what do you guys think about this model? i hear that you dont want to put alot of hot 357 rounds through it. does anyone have one of these? these have a red ramp front sight & adjustable white outline rear sights 3 had a lock near the grip & one did not. marked $475 they said i could have one for $450 one of them had pachmayr grips the others had unmarked rubber grips. would mostly be used for woods gun.
s&w 66 4"
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Radagast
Member
jeepguy:
$450 is a good price for an excellent condition 2nd hand Model 66.
Yes it is not a good idea to use high velocity light weight magnum ammunition in them (125 grain being the most commonly cited)as it can cause cracking of the forcing cone or flame cutting of the top strap. This is why S&W developed the model 686 which has a more robust forcing cone and top strap. Although more durable the 686 is also heavier and does not balance as well for many shooters.
For your purposes, loaded with .38 special or 158 grain magnum rounds it should last you years, mine dates to 1973 and has required a tune up twice.
The key lock means the gun is a 66-6, dating from 2002 to 2005. Many people consider the keylock to be the spawn of Satan, there have been rare instances of it failing and locking up the gun, but I personally wouldn't worry much about that.
Short summary, it should be a fine gun for your purposes, download the how to check out a revolver sticky at the top of this forum, check out each one, the one in best condition is the one that I would buy.
$450 is a good price for an excellent condition 2nd hand Model 66.
Yes it is not a good idea to use high velocity light weight magnum ammunition in them (125 grain being the most commonly cited)as it can cause cracking of the forcing cone or flame cutting of the top strap. This is why S&W developed the model 686 which has a more robust forcing cone and top strap. Although more durable the 686 is also heavier and does not balance as well for many shooters.
For your purposes, loaded with .38 special or 158 grain magnum rounds it should last you years, mine dates to 1973 and has required a tune up twice.
The key lock means the gun is a 66-6, dating from 2002 to 2005. Many people consider the keylock to be the spawn of Satan, there have been rare instances of it failing and locking up the gun, but I personally wouldn't worry much about that.
Short summary, it should be a fine gun for your purposes, download the how to check out a revolver sticky at the top of this forum, check out each one, the one in best condition is the one that I would buy.
tractorboy
Member
How do you plan to use it?
I just (6 mos ago) picked up a 4" 66. I might possibly hunt with it someday but for now I just use it for target w/ 38 spl loads in 357 cases and it makes a dandy shooter.
If I planned a steady diet of magnums, I would probably opt for a heavier gun as much for comfort as anything.
I just (6 mos ago) picked up a 4" 66. I might possibly hunt with it someday but for now I just use it for target w/ 38 spl loads in 357 cases and it makes a dandy shooter.
If I planned a steady diet of magnums, I would probably opt for a heavier gun as much for comfort as anything.
MachIVshooter
Member
The 66 is a great gun.
It's the lightweight loads that beat 'em up. The old Ruger -Six guns had the same problem with cracked forcing cones from light/fast ammo. That's why both S&W and Ruger developed more robust .357's.
Just stay 135 gr. and up, no worries. K-frames are stronger than many would have you believe. That said, if you plan on shooting nothing but full loads all the time, you'd be better suited with an L-frame.
It's the lightweight loads that beat 'em up. The old Ruger -Six guns had the same problem with cracked forcing cones from light/fast ammo. That's why both S&W and Ruger developed more robust .357's.
Just stay 135 gr. and up, no worries. K-frames are stronger than many would have you believe. That said, if you plan on shooting nothing but full loads all the time, you'd be better suited with an L-frame.
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