S&W .38 Special ID plus

[Waggs]

In looking at the attached photos can you tell me 2 things? What model is this and also, there appears to be a crack in the frame up near the hammer and yet it looks to be machined in at the same time there is a raise on one side.



Notice, that crack does not appear on this side of the frame. This is a 5 shot revolver.



Sorry, I forgot how to do these so they thumbnail.

Thanks for the help.

[CzechSF]

Not sure what model it is but i don't think its a crack. I think its the part that comes off when you disassemble it.

[Mr. Beretta]

You have a model 60 S&W 38spl 5 shot revolver.

It was S&W's 1st stainless steel handgun.

Google it and you'll have more info about the gun that you'll ever need.

P.S............Thats not a crack. That is the edge of the side plate which is held onto the frame with 3 screws.

[TKM]

That is just the edge of the sideplate. It is the part that comes off when all of the frame screws are removed.

Open the cylinder and look inside the left hand side of the frame. The model number is stamped inside.

[Waggs]

Thanks for the replies. Is it a good in home defense weapon? It's not like I'm going to a shoot out with it. It was my wife's gun and now it's mine. She bought it before we ever met. It has some .38 Special +p rounds with it.

[Waggs]

Thanks TKM. The numbers stamped in a M-60-7 Does the -7 have any special meaning?

[TKM]

The -7 is just the designation for which generation Model 60 you have. I believe that Smith & Wesson are up to -10 now.

I'm not a Smith expert, do a little googling and see what the S&W forums come up with.

[Waggs]

I found that the -7 is the ladies version of this gun. I also learned that a lot of men carry it for its weight and strait shooting. I need to find out about the latter for myself. Thanks for your reply.

[Dutch Henry]

The -7 has nothing to do with it being a 'lady's version' gun. The dash number represents the number of modifications incorporated into that particular revolver. The Model 60 is a super shooting revolver and I never found the 5 shot capacity to be a detriment. It should perform very well with the right loads.

[bchiefsa]

This is by far one of S&W's revolver made. Just got mine back from Impact Guns in Ogden, Ut where a fine trigger job was completed by a great gunsmith. The new action is incredible!!

[bchiefsa]

This is by far one of S&W's best revolver made. Just got mine back from Impact Guns in Ogden, Ut where a fine trigger job was completed by a great gunsmith. The new action is incredible!!

[Waggs]

The -7 has nothing to do with it being a 'lady's version' gun. The dash number represents the number of modifications incorporated into that particular revolver. The Model 60 is a super shooting revolver and I never found the 5 shot capacity to be a detriment. It should perform very well with the right loads.

Thanks. I had misread what the guy was saying and thought he meant it was a ladies version. I figure if you can't make the kill in 3 shots you should just give up.

[Waggs]

I need to find some ammo and then a range close by and go see how it acts. Who knows, I may need to learn to reload.

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

Nice Model 60. Don't dry fire it without snap caps as the firing pin can be broken doing so (I managed to do it). You can fire +P ammo in this pistol as it was the last version before S&W began chambering them in .357 Magnum.

Here's a thread on the S&W forum that might give you some more info.

[Waggs]

Thanks Grumpy. By the way, what does the P stand for? Also, could this be re-chambered for the .357 magnum? I'll check out that forum. Thanks again.