Smith Wesson Model 60 vs M&P 360

[GreenTN]

To carry inside the waistband. Both are chambered for 5 rounds of .357.

Pros for the 60 looks like a longer barrel at 2.125" vs the 1.87" barrel for the 360. Also cheaper by a couple hundred dollars. Larger grip as well.

Pros for the 360 looks like lighter weight at 13.3 oz. vs 22.5 oz. for the 60. Also more durable finish for carry.

What are the forums thoughts?

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I like model 60's...stainless steel works great IWB

 

[megatronrules]

Green I have and love a 340 M&P but I pocket carry 95% of the time where its light weight would be a plus over a model 60. however even if carrying inside the waist band lighter is always better in my opinion. I would guess though being a good gun belt and holster were used you wouldn't notice to much weight difference on the belt between these two guns. I will agree stainless is a nice finish for a gun that is to be carried,but.

The 340 M&P has whats called a DLC coating finish which by all accounts I've seen is very durable,mine is holding up fine after two months not of pocket carry here in humid Florida. if your looking for a range gun also the 60 may be a better choice but I pratice with .38/.357 special in my 340. That being said the 60 will be easier to shoot but either can be shot well by an experienced shooter with a little time. I also like the 340 M&P because its a centennial design and is snag proof.

 

[GreenTN]

I agree lighter is better and having a "snag resistance" system would be the way to go....it wont be a range gun mainly a CCW piece so "ease of shooting" wont be a concern...
I mainly carry a Ruger LCP or a Glock 23 but I would like a .357 to carry as well....
The Ruger is light and thin and I enjoy carrying it but I feel like I'm giving up a lot of firepower in the process...
Thanks for the advice

 

[earlthegoat2]

I also like the model 60 best because of its heavy weight. IWB or pocket carry will do me fine. The second thing is that I have become an extreme anti Inernal Lock believer. That makes me want the pre lock Model 60 over any 360.

 

[maroast]

Both of the model 60's pictured in this thread are chambered in 38spl, not what the OP was really looking for.

Several months ago I was bent on buying a M&P 360 for my primary carry gun....but I could not find one in the DFW area..... One day I walked into a local gun store and they pulled out a model 60 'chief special' chambered in .357.... as soon as I held the gun I knew this was exactly what I was looking for. I'd rather not have the internal lock, but it wasn't a deal breaker.


I really like this gun, but it does have some girth for pocket carry....it is a big hunk of SS! No experience with IWB carry, sorry. I carry it out of waist band in a holster on my belt...it conceals real nice, and I don't even know its there 99% of the time.

125 grain hollow points aren't that bad to shoot.... 158 grain can be a bit of a beating, especially with the 3 finger boot grip. 38 special? Might as well be .22lr out of this gun!


People will tell you that the exposed hammer (chief special) can/will cause snag issues. I don't see it as an issue with OWB carry....not to mention I like the option of having single action....plus it looks cool. But thats just my opinion.

Lastly, I just installed an XS Big Dot tritium sight on the gun....a task thats not difficult at all. Hope that helps a bit.

~T

 

[megatronrules]

GreenTN here is a pic of my 340 M&P,so you can see it for yourself,also you might wanna consider the model 640 which is a centennial model as well but stainless steel like the model 60.

 

[ArmedBear]

The 60 is quite "shootable" with full-house .357 Magnum loads.

The 360, not so much.

I have a lightweight alloy Smith, but it's a .38. In .357, I got a 60. I didn't want to spend the significant extra money on a .357 alloy-frame gun over the .38+P J-frames, since I'd probably load it with .38+P anyway.

But I do like the Model 60, and I sometimes pocket-carry it. It's just barely small and light enough to make that practical.