New Performance Center Model 60 first impressions

[houndstooth300]

I'd been looking for a new concealable, but powerful handgun for occasional carry and woods carry. I was contemplating a Model 69 or other similar options. I don't want to mention the other considerations because they belong in another area of the forum, but suffice to say they were very similar to the Model 60. I am NOT a fan of snub nosed revolvers. I felt like 3" was the minimum I would consider. I've shot another brand in a 4" .357 before, and a friend's 686 some 37 years ago. I bought a 3rd brand in .357 as a gift to a family member once, and had several rounds through it before handing it over to verify it was in perfect condition (6 in.). I had looked at many semi-autos - and I own a couple, but when I received a promotion from a major online retailer, I couldn't pass it up. This was my first brand new Smith.

I bought some Ammo Incorporated ammunition from a LGS. I opted for the 110 grain but it appeared to be pretty hot advertised to run 1510 ft/s from a 4" barrel. I figure I was getting between 1450 and 1475 in the 3". I didn't think the 110 grain perforated bullet would penetrate a brick wall and go visit the neighbor if fired inside my home in an emergency situation. Not sure if this would be considered +P, but it was solid stuff.

I was only able to fire 1 cylinder before heading home, but here are my impressions and observations. 1) I LOVE IT! 2) The 3" barrel was stupid accurate at 15 yards (a hair over 2" group standing off-hand in single action. 3) Point of impact was exactly 3" left of center. A minor adjustment on the rear sight will have it on the money. 4) Recoil was quite snappy, but no worse than a .45 Auto commander 1911. Not a deal breaker at all. 4) Trying to eject the spent cases was not effortless. The ejector rod stopped before the empty cases fell out. I had to manually pull them out before reloading. Tolerances seem tight! I found the sights and trigger pull to be quite serviceable in the field. I can dab some luminescent paint on the sights.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Glad you like your new revolver. We're always interested in details like the dash number (i.e. 60-15, etc.), and whether it has the full underlug or the performance center profile.

 

[houndstooth300]

60-15 Performance Center

 

[Shibadog]

I'd been looking for a new concealable, but powerful handgun for occasional carry and woods carry. I was contemplating a Model 69 or other similar options. I don't want to mention the other considerations because they belong in another area of the forum, but suffice to say they were very similar to the Model 60. I am NOT a fan of snub nosed revolvers. I felt like 3" was the minimum I would consider. I've shot another brand in a 4" .357 before, and a friend's 686 some 37 years ago. I bought a 3rd brand in .357 as a gift to a family member once, and had several rounds through it before handing it over to verify it was in perfect condition (6 in.). I had looked at many semi-autos - and I own a couple, but when I received a promotion from a major online retailer, I couldn't pass it up. This was my first brand new Smith.

I bought some Ammo Incorporated ammunition from a LGS. I opted for the 110 grain but it appeared to be pretty hot advertised to run 1510 ft/s from a 4" barrel. I figure I was getting between 1450 and 1475 in the 3". I didn't think the 110 grain perforated bullet would penetrate a brick wall and go visit the neighbor if fired inside my home in an emergency situation. Not sure if this would be considered +P, but it was solid stuff.

I was only able to fire 1 cylinder before heading home, but here are my impressions and observations. 1) I LOVE IT! 2) The 3" barrel was stupid accurate at 15 yards (a hair over 2" group standing off-hand in single action. 3) Point of impact was exactly 3" left of center. A minor adjustment on the rear sight will have it on the money. 4) Recoil was quite snappy, but no worse than a .45 Auto commander 1911. Not a deal breaker at all. 4) Trying to eject the spent cases was not effortless. The ejector rod stopped before the empty cases fell out. I had to manually pull them out before reloading. Tolerances seem tight! I found the sights and trigger pull to be quite serviceable in the field. I can dab some luminescent paint on the sights.

Be sure those lightweight bullets are crimped. Heavy recoiling loads with light bullets have been known to “pull” the bullet exactly like a kinetic bullet puller.. I have a 60 Performance Center. While mine has never tied up a cylinder from a pulled bullet, I HAVE seen the 4th and 5th round slugs move forward after firing three hot 110 grain loads. I’ve ran several cylinders full through mine and never yet had an issue, but the last few very well may start walking on you…

 

[ARgon]

Congratulations on the model 60, I do love the J Frame. I’ve had several over the last 50 years, but only kept a couple one 38, and one 357. The 357 is a 60-9 , the first magnum frame, I believe. Still love that gun.

 

[bobsguns]

Be sure those lightweight bullets are crimped. Heavy recoiling loads with light bullets have been known to “pull” the bullet exactly like a kinetic bullet puller.. I have a 60 Performance Center. While mine has never tied up a cylinder from a pulled bullet, I HAVE seen the 4th and 5th round slugs move forward after firing three hot 110 grain loads. I’ve ran several cylinders full through mine and never yet had an issue, but the last few very well may start walking on you…

Not "pulled" as much as shaken loose, like a new catsup bottle. By the last rd, a cylinder dump might shake loose the last round's bullet. Or at least enough to block cylinder rotation. Not good.

Personally, I carry 125gr in my .357 guns. It's not loaded as hot as it used to be (what is, eh?), but it still ranks exceedingly well in the shut-up-and-sit-down usage. Gangs, etc now wear armor, so prepare for that.

 

[MajorD]

I would probably just shoot 38’s most of the time rather than 357’s. With the short ejector rod, turn the muzzle up with the cylinder open, and sharply strike the ejector rod with your palm, and that should help ejection. I prefer bullets on the heavier end for each caliber, and in 357 or 38 use 158’s

 

[houndstooth300]

I would have never thought about this being a problem. Thanks for the heads up!