Description
The Smith Wesson Model 60 3 Inch 357 is the Model 60 in the configuration a lot of experienced shooters consider the sweet spot: a three inch full lug barrel with adjustable sights on the all-steel J-frame. It is still small enough to carry and considerably more capable than a snub nose.
Smith Wesson Model 60 3 Inch 357 Why Three Inches Changes Things
An extra inch of barrel does more for a small revolver than the number suggests. Velocity climbs meaningfully, particularly with 357 Magnum which is badly served by a two inch tube, and the sight radius grows by half again, which makes precise shooting far easier.
The full underlug adds weight exactly where it does the most good, out front. That steadies the hold, damps muzzle rise and makes the Smith Wesson Model 60 3 Inch 357 noticeably more pleasant to shoot than a snub nose of the same construction.
Adjustable sights are the other change. A two inch Model 60 wears fixed sights regulated at the factory; this one lets you zero precisely for whichever load you settle on, which matters more on a 357 than most people realise given how differently 38 Special and 357 Magnum print.
All Steel, and the Chiefs Special Pattern
Most modern small revolvers use an alloy or scandium frame to save weight. This one does not: it is stainless steel throughout, and the extra weight is what makes a small revolver controllable with serious ammunition. If you intend to actually shoot magnums rather than merely carry them, this is the construction to do it with.
Stainless steel also handles the conditions a carry gun lives in. Sweat, humidity and holster wear are what kill blued finishes, and stainless shrugs them off in a way that matters on a gun worn against the body every day.
This is an exposed hammer J-frame, so you can cock it for a light single-action shot when precision matters. On a three inch revolver with adjustable sights that capability is genuinely useful rather than incidental.
Chambering in 357 Magnum means it also fires 38 Special. Cheap, mild 38 Special for practice and full-power 357 when it matters, from the same gun, with no adjustment required.
Carrying and Shooting the Smith Wesson Model 60 3 Inch 357
An inside the waistband holster and a belt stiff enough to carry the weight are what this revolver wants. The extra inch of barrel and the full lug add up, and a belt that sags turns a comfortable carry gun into an uncomfortable one. Strong side or appendix both work well with the right holster.
On the range the difference against a snub nose is obvious immediately. The Smith Wesson Model 60 3 Inch 357 holds steadier, recovers faster and lets you actually use the sights, which means groups tighten and confidence follows. It is also comfortable enough that you will practise, which matters more than any specification.
Zeroing deserves attention. Thirty eight Special and 357 Magnum can print several inches apart at 25 yards from the same revolver, and the adjustable rear sight exists precisely so you can settle that. Pick the load you will actually carry, zero for it, and note where the other lands.
Maintenance Notes
Stainless is corrosion resistant rather than corrosion proof. A wipe with an oiled cloth after a day of carry takes thirty seconds and prevents the surface staining that sweat eventually produces, particularly around the cylinder and the recoil shield.
Magnum ammunition fouls a revolver considerably more than 38 Special does. The ring of carbon that builds at the front of the chambers is what eventually prevents longer 357 cases from seating, so if you practise with 38 Special and carry 357, scrub the chambers properly rather than assuming a quick pass is enough.
Keep the cylinder face and the forcing cone clean, and check that the ejector rod stays tight, as it can back out under recoil and lock the cylinder closed at exactly the wrong moment. On an adjustable-sighted revolver it is also worth checking the sight screws periodically.
Smith Wesson Model 60 3 Inch 357 Specifications
- Manufacturer part number: 162430
- UPC: 022188624304
- Caliber: 357 Magnum, also fires 38 Special
- Capacity: 5 rounds
- Barrel: 3 inches, full lug
- Frame: stainless steel J-frame
- Sights: adjustable
- Hammer: exposed
- Action: double action and single action
Why Buyers Choose the Smith Wesson Model 60 3 Inch 357
This is arguably the most useful small revolver Smith and Wesson makes. It carries almost as easily as a snub nose and shoots considerably better, which is a trade most owners find very easy to accept.
It is heavier than an Airweight and longer than a two inch gun, and those are real costs for deep concealment. Pocket carry is no longer practical; an inside the waistband holster and a decent belt are what this revolver wants.
Small revolvers are simple to operate and utterly indifferent to how they are stored, but they still reward practice. Dry fire is free and it is the most valuable thing you can do with a double action revolver.
Who Should Buy It
The Smith Wesson Model 60 3 Inch 357 suits shooters who want a small revolver that is genuinely shootable: everyday carriers who can accommodate a slightly larger gun, trail and outdoor users, and anyone who wants adjustable sights and a full lug on a J-frame.
Learn more from Smith and Wesson, or browse the rest of our firearms selection.
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