Smith & Wesson Model 60 question

[Universal]

O.K. I admit that this may be a stupid question but I will ask anyway. I am hoping to buy a revolver for concealed carry (I am in the process of finding out if my former employer can "certify" me under the national concealed carry law for retired police officers) and had my mind all made up to get a 637. However, I have bad arthritis in my wrists and worry about the recoil. I used to carry a GLOCK model 27 off duty all the time and had no issue with the weight. I figured that if I got a S&W model 60 and replaced the combat grips with bootgrips, I would have about the same thing as the 637, just a little bigger and heavier. My question(s) are: 1)Will I be able to conceal the 60 as well as a 637 i.e. pocket carry etc. and 2)is it even possible to put bootgrips on the 60?

Sorry, that got to be a little long. Does it even make sense?

Thank you.

 

[Brian Williams]

You might look at the S&W 640 with the concealed hammer also, it has the weight that you are looking for but has a hidden hammer for better pocket carry.

Now to answer your questions the 637 and the 60 are basically the same gun, the former a lightweight aluminum and the latter stainless steel. The grips are the same and can be interchanged. I have a set of magna grips that I put on with a Tyler T grip adapter for my 60 and 642.

I figured that if I got a S&W model 60 and replaced the combat grips with bootgrips, I would have about the same thing as the 637, just a little bigger and heavier.

The 60 and the 637 are the same size, the 60 is just heavier.

 

[Erich]

I've found that I have difficulty carrying steel-framed Js in my pockets because they're a bit too heavy and print. Others don't seem to have trouble with it.

Boot grips will fit fine.

 

[WT]

Being old and gray with aching wrists, I can appreciate where you are coming from.

I've a M640 in .38 Special. Its a nice piece with enough weight to handle the recoil of a .38 Special. I can't figure why S&W later changed this excellent snubby to a .357 magnum which is more difficult to control and harder on the wrists.

Anyway, you might look at the M442 or M642. Nice light pieces and with a .38 Special load your wrists shouldn't hurt as much.

My brother is a retired LEO. A few years ago, after he retired, he ran into a former client who he had arrested in 1966. The client was still unhappy with his arrest. Fortunately, things worked out okay.

 

[Universal]

I plan to carry the Speer Gold Dot 135 grain .38 +p rounds in this gun and I have no intentions of shooting any .357 Magnum rounds. With regards to being retired and the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, I am getting really frustrated. According to the law I qualify and my PD supports me but the city attorney is worried about liability. At this point he will not even "declare" me retired. I am not giving up and will continue working on this. I see people I arrested all the time and a guy who tried to kill me is getting out of prison. The nice federal law is so flawed that it can be overturned by a small town city attorney.

Anyway, thanks for all your input and advice. I really think the model 60 will be what I get IF I ever get the legal issues worked out. I live in a state that claims to be pro-police but in reality is not. I know that I can get away with carrying a gun but as long as I have no legal right to do so, I will not do it.

Sorry this got a little political.

 

[Marshall]

Universal,

I have the M60, love the gun. I carry it IWB and once in a great while in my pocket. However, for pocket carry, I would buy a lighter .38sp

Look at it this way, you'll doubtfully be shooting it a lot because of your arthritis so the heavier weight for shooting is not as important to you as the lighter weight for carrying. Nothing worse than carrying around a heavier gun knowing you're not going to be blasting away with it a bunch and having the extra weight be a daily hindrance much more than a daily help.

Good luck on the other.

 

[Universal]

Marshall,

You do raise a valid point. The best thing would be if I could shoot both and see for myself how bad the recoil might be with the lighter gun.

 

[dairycreek]

Getting old ain't for sissies!

At 68 I too am looking for accomodations so that I don't further batter my old, aching, and deteriorating body.

I have opted for a Mod. 60 with a 3" barrel and carry it using CLIPDRAW clips attached to the gun.

Sure works well for me.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I can't figure why S&W later changed this excellent snubby to a .357 magnum which is more difficult to control and harder on the wrists.

More horsepower.

I'm old, grey, and arthritic. I don't shoot my pre-agreement model 60 for the fun of it, but simply to maintain my accuracy. The .357 magnum gives me a stopping power advantage—period.

I expected the little gun to be a lot harder to shoot than it turned out to be. It's a handful, all right, but surprisingly accurate and less punishing than I feared.