J-Frame S&W snubbie; enlighten me please

[J-Bar]

I am primarily a cowboy action shooter, and my revolver inventory reflects that passtime.

Through an unlikely series of events, I now have a very non-cowboy action shooting revolver, a stainless S&W Model 60, .38 special, 2 inch barrel.

It appears to be obviously a great carry gun. My wife has taken to it.

I would appreciate learning from those of you who have one, or who have had one, the plusses and minuses of this gun, which holster works well for concealed carry, etc.

Any and all comments welcome, including both good and bad experiences.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[blindhari]

S&W J frame snub in 38 special is a good find. Most new for sale now appear to be 357 mag. You might go to a S&W forum on the web where they can give you a lot of history and maybe value estimate. My self I prefer two J frame snubs amd a New York reload. Send me a private message and I will tell you how to do it western/cowboy style.

blindhari

 

[Photoman]

I recommend the Mika pocket holster. It could also be used in a purse. Robert Mika is a great guy to work with also.

http://www.frontiernet.net/~akim/

For a belt holster, I like the Galco Concealable. Ray Cory at Lobo Gun Leather makes excellent J frame holsters too.

http://www.lobogunleather.com/

Some find the small "magna" grips difficult to use. Be sure to try a large rubber grip if recoil is an issue.

Some ammo to try:

Winchester 110gr Silvertip (standard pressure)
Federal 110gr Personal Defense (standard pressure)
Federal 148gr wadcutter (standard pressure)
Federal 125gr Nyclad (standard pressure)
CorBon 110gr DPX (+P)
Speer 135gr Gold Dot Short Barrel (+P)

If you find the trigger is too difficult to operate in double action mode, Apex Tactical has a nice spring kit that does wonders for the trigger pull.

Hope that helps.

 

[BossHogg]

Great gun try it in a 3 inch barrel 357.

 

[GCBurner]

The stainless steel .38 Special S&W Model 60 "Chief's Special" is one of the best, most reliable and durable compact revolvers ever made.

 

[critter]

A true classic. Hard to beat for carry. Another +1 for the Mika holsters.

 

[ugaarguy]

J-Bar, when you open the cylinder, is marked "60" or "60-(some number)"? If you post the first 3 or 4 letters / digits of the serial number I'll get you a close estimate of the year of manufacture.

 

[F-111 John]

Post your serial number and description on the sticky Date of Birth (DOB) thread and you will get an estimated year of production: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=372213

 

[PRM]

Been carrying a Model 60 as a back up and at times a duty weapon since 1977. They are a classic, easy to conceal, accurate and dependable. The SS is easy to maintain. My wife laid claim to my current Model 60 and I went to a Model 649 which is basically the same gun with a shrouded hammer. Great gun, you will enjoy it.

I like the El Paso Saddlery "Street Combat" holster.

http://www.epsaddlery.com/pc-73-11-88-street-combat-holster.aspx

I also use a Desantis belt holster with my Model 649

http://www.desantisholster.com/stor...331-337-360-2-14/BELT-HOLSTERS/Speed-Scabbard

I have an do on occasion carry them in an ankle holster.

http://www.google.com/products/cata...a=X&ei=VSexTvHRAsPz0gHsp43SAQ&ved=0CGcQ8wIwAw

 

[StrawHat]

I carried a M36 (blued version of the stainless) for a lot of years in a Roy Baker Pancake holster. Simply Rugged now makes one.

http://www.simplyrugged.com/