S&W 60 for carry?

[rgc]

I am an auto guy, sort of. That is in my limited collection I have chosen to carry an auto for CCW. That being said, I am now convinced that my purposes could be better served (self defense, get the heck out of there situations) by a small J frame .357. I have fired the 60 in its 3 inch form with .357 and although it was not like shooting say a Glock 9mm, it was by no means horrible. I guess my question is are there folks out there who carry one of the all steel J frame .357s on a daily basis, and if so, how and where do they carry them.

On a side note, I was thinking of using a Barami Hip-Grip and a Tyler T-Grip for the .357. Thinking of this as the one I fired was with the standard rubber Uncle Mike’s grips and I’m not sure of how the Barami/Tyler set up would effect recoil. So any other suggestions on grips and ways to carry (or specific holster recommendations) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
rgc

 

[Ala Dan]

Too each his own, but-

I prefer the Smith & Wesson "old model 60" in .38 Special,
and with a pinned barrel and begining with the letter "R"
serial prefix.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[tiberius]

My M60 has lately become my most frequent carry gun. It is pocketable, but the weight makes me prefer it on the belt. I currently use Blade Tech's UCH tuckable IWB holster. I had to trim it to fit my Crimson Trace Laser Grips, but it otherwise performs very well either tucked or untucked. I find it most comfortable and concealable at 3:30 on my waist. At this position, my arms naturally conceal the exposed clip when tucked as well.

A lot of people like the Hip Grip, but I prefer a real trigger covering and secure holster. The laser grips are just too nice to give up anyway. They are designed like "boot grips" so they fill the area behind the trigger guard just like the T-grip.

I also recommend Bianchi Speed strips to carry spare ammo. They are slower to reload with than speed loaders, but they are very flat and I find them much easier to carry in regular clothing.

 

[tiberius]

I prefer the Smith & Wesson "old model 60" in .38 Special,
and with a pinned barrel and begining with the letter "R"
serial prefix.

I have the newer (60-9) .357 (no lock, about 6 years old). I'm sure the pinned barrel is nice, but my barrel has yet to unscrew itself.

Seriously though I do like the .357 option.

 

[JNewell]

My preference in this case is for a fully-enclosed, DAO style -- either 640 in .357M or 442/642/342 in .38Spec. I don't personally consider the .357M Airlites a great choice but YMMV.

Having said that, I can assure you that carrying a 60 rather than a 640 is really not a big deal. It depends on how you carry. Some of us have situations where covering garments are not possible and pocket carry is a good choice if you buy your pants carefully. The reason I prefer the Centennial style to the exposed hammer is not because the spur catches (in my experience it does not) but because it's one less place for lint entry.

If you are considering pocket carry, the Uncle Mike's holsters are cheap and very useful. Recent experiments with a DeSantis Nemesis are very positive. It's twice as expensive, but probably more than twice as good. Service life is TBD. The Uncle Mike's have a service life of about a year but at <$10 a copy, it's not a big deal...think of it compared to what you spend on coffee or the newspaper each morning...it is pennies/day.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I've been carrying a pre-agreement model 60 over a year now. It's quite comfortable. If I were going to shoot 100 rounds of hot rod .357 magnum ammunition a day, it wouldn't be my first choice, but its recoil is considerably more bearable than I anticipated.

 

[RWK]

Personal opinion ONLY: I do not believe J Frames should consume a steady diet of .357 magnum loads. I would suggest standard pressure .38 Specials for target work and.38 Specials +Ps (Nyclads or 158 grain LSWCHPs) for defensive carry. Please understand, I am very careful – probably overly so – re the condition and maintenance of my weapons; accordingly, I restrict magnum rounds to K, L and N Frames and GP100s.

 

[LAH]

I carried a M-640 for a couple of years. I used a holster designed for inside the trousers but wore it inside the belt. It was confortable that way and hid well. I finally sold it and bought a M-60 in 38 Special.

I like a revolver best for defense. If you've already be hit with something and you're laying on the ground being kicked and stomped I like the ideal of just pulling the trigger. And if it don't work, just pulling the trigger again. Call me old fashion.....................I AM.

 

[Airboss]

.357

I carry a 640-4 ported and couldn't ask for anything better.I wear jeans most of the time so it rides in the front right pocket with 125 JHP .The porting helps with mussel flip and getting back on for the second shot.two speed loaders and a 640 and your ready to go.This should get you out of any situation you find your self in.The porting will cause you to lose your night vision as the blast and flash is there but is does tame the .357 a lot.

 

[Captain Bligh]

I carry a S & W Model 60 in .357 occasionally. I like the gun as a carry gun, although it is not my primary carry. I simply don't shoot the snubby as well as I shoot my 1911. Primarily I carry the S&W in a fanny pack when doing a long bicycle ride. I also carry it IWB sometimes, but have a harder time concealing it than a flatter semi-auto.

I mostly shoot .38 spcl. out of it. Recoil of the .357 is stout but controllable in this gun. I am a little suspect of the long-term effects of shooting .357 so most of my range work is w/ .38 spcl. And, I've now taken to carrying .38 spcl. carry ammo: Federal Hydra-shocks.

IMHO the only thing I dislike about this gun are the stock grips. And, I continue my search for the perfect grip for a M-60.

RJ

 

[MR.G]

I have a newer model 60 in .357. Usually carry in pocket or on ankle and don't use it because of it's size and weight. I do sometimes carry my older model 60 .38 special which is smaller and lighter.

 

[tone]

model 60

I carry mine everyday. I do have autoloaders, but the m60 is the most comfortable to carry. I use a Don Hume IWB holster and it's gotten to the point where I don't even notice it anymore. I still carry a semiauto every now and then, but the model 60 is my first choice.

 

[bubbygator]

I carried a 640 for awhile with a Barami & T-grip. Unless they've changed, the Barami material is a slick plastic; it is not the easiest thing to handle with a strong recoil. The J-frame grip is small & the Barami sits the gun well down behind your belt.... it's a little hard to draw with a quick consistent grip. I ended up wrapping mine with that gauze-like tennis grip-tape. It gave a quick secure hand grip, but didn't catch on shirt material. Your mileage may vary.

You won't find a magnum recoil with the Barami anything like with a rubber grip.

 

[gvass]

hi,
I carry every day (with license) a .357 Magnum SW M60-9 2,125", with the larger factory rubber grip. I bought it, because the DAO 640 wasn't available here.

Most of the year I carry it in a Fiocchi (not just ammo) open top leather holster on my strong-side hip. A long shirt above - perfect concealment.

For summer IWB - inexpensive Uncle Mike's holster under a T-shirt. Very unnoticeable.

I shoot full-charge magnum ammo less frequently (still very-very manageable for me), and a lot of .38 Specials for practicing (joy to shoot, not such as the airweights). I almost never practice in SA, as DA-trigger is the way to go in selfdefense situation.

I can hold 4 from 5 shots within 6" in DA from 25 meters. No need more.

 

[silverstar]

M60

I carry a M60-15 3" when my regular carry M66 4" is not available, like now as it is as S&W for a check up. I carry the M60 in a leather FIST SOB holster with a HKS speed loader. I also have a M642 centennial pocket baby just in case and for around the house carry. Though the M60 is rated for .357 rounds, I carry .38 +P with the .357 only for target practice.

The M66, well that's a different story. That baby carries .357 magnums regularly. I carry her either in Hume Leather SOB or FIST IWB strong side. I alao have a leather belt holster for it.

Carlos

 

[Captain Bligh]

Though the M60 is rated for .357 rounds, I carry .38 +P with the .357 only for target practice.

Silverstar, that's an interesting twist. I think a lot of people do it the other way, practice with the .38 spcl but carry .357.

RJ

 

[modemcyclist]

New grip soon available

Desantis is marketing a new grip called the "Clip Grip". It has the belt grabbing hook of Barami's Hip Grip, but is a full boot grip. Not available until Jan 2010, but mine's on order.

 

[jad0110]

For carry IWB or OWB carry, you may as well go with the 3 1/16" barrel on the M60. It likely won't make any difference in comfort, but you'll get a full length ejector rod, a longer site radius, and a bit more velocity for a bit more penetration out of either .38 or .357.

And don't under estimate the good 'ole .38 Special. It may not look like much on paper, but many of the better .38 Special loads will both expand and penetrate to the FBI 12" minimum, even through several layers of denim. I personnally prefer heavier 158 grain +P .38s for defense, specifically the Remington Lead Semiwadcutter Hollowpoint +P (R38S12).

While you are at it, you may as well look at it's closest competitor, the Ruger SP101. As much as I like my J-Frame airweight 642, I think I actually prefer the feel of the SP101 to the M60, but both are great choices. I just wish the SP101 was available in a blued finish.

I don't carry a 5-shot J-Frame IWB (my 642 is strictly pocket carry only), but I do carry the larger 6-shot S&W K-Frame in 2"-4" barrel lengths with no problems and little to no discomfort. In fact, the only time I carry my 5" 1911 is when I wear pants that are too tight to fit the cylinder of a revolver comfortably. I find that the FIST #20 leather IWB holster works well for me for revolver IWB carry. It costs around $70-80 on average. I also have a bullhide 1.5" belt from thebeltman.com. This combo makes a 2" 6-shot S&W Model 15 a breeze to carry, a 4" M15 nearly as easy and a 6" Model 14 doable.

So with quality gear, carrying a Model 60 3" should be a snap. But beware, once the revolver bug has bitten you, there is NO cure !

 

[ejfalvo]

I have a Model 60 which is really my car gun (sits very nicely in the center console).I've carried it a few times in my messange bag but not on my person. I use the LCP for an "always" pocket gun.

 

[PI Rob]

S&W 60 for carry?

Sure, why not? J frames are great guns. Always with you and you hardly notice they're there. I have a M60 and an M36, both .38's, and it's easy to carry either of these all the time. I think that's kinda the point-have a gun with you. I just put a T-grip on the M36 with the factory grips and I like it. I also use a Mika pocket holster and it disappers in jeans or shorts which are about all I wear. No cover garments, heavy gun belt, or long decision making process on what to wear that day. Just throw it in your pocket and go. I think you can't go wrong with a J frame.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I'm pretty sure the OP's question was answered five years ago.

 

[PI Rob]

LMAO!

 

[Oro]

I prefer the Smith & Wesson "old model 60" in .38 Special

Yes. More concealable and shootable than the 3" .357. Plenty of power with modern ammo. have had both a 60 and a 36 for this purpose.

They can be pocket, iwb, owb, ankle, shoulder, or any kinda carry you can think of. The only one I tried I really didn't like was the Barami grips - too slick, too cheap, and not stable enough for my tastes. No need to focus on "pinned" or not - just any 2" 36 or 60 from 1950 on up works great. The stock grips also work fine, too, just insert a "Tyler T" grip adapter and then it's even fun to plink with. Really.

 

[jad0110]

I'm pretty sure the OP's question was answered five years ago.

Oh crap, I usually notice stuff like that.