Ruger and S&W have both done that, putting a seventh shot in both the GP100 and 686 without changing the name.
Yeah you're right, they have, but not quite the same situation and here's why. The 686 7-shot is called the "686 Plus 3-5-7," and in Ruger's case the GP100 has for the longest time been an umbrella designation with various sub-models in different calibers and capacities, so no big deal there. The 686 and Ruger GP100 in 357 Mag are still available new in 6-shot. The Taurus 66 is not, even though it was once their flagship traditional 357.
Taurus dropped their lesser known 6-shot fixed rear sight Model 65 from the line, renamed the adjustable rear sight model 66 to 65 and designated a new and different 7-shot as Model 66, as though the original 6-shot 66 never existed. It couldn't be more confusing. I'm sure the folks at Taurus were smokin' somthin' in those days.
The original Taurus 66 was a basic entry level "K-frame" 357 like the Smith M19. It has that Bill Jordan vibe to it. Doing the model name switcheroo like they did was just bad marketing and poor costumer service for their existing customers.
I really like my 686+
7 rounds, that’s a lot of 357 on tap
I like 7-shooters just fine. That 7th shot may save your life (especially if you miss the first six times). What I don't like is having to scroll through about 400 pages of web results pertaining to the 7-shot Model 66 before finding results pertaining to the original 6-shot 66 that I own.
Funny too, because I also have an old Model 85 stainless 5-shot 38 Spl. Years later when Taurus added a 6-shot version of the M85 it was designated as the 856. Similar thing when the Model 82 (38 Spl) came out in a 7-shot. They kept the 6-shot 82 in the line and designated the 7-shot as the 827. Almost as if that 3rd number has something to do with capacity. That's the way to do it.
Oh well, at this point the Taurus 66 has been a 7-shot for as long or maybe longer than it was a 6-shooter. I keep my firearms in such pristine condition it's hard to believe I've owned some of them for so long. My 66 still looks new. To me there are no old guns or new guns; just guns we like and others we're not that crazy about. For another example, I would never buy a revolver with a safety on it. I'd just as soon dress in women's clothing and hang around in bars.
/Rant
Hey, this rant belongs in the revolver section, doesn't it? Eh... accidents happen. (just ask Taurus)