that I have a backup.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

I carry my Cobra on rainy days.

 

[chief38]

After getting soaked (hey, it happens if you carry long enough) I'll detail strip the gun, clean and lightly lube before reassembly. Even stainless steel guns rust!

I also clean my carry gun on a routine basis - even if it hasn't recently been fired. You'd be surprised how dusty it can get riding inside a pocket every day. For a gun like a S&W revolver, the whole process takes less than an hour - and that's being thorough. For something like a Sig P365, Glock, or other plastic pistol, 1/2 hour tops. No need to over do this process, but if it gets soaked, that's the time.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Agreed. Back home. Removed grips and gave it a wipe down with CLP. Swabbed out the barrel and chambers. One small drop of oil into the works. It'll be alright.

Going to let this Lobo holster dry out for a couple days. Good thing that I have a backup.

Lobo Gun Leather made a leather crossdraw holster for my Model 627-5 snubby about 10 years ago...works great. You're absolutely right about keeping an eye out for moisture under the stocks (rain or sweat!) and wiping down your revolver with CLP. I also use a little Lexol leather conditioner on the holster. Good leather and a SS revolver should last for generations with proper care. Enjoy!

 

[MetalMan]

I keep a coat of RenWax on backside of grips (wood and synthetic) and grip frame on all revolvers; applied and NOT wiped off.

Have not had any problems with corrosion on grips frames on any of my revolvers, even those stored for longer duration.

 

[.455_Hunter]

My 638 and NAA Mini went into the drink when I was canoeing with the family. I had a good session in the hotel room that evening with a screwdriver and keyboard duster for my revolvers, plus a bag of rice for my phone.

 

[ajgunner]

American Rifleman April 1966
At $90 I would take a dozen of them.
And to think that lots of people don't believe firearms are an investment.

 

[rockquarry]

American Rifleman April 1966
At $90 I would take a dozen of them.
And to think that lots of people don't believe firearms are an investment.

There are exceptions, but for the most part, guns aren't a great investment. Use and enjoy them, don't try to change your lifestyle by buying guns. Factoring in inflation, that 1966 $90 Stainless Chief would be $863. A new one now (I know the new ones are lesser guns, etc.) is $809. That's certainly not a good return on your dollar.

 

[ajgunner]

Not many items on the planet that you can play with for 50+ years, and then sell it for 5-8 times what you paid for it.

 

[rockquarry]

Not many items on the planet that you can play with for 50+ years, and then sell it for 5-8 times what you paid for it.

You missed the point. If you sold it today and got top dollar for it, you'd be about breaking even considering inflation, and being realistic, the inflation factor must be considered.

But you're right in that if you bought the gun for $90 in 1966, you got to use and enjoy it for long time. If you sold it now, you essentially get back the $90 you paid for it in 1966 (in today's dollars) but that's hardly a return on an investment.

 

[Echo40]

Stainless Steel really is the best option for carrying out in the woods where you might get rained on...

Yeah, I know it's not a Smith, but I just couldn't see springing for the Governor, although at times I do regret that decision...

 

[chief38]

My first Model 60 (brand new) was a no dash and after getting it home I disassembled it to clean and properly lubricate it before even firing it. Even brand new S&W's are sometimes nasty inside Guess what? There WAS RUST inside in several places. Not heavy duty rust, but enough to make me very happy I did what I did. Stainless rusts LESS but is NOT rust proof.

 

[M29since14]

American Rifleman April 1966
At $90 I would take a dozen of them.
And to think that lots of people don't believe firearms are an investment.

I'm not going to get into the investment discussion. I've always bought guns because I wanted to use them. Never any plans to sell at the time, though I have sold/traded a few. Nevertheless, it was sure neat to see that old ad again.

I think I saw my first Model 60 in the early '70s, though I had heard of them for years, and then the Model 66 a few years later. Of course I was avid to own both, even though generally I preferred blued guns.

The stainless guns eventually won me over for real outdoors use. I still have my original M60, M63, M651, and M66, though my original M629 has long since been replaced with more modern versions. Sometimes I wish I had the 629 back, but I do believe the -3 and -4 versions I have now are probably better guns. That's another subject…

 

[Greyman50]

EVERY gun I buy gets " inspected" when home. A 4 digit serial number 686 had so much crud in the action was amazed it cycled. El- cheap o sally world brake cleaner as rinse then CLP on parts. Once in a while springs may get soaked in a small container of Kroil for few days. Really don't understand how folks neglect their guns……