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

[Bullet Bob]

My only advice is to shoot the ones you're considering before you buy. Lightweight .357's pack a wallop on both ends.

 

[kashton]

I just shot a 340PD .357 yesterday 40 times. My hand still hurts lol, but really it wasn't as bad as I expected.

 

[Bullet Bob]

What type of .357 ammunition were you shooting?

 

[kashton]

I can't remember, they were 158 grain I believe. I purchased them at the range because I had to use their ammo through their rental guns.

 

[Golddog]

I pocket carried a 2" 60 .357 for a number of years, in a Mika pocket holster. It rode comfortably in all kinds of pockets and was easy to draw. To tame recoil, mine wore Pachmayr Compac grips; despite the added size and weight, I wouldn't think of shooting a J frame .357 with any other grips.

If you don't mind the rather clunky DA pull of a J frame, it's the best choice for revolver pocket carry. Only the Kahr polymer semi-autos match it for quality and concealability.

The AirLite J frames are fine with .38's, but they're hopelessly painful with .357's. The weight of the 60 is plus when you're shooting; an uncontrollable, flinch-inducing featherweight makes no sense to me.

 

[kashton]

Yep, my first three round of the 340PD .357 were dead on target at 4 yards but the next 37 weren't as accurate lol. I tried dry firing it after I was through shooting and noticed a slight flinch.

 

[Marshall]

I carry a Model 60 with the 2 1/8" barrel. It's my favorite carry piece.

 

[DAdams]

M&p 340





If you liked the 340pd then you will REALLY like the 340 M&P. Tritium night site standard, big dot. DLC finish and a stainless steel cylinder. the extra 2 ounces with .357 135 gr SGD for short barrels is a pussycat.
No 120 gr restriction.

 

[Evocatii]

The model 60 is my favorite carry piece as well. I enjoy that little revolver so much that it replaced my XD-40. The model 60 handles well and is great to shoot. It takes some practice to get accustomed too but no regrets. Its a great shoot.

A DA group at 18 yards on my first outing with the m60.

 

[jfh]

Some chrono info - Speer PD 38+P GDSB-135gr loads

As some of you know, I have been working on "Replica Load" development in shorter-barrel j-frames for this Speer round. FWIW, the Speer 38+P GDSB 135-gr round seems to be a preferred cartridge for the 2" lightweights.

I also own a (new) 60 / 3" barrel, and yesterday I put this Speer round through the chronograph. Here's the results:

fps-high: 994.4
fps-low: 961.0
fps-AVERAGE: 977.1
SD=12.4

Since the GDSB bullets are best between 800 to 1000 fps, it's ideal for the Model 60. Recoil is entirely manageable; this is a 38+P load.

FWIW, this round runs about 912 fps from a M+P340 (1&7/8" barrel), and about 925 from a 640 (2&1/8" barrel.).

Jim H.

 

[el diablo 426]

I don't have any experience with the Ruger, but my CCW gun is a S&W model 60. It is stout with magnum loads but a pussycat with +p's so that is what I carry. It is a great little gun.

 

[kashton]

jfh -- Could you do a chrono test on the Speer SB .357s for us =)

 

[jfh]

I just checked my ammo stock, and I don't have any Speer .357 GDSB135-gr PD ammo on hand. I'll try to get some--but the weather may work against it. We have good weather here--sunny, into the 60s--tomorrow, but who knows after that.

Another poster here, from the East Coast, may have better luck with weather temps--if it ever stops raining for him. At any rate, we will have it, sooner or later.

Do keep in mind that the optimum velocity for the GDSB bullets is about 850 to 1000 fps; anything faster may result in shedding. The 38+P round is built to run at 850 plus--and tests so far seem to show it running about 885 to 910 or so in 2" barrels. The .357 round should do about 960-1000 out of the same length barrel, and I think it will. However, sooner or later we'll verify that.

Jim H.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I did some Chrono work on Speer's .38 Special +P SB ammo and my M638. As soon as the weather here clears up I'll be checking the SB .357 Magnum rounds too.

Here is what I got:
Factory Speer Gold Dot 135gr .38 Spl +P SB
AV 922.9 fps
High 946.5 fps
Low 909.3 fps

 

[9x19sig]

The 60 is nice, but the Ruger seems to handle the very hot loads much better. I purchased my 3" SP101 with only defense in mind, I use the .357 125grain Double Tap ammo. I have chronographed them from the 3" SP101 and a friends 4" GP100. 10 round average for the 3" SP101 was ~1570fps. You weren't interested in a 3" but I was just throwing this out there for consideration, these hi-vel 125's would be devastating on the receiving end.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The weather finally broke around here. After 6 days of rain we had a nice day but it's going to rain again all weekend. I was glad to get at least one day this week to shoot.

I was able to Chrono the Speer Gold Dot 135 gr SB .357 Magnum rounds. Unfortunately I don't own a 2" barrel .357 but I do own a 3" Ruger Police Service-Six.
Here are the numbers:

Speer Short Barrel Gold Dot 135gr .357 Magnum
Av=1120 fps
High=1147 fps
Low=1062 fps
ES=84.5 fps
SD=34.5 fps
AD= 25.0 fps

 

[Tom Servo]

The SP101 is a very shootable gun in .357. I never really paid much attention until a customer asked me to test fire his, and I was very surprised with the accuracy.

I like the 60, but that's one skinny forcing cone on the thing. Have there been any reports of it cracking?

BTW, saw my second blown 360 the other day...