Model 60 J frame with 5" barrel

[1sailor]

I was looking at a model 60-18 .357 that came from the factory with a 5" barrel (box says 5"). I never saw one like it before. Were these very common or were they special ordered with the longer barrel? I kind of like it. I was considering a K frame but the J frame 60 would sure be easier to pack.

 

[five shot]

Came from factory. According to SCSW made from 2005-2008 though I have not tried to determine how many were made. They have the 2 piece barrel and IL. I have one I bought several months ago from a pawn shop so I do not have the box or any paperwork, just the gun. I have not shot it a lot, less than 100 rounds but I do like it. It shoots well and is accurate.

 

[Hondo44]

First available in 2005. It has target sights and the newer two piece barrel. I don't know how many were made but it was only made for 3 years. So if you like it, I would grab it.

 

[sqhead]

i picked one up at the lgs,thought it was pretty cool.I hav'nt shot it.It's the only gun w/lock i own,but thought it rare enuff to buy.

 

[1sailor]

I have to admit I'm tempted but I've really had my eye out for a nice model 66 for a while now. I bought an M&P .40 recently that was a kind of an impulse buy because of the price. I'm never going to get that model 66 if I buy every "cool" gun to come down the pipe.

 

[kudzu3]

Are all these round butt? Seems like the square butt would make this a much better shooter and with the 5" barrel, concealment is not an issue.

 

[1sailor]

Yeah, it is a round butt. however you can get grips that will convert it to a square butt. Saw some nice ones that were similar to the Smith target grips that would look good on it.

 

[bobf]

Davidson's sold some last year I bought one in Apr the fired case was dated 1-11. I didn't see them anywhere else and the group they had didn't last too long.

Maybe cleaning up leftovers or something.

Bob

 

[sqhead]

mine came with the wood boot grips,factory issue.

 

[sqhead]

you did it right,thats the one i have,grips and all.....i think its very cool and i hope kinda rare..........but that dang hole just eats at me!

 

[1sailor]

It is interesting. Don't know for sure if I'll go for it but if I had the money for two new guns I think I would for sure. I have wanted a nice model 66 or model 19 for a long time though. They do come up a lot more often than a 5" J frame though.

 

[Stainz]

I have the 5" J-frame's .22 LR sibling - the 5" 63. Looks similar, but should not be as muzzle heavy due to the shorter lug than the 5" 60. Well, it does have a smaller hole in it's one piece barrel. The 8-shot .22 LR, SKU #162450, weighs 28.1 oz, while the 5" 60, SKU #162440, is reported as 26.3 oz, both from the 2008 catalog (Earlier catalogs had the 5" 60 at 30.5 oz!). All of the 5" 60 examples I've seen came with the same rubber grips as the 5" 63 - and a two piece barrel, where the 5" 63 has a one piece.

Here is my 5" 63, sporting a HiViz front sight and Model 60 wood grips:

The 5" 63 had a shorter run - only in the 2008 & 2009 catalogs - while the 5" 60 was in 2005-2008 catalogs. I bought mine from the estate of a range buddy. I had to shoot it - it needed wood grips, springs, and a HiViz front sight. Fun plinker - decent balance. I know a dealer who still had, at least at Christmas, a new-old-stock 5" 60 for $589. I've thought about it... bought a new 60 Pro instead just over a year ago. I still think about it...

The 5" 63 has sentimental value - I'll likely keep it. I bought a new 3" 63 11/10 - I shoot it a lot more than the 5". Heck, I bought the LNIB 4" 651 shown 10/11 - and have probably shot it more! I guess that is why I haven't grabbed that 5" 60... YMMV.

Stainz