model 60 5"

[Kal52]

I just got done looking at one of these over the weekend, and wow that is one fine handling gun.
I have a few questions though, is the gun strong enough to handle the stouter hunting loads, not loaded super hot, just factory hunting .357 loads.
Its just begging to replace my ruger as my new packing/occasional doe shooter.

thanks

Dave

[Hammerdown]

I just got done looking at one of these over the weekend, and wow that is one fine handling gun.
I have a few questions though, is the gun strong enough to handle the stouter hunting loads, not loaded super hot, just factory hunting .357 loads.
Its just begging to replace my ruger as my new packing/occasional doe shooter.

thanks

Dave

Hello
S&W has had this -J- frame in .357 magnum for awhile, so I would say they can take the abuse of magnum loads just fine, But if it were me, I sure could not see much fun in the violent recoil of a .357 magnum in this small frame. Regards, Hammerdown

[Graybeard]

I've shot plenty of these "hunting level loads" thru my M60 3" and don't consider the recoil to be uncomfortable at all. I've shot everything from 110s to 180s at book max loads using H110/W296 from it. Mine currently wears the CTC rubber laser grips which are roughtly like the S&W wood target grip size wise.

[35Rem]

I'm pretty sure that's why S&W made the 5" J frame. Easier to carry, long enough to shoot well and still get some velocity out of it for critters.  Sounds like a good idea to me.

[Kal52]

well its good to know that they can hold up to some of the heavier loads, wasn't sure i have a couple of rugers, and i dont shoot real hot loads out of them but have zero experience with Smiths. I know they are strong guns, just wasnt sure about the smaller frames, did not want to damage the thing if i were to ever get one, and its now just moved up on the list of must haves.

thanks for the info

Dave

[Hammerdown]

I'm pretty sure that's why S&W made the 5" J frame. Easier to carry, long enough to shoot well and still get some velocity out of it for critters.  Sounds like a good idea to me.

Hello
I Look at it as a Marketing theme. It cost's far less to Make a smaller framed Stainless .357 than it did the Vintage classics's like the top of the Line model 27's which are the Grand Son to the famous Registered Magnums. People are just not willing to spend in excess of $1000.00 today for a revolver made like the model 27's were. I still like and hunt down the model 27's as they are heavy enough to suck up any Hot handloads I Place in them, and are tack drivers on Target's due to their Inherent Target style quality design, being more stable than any-J-frame revolver's I have. If a -J-frame sized .357 is what your after, and daily Carry is an issue that requires a smaller size frame, Then I would say the model 60 is the one, But for the Long run, One can't beat the classic look, feel or overall durability of the Famous Model 27's that started it all way back in 1935.and I am still Obsessed with Regards, Hammerdown

[rockbilly]

I don't have the 60-5, but I do have the 60-3, a 2 1/8 inch barrel version, equipped with the crimson trace grips.  This gun is used primarily as a carry gun for snakes while out at the farm.  I have run just about everything imaginable through the little gun, no problems, it is exceptionally accurate out to about 45-50 yards.  It is quite a show at night shooting the full blown .357 stuff, it shoots a flame out about 5 feet, enough to scare the heck out of a bad guy even f you miss em.