Would like some advice please. (Sorry so long)

M

Mike47

Inactive
Hello, im new to the forum. Ive been reading some stuff here and i like the community. I have owned a handful of autos over the years and eventially sold out for financial reasons after having our first child. Well I decided that I wanted a revolver to keep close for protection after some things in the neiborhood has happened. I was looking for a small frame .38 sp revolver. Something my wife would feel comfortable to use if she had to. A gun that I wouldnt mind getting scratched or worn. I finally came across a S&W model 60 with a 3" barrel, perfect. After buying it for a very good price from a coworker who was selling it for someone he knew, we decided to check the serial numbers. The first 3 being AEU. I find out that its a John Jovino Custom. The gun is in perfect condition and has been shot very little. Now I dont know whether I should use it as planned or put it away and buy another gun for use. I dont know much about this and I dont want to tarnish something collectable. Are the JJs so collectable that I shouldnt use it? Or should I not worry about it and wear it out. Thanks for any advice.
 
Since you like revolvers, I'D shop around for a used but (checked by a competent gunsmith) in-good-shape Taurus .38 or .357 Magnum that is analogous to the K-frame S&W. Get adjustable sights, if you can, and in .357 if you can (you can always use .38s in it, if you wish). They are simple, inexpensive, relatively common, and seem to last a very long time. IF something goes wrong, I think their internals may be similar enough to S&W that the parts can be interchanged with some fitting. You'll have 6 shots on tap, not 5, and in a somewhat more user-friendly package. Any of the Ruger Security Six/Speed Six or GP-100s would also be more than adequate for your purposes, if a bit more expensive.

If you prefer an automatic, there's a Turkish copy of the Cz-75 compact made by Canik (model 55, imported by Tri-Star), which may be the best new-pistol bargain available. I bought mine at a local ACADEMY sporting goods store. Mine went out the door for $356.00. I've shot it like it's the only pistol I own, and it's done nothing but shoot accurately, reliably, and while burning up all kinds of 9mm ammo.

If you get a revolver, I hope you opt for the more powerful cartridge. If a .357 is unavailable and you have a choice between a .38 Special vs. 9mm, the rounds that you shoot are arguably of the same power, so you should have as many as possible on tap.

For just defending hearth and home, a pump-action shotgun would also work, and is far more powerful than any pistol I've mentioned. It's just not terrific for putting in your pocket to make a 2:00 a.m. run to the ATM on the way to the all-night pharmacy for Huggies and formula.
 
I will gladly accept correction, but IMHO, that JJ special is not unique or interesting enough to excite collectors. I would go ahead and shoot it.

As to other guns, of course that would be your choice, but I can't see putting the Model 60 away and going to a Taurus.

Jim
 
I'd sure never switch from a S&W to a Taurus. Some Taurus revolvers are good, some not so good and paying a gunsmith to check it out makes no sense. Spend that money to get a better revolver -- which you've already done. Shoot it, you'll likely never wear it out.
 
Generally speaking this is correct. All depends on the $$$
You have to spend. Ruger makes a super LCR 38 or 357 mag
Excellent for your wife and/ or you for the home & you
have plenty of ammo to choose from.
Doc
 
I would shoot it. They are not overly collectible and its really hard to wear out a revolver, especially with 38 special.
+1 on the Caniks above as well. I paid the same for mine and just took third place in a local shooting competition with it. Great gun.
 
If I'm reading the OP correctly, the gun has already been purchased. I think a 3" Model 60 is a fine choice and I'd say use it. That is what it was made for. Caliber isn't mentioned but for HD, you want to use .38 anyway. I'd recommend getting a few different defense loads and taking to a range with your wife and see what she finds "comfortable" shooting.
 
I didn't think John Jovino did custom work on Model 60's. His thing was the K frames and N frames. Every thing he does to the big frames has already been done by the factory on the Model 60.
 
Welcome to the The Firing Line.

If you can afford to get a second revolver, I'd recommend getting a K-frame Smith & Wesson. They're just a little bigger than your model 60, and they carry one more round, being an actual 6-shooter.

K-frame triggers tend to be smoother and lighter than J-frames (such as your model 60); and a your wife would appreciate a little extra weight to tame the recoil a bit (and so will you, probably).

Whether you get a 38 or 357 is up to you (Smith makes K-frames chambered for both 38 Special and 357 Magnum). Some will tell you that a 357 is a must for personal protection. I disagree. 38 Special is an adequate defense round. There are many Smith K-frames to be found in good condition used. (Models 10, 14, 15, 19, 64, 65, 66, & 67 - and others)
 
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Thanks for the quick replies. I think I will use the.38 JJ as intended. Although I like the idea of getting another gun a little bigger. I read that the JJs were a little scarce but they dont seem to be any real differences. When I said "wear it out" I meant mostly cosmetically. Im not going to buff the fingerprints off of it everytime its handled and it will most likely gets scratched and scuffed as all tools eventually do. Thanks Mike47.
 
Blast away! If you find a good deal on a larger one later, why not?

If 38 special ends up being too much for your wife, the 32 magnum calibers have less recoil and are quite adequate for SD. My wife has damaged wrists and my daughter is only 11, but they shoot 32 H&R magnums easily and well.
 
That Model 60 is fine for home defense. I am a revolver fanatic but keep an auto pistol for home defense. People tend to cock a revolver in a stressful situation, making an unintended discharge a real possibility, especially with the light trigger on a good S&W revolver. Then there's some danger in de-cocking a revolver for someone inexperienced.
 
John Jovino Custom. The gun is in perfect condition and has been shot very little. Now I dont know whether I should use it as planned or put it away and buy another gun for use.
Click to expand...

Shoot it. That's what it was made for.
 
Yea. Im going to use it. I read that this JJ .38 has a 3" "Heavy Barrel". Im wondering if that means that it is beefier than standard, or if all 3" barrels are considered "Heavy". Does this mean that it is ok to run +Ps through it?

Thanks
 
Does this mean that it is ok to run +Ps through it?
Click to expand...

Heavy barrel or not, all S&W steel J-frame revolvers can run 38+P ammo with no trouble. This told directly to me by a S&W rep when I had the same inquiry regarding my model 60. So yes, you can run +P's through yours too.
 
Thanks for answering that. What part of a revolver would be "most" affected by overly heavy loads? Obviously this would depend on the individual gun but in general where would the damage or wear be most evident?
 
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