Model 60 no dash - help please with age & value

[deangoodman]

My latest LGS find is a model 60 no dash in .38sp with pinned barrel. S/n R2641xx - can anyone help me with the age of this? It seems like the no-dash had a long production run. Since the barrel is pinned, it's the short underlug and in .38sp I'm guessing somewhere late 60's or early 70's but it's just a SWAG.

No pics because I don't have it yet. No box or papers but seems in decent shape. Fired but not beat up - seems like a decent carry gun with the Pachmyr grip. Is it worth the $450 they're asking?

Thanks

 

[JP@AK]

S/n R2641xx - can anyone help me with the age of this?

The R serial numbers started in 1969. This one dates to about a decade later, very likely late 1979. Possibly early 1980.

 

[old bear]

Is it worth the $450

$450.00 may be a tad high, but no so high that I'd walk if I really wanted that revolver. Think about offering $410.00.

 

[flintsghost]

It's reasonable at $450 to $500. During the period it was made S&W wasn't having a very high quality period and you need to check the timing on both single and double. J's in that period are often out of time slightly on one or both. No dash guns continued into the non-pinned era.

 

[kthom]

I have one with an R2175XX serial number. I have it listed as made in 1978 and it is also pinned. I say it's worth that today. I'd sure try to get it for less, but if it's in good shape, I would not leave it in the LGS display case!

 

[Raydog]

It's reasonable at $450 to $500. During the period it was made S&W wasn't having a very high quality period and you need to check the timing on both single and double. J's in that period are often out of time slightly on one or both. No dash guns continued into the non-pinned era.

Is there a specific time period that one needs to be aware of S&W quality issues?

 

[murphydog]

Is there a specific time period that one needs to be aware of S&W quality issues?

It's an excellent question and one with a shifting answer . Guns from the late '70s - mid-80's era have had a bad reputation, many of which have been documented here (I had at least a couple myself). But as time passes the "lemons" get repaired, scrapped or otherwise meet their eventual fate, so even if there was a significant number of defects during a certain era you may not encounter them any more. Knowing how to evaluate each gun individually is the key, as usual.

 

[murphydog]

It's reasonable at $450 to $500. During the period it was made S&W wasn't having a very high quality period and you need to check the timing on both single and double. J's in that period are often out of time slightly on one or both. No dash guns continued into the non-pinned era.

Agree with all this.

The model 60 went 23 years before being replaced by the -3 - pinned barrels, no SN prefix and the R prefix all went away during this time. The record in this regard seems to be the model 36, 31 years and four SN format changes (five formats) between it and the -3.

 

[Raydog]

Thanks murphydog.I always use the revolver check list that I got some years ago from The Firing Line revolver forums.

It never hurts to be armed with as much information as possible when you're laying down your hard earned money.

S&W revolvers ain't exactly cheap nowadays.

 

[Mistered]

How long has it been for sale ?

 

[deangoodman]

How long has it been for sale ?

I found it an hour after someone traded it in. It never made the showcase...

 

[dip]

A good buy at $450

 

[Gpsman]

I found it an hour after someone traded it in. It never made the showcase...

That's the best way.
Then they aren't homeless very long!