Steel Snub Surprise

[vanfunk]

Hello Folks,
Having starved the "new gun" monkey on my back for long enough, I stopped by my favorite local for a look-see. After some heming and hawing over used 870's and surplus battle rifles, I spied a little J frame S&W hiding in the corner of the handgun case. Turned out to be a Model 60 (no dash), early 80's production, like-new-in-box with cleaning rod and warranty card. I tend not to like stainless guns, but this one hit me with a sudden, irresistible fancy. Three of the cylinder faces showed powder traces but the other two were pristine; it seemed to me that it had been purchased and put away without having ever been fired outside of the factory.

I've owned a few aluminum and scandium framed J frames, but I had to admit to myself that I liked the increased heft of the all-steel model 60. I slipped it into my pocket and was delighted to find that it really didn't seem heavy at all! It just disappeared into my chinos like an airweight.

The asking price was $225. I took it for $200.

Now I'm smitten with this little steel gun and can't wait to shoot it! All I have on board right now are some Federal 158 grain semi-wadcutters; I absolutely NEED to find some of those new 135 grain Gold Dots to put through this baby.

Does anyone else actually prefer the steel framed J frames for pocket carry?

I know it sounds wierd, but the weight difference doesn't seem nearly as great as I thought it would.

Oh, and the other great benefit to buying an older Smith?
No silly turnkey safety!

Thanks,
vanfunk

 

[BigG]

They are a nice gun and you got a good price. Ala Dan loves his lil 60. Get some trigger time and learn to fire it DAO. You will later find that a alloy frame centennial will find its way into your pocket, imho. Cheers!

 

[toolmaker]

A wonderful little gun at a VERY wonderful price if it was in my Southern KY neck of the woods. I am so happy for your find. That puppy was probably just waiting for you to take 'em home.

 

[Poohgyrr]

"or a steel framed Centennial.."

 

[Majic]

I slipped it into my pocket and was delighted to find that it really didn't seem heavy at all!

That's exactly why I don't understand all the cheers for the spaceage, exotic alloy models on the market. The steel models were never heavy to me and much more pleasant to shoot.

 

[dogngun]

I prefer the steel frames. They are much easier to shoot well, and allow you to practice with less discomfort, therefore practice more. I think anyone carrying a small revolver like this should spend enough time with it to learn to shoot it really well. They are a real surprise-they are accurate if you practice.

Steel frames allow a quicker recovery for a follow-up shot, and will give you many years of daily service with no worries.

Mark

 

[Standing Wolf]

Does anyone else actually prefer the steel framed J frames for pocket carry?

Yep. That's what I carry. No plastic. No aluminium. No hodrodium. Just plain old-fashioned steel—and that'd be blued steel if I could find it, not stainless.

 

[one45auto]

Congratulations on a fine purchase.

I know the joys of finding a good J-frame at an irresistible price. Although I already owned a 642, I wanted a 36 but as you know they had replaced it with the 36LS. Same gun essentially, I know, but frankly I didn't feel like owning a revolver with "Ladysmith" stamped on the frame and so after searching in vain for nearly a year I gave up. Then one day, a few years later, I was browsing through the case at a local gun shop and lo and behold, on the bottom shelf near the back were two specimens priced at $250 each. Both were police trade-ins (or so I was told) and I carefully examined each in turn. The first was mechanically sound yet utterly filthy, with the oil dried on the crane and lint clogging every nook and cranny. The second was clean but had rust around the cylinder latch and in the barrel - two large spots as a matter of fact. Naturally I chose the former and after a good cleaning, a thorough re-oiling, and a new set of Unlce Mike's boot grips it was as good as new. As a matter of fact I'm debating sending it off to S&W for a factory re-blue just to make it look absolutely pristine.

Ah, the joys of J-frames.

Enjoy!

 

[Gordon]

My flat latch 36 is on semi permanent safe duty. Hey,my Chiefs Special Target went to my Daughter in law last month when she finished P.O.S.T. training for the Sacto Sherrif Dept. , fits her to a "T" . I have a nice Cobra nestled up to the ole 36 in the safe. What gets thrown into my pocket is my tuned Agent. 15oz of the most accurate 6 .38spl+power rounds its matte finish and shrouded barrel can handle. The 296 can't seem to displace it. I carried a Mod 60 in Nam in 71 but it got recycled to a pilot when I left. You could bring guns in easily , but they were more difficult to get out (especially after 69)

 

[dinosaur]

Old police trade ins are the dirty little secrets every family has. Dealers give next to nothing for them because 95% of gun buyers want the latest high cap, low drag Whoopee guns they read about in gun rags. "Ew, it's not only used but it's DIRTY!"

They hide them at the back of the showcase so that the latest toys are in front. When a denizen of THR Revolver Forum (the other 5%) spots one of these rejects they're happy to get rid of them.

 

[vanfunk]

Thanks for your responses, Guys.

Yep, this little 60 of mine sure did depreciate in value over the last 20 years - the tag on the original box is marked $339!

There was a pristine pinned 6" model 14 in the case next to my snubbie, priced attractively at $299 (would have been an easy sell for $275 OTD).

I think you're right, Dinosaur. People in my area seem to be dumping their old iron in anticipation of the SIG GSR, due to be on sale here in July. I wonder what fine old wheelguns will be in the case next weekend!

I still can't get over how easy it is to tote this all-steel model 60. It really seems negligibly heavier than the 642 in the pocket of my work pants. What's the listed weight on the 60 - 20 oz.?

Thanks,
vanfunk

 

[BluesBear]

I just love the older steel S&W J-frames. I bought an airweight S&W years ago, shot it about 75 times and promptly sold it. Youcan have all of them you want.
To me those few extra ounces in the steel frame are not really noticable when dropped in a pocket but they are VERY noticably absent when firing.



To me, anyone who says the steel J-frames are too heavy are just cry-babies.
[flame suit=on]There, I finally said it!

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

vanfunk what a steal my friend! My ole bud
and good friend Big G is exactly right on target
with his comments. The original stainless steel model
60 in .38 Special is one fine handgun. As Gordon has
stated, a lot of these little gems found their way tucked
into the rucksacks of service personel assigned to the
hot, humid jungles of southeast Asia; as they proved
to be very valuable life insurance packages!

When they were first introduced in 1965, they were as
scarce as hens teeth. It wasn't 'till about 1973 that a
few started appearing in dealer's show cases. Even
then $185-200 was a normal selling price; for a gun
that the original MSRP was $85.00! Since they have
been discontinued, I have seen NIB models with a
going rate of $400 OTD. So my friend, you got a very
good "steal of a deal" at $200. As a matter of fact,
you probably made off better than I did? Back in Oct.
of 1998, I purchased one LNIB without the box, or
anything else for $249.95; and I thought that was a
very attractive deal.

The only modification I have made to mine is the fact
that I added Hogues "Bantam" grips, in order to save
and preserve the hard to find S&W walnut grips. As
others have said, get some DA trigger time; and I'm
sure this excellent firearm will become your CCW of
choice! Enjoy~

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

 

[slabsides]

The 60 no-dash is a great little gun. I have one that was one of the first to come into my state; paid an even $100 for it brand new in Sept. 1968. This was pretty close to the model's introduction, and VietNam-bound troops were already scooping up all that S&W could produce. I've shot the hell out of it for nearly 35 years, and it's been back to the factory once for a tune-up. I read early on Col. Cooper's opinion that the 60 is tougher than the blued 36, and can handle '...low-end .357 loads.' I've always used what are now called plus-P loads in mine. It has the original bright polish, with hard-chromed hammer and trigger. I have a couple of pairs of grips for it: right now it's my wife's night table piece, and wears an old set of Herrett's Shooting Stars. I've made some shots with it that would surprise people who think that snubbies aren't accurate except at arm's length.
I've often carried it upside down in a hip pocket without a holster, butt forward. Draw is by hooking the tg with the forefinger and 'rolling' the piece into the hand over the edge of the pocket. Fast and easy. This is a variation on the old Chick Gaylord breast pocket draw.

 

[dinosaur]

I just got back from a gun show and I did see a 60. No idea what dash # but it could be had for $300 so you really did well.