Would you trade

[Jonzim]

Would you sell your S&W 60-4 for a newer S&W 60 .357 model? I can get a great deal on a new one and have the ability to use .357 if I choose. Any pro's or cons? I can sell the 60-4 and my LGS has the newer .357 on sale for $590, less 20% for a Memorial day savings. Figure I could sell the 60-4 for $570-$650 and pocket a small profit. What do ya think???? I am not really a collector and do shoot the 60-4 often.Thanks for you input in advance.

 

[murphydog]

Personally, and nothing against the current 60-15 (if that is the model you are contemplating), I suspect your use of full .357s in a J frame will be fairly limited. If you get along well with your 60-4 I would opt to keep it. Good luck in your decision.

 

[Boogsawaste]

I'm sure you'll get both opinions so its really up to what you want more. In the end it shouldn't matter what we say as its going to be yours.






With that said, I'm a fan of .357

 

[b_san]

Sell a gun you don't use for one you will and make a small profit? Sounds like a good to me. If you're not a collector then do the deal.

I'm seeing prices of $450 to $755 with an average price in the mid $5's for 60-4's on GB recent sales.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Would you sell your S&W 60-4 for a newer S&W 60 .357 model?

No, I wouldn't. I traded a Model 60-7 to a fellow Forum member for another handgun. I got a really great deal, and also got to meet a really great guy and fellow Forum member, but I sure miss that Model 60-7. I'd love to have the ability to shoot .357 Magnums out of my carry piece, but for me:

J-frame + .357 Magnum = major ouchies

No, I'll stick with the .22 LR, .38 Special and .32 H&R Magnum for my J-frames and leave the .357s to my K and L frames.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Boogsawaste]

I guess some bring up a good point of if you can take shooting 357 out of a j frame. A lot can't. For me its nothing, but I rode professional bmx for about 10 years so my wrists and hands took more abuse than a j frame 357 could ever dish out. So I enjoy shooting 357 out of them.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

If you want to shoot 357 Magnum ammo and want a short barrel, find a 2 1/2" barrel Model 66 or Model 686. Magnums in a J-frame create significant recoil.

"Oh, but I'm tough!" says the OP. Maybe you are, and maybe you like the pain, your choice. What you cannot escape is the effect magnums have on control of the gun. The recoil from magnum loads will pull the gun far away from being properly aligned for the next shot.

I shoot standard pressure loads in my J-frames, have for 40 years, because of the question of control. I want to be ready for a follow-up shot, if it is needed.

Buy the 686 L-frame and shoot magnums to your hearts content, you will enjoy it better.

 

[halvenut]

It is all going to boil down to which one you will shoot more. I would recommend trying a J frame 357 and seeing if you're going to be comfortable shooting it. Try at least 50 rounds through one. If you can't borrow one a lot of ranges rent revolvers.

 

[Voyager28]

Mags in a J Frame create not only a significant recoil but it's a snappy fast recoil as well and not at all a pleasant day at the range. You can, however, shoot 38 Spl's in it for fun at the range and practice with an occasional ingestion of .357 for feel and proficiency.

It all boils down, however, to what you want. If you like it and want to do it, then do it. Life is short.

Bob

 

[Jonzim]

Thanks for all the responses. I already have a S&W 66 for use with .357's. I may never use a .357 in the 60, but may just want that ability. I have a Marlin Lever rifle, 1894C and when in the woods may carry the 60 and only carry .357 ammo. I don't want to get beat up with a J frame .357 shooting it often. Guess I am looking more at the quality of the newer 60's with the 3"bbl vs the older 60-4. I also would not be afraid to use +P rounds in the 60-4 on occasion. Hope that clears up my question a little.

 

[palmetto99]

As one who owns a 60-9 magnum j-frame, I can tell you that the recoil with full house .357's is pretty harsh. Time between shots will be greater. I haven't used .357's in my 60-9 in years. I would look at the 66 for carry in the woods, but that is just me. As far as quality of build, I wouldn't be that concerned. BUT, far be it from me to tell another forum member to not get another revolver! If you can get the $ to work out, go for it and enjoy.

 

[old bear]

The only reason I would make a trade such as the O/P mentioned it the ability to shot .357 Magnum ammo, only if I HAD no other option for ammo.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

No.

I don't have to discuss recoil. It's been discussed. The option to shoot .357s in that gun is a VERY limited option. It's not the way to win a gunfight, it's not the way to practice, and you'll never beat anyone in a friendly competition, either. So you won't do it.

So, if you do not care about the old gun, and you don't carry it and don't shoot it, well, if you can make money, and then have another gun you don't care about, don't carry, and don't shoot, I suppose it doesn't matter much, does it, but for the profit?

***GRJ***

 

[Biggfoot44]

I'd stick with the M60-4 . I am no stranger rapid firing of hard kicking revolvers, and a J frame with. Full power magnums would be a non-starter. Even if you suspended disbelief and ignored the discomfort , the control and speed of followup shots are seriously degraded.

 

[colt_saa]

In a heart beat I would do that trade.

The J-magnum frame is obviously significantly stronger than the older J-frame.

Since switching to the J-magnum in 1996, my snubbies have probably had 10,000 factory magnum rounds through them so far.

 

[KLYDE]

Since getting 2 J magnum snubbie Centennials, one .38 only the other .357, I have sold off most of my older J's. Sold a no dash 60, no dash 649, 2 no dash 36's. Don't get me wrong, I loved the older guns. I miss the just plain cool and old school nostalgia, but to me a J is made for carrying. Certainly not a dedicated range gun. The thicker front sights on the J magnum frame makes it much easier to sight the gun. And even though I don't carry .357's having the capability is a plus.

Your decision on the trade.

 

[Jonzim]

Did a lot of soul searching last evening after reading all your thoughts and comments and decided today to go to my LGS with an open mind and probably buy the new Model 60. After handling both, my 60-4 and the newer model, 60-15 there just was no comparison. The 60-4 was clearly a better revolver all the way around. Better trigger, hammer and beefier frame and smoother. Also my 60-4 had the Uncle mikes rubber and the new one had the S&W logo rubber. Mine felt better in the hand. So, thanks to all who responded and I will be keeping my S&W 60-4.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

IN a word NO. I have a 60-4 too. I wouldn't trade it AT ALL for the later 357. I have bigger-better guns for the 357.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

I have a Marlin Lever rifle, 1894C and when in the woods may carry the 60 and only carry .357 ammo.

Now that is a plan! The 1894C produces far better ballistic performance from 357 rounds than we could ever achieve in revolvers. And a lightweight sidearm chambered for the same round makes sense. This has been a solid plan since the 1870's.

I have an 1894 myself, plain garden-variety, no "tactical" add-ons. I also carry an M640 when carrying the lever action, usually loaded with snake shot when I am out. BUT, if the 1894 broke I could use the magnum ammo in it. Would not be fun to shoot but I expect that it would be in such a hair-raising situation that I would not notice.

The old adage is that you use your pistol to fight your way back to your rifle. In this case, you would be using your pistol to fight your way away from the rifle fight, no?

 

[wildenout]

Well, it would be new! And afford you the option of the .357 Magnum so no real cons IMO.