[orangeninja]

For some reason I felt a sudden urge to buy a .357 magnum K frame model 66 in stainless. But what do I do with this thing. The .357 for defensive carry is too loud and blasty for the likes of Clint Smith when he was challenged as to why he prefered the .44 special. The K frame is a dead design because of the inherent weakness of such a small frame for such a hard recoiling load according to Ayoob. All stainless guns are pimp guns and should only be worn to BBQ's according to almost every police handgun instructor I know. The 6 shooter is simply obsolete according to 99% cops out there.

I only have carried autos, this is like an alien being to me.
I carry light weight, easily concealed weapons, at times I find a Sig 229 to be heavy.
I am an advocate of the .40 and 9mm as defensive rounds (9mm with the proper load of course).
No police dept. I will work for will ever let me carry this thing.
I don't collect guns anymore, it's too expensive....but I didn't have a revolver.:evil:
I find the Glock 23 to be snappy at times, what the heck am I doing with this?

I'm giving consideration to trading it for an SP101, but I've always been told that a .357 has to have a 4' inch barrel to work like it should.

[TallPine]

The 6 shooter is simply obsolete according to 99% cops out there.

Isn't the 66 a 5-shooter or am I mixed up ...?

Sounds like a nice carry gun to me (I almost bought a 3" M-66 a while back). If you don't like the .357 in it, carry it with 38s - though I doubt you will notice the noise or "blast" if you have to shoot to defend yourself.:rolleyes:

[Trebor]

Now what? Now you sell it to me. I'll put it to good use. I currently carry a 3" Model 65 every day and I'm always looking for nice short barrel Smiths.

[pogo2]

Alduro: So now you have a stainless S&W 66? I presume it is the 2-1/2 inch barrel, although you didn't mention barrel length. I recently bought one of these myself, sort of on a whim. I think you should get the appropriate holster, grips and ammo, and carry it.

You gave a lot of the arguments against it - let me give some arguments in favor of it:

1. Six shots is plenty for personal defense. 99% of confrontations where a private citizen draws his gun will end with no shots fired, or fewer than 3 shots fired. The chances of needing more than 6 are very, very small. And you can carry 6 more rounds in a speedloader or speed strip to ease your mind.

2. Stainless has many advantages in a CCW gun. The finish is tough and resists corrosion from sweat. The "shiny" aspect is not visible when the gun is concealed, and only appears when you draw. And when you draw you want the bad guy to see it, because the sight of it will deter him from further action in most cases. And that is the best outcome - he retreats and no shots are fired.

3. The .357 magnum caliber is one of the best for stopping someone. With proper ammo choice you have a 125 grain hollowpoint travelling out the muzzle at 1300 fps, giving about 500 foot pounds of energy. It takes no back seat to any .40 or .45 ammo.

4. A snubby revolver conceals better in a belt holster than most semiautos, because of its shape. It is very thin in barrel and grip, and only bulges in one small area - the cylinder. With a high riding clamshell type pancake holster (such as the DeSantis speed scabbard), it is less likely to print than a semiauto of similar size.

5. A revolver like the S&W 66 can be fired rapidly and accurately in double action with a little practice. I think it is just as fast as a semiauto in this regard. Watch Jerry Miculek shoot one.

6. You model 66 is probably more reliable than any semiauto. There are fewer things to go wrong, and feeding and ejection are not an issue.

[DragonFire]

Name one gun, or even type of gun that EVERYONE likes, and that hasn't had something negative said about it.

K-frames are not obsolete. A steady diet of hot .357 loads will wear on it, but assuming lots of .38's or .38 +P's and fewer full power loads, the 66 will be fine.

I bet that revolvers are put down by 99% of the cops ... who carry autos. There are still lots of cops either carrying a revolver full time, or as a back-up.

[cameraman2]

The Model 66 is the best there is in medium frame 357's. Short, concealable, proven S+W action. Regardless of what Ayoob says, or who is paying him these days to say, take the gun out and shoot the heck out of it. It will digest anything you put in it and may become one of your favorites.

[progunner1957]

All stainless guns are pimp guns and should only be worn to BBQ's according to almost every police handgun instructor I know.
Hogwash.
The 6 shooter is simply obsolete according to 99% cops out there.More hogwash.

Load it with any .357 mag. 125g. HP made by CorBon, Federal, Remington, Mag Safe, etc. and you will have an outstanding defensive weapon. The current crop of high tech hollow points outperform the older generation of HPs by a huge margin.

As far as stainless being a "pimp gun,":barf: :barf: what we have here is an opulent display of ignorance. Take a look at the book, "Rogue Warrior." When Dick Marcinko was commander of SEAL team six, what weapon did six use for its waterborne ops?
Smith and Wesson model 66.

If it's good enough for SEAL team six...:D They carry SIG 9mm autos today, but the fact that they originally carried 66's to war at sea says something for the 66.

[C96]

I've had my four inch model 65 for about thirty years, still doing fine. I've fired a lot
of full house 357's over the years as well as quite a few 38's. It was my wife's
home defense gun and she preferred the 38's.

It is kinda small and I'm sure a real steady diet of 357's would wear on it. S&W thought
it would as well, that was one of the reasons given for the L frame.

A three inch or longer tube is better, gives you the full length ejector rod.

I also have a two and a half inch SP101 in 357. That's my loaner gun, whenever
a loaner gun is needed. Crude and unpolished but tougher than all get out.
Also a real brick to carry but nice when going through a bunch of 357's.

For carrying, I prefer my 442/642.

allan

[orangeninja]

Actually it is the 4 inch model. I wish it were 2 inches. It is a model 66-2.

[Snub60]

I'm no expert by any means, but the only gun I have (right now) is my model 60 J frame .357. I have shot many types of ammo through it. 38, 38+p and 135gr 357. I am sitting on a box of win. 110gr 357 jhp I can't wait to shoot this weekend. 225 rounds have shot out of my little J frame and it is just like it was when I bought it new...smooth and sturdy. So I'm sure your K frame will take what you throw at it for a long time. I baby my little beauty too...wipe out the chambers after every five shots at the range and clean it up real nice at home. Keep that bad boy it will grow on you. Load it up with HOT .357's and watch the hat blow off the guy in the booth next to you at the range from the blast. He He He

[Majic]

You spend way to much time listening to everyone else. Take your M66 out and run it thru the paces to see what you think. You just might find that those experts sometimes don't have a clue.

[bakert]

Actually it is the 4 inch model. I wish it were 2 inches. It is a model 66-2.
That is same gun our KY State police carried for a number of years. Their one shot stopping record record was one of the best recorded anywhere. At times even without mid torso hits. Only problems were a steady diet of hot 125 gr JHPs were hard only the guns and the K frame can be a handful for some people especially with the blast and flash. Actually they are a bit more durable than some would hae you believe. I have a 6" model 66-2 that's had thousands of both .38 and .357 rds through it and still going fine. In fact my wife claims it as her house gun.

[Checkman]

Trade it in for a Ruger GP100 with the 3" barrel. See my post on your other thread. :)

[Wllm. Legrand]

For some reason I felt a sudden urge to buy a .357 magnum K frame model 66 in stainless. But what do I do with this thing. The .357 for defensive carry is too loud and blasty for the likes of Clint Smith when he was challenged as to why he prefered the .44 special. The K frame is a dead design because of the inherent weakness of such a small frame for such a hard recoiling load according to Ayoob. All stainless guns are pimp guns and should only be worn to BBQ's according to almost every police handgun instructor I know. The 6 shooter is simply obsolete according to 99% cops out there.

I only have carried autos, this is like an alien being to me.
I carry light weight, easily concealed weapons, at times I find a Sig 229 to be heavy.
I am an advocate of the .40 and 9mm as defensive rounds (9mm with the proper load of course).
No police dept. I will work for will ever let me carry this thing.
I don't collect guns anymore, it's too expensive....but I didn't have a revolver.:evil:
I find the Glock 23 to be snappy at times, what the heck am I doing with this?

I'm giving consideration to trading it for an SP101, but I've always been told that a .357 has to have a 4' inch barrel to work like it should.


Geez...Where should I start?

First, I bought ANOTHER 66 this weekend (2.5 inch barrel).

Next, did you buy this for Clint Smith? THEN WHY ARE YOUR CONCERNED ABOUT THIS OPINION? The N frame .44 is a lot heavier than same barrel length in .357/38.
It's a .357....Handload a milder .357 if you can't handle the blast, though most fellows who aren't girlie-men can handle it.;)

K frame a "dead" design because it is "lightweight"? Yeah, my lily white @**...sure, a steady diet of 1960 vintage 1550 fps 158 loads are hard on on it, but will you be doing that? Does that mean the gun cannot handle it? Funny...I've only had one gun work anything loose on it and that was an N frame 629 that gets a steady diet of hard-core .44 mag. And, again, did you buy for Ayoob OR DO YOU MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS? Try it and see.

Stainless steel "pimp guns"? That's a WHOLE load of crappola that significantly diminishes your credibility. I don't now if I even would WANT you to carry a gun I like....I think you're thinking of chrome or nickle plate...as in "Get rid of that chrome plated sissy gun, and get yourself a Glock.." (the grammatically incorrect line from some movie spoken by Tommy Lee Jones).

You carry a 9mm? I think the 66 with mag loads is TOO MUCH GUN for you...

And "most departments" wouldn't "let you" carry a .357? Well, la-tee-fricken'-da.....I bet "most departments" are just FULL of real pistoleros...Yeah...right....

(BTW, I'm just giving you a hard time....mostly)

I am a real wheel-gun fan, though I can afford to shoot anything. I love the K-frame Smiths...

If it was GOOD ENOUGH FOR BILL JORDON, it ought to be good enough for you, kid...:D

[kahr404life]

They are right stainless steel is for pimps ;) (never mind it does not rust as easily:p ). It only holds 6 bullets (the gun store commando allways knows you can't do anything with only 6 bullets:scrutiny: ). 4inch barrels are terrible (Bill Jordan only pretended to like them and shoot them well:eek: ). No one should carry the shame of a S&W M-66 with them:confused: . Sell it to me, I will not tell anybody where I got it:D . By the way, .357 mags and .38 spls are no good for shooting people:neener: , everybody knows that.:)

[357wheelgunner]

All stainless guns are pimp guns and should only be worn to BBQ's according to almost every police handgun instructor I know. The 6 shooter is simply obsolete according to 99% cops out there.



99% of the cops out there can't shoot to save their life anyway, why are you taking their advice on handgunnery? Look up the statistics at the number of rounds fired by the average officer in a gunfight, they have to miss 40 times to hit someone, of course 6 will not be enough to them.

You have a quality weapon that will last several lifetimes if you take care of it. The K-frames point like a finger, are light enough to wear on the hip or in the waistband all day, and fire a potent round more than capable of doing its job if you do yours. What do you do with it? GO SHOOT IT! Enjoy it, and after a few hudred rounds if you still don't like it send it to me.

[kahr404life]

I where a badge and I can shoot:evil: .

[Ed 2001 SS]

/Mild thread hijack...

Wllm. Legrand: How much did you pay for the 66?

My boss has a 2 1/2" Model 66 that he has lent me. I'm considering buying it, primarily because it shoots nicely and my wife likes it. (And you can't have enough guns) How much should I offer? I neither want to rip my boss off nor be ripped off, ya know?

[Wllm. Legrand]

/Mild thread hijack...

Wllm. Legrand: How much did you pay for the 66?

My boss has a 2 1/2" Model 66 that he has lent me. I'm considering buying it, primarily because it shoots nicely and my wife likes it. (And you can't have enough guns) How much should I offer? I neither want to rip my boss off nor be ripped off, ya know?

First a few qualifiers:

1) I bought from a gunstore. Asking price $299.00

2) I know the product. VERY HEAVILY leaded (i.e., barrel, cylinders, forcing cone, etc.) and dirty. Hogue grips on round-butt. Stock grips included.

3) I am a no B.S. customer. I asked to speak with the manager. I gave him a rundown of what I saw, including a few minor dings (magnified in my eyes, of course, but since he was there to see them, all's fair, etc.)

4) I asked for his lowest price. He said make him an offer. I offer $225. He counters at $250, "Just came in the other day, blah, blah, blah". I said $240 and throw in the 100 targets I was buying anyway. He said, "You've got a deal."

Here in Colorado, that's a good deal. I buy regularly and know the market, at least here.

p.s. Took me half an hour to get all the lead out...including firing about a dozen hot FMJ loads to expunge the hard-to-remove stuff.

[Ed 2001 SS]

First a few qualifiers:

1) I bought from a gunstore. Asking price $299.00

2) I know the product. VERY HEAVILY leaded (i.e., barrel, cylinders, forcing cone, etc.) and dirty. Hogue grips on round-butt. Stock grips included.

3) I am a no B.S. customer. I asked to speak with the manager. I gave him a rundown of what I saw, including a few minor dings (magnified in my eyes, of course, but since he was there to see them, all's fair, etc.)

4) I asked for his lowest price. He said make him an offer. I offer $225. He counters at $250, "Just came in the other day, blah, blah, blah". I said $240 and throw in the 100 targets I was buying anyway. He said, "You've got a deal."

Here in Colorado, that's a good deal. I buy regularly and know the market, at least here.

p.s. Took me half an hour to get all the lead out...including firing about a dozen hot FMJ loads to expunge the hard-to-remove stuff.

Any idea when these guns were made? It's a Model 66-1. My boss says it was his dad's gun and he's had it for decades and hasn't used it in about that long. The gun itself has some minor pitting (about 3.8" in length near where the barrel meets the frame). Otherwise the gun is in good clean condition. I'll $200 for it and see what he says.

[Wllm. Legrand]

All I can tell you is that is that it was made sometime between 1974 and 1993, though yours would be at the earlier end of the scale..which means little.

I've got one that has the pinned barrel and recessed cylinder (4"), earlier models and it's one of my favorite handguns...smooth as silk (after an action job, as if it really needed it).

[orangeninja]

Thanks for the replies guys, it made for interesting reading. I will put it through the paces soon.

[Ed 2001 SS]

All I can tell you is that is that it was made sometime between 1974 and 1993, though yours would be at the earlier end of the scale..which means little.

I've got one that has the pinned barrel and recessed cylinder (4"), earlier models and it's one of my favorite handguns...smooth as silk (after an action job, as if it really needed it).

Thanks for the info!

[cortez kid]

Blead blasted, and stainless is as dull as parkerized and won't shine at all. Buff it up ,and it will look better than nickel. Scratch it, and you can rub it out clean as new. .357 is a great all around defensive, offensive, plinking, fun round. .38 spl's are cheap enough to shoot all day. Always can find ammo, where ever you go. As for "pimp" gun, I don't read too many(any) gun rags. Who's Ayoob? You got one of the best revolvers ever made.
kid

[Freeper57]

I have a 66-3 snubbie and it is lots of fun to shoot. It is one gun that will pass down to my grandchildren one day. Even .357s out of it are controllable with that steel frame. Terrific all-around revolver.

[albanian]

A four inch SS .357 mag in about a K-frame has lots of uses. In fact, I consider it the do-all revolver. I have a 4" SS Ruger Speed Six that gets shot more than ANY of my other revolvers. It is just such a good balance of weight and power and size. I use mone mostly for informal target pratice and plinking. I would use it as a home defense gun if I already didn't have a Beretta 92FS that has been 100% reliable over the years. I would use it as a car gun if I didn't have other guns that fill that role just as well.

About the only thing I would use it for would be a CCW gun. It is just too big and heavy for only 6 shots. I can carry my Kahr K-9 with 8 shots of +P 9mm and have a smaller easier to pack gun with more shots and more power if you add the power of the extra shots. It only weighs 25ozs compared to the revolver that weighs about 40ozs IIRC.

I am thinking of getting a 4" 66 in SS just to have so I think you should keep it. If I could find one for $240, I would buy it right away. It may not fill any particular need better than anything else but that is not a reason not to own one. Everybody should have at least one revolver in their collection.

[orangeninja]

The K Frame actually feels very light for its size. Could be balance, I don't know. How heavy are the 4 inch 66's?

[juneau803]

Just take it out and shoot it. You will likely fall in love.

My wife can put six rounds in a group the size of a grapefruit at 50 feet.....double action. That's with a 66 no dash P/R 2.5 inch barrel. Standing, rapid fire.

[Robert Hairless]

... The K frame is a dead design because of the inherent weakness of such a small frame for such a hard recoiling load according to Ayoob. ...



According to Smith & Wesson too, addressing Primedia Outdoors Editor's Roundtable (http://www.gunsandammomag.com/rt4/):

Belin [Smith & Wesson's Handgun Product Manager] also shared that the company is retiring the K-frame Model 65 and 66, but is reintroducing the two models as Model's 665 and 666 saying the new guns will be similar to the 65 and 66 except they'll be "L" framed guns.

"(The Model 65 and 66) is not a proper gun for current .357 loadings," said Belin.

Don't you just hate it when Ayoob and the manufacturer both see the same reality? ;)

I've been shooting a Model 65 recently and I might be in love with it. The only reason for doubt is that I've also been shooting a Model 28 (N frame .357, the Highway Patrolman) and I know I'm in love with that one. The other day it was breaking clay pigeons at 75 yards offhand and it let me hold it while it was doing so. Any gun that does such a thing for me has earned my affection. But the Model 65 is friskier and that's attractive.

[Stainz]

First, let us look at the difference in an L-frame (686) and K-frame: front strap width and frame opening height! They share the same lockwork and grips, but the L-frame allows a wider OD for the forcing cone, permitting more erosion before the barrel would have to be replaced. This erosion occurs more so with lite (110-125 gr) and high velocity rounds (1200+ fps). Stay out of that range, and you'll have a revolver that will be passed on to your children. The taller frame opening permits a larger OD cylinder - and a seventh round, a la the 686+ and the 65/66's replacement 619/620 series. As others have said, the greatest attribute of the K-frames is their inherent 'pointability', carried on in the 619/620 series, albeit with another ounce or so of metal. Always remember to compare these series with the same grips, as the grips are interchangeable - and make a world of difference.

Re ammo... why use a 125gr 1300 fps round? That round, with it's 468 ft-lb KE, may pass through several interior walls before injuring a neighbor. It will certainly deafen you, perhaps doing permenant damage, as well as blind you from the flash, if shot at night in a small enclosed space. Always remember why the .357M was developed - for J.Edgar's G-men to shoot through car doors at fleeing felons. Doug Wesson took all kinds of game - including bear - with his .357M as an advertising ploy back in the thirties. I guess, if your bg is hiding in the fridge, or has an irate elk with him, you may need a .357M!

A very effective PD round was developed for the .357M and +P-rated .38 snubbies tears ago - actually only replaced by semi's due to their greater capacity - the so-called 'FBI load'. This 158gr +P LHPSWC, like the Remington R38S12's I use, will make 840 fps from a 2" barrel (252 ft-lb) and 912 fps from a 3" barrel (291 ft-lb). They enjoy, from a 2" snubby, a significantly higher 'one shot stop' than the venerable .45 ACP ball ammo. My wife could empty her 3" 65 quickly and accurately - with wood stocks - with those rounds. Of course, the still new Speer 135gr Gold Dots have great promise, too.

You can always 'kill' the shine of a SS revolver with a maroon or grey ScotchBrite pad...

Stainz

[YodaVader]

The K Frame actually feels very light for its size. Could be balance, I don't know. How heavy are the 4 inch 66's?

My old Smith catalog lists the following for the Model 66:

30.5 oz - 2.5"
36 oz - 4"
39 oz - 6"

Like many mentioned here , if you truly don't like that 66 it should be pretty easy to sell.

[aguyindallas]

Alduro,

As of late, I have picked up a couple wheel guns. I have always been an semi-auto guy.

I got myself some Hogues/holsters and now I put them into my rotation. They are of course snubbies, not 4inch like you have there.

I have wanted a good ole 66 for a while. Good luck with it and let me know when/if you decide to part company with it.

[Iggy]

I think if you were to do a search for the "What gun would you choose if you could only have one" threads on the various gun forums, you will find that you have what the majority find to be the answer.

If you don't shoot the hottest loads you can find in it, it will still be shooting .38's and.357's for your grandkids when they want to learn how to shoot Grampa's guns.

Go shoot it and let it teach you it's merits.

[dhoomonyou]

Is the key.

[lanceman193]

I consider myself a J frame collector,however any time I can pick up a 66-1 in 2 1/2 or 4 inches at a good price I do.I think these are the best investment in handguns.Stainless steel can always be polished to look like nickel,these are discontinued,mostly pinned barrel and recessed cylinders,and shoot like a dream.I now have 2 four inchers and four 2 1/2 inchers,one of which is recessed but not pinned,It has the higher serial number of all,98Kwhatever it is.The triggers on all are great,damn' sure don't have integral locks,and forgive me folks,anybody heard of P&R S&Ws going Down in value?NOBRAINER!!!!!:)

[happy old sailor]

what can you do with it???

shoot it and walk proudly

[Mad Man]

Belin [Smith & Wesson's Handgun Product Manager] also shared that the company is retiring the K-frame Model 65 and 66, but is reintroducing the two models as Model's 665 and 666 saying the new guns will be similar to the 65 and 66 except they'll be "L" framed guns.


S&W Model 666 ?!

Queue the "Number of the Beast" jokes. :evil:

[461]

What is it good for? For starters taking it out and shooting it one time will prove that the "Experts" don't know jack about guns and that all that crap they spout is for selling advertising and that as a real gunner one must think for themselves. Second, it'll be about the best dang gun you ever owned (until you buy a Ruger) :D

[DB]

Models "665 & 666"... Aren't those really the newly introduced models 619 and 620?