New Smith 66

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Panzerschwein

Panzerschwein

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Gang I got a new Smith & Wesson Model 66 .357 Magnum:

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This model was popular with lawmen during the 70s and 80s. Should make a great little stopper for on the trail or home defense. Smooth trigger action and adjustable sights. I really like it. Thought I'd share and have a great weekend guys.

-CD
 
Charliefrank said:
Nice Smith you've got there. By new I assume you mean new to you, as it appears to be an older model. Which in my opinion is a good thing.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.
Click to expand...

Ha yes I meant new to me. Quite frankly and I don't mean to come off as arrogant here, but I won't own a currently produced Model 66, or any other current S&W revolver that has... well, you know, the hole as it were.

Too many good Smiths out there without that "feature" and without some others Smith has decided were good ideas in recent times.
 
I myself prefer the older models and keep my eyes peeled all the time. You never know when you'll find a gem, like your 66.
A few months ago while making the circuit of my local gun shops I came across a gem myself. An old model Ruger Super Blackhawk. So what I can't safely carry six rounds in it. You should see the bluing on this thing, and the trigger pull is outstanding.
 
Charliefrank said:
I myself prefer the older models and keep my eyes peeled all the time. You never know when you'll find a gem, like your 66.
A few months ago while making the circuit of my local gun shops I came across a gem myself. An old model Ruger Super Blackhawk. So what I can't safely carry six rounds in it. You should see the bluing on this thing, and the trigger pull is outstanding.
Click to expand...

Very awesome. I paid about 2/3 the cost of what Smith wants for one of their new 66s, and this one is in really great shape. Was just a no brainer for me personally. I understand the new Smiths are not bad guns and I am absolutely NOT bashing them, I just prefer the older ones.
 
Charliefrank said:
I myself prefer the older models and keep my eyes peeled all the time. You never know when you'll find a gem, like your 66.
A few months ago while making the circuit of my local gun shops I came across a gem myself. An old model Ruger Super Blackhawk. So what I can't safely carry six rounds in it. You should see the bluing on this thing, and the trigger pull is outstanding.
Click to expand...

I think Ruger can and will fix the old Blackhawks up with transfer bars for free if you send them the gun, not positive though. Or you could just leave it be of course.
 
Cooldill

Nice clean looking Model 66! Did you already have the holster and speed loaders or did they come with the gun? Like you I much prefer older "vintage" S&W revolvers to many of their current offerings.
 
bannockburn said:
Cooldill

Nice clean looking Model 66! Did you already have the holster and speed loaders or did they come with the gun? Like you I much prefer older "vintage" S&W revolvers to many of their current offerings.
Click to expand...

I've had them for a while, been using them for my Model 64 and the Model 66 fits great.
 
Nice looking 66! A friend of mine just picked up a 2.5 inch version. They are nice revolvers. I have a 4 inch M64 and 4 inch 686, but a nice 66 has eluded me so far
 
Looks like a clean older 66. Beginning in early '74, I carried a similar one full time for several years. I liked the 66 so much, I wore it out and had to have S&W totally overhaul it around 1980. When the L-Frames came out I started carrying and shooting one of those, so never shot my 66 enough to wear it out again. Fine little revolvers.

old 66 (2) - Copy.JPG
 
Your 66 looks to be in excellent condition. There is no doubt that you will find it to be perfect for trail, range, and home defense. The K-frame is the perfect combination of size and accuracy for your purpose. There is a reason that the LE agencies across the country adopted it. One bit of advice would be to stay away from using lighter (125-110 grain .357) ammo except sparingly. It’s use has been known on to cause forcing cone cracks in the bottom flat area with extensive use of hot loads. 158 grain bullets do not have the “jump” from the chamber that lighter bullets do and have proven to be OK. Of course, any 38 special load will be fine in your revolver.
 
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Nice! I don't have a 4" 66, but I do have these:


0113181017a.jpg

From left to right: 66-1 w/ 2.5" barrel, 66-5 transition w/3" barrel, and 66-2 w/2.5" barrel. The -1 is an old and trusted companion....we've been together for quite awhile.
 
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Avoid heavy use of lighter 110s & 125s through it, if you weren't already aware.
S&W won't service the gun if you crack the forcing cone.
Denis
 
Thanks, gang. The 125s shown are for carry. I like that load, read a recent report from a lawmen saying to the effect "I've seen a lot of people shot with different calibers over the years. The .357 magnum was considered legendary for a reason" or something like that. The 125s had a great reputation, I will be shooting mostly .38s and 158 .357s as I have heard the 125s can be rough on the forcing cone especially if not cleaned often.
 
Nice gun you've got there Cooldill. Hard to beat a K-frame 357.

I've got a 66-1 that is a Virginia State Police 50th Anniversary Model. And like BigBore44's above, it has (I believe) never been fired outside the factory. Beautiful gun, with the wood presentation case.

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It will probably never be fired as long as I own it. I've got other guns, including a Model 19 to shoot.

I do love those smooth presentation grips though. Man, they are nice. :)

So is that basketweave holster you got there.. :)
 
Nice find! My friend has one just like it that he got from his dad. It and my K22 Masterpiece have the best DA triggers that I've ever shot. I don't think it's a coincidence that they're both S&W's from the same era.
 
Extremely cool. I like and trust revolvers for defense, so have them at hand. This one should make a fine belt gun for outdoors.
 
Howdy

Nice Model 66. PM me the Serial Number and I will look up when it was made. Any dashes after the words MOD 66?

The counterbored cylinder and pinned barrel were deleted with the Model 66-2 in 1982, and that style of grips probably dates it as sometime in the 1980s. In 1997 they went to MIM triggers and in 1998 the cylinder stop stud was eliminated, all the internals were MIM, and the internal lock was installed.

Regarding transfer bars in Rugers, if you send a Three Screw Ruger back to the factory they will automatically change the hammer and trigger and install a transfer bar. They will not ship it back without a transfer bar installed. Whether or not you get the original parts back these days I don't know. I have a bunch of Three Screw Rugers, I would not dream of sending them back to the factory for any work.
 
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