Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns S&W Model 60

Good point, but sometimes your other option is to stay in your home, and that's not an acceptable option in my opinion, so you equip yourself accordingly.

For example, I've been walking the same neighborhood for seven years now, and have never been badly harassed by a dog I would describe as medium to large sized. A few months ago a dog by that description (60-70 lbs) started hanging out near the Cold Storage (meat processing place) where he gets fed scraps. He had the bad habit of hiding in the bushes, waiting for me to pass by so my back is to him, and then charging me, fur up, low growl, with all evil intent, and near fearlessness. First few times, I backed him down strictly with attitude and counter-fearlessness, but eventually started carrying a bludgeon of one sort or another (eventually settling on a walking stick with a metal ball for a handle which is designed to use like a light mace in self defense), just in case my fearlessness routine stopped working and I actually needed to take action to defend myself against this animal. I had a handgun, but am very reluctant to use it in this situation because of the necessity of getting the law and the courts involved in such an event.

PS The dog problem finally disappeared when the Cold Storage owner actually witnessed this dog charging me in broad daylight. He apologized profusely, and assured me the dog would be gone within days, even though he denied owning it. He said he knew someone who would take it, so he didn't end up in anyone's breakfast sausage or anything.

Pepper spray works great for dogs...

So I hear, but not comfortable without a means of putting something solid between me and the dog's jaws.

Whatever . . . .

1,000s of rounds though mine. No problem.

BMT

I'm not Sam, but my answer is "no, it would not,". I thought TRH had a couple of "lock guns". Maybe I'm mistaken. Hope Hawk will clarify it for me if I'm wrong.

I'm not a fan of the lock system. The MIM parts don't bother me in the least. I never even consider the warranty on a gun because to me, most warranties are bogus. I don't like funking around and sending stuff back and forth through the mail, insuring, having to go through an FFL possibly, worrying about laws, etc. So for me, a warranty on a gun is worthless. That out of the way, it becomes only about the lock. I have two modern Smiths, one an M&P and the other a 629. The M&P doesn't have a lock because it's an LEO edition. The Mountain Gun has one and it hasn't been a problem. Most things with moving parts or a pusssy will eventually give problems so I don't sweat it. The lock specifically can be removed and the Smith site has plenty of info about that if the lock bothers you. I personally would get it and do a normal break in/reliability test on it and if it passes, carry it. Again, get rid of the lock if it bothers you.

FWIW, I agree with Hawk on buying one that's sans lock, but the problem is you generally can't find what you want, when you want it, if you are 100% on this plan. I've never locked mine. I guess the key(s) are in the box for it, wherever it is.

Not wrong. I have two such revolvers, but wouldn't trust my life to one of them unless I first had the lock removed. Had three, but sold one, and probably will sell another. The only one I intend to keep is one that cannot be replaced with a pre-lock version, since it's their scandium super lightweight .44 Magnum Model 329PD, which wasn't made before they had the locks.

Not so much.....

George

Could you elaborate?

It will work on some dogs, some of the time. I'm not willing to bet my arm/leg on it.

Dogs with any real drive will power through spray like it's not there.

Somewhere I have a pic of a Shep and handler walking through a cloud of OC/tear gas (mix). Handler is in a mask, K9 is just looking for a bite. Think a spray can can match that?

George

That's about what I figured. Thanks for verifying it.

Any questions, now, as to why ranging pits, etc., just get shot?

Some future Darwin award hopefuls want to trust pepper spray for Bear protection. Amazing how some people just don't and never will get it..

I've sprayed quite a few dogs and not had one that hung around to contest it. Guess they were all pussies. In truth, none of them were trained or high drive dogs really, mostly mutts. If spray didn't work there was always some sort of centerfire backup.

It's not just trained dogs. I've had the occasion to spray more than a couple sheps/rots/pits that later got smacked with a maglite when they kept coming.

George

I'm 4-0 with bear spray so far; two pits, a boxer, a rott, and a big mean yellow mutt. Actually sprayed low on every one, but it was that 30 ft blast that seemed to startle 'em.

I'm not sure I could stop a rott with a mag lite without getting myself chewed on at least a little.

Shooting a dog would be a last resort, right now where I live I'm just the strange old White guy with the dogs, I don't wanna be the strange old White guy with the dogs who carries a gun.

Birdwatcher

What brand of spray do you use?

The number of lock failures compared to total umber of revolvers sold with locks is so miniscule that it should not be considered.
My 329PD has never failed. My 500 and 460 have never failed. My model 60 Pro has never failed. My 686 has never failed........well I hope you see the point.
War Eagle is getting a great deal on one of S&W's hottest guns over the last three years. Good for him!

That's kinda my take as well and as I pointed out, if the lock bothers a person, they are easily disabled.

My 329 lock failed. Spring jumped loose, the flag flops around, it'll self-lock at will. Sitting in the safe right now in that state, waiting for some love. It's a bad design, in that it fails closed.

"Frontiersman Bear Attack Deterrent" ( )

http://www.resistattack.com/Animal-Repellents/Frontiersman-Bear-Attack-Deterrent-260-Gr-Canister

I have bought five of these things over the years now, replacing them after each use, even though just a brief burst did the trick every time.

I use the 9.2 oz size, which ain't cheap at nearly sixty dollars (but still far cheaper than what could result from shooting someone's dog). Actually the earlier ones might have been a different brand, I get 'em at Bass Pro or Cabelas depending on whatevers easiest.

Birdwatcher