Model 60 no dash trade

[rettxpo]

About a month ago I made a fairly decent trade on a Model 60 that I finally got to shoot today.

A friend's wife was really wanting a small .380 for a CCW and I offered up my Ruger LCP (which I had less than $300 invested in). He already had one but asked his wife if she wanted one also. Well, the answer was a quick "yes". So I walked away with a Model 60 no dash that only had 50 rounds fired through it. Came with the original box, papers, holster, two HKS speed loaders, but no tools.

Shoots low but I still love it. Can someone give me a ship date on it (SR# R2876**)?

 

[murphydog]

Very nice, likely a 1980 shipped gun and one of the early unpinned barrels. A different bullet weight may have it print closer to the sights. Enjoy!

 

[rettxpo]

Ammo Question

Very nice, likely a 1980 shipped gun and one of the early unpinned barrels. A different bullet weight may have it print closer to the sights. Enjoy!

murphydog, I was shooting some Winchester 130gr. that I had tucked away from years ago. Do you know what would be a recommended round for it?

 

[riverrat38]

My M60 no dash shots high.
Heavier, slower bullets will shot higher.
Target 148 gr WC's will likely print the highest.

Best,
Rick

 

[hotrod150]

"Fairly decent trade on a model 60"? If it was a straight-across for that LCP, you scored big time. Around here, that package with box etc is probably worth close to 500.
SCSW does indicate that's a 1980-81 s/n, interesting that it's not a pinned barrel. I thoguht those didn't go away until about 1982. I have model 60 s/n R2622xx which is 1979-80 and pinned.
Ditto riverrat's comment that heavier bullets will shoot higher. Try 158 gr SWC's or SWC-HP's.

 

[murphydog]

Yes, it is probably regulated for and will shoot closer to the sights with 158 gr loads.

 

[arjay]

Mine shoots to poa with 158 gr standard velocity loads a bit low with my + p handloads (5 gr of unique with 158 gr lswc,little buggers sting!) and a bit high with mild loads (factory wadcutters)

 

[steamloco76]

My model 60's and 36 all shoot best with 158 grain loads.

 

[Contrail]

I also have a Mod 60, but can't find a speed loader that fits the cylinder. What brand is yours? Thanks.

 

[rettxpo]

Model 60

I also have a Mod 60, but can't find a speed loader that fits the cylinder. What brand is yours? Thanks.

Its an HKS 36 (an older one) they now make the 36-A.

 

[rettxpo]

Model 60 ammo

"Fairly decent trade on a model 60"? If it was a straight-across for that LCP, you scored big time. Around here, that package with box etc is probably worth close to 500.
SCSW does indicate that's a 1980-81 s/n, interesting that it's not a pinned barrel. I thoguht those didn't go away until about 1982. I have model 60 s/n R2622xx which is 1979-80 and pinned.
Ditto riverrat's comment that heavier bullets will shoot higher. Try 158 gr SWC's or SWC-HP's.

hotrod150, thanks for the info. Yes it was straight-across trade. He was happy that I still had the box for the LCP. I was happier that he still had the box for the Model 60.

The wife will be out of town tomorrow so I dug around in my safe and found some 158gr rounds that I'll be trying out.

rettxpo

 

[fyimo]

Congratulations on the trade and let us know how the 158 grain print on paper.

 

[rettxpo]

I think that'll do it. Still about 6" (much better than 12+") low at 15 yards but hitting center mass. Now I just have to find some good 38 special 158gr. self defense ammo. .38 ammo is pretty tough to find around here. Adjusted for the last 4 shots at 3 o'clock but they drifted right. More practice in the future.

 

[JP@AK]

interesting that it's not a pinned barrel. I thought those didn't go away until about 1982.

In general, this is true - about 1982. But remember, the L frames came out in 1980 and none of them had pinned barrels. So S&W was already at least thinking about eliminating the pins in 1980. I have heard of other examples with serial numbers that seem to be older than 1982 that had no pin in the barrel/frame joining point.
Jack