Gunblast reviews the new 5" S&W Model 60 .357 "kit gun"

[P. Plainsman]

Hadn't even heard of this cool little gun. Bravo, S&W.

http://www.gunblast.com/SW60_KitGun.htm

Five shots, stainless, just 25.8 oz. "Kit gun" is Quinn's term for it, not S&W's. The thing says .38 Special to me. Like a Diamondback substitute you can buy new.

.007 cylinder gap. 9 lb 3 oz DA pull. 3 lb 6 oz SA pull.

Funny to read the factory .357s Quinn chose, or had on hand -- it's all spicy brands. Cor-Bon, Buffalo Bore, Grizzly, Black Hills. OK, and one Federal. Most of it grouped 2" at 25 yards, down to sub-1" with the best handload. Nice.

Man, I love revolvers.

 

[P95Carry]

Couldn't live with grips that small ... but nice otherwise.

 

[DT Guy]

We folks with the tiny hands are excited.


If only they'd made the 5" the same as the 3" model (full lug) I'd probably be forced to cash up.


Larry

 

[Standing Wolf]

I saw one in a gun shop this past week end. It was rather peculiar-looking to my eye. I wouldn't even consider buying a gun with an internal lock, so I didn't bother to look at it closely.

 

[SnWnMe]

Nice huh?

Might have to add that to this year's list.

 

[Marshall]

I think it looks pretty good, especially with the half lug. The full lug would really make it disproportionate looking, I bet too front heavy too for a J-Frame.

 

[mtnbkr]

The barrel's too long. I prefer totin' guns to have 4" or less barrels. IMO, a 3-4" J-frame is just about ideal as a woods walkin' gun. Still, it's not a bad looking gun overall.

Chris

 

[Brian Williams]

I have a S&W 35 with a 6" barrel and it shoots and handles great. I would love to have a 6" 36 with adjustables. The 5" 60 would be a great gun. I am withholding further comdemnation of the 2 piece barrel till later, it might prove to be like a Dan wesson.

 

[Old Fuff]

The 5-inch length was picked to provide the best cartridge performance, while still being compatible with a revolver that could still be conveniently carried.

Why the two-piece construction? Because the CNC machined outer barrel is expensive, and if it became necessary, replacing the inner tube would cost much less, while the outer shroud could still be used.

Different folks have different ideas about what is the best kind of stocks, but this is something any owner can change themselves with nothing but a screwdriver.

 

[DeakonG]

OK...can someone please explain something to me???

S&W recently announced they were discontinuing the K-frames...now, I haven't seen the official reason, but I've heard that it was because of the frame size's inability to handle .357 loads over time...in particular the 125 grain loads...if that is indeed the case, why are they bringing this oversized J-frame out???

I have to believe that the Ks can handle the longterm pressures better than the Js...and to this observer a longer barreled J-frame seems to be begging for more range and service duty because of the increased versatility that the longer tube provides...in my book, more duty equals greater exposure to the very same pressures that the Ks can't handle...

I just don't get the logic...

I'm starting to think there has to be some other (as in internal fighting) reason for these conflicting marketing decisions...

G

 

[Old Fuff]

S&W has beefed up the J-Frame to the point where they feel comfortable it will stand up to current .357 Magnum loads that have been slightly downgraded over recent years. And they suspect owners of the smaller gun will limit the number of hot magnums they fire and more likely use .38 Special's for most purposes.

They are replacing the K-frame .357's with a new 7-round version of their L-frame with K-frame style short underlug barrels. They believe these will be a hit with their customers and allow them to concentrate more production on the L-frame production line. Only time will tell if it works this way.

 

[DT Guy]

Call me a sissy (many have ), but wouldn't hot, hot 357 loads in a J frame be sort of self-limiting?

I doubt I'd go through cases of the stuff.


Larry

 

[Old Fuff]

>> Call me a sissy <<

Me too ... Although better stocks would help. Anyway S&W is betting that you are right ...

 

[JNewell]

I'm not sure a 5" barrel fits into my kit...or my definition of "kit gun." But hey, I'm glad we have a choice.

 

[Dingo]

Looked at a 5 incher at the store today. The more I held it the more I liked it. I'd rather have a 3" but I may change my mind about that.