Is anyone a fan of the S&W Model 60? I would like a .357 magnum snubbie & need advice

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kashton

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I am thinking very hard about adding another snubbie to my collection... well, a collection of only one S&W 642 CT.

This time I would like a .357 Magnum...

I am debating between S&W and Ruger, and I have held the S&W 686 2.5" / 3", the S&W Model 60 2 & 1/8" / 3", and the Ruger SP101 2 & 1 /4"

I have done quite a bit of research but still need some advice because I can't find many posts on the Model 60 and it is one of my options. Many people seem to think that Ruger is build stronger than Smith & Wesson but Rugers are made of cast steel and S&W of forged steel so aren't they just as strong?

I would prefer pocket carry so I am leaning towards the Model 60 or the SP101.

Thanks for any advice!
Kevin
 
I would choose the M60 over the SP101 because the M60 is slightly smaller, slightly lighter and it's trigger is better than the Ruger trigger.
 
Over at The Firing Line forum there was a big post on the 60, a very well loved model of S&W.

I think its a great little revolver and am thinking about getting it for my wife to shoot. .357s may be pretty stout though. :D
 
Originally posted by kashton:
I am debating between S&W and Ruger, and I have held the S&W 686 2.5" / 3", the S&W Model 60 2 & 1/8" / 3", and the Ruger SP101 2 & 1 /4"
Click to expand...
A bit of an apples-to-oranges comparison here. The 686 is a "light-heavyweight" frame, six-shot with adjustable sights, relegating it to a belt-holstered gun only. The others are small-frame five-shots with fixed sights. Although a bit tight, they can fit into smaller spaces, e.g., pockets. Where and how do you plan to carry it?

If you want to shoot a lot of magnums out of a small- frame revolver, the Ruger is the best choice. I used to own one, along with a S&W 640-1, a .357 similar in size to the M60. The Ruger was far easier to shoot, even with fire-breathing 125-gr. magnums. (I would personally recommend a milder load.)

Don't let the use of castings by Ruger bother you. In some ways it is actually better, and they know a thing or two about it. ;)
 
I own a 640 and a M&P340; I've been using the 640 for (re)load development, and the 340 for carry.

I think highly enough of the S&W j-frames that I also bought a Model 60 a few weeks ago--3" barrel, adjustable sights. Although I wouldn't consider it for pocket carry, it is the ideal 'next step up.' IMO, for pocket carry, you have one in the 642.

In the past, I've owned SP-101s in .357, and IMO they are stronger built--overbuilt--but need work on the trigger to get it to S&W standards.

Given the similarity between a 60 and an SP101, I would now choose the Smith. YMMV.

Jim H.
 
If the idea is to carry it daily the 686 is out of the running. If you just want a short shooter, the 686 is the obvious choice from the guns you listed. If you want a "pocket" gun, the SP101 is heavier so more uncomfortable to carry but easier to shoot than the S&W. Personally, in a pocket gun, size is everything; I carry a S&W M36 in .38 special in a Rosen Pocket Softy holster. The SP101 and the new .357 S&W M60 are really pushing the limits of concealability, for me anyway.
 
You might consider a S&W M19 or M66 in the 2 & 1/2" configuration. Lighter than the 686 and easier to shoot than the J frames.
 
I bought a used S&W M60 with a 3" barrel a couple of months ago. I love it.

It's small and light enough for CC. But it is still big enough that the recoil can be managed easily by my smallish wife.

Recoil and accuracy make it a small gun that is actually fun to shoot at the range.

The D/A trigger pull is light. In S/A mode, I barely breathe on the trigger and it fires. It may have had a trigger job done before I bought it.

In any event, you won't go wrong with the M60.

WM
 
I tend to think of Smith & Wesson's as a Cadillac and Ruger as a Chevrolet the Smiths have better triggers and are machined and forged whereas the Rugers are cast and are a little more rough in fit and finish.

Between the SP101 and Smith & Wesson model 60 I prefer the model 60 its lighter and is IMO a better built pistol.

If I were going with a Ruger I would go with a little more weight and size and seek a used Speed Six with a 2 3/4 inch barrel its not much bigger than the 3 inch barrel SP101 and its sturdier and has one more round capacity.

The Smith & Wesson model 13/65 with a 3" barrel and the Model 19/66 with a 2 1/2" barrel also make nice carry pieces.

Any of these in a steel frame should have a good holster the weight is noticeable and unless you go with an alloy snubbie a good holster helps allot.

When firing the extra weight and better sights of the larger pistols allow longer shots or more precise shots to be taken at least in my hands.;)

If at all possible rent or try out any you are considering before spending your hard earned money.

Its what you can do with what you have that counts the most.:D
 
if your gonna pocket carry,airweight's the way to go.if your gonna carry IWB a 3" 60 or sp101 is hard to beat.taurus 605/650 are good guns also.my 5 shooter battery consists of 340M&P LF pocket and taurus 605 IWB at 4 o'clock.
 
Never heard of a Ruger Revolver casting failure...ever. So that's a moot issue in my book. But an all-steel pistol over 20 ounces, even in a five-shot (J-frame) format, is PUSHING the envelope for weight in pocket carry. And the Security/Speed Six Rugers are no more robust than the SP101, but do carry one more round.

If pocket carry is the prime directive, shift to a lighter weight .38(+P) spl J-frame. If comfortably shooting HOT .357 mag loads in a small revolver is the thing, the SP101 is THE ticket. Just don't count on pocket carry.

I have a SP101 3.06" barrelled .357 mag with a DAO (Ruger factory) hammer retrofitted, Hogue Monogrip & a pro-tuned trigger. A BIG DOG in a small package & 125 gr. high-stepping .357 mag loads are NO PROBLEM. I recommend one with no reservations.
 
I have a 3" Model 60 in .357.

The only thing I don't like about it is the lack of any source for a Kydex paddle holster.

Anybody have any leads on this?

The Fobus Kydex holster for the two-inch model does NOT fit the three-inch model.
 
That "Fobus" word is your problem. Try CrossBreed for IWB, DeSantis or Galco for OWB. Surely somebody has kydex paddle for a 3" M60. It's too popular a pistol to be ignored.
 
That "Fobus" word is your problem. Try CrossBreed for IWB, DeSantis or Galco for OWB. Surely somebody has kydex paddle for a 3" M60. It's too popular a pistol to be ignored.
Click to expand...

Just checked those three.

Only Galco lists holsters for 3" model 60's - and most all of them are ladies' handbags.
No Kydex paddle holsters.

The 3" Model 60 is without question one of THE most ignored handguns by holster makers.
 
Does anyone pocket carry the SP101 or is it too big? I can carry my S&W 642 ct in my pocket easily
Click to expand...
it's not so much that its too big, it's just very heavy. it can be done, it's the same weight as my AMT backup 45 that I pocket carry occasionally,but my 340 M&P is much more comfortable.
 
If you're gonna carry concealed I'd get the smith. If you're gonna shoot a lot of full house magnum loads I'd consider the ruger. The ruger is stronger than the smith, but it's bigger and heavier. Both are good revolvers assuming you get a good one.
 
I would agree with you that the Ruger is stronger than most revolvers but the Model 60 is a little different than most revolvers too. It's a well built handgun that plenty strong in it's own right.
 
I don't mind the weight of the Ruger because I have a very nice strong sharkskin belt made the The Belt Man... it is great.
 
I have a model 60. I like it a lot. It's a regular in my carry rotation.

At the range, I shoot mostly .38 spcl but it handles .357 just fine. I don't know how the gun would stand up to .357 as its usual load. I have no experience with that. If a fellow wanted to, he could practice largely with .38 spcl and carry with .357.

As much as I like this gun, I think it is too heavy for pocket carry. I'd go IWB if it was me.
 
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