Vintage Model 60 Barrel Lengths. What gives?

[Rockrivr1]

So I'm looking at what looks to me like two identical vintage model 60 revolvers in 38 spl. I say they look identical but one is listed as a 1 7/8th inch barrel and the other is listed as a 2 inch barrel. I always assumed these had the 1 7/8th inch barrels and mentioned that at the gun store. The guy helping me took out a tape measure and sure enough one was exactly 2 inches while the other was short of 2 inches. Was surprised and wondering if there were differences. Both of these M60s were made in the 70s. Maybe just a QC issue back then.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

A very quick read of the SCSW on pages 261 and 262 shows 2", 2 1/8" in 1996, and 3" (.357 Magnum models). First introduced in 1965 . I'm not sure what years would be "vintage".

Wikipedia shows the following specifications:

~19 oz (1.875 in),
22.58 oz. with 2.125" barrel,
23.99 oz. with 3" barrel,
30.50 oz. with 5" barrel (unloaded)
Length 6.625" with 2.125 barrel,
7.5" with 3" barrel,
9.0375 with 5" barrel
Barrel length 1.875" (original), 2.125", 3", 5"

I'm fairly certain that the 1.875" (aka 1 7/8") barrel was known as a 2" but there are more knowledgable folks around this campfire than I am so you'll get better answers soon.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

If both of the Model 60s you're looking at are truly from the '70s,
they should have R-prefix serial numbers.

Like many other S&W offerings on the small frames, it's not at all
uncommon for two not to measure exactly the same. S&W called
the barrel length 2". It was a nominal number. Many measure 1⅞"
or thereabouts. Not a QC problem.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

They were always called "two inchers" and sometime recently someone started calling them 1 7/8".

Now Canada and Australia has a law using the metric system where a four inch is not legal but a 4.25 (4 1/4) inch is legal for importing.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

They were always called "two inchers" and sometime recently someone started calling them 1 7/8".

I'm not sure what you identify as "recently."

Engineering change #312 on August 31, 1951, from "service type
front sight" to "ramp sight" says it's for "I and J 1⅞" barrels."

 

[BAM-BAM]

IIRC Barrel length can vary + or - 1/8"