SW Model 60-4

[aji]

My wife has a SW Model 60-4, 38 special 5 shot Stainless Steel with a 3" bbl. What type of carry ammo (JHP) can she use? I have asked a number of people and some say standard pressure only, some say +P as much as she wants and some say no more than 30-40 rounds of +P for the life of the gun. I only use semi-autos and am not too familiar with revolvers. Any help appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Will5A1]

I carry Corbon 110gr DPX +P in my Model 60 (no dash) and have fired at least 100 rounds of various +P through it, the only ill effects were on my wallet, the gun still locks up tight and shoots straight. Train with cheaper stuff, carry the +P and shoot a little of it to make sure it hits close to point of aim.

 

[Brian Williams]

Your 60-4 can handle some good loads and never blink. That said I would get some of the 135 Gold dots for Snubbys and use them. I have one and it is a great little gun and I often use a good strong load with 158 gr LSWCs.

 

[GaryP]

The S&W Model 60-4 J Frame is +P rated. I would recomend Lighter bullets around 110gr to 125gr though, as felt recoil seems to be more tolerable than with the 158gr +P loads.

 

[1 old 0311]

When in doubt call S&W. Make sure you have the S.N. handy. They will answer you in a flash.

 

[GaryP]

OK, Let me quote from the S&W Revolver Manual #03648 printed in 2/1992 that came with my S&W Model 60-4 that I purchased NIB in July of 1993.

It is listed in a Chart labeled "Smith & Wesson Revolver Ammunition Chart". This chart is on pages 8 - 10.

J 60-4 .38 Special
J 60-4 Full underlug bbl. 0nly .38 Special, .38 Special +P

My S&W 60-4 with Full underlug bbl #BNE XXXX was manufactured in Feb. 1993. I was under the impression all 60-4's had the full underlug barrel but apparently this is not the case. The ammunition chart in my manual lists Small frames J frames J 31 thru J 940 Page 8, Medium frames K frames K 10 thru K 648 Page 9, L frames L 581 thru L 686 page 9, and Large frames N frames N 24 thru N 657 page 10. This is the only place I have seen this information as listed by S&W. I hope this gives some credibility to my previous post.