S&W Model 60
My 4'11" wife wants this pistol to use for home defense. Would this make a good first pistol for her? She tried several but this one was the one she felt comfortable with.......Any comments would be appreciated. I know little about pistols and getting my wife trained on a pistol is part of my pre-deployment plan.....Joe
joe
joe
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I have a older model 60 thats fully engraved. serial has 4 numbers and a X...no dashes.. like 6200x....its 38 special. I'm trying to fine the age...anyone help ?? 0 -
Joe; I have had a model 60 for about 25 years now and like it a lot. I personally prefer my 442 for a CC gun, but my wife finds the double-action trigger a little 'tough' for her. The 60 of course can be cocked and fired single-action (but that could open another can of worms). The plus side is better aimed fire SA.
The 442 has no hammer to snag, and is noticably lighter, but the 60 is an equally good weapon. 148gr wadcutters loaded backward makes a real 'alligator' out of a .38 Spl. at close range.
Joe0 -
Joe..
One key thing you mentioned is that she feels comfortable with the model 60. The importance of that fact cant be overstated. Being comfortable is half the battle.
I would let her use the 60 for home protection but make sure she practices with it and can shoot it proficiently out to about 10 yards. Also make sure she understands the legal ramifications of deadly force. A handgun course would be a good idea.
I have a model 60 and a 649 which has the hammer shrouded frame and is heavier than the 60. They are both nice little guns, but she would likely want the lighter version.
Anyone not named Joe, feel free to jump in!
Joe
"Never let school interfere with your education"0 -
You can never go wrong with a revolver for personal defense. I am particularly partial to the Smith & Wesson product, I keep a model 36 handy at home, carry a model 37 in the summer, and a 4" model 66 in the winter.
Lefty got it right, if she's comfortable with it, that's the way to go. You didn't mention if it's a 357 or 38 only, but at home defense range, any jacketed hollow point will do fine.
Semper Fi
Remember Ruby Ridge.
Experience is the best teacher and usually charges accordingly.
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I've had several M60s over the years. Nice snubby. You might want to start her shooting something a bit milder if she's not shot before (?) just to get her used to the mechanics, noise and recoil. This can be a bit intimidating if someone has never fired a handgun before.
"There is nothing lower than the human race - except the french." (Mark Twain) ". . . And liberals / demoMAGGOTS" (me)0 -
The S&W model 60 is an excellent choice. I have had many over the years. I still have 2 of them. My son and daughter also have one. I would stay away from the +P ammo because of recoil. There are many non +P hollowpoints on the market. 0 -
My gun club has a course just for first time women shooters. I am insisting she take it before we buy. Thanks for the input ! Joe
joe0 -
If the model 60 in question does not have the larger rubber grips, I suggest that she try them. I don't think they would be too large for her hand and it is much easier to control the gun with these grips. 0 -
Like everyone else, if she likes the 60, go with it. I personally carry an airweight bodtguard from Smith as my off duty gun. so far no corrosion problems. it's been over 7 years. an it's rated for +P ammo. 0 -
i have a 642 centennial model ,it shoots .357 ,so she could shoot all the .38 she wants ,no hammer to snag on a draw ,and it can be fired through a purse or coat pocket if necessary ,has a stiff dao trigger ,but nothing a trigger job can not cure
i will now put ten round mags in all my pre ban guns ,just to show defiance0 -
If she feels comfortable with it then great, but from your post, since it doesn't appear that she isn't going to be using it for concealed carry, why not give her something more substantial like a 65, 66, 67, 68, 686, or the like with a 4" barrel? The extra barrel weight and frame size make recoil less and you can get more bullet toward the target plus a probably better accuracy and pointability.
Just a thought.0
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