S&W 360 vs model 60 input wanted
I'm looking to get a J frame S&W in .357. I like the J frames as far as feel, but wanted to know the pros and cons. I really want to hear some comments on the two, 360 vs m60.I know the .357 in the 360 will be pretty stout but, I will mostly shoot .38 spl through it but occasionally .357. I know the M60 is stainless and that the 360 is a lightweight and comes with a night sight. I have other carry pieces but, it might get in the rotation. All input appreciated.
360: Carry all the time. At the range, it gets a box of .38 for every cylinder of .357 - it's on the ragged edge of no fun to shoot with full-power loads, and that's coming from somebody who enjoys shooting .460 Mag out of a 4" bbl. Wouldn't trade it for any less that double what i have in it. Came factory with a smaller grip, easier to conceal.
60: Noticeably heavier, but still lighter than just about anything else I've been around. Enough mass to tame it down, but the recoil-sensitive still don't enjoy running Magnums through it. Came factory with the larger wraparound grips, which I'm sure contributes to the better recoil, but I haven't swapped them around to verify.
neither will be fun with magnums. out of a 60, magnums are very brisk, loud and unpleasent. out of the 360 you might think a bomb went off in your hand.
360 will ride in your pocket all day without you barely noticing. hammerless 340 centennial style even nicer in pocket.
the 60 does better as a belt gun.
If you do not ever pocket carry, I'd go 60.
I have a 340 and a 640. They are both .357 mags, but I expect to shoot milder loads than full power .357 in them. I have the 340 to carry and the 640 to practice. Both were off on the sights. I ended up having dovetailed front sights installed on both to sight them in for windage. It bothered me that the 340 was hitting over 6” to the left at 10 yds. I have Pachmayr Gripper/Decelerator grips on both of them. They make them much easier to control for range work, but I haven’t come up with a satisfactory grip for carry. Both are nicely accurate, but the 340 is much more difficult to manage with stout loads. I load them with handloads on .357 cases, but they are really .38 +P. I just consider them both extra strong .38s.
Thanks for all the replies. I think I might just go with the model 60 just for the added weight and I probably wont carry too often due to the fact I love my 1911 for carry.
I've shot the 360. Twice. As in, two shots. I handed the remaining three back to the owner, since my sinuses cleared on the first shot and hurt again on the second.
That said, it's one of the lightest carry guns you'll ever find...
I think you'll enjoy the 60 just fine. ;-)
With full power ammo in the scandium .357s, the recoil feels nastier than with my .500s.
My pocket carry weapon is a 360 and I really like it. Light weight and carries a punch. Noticeable lighter than my model 60 in SS.
