S&W Model 60 Pro for Concealed Carry?

[guyfromohio]

I've been carrying legally for ten years now.....actually one of the first 100 CHLs issued in Ohio. My CCW has been made up of one constant (my 642) and a myriad of autos in the rotation ranging from a PCR, 239, PPS, PPK, G19, G26 and a few others over the years....the PCR being my current date to the prom. The 642 still remains the most convenient of them all...easy to hide, easy to carry, easy to stick in the waistline, and easy to shoot. Yesterday, I handled and fell in love with a beautiful Smith 60 Pro. That's the 3" matte stainless with the slab barrel and rounded wood handle. What are the thoughts about this gun for concealed carry? Shoot-ability? Quality? Holsters? What say you THR?

 

[340PD]

I had, and sold to a good friend for his wife, a older Mod 60 3" in 38sp. It was a wonderful gun. The extra inch made it much easier to shoot accurately at longer distances.

My only objection would be regarding the hammer. If I were to make that gun a viable carry gun for me, I would consider having the hammer bobbed so it could be carried in the pocket if necessary.

 

[Kleanbore]

I looked at one a few years back. When I ordered a holster for my regular 3 inch Model 60, I noticed that some makers will not sell holsters for the vented version. Check first.

I would prefer a Colt Detective Special because I prefer the trigger and the sixth round.

I now carry a five shot revolver for backup, but not a a primary defensive weapon. Adds capacity and reduces the consequences of a malfunction of the primary. Also improved accessibility when in the driver seat of a car.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

The 60 Pro series isn't ported, I don't think. It is a beautiful gun. As an added bonus, you can buy the 60 Pro wood grips separately on the S&W web site for any other J-frame.

I would ordinarily agree with Kleanbore about the all-important sixth round, but with the 60 Pro, you get a little more controllability than the tiny alloy .357s, and you get .357 compared to standard-pressure .38 for the Detective Special.

Plus, you can still get parts and factory support for the S&W.

The lack of a +P rated Detective Special-sized gun is really a gap in the current market.

 

[Kleanbore]

Looks like the current ones are not ported.

I would choose the soft grips every day.

I would stay away from .357 loads even in the steel J-Magnums and the Detective Special magnums. Additional boom, blast, flash, and recoil yield little effective penetration in humans and tend to cause slow shooting.

The J-Frame D/A trigger is less than optimal, but if I wanted to carry one for primary carry, I would not--I would carry two.

 

[Hometeached1]

I know a couple of people who have an like 3" model 60's for carry.

If it's going to be a belt gun I'd suggest looking at a 2-2.5" K-frame, it weights 30oz, way better trigger than a J-frame, you get a 6th round and is not much harder to carry on your belt than an all steel J-frame.

That 60 pro is sweet though!

 

[guyfromohio]

Thank you guys! I think I'll purchase regardless. Not sold on carry.

 

[ZVP]

I've had a Model 36 for about a year now and a previous owner bobbed the hammer. It's a good job and frankily, it has changed the personality of the revolver considerably!
A full hammer gunwill hang up on clothing easily whereas a well done Bob will not
Depending on how important the snag issue is to you, consider NOT bobbing the hammer. S/A has it's benefits... A long single shot for instance.
If you are like me and want to develop D/A skills, the bobbed hammer gives you no choice.
Learning D/A shooting was my main concern in purchasing this revolver and since it's purchase I have been enamored with the art! Don't get frustrated by your initial groups while learning to shoot this small revolver well! Your first attempts will likely be embarrassing but it gets better!a
So far I ave poured countless rounds of reloads and more than several boxes of factory ammo down the barrel and just lately it's beginning to make sense!
I am not an expert but i would thing that a factory D/A revolver should have a slightly lighter trigger pull than a modded, Hammer model. It sure seems as though my little Chief has a terribly strong pull, but you lern holds and methods to overcome this.
I changed grips, and developed a finger under the triggerguard hold that greatly stabilzes the gun. It also aids in reducing the pull effort.
Should you purchase this revolver and mod the hammer please consider these and probably other points ( like Primer strike).
Frankily, I wouldn't have my little nickled baby any other way!
ZVP

 

[jad0110]

I know a couple of people who have an like 3" model 60's for carry.

If it's going to be a belt gun I'd suggest looking at a 2-2.5" K-frame, it weights 30oz, way better trigger than a J-frame, you get a 6th round and is not much harder to carry on your belt than an all steel J-frame.

That 60 pro is sweet though!

I agree. This is the only thing that has kept me from getting a Ruger SP101, which I do like. I can belt carry a 6 shot K frame nearly as easily. Still nothing wrong with a 3" Model 60 though. The 3" barrel also nets you a full length ejector rod, making case extraction easier.