S&W 60 or 360

[Fathergoose1]

Been looking at a S&W 60 and 360 models and have couple questions. I do not know a lot about the S&W, so bear with me. The 60 is few hundred higher than the 360, is it worth it. I know the 60 is a 357, vs the 38 model 360. I do plan on carrying it quiet a bit, currently carry a Kahr, but going back to revolver, just like em. I do have a 637, and after have about decided I am just wanting a new gun also. Any yeas or nays on either gun, think I am about to go with the 60, I know its heavier, has a 3" barrel, and can adjust sights on it, but I do like the feel and all of the 60 over the 360. Thanks for any suggestions or recommendations. Isnt the 360 about the same as the 637 I have, it is a 637-2 if that matters. Thank You all again. Rick

 

[Fred_Ziffel]

The 360 is a .357 magnum with a scandium alloy frame; the 637 is a .38 special with an aluminum alloy frame.

Kent

 

[Old cop]

I believe the 360 is made of the super light weight alloy w/a steel barrel & cylinder. The sights on the 360 are easier on older eyes but be careful of the bullet pull thing. I know it can be a problem for some of the super light weight models but I cannot recall which.

As to the M60 it's just too heavy for me to CCW b/c I normally pocket carry. The 3" barrel is ideal for belt or IWB carry.

Not much info here but hope I was some help.

 

[QB Too]

There were some 360s made that were .38 special only but seems they were all sold a few months ago. When I was researching the 360 there were several variations. In fact, I called and talked to S&W about the 360 in .38 special only and at first they denied it existed but then I gave them the SKU and after that they really didn't have much info on them at all.

With that said, I had both the 360 in 38 special only and a model 60 Pro Series. I liked them both but the 360 gave way to the Gunsmoke model and the 60 was just sold outright to fund another purchase. I love 3" barrels to the 60 was quite a nice little J frame. The 360 in .38 special had an alloy frame, not scandium....think it might have had "Airweight" on it?

Guess it depends on how you are going to carry it. The 360 certainly was light.

 

[turnejm]

Model 360 and Model 60

Fathergoose1,
As a holder of both of these fine revolvers, The Model 360 is a fine "hand cannon" in 357 Magnum. The Scandium Steel frame is not much of a recoil cushioning frame. On the other hand, The Model 60 3" barrel in 357 Magnum is a fun revolver to shoot at the range! For carry purposes, Carry the Model 360 loaded with 38 Specials Standard load or with 38 Special +P's. After a couple of 357 Mag's with 158gr bullets you'll understand the "hand cannon" comment!
The ideal situation in some minds (mine included) get both the 360 and the 60! They are a joy to have!
The model 360 for carry, the Model 60 for range practice use!

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=106622&d=1363368651

 

[snubbyfan]

Forget the 360, get the 60 and carry the 637. As mentioned by others the 60 can be carried but not easily in a pocket. The 637 mades a dandy carry gun and the 60's a lot of fun at the range. For pocket carry get a 642/442.

 

[kaaskop49]

The J-hound is out! Nobody has mentioned that the .357 Model 60 is also available in a 2 1/8" bbl with fixed sights. Read what SnubbyFan writes: he's a savvy poster and knows his Js! It is possible to carry the short-barreled 60 in a proper holster, either IWB or OWB. Sturdy belt necessary.

The 60 CAN be controlled in .357 but you have to work at it. The 360 in .357 with Mag loads is difficult to 'work at.' You have to find the Mag load whose bullet will not pull out, and that can be an ordeal. Yes, you can carry and shoot +Ps, but that is not why you buy a snub .357. Sorry, y'all, my opinion and it's not humble.

Go with SnubbyFan and use one of Smith's .38s: 637, 638, 642, 442. They are wonderful in that you have different ammo power levels that you can work with and with the right grip and rig, are one of the better carry/SD options.

Kaaskop49
J-hound extraordinaire

 

[rburg]

I have one of the 50 original 360s in 38 special. If you load it with +P rounds, you do have a handful. The short barrel 60s are nice to shoot, particularly with 38 wadcutters. You can spend a pleasant afternoon firing maybe 100 or so rounds of 148 gr wadcutters and go home and still move your hand around. No one who has fired 357s can say that (and be honest.) Pick your gun and caliber, then live with the aftermath.

 

[Kalison]

The 360 is "airweight" exposed hammer, I just fondled one and wanted it so badly. The one I saw was .38 only.

Personally, if its a shooter I'd go 60...airweights are great for carry, but, for range time.... Not as fun.

I have a 3" 60 that I just adore, .357 out of it is fun, but I would not go crazy, for the guns sake and your hands sake.

 

[shouldazagged]

....I have a 3" 60 that I just adore, .357 out of it is fun, but I would not go crazy, for the guns sake and your hands sake.

You have very different standards of fun than this arthritic old man!

I just can't see myself carrying .357 Magnum ammo in a J-frame. I don't know anyone who owns one chambered in .357 who doesn't carry +P .38 Special in it.

Apart from the pounding of your hand, a fast, accurate second shot can be difficult at best for most people. Flash and blast in any caliber are more pronounced in a short-barreled gun. In .357 they're very grim, especially the huge fireball flash. I'd worry about it blinding me at the worst possible time in a SHTF situation at night.

There are some fine .38 Special +P offerings available. I just don't see the need of a Magnum snubby.

But as I constantly find myself saying, YMMV.

 

[Kalison]

You have very different standards of fun than this arthritic old man!

I just can't see myself carrying .357 Magnum ammo in a J-frame. I don't know anyone who owns one chambered in .357 who doesn't carry +P .38 Special in it.

There are some fine .38 Special +P offerings available. I just don't see the need of a Magnum snubby.

Hahaha. Well when I say fun, it's meant as something to try at the range, usually get a kick from the reactions of people trying it.

I never carry .357 in it. 38 +P does it for me.

 

[shouldazagged]

Hahaha. Well when I say fun, it's meant as something to try at the range, usually get a kick from the reactions of people trying it.

A while back at an indoor range I was shooting 158-grain +P .38 Special in my 640 no-dash, and the guys in the bays on either side of me asked if I was shooting .357 Magnum. Those snubbies are loud little rascals!

 

[rocknrod]

I have one of the 50 original 360s in 38 special as well.
Dimension wise what is the difference? I'm trying to purchase a holster for it.

 

[hardluk1]

My wife bought a s&w 360J as part of a EDC kit . 14.7oz with a solid 357mag cylinder and real nice looking buy WORTHLESS wood grips when it comes to shooting even mild 357mag defensive loads . Hogue mono grips are a great improvment But how do you plane on Carrying this new pistol . In a pocket ? If so you might find the kahr cm9 is a sweet heart in comparison specially with ranger t series 147gr .

Federal's 38sp MICRO 130gr HST that looks sort of like a inverted hollow base wad cutter may be the best load for a shot barrel load no matter if its a 357mag or 38sp . . In that case carry your old 637 again .

 

[scruffy]

If you shot 1 full cylinder of .357 magnum through the Scandium frame M360 PD, you would not have made this post.

 

[murphydog]

Guys, OP posted his question almost 10 years ago and hasn't been here for almost 9 years. Hope he figured things out. Thread closed.