My handguns

[MountainMan]

Picked up a new Simith & Wesson Model 60 this weekend to go with the Model 37 I got two weeks ago.  Considering I have not bought a wheel gun for over twenty years, for me this is an event.

 You just can't beat pulling the hammer back and hearing the cylinder rotate and lock in - almost hypnotic to the ears.  Since you hardly see a wheel gun on TV or the movies now days it takes those of us who grew up on westerns, Dragnet, Hawaii five-o, and etc.  to appreciate that sound.

[R9SCarry]

Welcome back, again Dave to revo-land!

The sound sequence of a cocking revo - is in some ways a muted form of the racked pump action shottie - instantly recognizable.  Well to us oldies anyways!

I think you will enjoy that tho have to say I am not a lover of the darned ''spider hole'' - I have two ''dash sixes'' with that abomination!  Also being a (boring) purist always still prefer square but to round, but hey - I wax pedantic.  I'd be happy as all get out to have and shoot that baby.  Enjoy !

[MountainMan]

Chris - When did the Model 60 become .357 - was it from the beginning around 1965 - I was thinking at first it was just a .38 (was it called a Chief's Special) - I know the Model 60 was the first stainless pistol.

[R9SCarry]

Dave - Model 60 in .38 spl came out around 1965 as the ''no dash'' and yes, ''Chief's Special".  It went then thru various subtle changes over the years.

In 1996 it became the Model 60-9 - with the change to 357 mag cyl and j frame.  In 1997 the 38 spl version was it seems re-introduced.  That was again phased out in 1999.

[MountainMan]

Thanks Chris
I guess then they dropped the dashes since there are none I see.  I have wondered if there was way to tell when a S&W was made by some code number on the box.

[R9SCarry]

As that is new dave may not be so easy - other than a call to Smith.

Post the beginning of the SN and I'll see if I have any ref that helps - tho not too optimistic.

[MountainMan]

CHZ95##  Serial number with a 5054 beside it  (just wondering how new the gun really is) - Interesting that the SS# is not visable since I assume it is covered up by the grip.

[R9SCarry]

Hmmm - no dice from that - last ref I have is for Oct 2000 with CEF prefix.  So yours must be well on from that.

I forgot to ask too - when you open crane - what is stamped on area beneath.  The region where model # usually shown.  I guess it'll say ''60'' but wonder if anything as well as that.

I daresay Dave it is very recent production - perhaps last year.

[MountainMan]

Didn't even notice that Chris - there is the SS# with (60-15) below.

[R9SCarry]

Ahhh so a ''dash 15'' - that figures.

Only a guess but certainly reckon that is very recent production - enjoy (I know you will!).

[MountainMan]

Thanks Chris - time for bed.

[R9SCarry]

Me too soon dave - sleep well and sweet dreams, as they say!

[theirishguard]

Dave, when you went to bed last night did you cuddle with the new model 60 and have sweet dreams?
Tom

[R9SCarry]

Tom - us older guys don't cuddle - we ''fondle'' LOL!

[theirishguard]

Chris, you are right I used a female type word and should have expressed in the proper terms.
Tom