S&W Holster For M60 5" Barrel

[NiklasP]

Hello!

S&W Internet Store lists a moulded leather CCW, high-rise holster for J-frame Model 60 with 5 inch barrel. This holster would seem to meet my needs for a CCW holster that will hold this revolver securely and snuggly against body. However, I wonder how easy it will be to draw gun -- anyone here use this holster, or have friends that use it and can answer this?

This revolver will be carried mostly in remote and not so remote areas while hiking, hunting, skiing, scouting, in vehicles, on horseback, etc. Secure, out of way carry is essential. This holster and revolver would also be used in IDPA monthly shoots.

Thanks,
Niklas

 

[NiklasP]

Hello!

S&W Internet Store lists a moulded leather CCW, high-rise holster for J-frame Model 60 with 5 inch barrel. This holster would seem to meet my needs for a CCW holster that will hold this revolver securely and snuggly against body. However, I wonder how easy it will be to draw gun -- anyone here use this holster, or have friends that use it and can answer this?

This revolver will be carried mostly in remote and not so remote areas while hiking, hunting, skiing, scouting, in vehicles, on horseback, etc. Secure, out of way carry is essential. This holster and revolver would also be used in IDPA monthly shoots.

Thanks,
Niklas

 

[bhk]

I have what is probably the identical holster for my 3" J-frame. It works well.

 

[NiklasP]

Thanks bhk!

I was hoping there were more folks using Model 60 in this barrel length, but, apparently not. My choice of holsters seems to be the one S&W sells, made by Desantis, or ones made by other semi-custom makers, such as Mernickle, and costing 20-60 dollars more. Anyone care to comment on pros and cons of the different holsters?

Thanks,
Niklas

 

[wolfdog1]

I have a Mernickle cross draw only works for CCW if your wearing a long coat but it is a real nice holster

 

[flop-shank]

I'll bet Bob Mika would make you an IWB holster for that gun, and it won't cost an arm and a leg.

When you think about it, a 5" model 60, for it's weight, is probably one of the hardest hitting handguns on the planet. With 125 gr. Remingtons that gun should pack ~ 625 foot pounds!

 

[NiklasP]

Wolfdog1
Mernickle holster I have in mind is high-rise, strongside belt holster. Looks nice on their website.

flop-shank,
625 foot lbs from 30 oz gun -- OUCH! to ears and to hand. Might need to do contact shot to keep down noise.

Will check Bob Mika's prices.

Thanks,
Niklas

 

[flop-shank]

Originally posted by NiklasP:
flop-shank,
625 foot lbs from 30 oz gun -- OUCH! to ears and to hand. Might need to do contact shot to keep down noise.

Isn't that cool.

I think it has my 5" .44 mag. beat oz. per oz.! I get about 1000 fpe. from an ~ 50 oz. gun. BTW, I shoot 125 gr. Remingtons from my wife's 3" model 60 so they are doable. Also, try Speer short barrel .357s. They will be more manageable and quieter from that gun. If you can shoot something hotter, those hot Remingtons will serve you well. If they're just right, look no further. If they're still too hot, try Speer SB .38 +P.

 

[NiklasP]

flop-shank,

I definitely intend to try the Speer short barrel 357s and hope to use them for many carry situations. I like quieter guns, thanks to badly failing hearing that leaves me with well developed case of "noise recruitment", that is loud noises are PAINFUL. The 5" barrel was chosen for just this reason. Noise will figure strongly into my final powder selection for target ammo and even CCW/hunting loads in remote areas. I hunt with electronic ear muffs.

And, yea, I got hand problems too. Fortunately, I shoot revolvers about as well with either hand, at least in aimed fire.

Thanks,
Niklas

 

[flop-shank]

While not as effective as the loads mentioned above, .38 target wadcutters would be about as quiet as centerfire defensive handgun ammo gets, and wadcutters do have a reputation for being effective. They will be accurate, super easy on your hands, penetrate deep and allow machine-gun like follow up shots. If you handload I can give you my recipe.

 

[NiklasP]

Thanks flop-shank,
I am a lifelong handloader, starting in 1950s. I don't load 38 Spl/357 Mag yet because I am just getting my revolver next week. My initial handloading for these cartridges will be with 158 grain swaged SWCs, either Remington or Speer, because I can load a wide range of velocities with them (IF they fit bore and cylinder throats properly). I may also try DEWC bullets, so proven recipes for wadcutters are welcome. I do load HBWC in my current bedside revolver, a 7,5 mm Swedish Nagant Officer's revolver (32-20 BP ballistics). Hopefully, I will shoot the Model 60 as well, especially DA.

Thanks,
Niklas

 

[flop-shank]

Niklas, sorry for the belated response.

My .38 wadcutter handload is out of Modern Reloading Second Edition by Richard Lee. It calls for a starting charge of 2.8 gr. and a max charge of 3.8 gr. IMR PB under a 148 gr. wadcutter, with a min. OAL of 1.295". I got a squib in my 6" 686 using a minimum load. I suspect I got a light powder drop and actually dropped below minimum. All the same, I avoid minimum or maximum loads with IMR PB (all powders actually) as I've experienced high pressure in a max load (it was different data/load than this one), and I use a volumetric powder drop. I think IMR PB has a severe pressure spike once a max load is exceeded. I run the data right down the middle at 3.3 grains (in order to steer clear of min. and max. loads) at the min. OAL. I use either a Rainier, or Berry, 148 gr. plated DEWC and a heavy roll crimp, the powder seems to ignite consistently and burn well that way. This load works well in all my guns with barrels ranging from 1 7/8" to 6" in length. From a 3" model 60 this load penetrates 16 1/2" of Perma-Gel through four layers of denim. I hope you find this useful.

 

[NiklasP]

flop-shank,

No problem with belated response. I just picked up gun from my FFL on Saturday and we are still looking for time to do initial shooting tests with commercial ammo.

Thanks for the loading data. I too often use "middle of road" loads and for same reasons. That is plenty of penetration! PB is a powder I am thinking of going back to for specific shotgun hunting loads for which I have used IMR SR7625 for over 40 years.

Thanks again,
Niklas

 

[flop-shank]

I started using PB because it was all the only fast powder for a super light .38 handload available at my local store when I started handloading. It probably isn't the best powder, but has worked well as my fast powder now that I understand it and have gained knowledge as a handloader. I'm sure you've also noticed middle of the road powder charges often are more accurate. Good luck with your new piece.

 

[Iggy]

You might want to check out Simply Rugged

He makes some nice pancake holsters that can be used either strong side or cross draw.

http://www.simplyrugged.com/

 

[NiklasP]

Thanks Iggy!

Their pancake holster with added belt loops for use as IWB holster looks like it might be most useful for me. Would seem to avoid having to buy two holsters, neither of which are likely to see much actual carry use. Either/both likely to see most use at IDPA local monthly shoots.

Niklas

 

[cowart]

Originally posted by NiklasP:
J-frame Model 60 with 5 inch barrel... This holster and revolver would also be used in IDPA monthly shoots.

Nope, IDPA requires barrels no longer than 4.2" long - see IDPA Rules

 

[NiklasP]

cowart,

Hopefully, at least one local IDPA group will tolerate an additional 0,8 inches of barrel for monthly shoots. For me IDPA will be simply target practice with a lightweight revolver used mostly for back country carry. Got no interest in annual or more major competitive shoots, where IDPA rules should be enforced. Over decades of shooting with various monthly groups, I have yet to be required to stick strickly to letter of rules regarding guns -- they have all been quite happy to have still another shooter join them.

Niklas