SW .38 Chiefs Special Stainless Steel Revolver Mod 60

[Yowood]

R194-068
Can anyone tell me the year this pistol was made? And anything and everything about it?! I will be testing / qualifying Thursday. I love this little pistol and it is nothing compared to my other pistol’s.
And can you put in +P into this pistol. I think not, what would be the best defense load?
I have stock grips and am thinking of bringing it up a notch lol
Suggestions?
Anyone love a particular IWB or other for concealment?
Thank you everyone in advance
Best
Woody

 

[ImDrRich]

According to the 5th Edition, your gun was made in 1977-78.


Please don't shoot +P ammo in it.

Look into alabamaholsters.com for a Kydex IWB that is very comfortable and secure.

 

[murphydog]

If you will be qualifying with it involving drawing, reholstering, reloading, etc., you may want to practice beforehand.

Personally I see no problem with using standard pressure .38 Special 90% of the time and being familiar with a standard + P load, such as the NYPD proven Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 135 gr.

 

[Yowood]

Murphydog
Yes Sir
I have been practicing doing all of the above!
I bought a cheap IWB and was looking to upgrade. I originally was going to purchase a CT 350 green laser but after doing quite well at 15 yards didn’t see the need.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Congrats on picking up a stainless Chiefs Special and on your
practice success.

Others in the database corroborate ImDrRich's estimate. Late
'77-early '78.

Smith & Wesson made the world's first stainless steel handgun,
the Model 60, in 1965.

The R prefix serial numbers began in 1969 as a result of the
Gun Control Act of 1968.

I use a Lobo Gun Leather Enhanced Pancake at the four o'clock
position for my J-frame. Works like a champ.

 

[spad124]

These are Uncle Mike’s 59007 grips on my Model 60. They extend below the grip frame and allow you to get your little finger on the grip. This gives a secure purchase on the revolver.

 

[diyj98]

R194-068

Woody,

Your PM box is full. I tried sending you a message just now.

 

[Rubone]

I have had a pair of Bianchi Lightning grips on my model 60 since the '70s. I really like them. Carried it for years. Lower right in this pic.

 

[Bruceboy]

I've owned a 3" Model 60-4, ser#BNB37XX with a full under lug for a number of years and it has one of the best single actions of any of my S&W revolvers. I bought the gun used and have no personal knowledge if it had a trigger job. The gun is also very accurate.

Regarding whether it was + P rated; several years ago I came across a post that read "OK, Let me quote from the S&W Revolver Manual #03648 printed in 2/1992 that came with my S&W Model 60-4 that I purchased NIB in July of 1993.

It is listed in a Chart labeled "Smith & Wesson Revolver Ammunition Chart". This chart is on pages 8 - 10.

J 60-4 .38 Special
J 60-4 Full underlug bbl. 0nly .38 Special, .38 Special +P".

As mentioned, I bought my gun used with no box or paperwork and have not personally seen this manual.

I have never fired + P ammo in my gun and have no plans or reason to do so.

What I can say is my 60-4 is exceptionally accurate & has a great single action trigger. I will never sell mine! There are several modern .38 Spl. loads that will get the job done without going to a + P.

Good luck with your model 60 and info. search.

Al

 

[ajgunner]