Would you recomment this trade?

[Protected One]

A friend and I went shooting yesterday. For the second time he got to shoot my Shield 9mm, and loved it both times. He has a S&W Model 60 (bought it 5yrs ago from his LEO partner).

I mentioned to him that I was planning to buy a Ruger SP101 because I wanted .357 and they are cheaper than Smiths. Today he made the following proposal to me and asked me to think about it; He will trade me the Model 60 with a holster and ammo straight up for the Shield and a holster (he can get ammo on the job). This way we both get a gun we want without either having to spend any money.

I've got my Shield 9 broken in and set up like I like it, but I do have other semi-autos that could serve as my edc untill I get another Shield...which I certainly would do. Seems like a "no brainer".

What do you guys think?

 

[ralph7]

Do it, a no brainer it is.

 

[kthom]

I would do it in a heartbeat, even if I did not LOVE revolvers. I own both weapons you describe and like them both, but I will trade my Shield for a Model 60 (in reasonably good condition) any time anyone is willing to make that trade!! The Model 60 is simply worth more money than the Shield for a starting point regardless of preference for the platforms. Do it!

 

[finesse_r]

Personally, I would keep the Shield you have since it is the way you like it, and buy the Ruger SP-101. It is not only cheaper than a Smith, it is stronger and better equipped for magnum loads. The Ruger SP-101 is a tank and in a small gun, shooting .357 magnum rounds, you want a tank. This way you keep your Shield which you clearly like. He can sell his model 60 and buy a Shield so his feeling should not be hurt.

 

[shaggist]

No question in my mind--do the deal. I had a Model 60 that I sold to a friend and wished after I hadn't. I replaced later with a Model 65, so I'm happy again.

 

[Protected One]

I just got more information on the gun. It's a "Chiefs Special", 38 spl - NOT a .357.

Research says the Model 60 was originally a .38 spl only, from 1965 to 1996. Then it was beefed up to handle .357. Does this change the sweetness of the deal?

 

[ralph7]

I just got more information on the gun. It's a "Chiefs Special", 38 spl - NOT a .357.

Research says the Model 60 was originally a .38 spl only, from 1965 to 1996. Then it was beefed up to handle .357.
Does this change the sweetness of the deal?

Still heavily in your favor, imho.

 

[Laketime]

No brainier...trading a gun with a history of failures for a well respected snub with a proven track record.

 

[Frizzman]

It would already have been done if that deal was offered to me. I'm an old guy so a classic J frame will always out rank anything plastic to me. For a purely efficient carry weapon, perhaps the Shield would be superior but I would take the M60 without hesitation.

 

[kthom]

Nope, I knew I was talking about a Model 60 .38 Special when I said "Do it!" No way it's not worth a good bit more than any Shield, and I'm not dissing the Shield in any way. First of all, that 60 will still be giving good service long after the Shield with much less, if any, fiddling with it. And it started out giving good reliable service much longer ago than did the Shield. You can get a Shield anywhere, anytime, any place, but Model 60's, especially the older ones and I'm guessing the one we are talking about is an older vintage Model 60, are pretty thin on the ground. It will be a cold day in July that you will find another M60 for the cost of a brand new Shield. If you want to shoot .357 Mags, try to find a Model 640-1. They are also great J Frames and not often found, but why? .38 Special +P rounds in the 60 will do everything you need a J Frame to do, and it will be more fun to shoot, S&W J Frame or the Ruger. The mags are too much noise, more recoil than is necessary and longer recovery times between rounds fired, and much more expensive to shoot! The Mag rounds do not perform that much better in short barrels than the .38+P rounds anyway. And I can tell you that the Model 60 will continue to appreciate in value. You are trading for a used Shield, and I see them for sale around $300 these days, new for $400 or less. If you can find the Model 60 or the Ruger for less than $500 bucks, you will be a lucky man! That's my story and I'm sticking too it!!

 

[35Rem]

New shields are being sold for around $350 lately. They still make em. That 60 is a good trade for you.

 

[alwslate]

The original version of the 60 as a J frame 38 spl only is more desirable
than the later 357 mag version in my opinion. Shields are on sale here
at one of the big box stores for $350. If the 60 is in good shape I
would trade in a heartbeat.

 

[Marshwheeling]

One more vote: take the revolver.

 

[Pointblank2U]

SP-101 is a nice revolver, but it's really pretty heavy. I own three. They are too heavy for pocket carry and I find if I am going the waistband route that there are better choices with more firepower. I'd go with the revolver on the trade. You can always get another Shield.

 

[Protected One]

Thanks for all the input fellas. I am calling him today and making the deal. I was leaning that way already because I wanted a revolver. This will be my first. I have a Bodyguard .380 and a Glock 23 that I can carry until I get another Shield. Having already priced some j-frames, I knew it was a great offer.

He sent me pictures and he was shooting it with his wife at the range so I know it's in good working order. I'll post some pictures once it is mine.

 

[BigBoy99]

The Model 60 makes a perfect gun for the ankle holster! Not true for the Shield.

 

[Protected One]

It would already have been done if that deal was offered to me. I'm an old guy so a classic J frame will always out rank anything plastic to me. For a purely efficient carry weapon, perhaps the Shield would be superior but I would take the M60 without hesitation.

"Purely efficient carry" is exactly the role the Shield plays for me, and the Model 60 won't be replacing it. It will be for range shooting, the occasional "drop in the jacket pocket" for the quick trip to the store, and....because I always wanted to own one.

The Model 60 makes a perfect gun for the ankle holster! Not true for the Shield.

Agreed. But I have never ankle carried and I don't ever intend to.

 

[doublesharp]

I didn't go to SCSW to verify but my memory tells me the mod 60 was S&W's first stainless revolver, not that that has any bearing on the trade. I'd do the deal.

 

[Protected One]

I didn't go to SCSW to verify but my memory tells me the mod 60 was S&W's first stainless revolver, not that that has any bearing on the trade. I'd do the deal.

You are correct! I Just got off the line with S&W customer service. Wanted to find out if the gun was rated for +P ammo.
They said not if it was built before 1995. I've got to get the serial number to verify construction date.

Regardless, the more I think about this deal the better I feel.

 

[jack the toad]

Regardless, the more I think about this deal the better I feel.

You should.
Conditions being equal, from a dollar standpoint, I think you're ahead regardless but if the 60 is a pre-lock, +p rated, etc, etc. model... even more so.