Stainless S&W Model 60 38 Special?

[TOADMAN]

Was at a gun store today and saw a used pristine pre lock stainless steel S&W Model 60 38 Special. Grips were original and in perfect condition. Overall fit and finish was perfect. Hardly used. The only down side was the price, $400. Tried to haggle the price down but was not successful. Didn't buy it. Was tuff walking outta there without that J-frame... Figured $400 was a little too steep.. Was wondering if any folks here also thought the pirce was too high.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's Sir-

The original S&W model 60 (.38 Special) was the very first handgun made
from stainless steel, way back in 1965. Back then, they were extremely
hard to get a hold of; and often times when you did, they commanded
a 2X or 3X MRSP~! This firearm was discontinued in 1996 in .38 Special;
and gave way to the introduction of the S&W .357 magnum model 60,
that is built on Smiths J-magnum frame. You will find prices on the .38
Special all over the board; from a low of 'bout $200 for a well used one,
to $400 for an exceptional model with box, tools, and docs~!

 

[SwampWolf]

Hmmm...that's a close one, TOADMAN. Though you can buy new 642s for $350.00 or so, I predict that the non-locks are going to fetch higher and higher prices in the not so distant future. $400.00 for a pristine, non-lock Model 60 seems fair to me. But not any kind of a bargain.

 

[jfh]

it sounds like the dealer is on top of the pricing.

I bought a new 3" M60 a couple of months ago--price was $530 plus ST. There's been a price hike, so he's factored that in. It certainly appears he knows pre-lock demand.

IMO, the price is at the top, even a bit over--but I might have bought it had I been there.

Keep in mind that the election cycle has started--and the closer we get to the increasing liklihood of a Democrat President, the more gun prices should go up.

Jim H.

 

[Ala Dan]

S&W Model 60 .38 Special

Greeting's Sir-

Not a bad price for a NIB/LNIB S&W model 60 in .38 Special with the box,
tools, and docs; as these were discontinued in 1996. Prices for a very
pristine model continue to escalate; even those with an "R" serial prefix.
I've seen used ones bring $250, with NO problem~!

 

[earplug]

Unless you plan on adding it to a collection, I would pass on it.
I have one and never carry it, as its weight and shape don't work for me as well as my 638 and 642.
The M60 is much more pleasant to shoot. Only major faults are the weight and the little front sight.

 

[Nails]

Not really a bad price.

Look at it this way, would you have bought it on the spot for $350? I don't know about your area but by me fifty bucks doesn't even fill my gas tank nowaday's.

Pre lock Smiths are doing nothing but going up and in my opinion the model 36/60 is one of the very best working guns a person can own. I've carried my model 36 for many years and many miles, and it is to this day the gun I prefer to carry above all others.

If that 60 is actually in the condition you say, don't pass it up for a few bucks. Just my opinion.

 

[Ala Dan]

He's Right~!

I agree with the comments made by my friend Nails~!

 

[GaryP]

I purchased my S&W Model 60-4 3" NIB back in 1993. Mine has a BNExxxx serial number. I checked the receipt after reading this thread and see that my purchase price back in August 1993 was $330. Do you know which M60 it is?

 

[deanodog]

Probably won't get much cheaper for an excellent LNIB. In my location they sold for 350.00 in lesser condition three or four years ago. Condition and box, tools etc. makes a difference.

 

[22luvr]

Mine cost me $370 years ago

One of the best and most versatile J-frames ever. Mine was a pre-lock. How bad do you want it? Tough call.

 

[sm]

$400, yeah I would have paid that.
It is worth it as they don't make that gun anymore, metallurgy and craftsmanship and quality control was better then too.

What can one buy mfg new today for $400 with the quality of yesteryear?

I would rather pay $400 for that gun, than $300 for a NIB J frame made today.

 

[GaryP]

SM says:

I would rather pay $400 for that gun, than $300 for a NIB J frame made today.

Yep, without a second thought!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

TOADMAN,
That price isn't totally out of line as you can see from the posts in this thread. If you really want to carry that Model 60 I would buy it. That revolver will last a very long time so you will more than get your money's worth out of it IMO. Life is too short to deny yourself something you will use for a very long time over a $50 difference in price.

 

[Diggers]

Heh heh.....seems that gun shop owner knows the exact price he can get for that gun.

Priced perfectly at " Oh..man...gee....I...oh....hummm...gee" to get every dollar he can out of that sale.

Not so little that some one snaps it right up but not so much that people just walk away with out thinking about it. Perfect.

 

[Stainz]

First off, new 637/642 J-frames, more appropriate in my view for a 'Doomsday' everyday carry piece, are $400 up new everywhere now, due to the price increases. Let that help you decide. Also, really consider it's function - an Airweight beats a 60 hands down for pocket carry. Wanna plink? A 3" - or even that weird looking 5" - 60 is a far better plinker than any Airweight could be. Of course, by extension, any 3"-5" K or L frame .38/.357M would be more appropriate.

Of course, it's like trying to rationalize a 696.... there are better choices for every conceiveable use, but it just is cute... and a 'gotta have'. Others have suggested it is within the appropriate range, if at the top... and a few bucks won't be so important in another six months (I like the gas tank fillup comparison, as sad as it is!). If that is the case, you really cannot pay too much, can you?

Stainz

 

[XavierBreath]

For me, a $400 tag on a Model 60 in 38 special is high. If the revolver were a 357 magnum Model 60 pre-lock, I might consider $400, but not on the .38 special at this time. Honestly, I would likely still walk away, as I own an example of each. It is true that the prices will probably continue to rise on pre-lock Smiths. Most of this price escalation involves pinned barrels and blued metal though. If you are buying guns for investment purposes, you are not looking at the right area in Smith & Wesson guns.

If you are looking at buying a gun for self protection, we have a horse of another color entirely.

I look at it this way......If I have $500 in one pocket and a pouch of diamonds in the other, would I rather trade the $500 for a J frame Smith & Wesson handgun, a pocket holster, and a box of hollowpoints right now, or keep shopping? Yeah.....I would. To the man without such a revolver, $400 is a fair price. To the man with such a revolver, it's a bit high. Which man are you?

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Here's a pic of my model 60-1. It is .38 Special and has adjustable sights

 

[vernic82]

buy it you'll like it

 

[W.E.G.]

 

[1BLINDREF]

I got lucky.
I found this M60 no-dash about three months ago for $255.00 OTD
It's lock up is tight and it is in perfect cosmetic condition.