Model 66 no dash or Beretta 96?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Feb 6, 2010
Messages
106
Location
MICHIGAN
I am considering getting a Model 66 no dash or a Beretta 96 no dash as my only hand gun for home and carry.

I like revolvers yet carried a Beretta 92 for a while so I am comfortable with that too.

I feel the 96 is a big gun for "Concealed" carry, but I already have a few holsters for it.

I would need to buy holsters for the Model 66 making it a bit more expensive.

What are your opinions on how these two guns compare?
 
If you know you like the Beretta, then that may be the right choice for you. If you have a line on a 66 no dash, you should by all means snatch it up. Even if it isn't the optimum for your concealed carry needs, you sure won't regret owning it down the road.
By the way, I carry a 65 and 66, (not at the same time) both in 4", and under an untucked shirt, with a good leather pancake holster they hide pretty well. You can often find good used ones for sale, even on the trading post here, for not too much money.
 
Last edited:
What are your opinions on how these two guns compare?

These are very difficult to compare, but I think one of the starting points of discussion would have to be which Lethal Weapon character you like better: Murtaugh or Riggs.
 
It'll be easy to find a Beretta 96 any time you want one. Nice Model 66 no-dashes are much harder to come by .....

Bingo. Otherwise, they are completely incomparable guns.
 
They are both great guns. I have both and would probably take the Beretta for home defense and carry just because of the magazine capacity.
 
I'd get the 66 since neither of them is that great a carry gun, compared to many others, but the 66 I just like more.

Then sometime later I'd try to save up for something a little smaller and flatter.
 
It'll be easy to find a Beretta 96 any time you want one. Nice Model 66 no-dashes are much harder to come by .....

I'm a revolver guy, so it's a "no-brainer" for me. I bought a "no-dash" 66, in basically NIBC, a couple of weeks ago. If you can get one, get it. They ain't getting no cheaper.
 
As has been stated, they are two completely different weapons. However, The Beretta 96 is a fairly common gun. The Model 66 is not only much harder to find, but are rapidly appreciating in price.

While with proper training both would do the job, it would be foolish to pass up an opportunity to by one of S&W's premier handguns in favor of a rather common auto.

If you learn how to shoot, you don't need 15 shots to do the job.
 
When looking for holsters for the 66, go to the pawn shops and guns shops that do a lot of gun sales. Most will have a couple of boxs of used leather from cops and security guards that traded in for newer stuff.

I've still see used (broke in) pancake holsters, duty holsters and sholder holsters for the Model 10's, 19 and 66 (which are interchangable) all over the place here in Kentucky. In fact, I still have a couple of older thumbsnap holsters for a 4" 686 and a couple of others from the old days. Keeping them "just in case" I ever get a good deal on a used Smith.
 
Now I do love me a 92/96. However, Id probably grab the 66 depending on barrel length.
 
Yes the S&W 66.

Especially if it looks like mine!

attachment.php


Can always get a slabsides simi-auto but real good S&W snubs are hard to come by.

Deaf
 
Tough call. I have both guns, but would be more inclined to carry the Beretta, and not just because of the ammo capacity. I carry IWB, and the Beretta, though bigger, is less bulky; the slide fits into the waistband more easily than the cylinder of the 66. Also the slide length keeps the weapon more secure, whereas the shorter barrel of the 66 (mine's a 2 1/2") tends to allow the holster to shift more. There's also the issue of muzzle flash at night, if you carry magnums in the 66.

Having said that, I have to add that I had to replace three factory springs (recoil, slide lock and mags) with Wolffs, to get the 96 to function properly! An added expense. As to the holsters for the revolver, you can find plenty of brand new ones, leather, on Ebay for 50 bucks or so. I also have to agree with the other posts that describe the 66 as a finer and rarer gun. You might just do as I did: get the 66 while you can, the 96 later. Good luck.
 
Hard Choice...

I have a model 66-5 2 1/2" and a Beretta 92fs stainless, among other my other pistols. I love my Beretta its without a doubt my favorite auto pistol. I learned how to shoot pistols on it. I base my opinion of all other pistols on it. The 96 being a 40 cal. you'll have cured the only downside of the 92. All that said, firing my model 66 with its two and a half inch barrel and it's cylinder stoked with federal 156gr is the most fun I've legally had. The 66 has a trigger that in double action is smoother than any other revolver I've shot. It really comes down to whether you want an auto or a revolver. The only downsides I can think of would be with the 66 and are as follows: 1) out of production, harder to find spare parts 2) harder to find accessories(grips) 3) according to some authorities(THR forum, the Firing line, S&W Forum) the M66 being a K-frame makes it "unsafe" handel the balls to the wall, fire breathing 125gr bullets.
If you can look past those 3 cons I would go with the Model 66. If those are deal breakers i'd go with the Beretta 96. Either way your gonna get a great gun. Good Luck.
 
I stand corrected, K frame grips are not hard to find Ebay and the rest have them. I couldn't find any wooden ones for a good price in my area.
 
Oh, I bet if you check out some grip maker's web pages you'll find a pretty wide variety.

Kind of rough not being able to look over and try the feel of something as personal and subjective as replacement grips in person, but if you have an idea of what you like or want you can do pretty well through the mail.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top