S&W Model 19/66?

S&W 19s and 66s are considered to be some of the most perfect revolvers the company has ever produced. The snubs in particular are exquisite pieces of workmanship and performance. The phase out of the K and transition to the L had more to do with durability re: magnum rounds than any perceived shortcomings with the K-frame. Ks are becoming pricier as collectors realize the value of this fine revolver platform. No S&W collection is complete without at least one 19 and/or 66.

I've owned a couple of Model 66s, one an early no dash variant and another more recent one with MIM hammer and trigger.
Both needed a bit of a tune up after a couple of years, The cylinder stop spring died after 38 years in the no dash and the MIM hammer block failed in the in the more modern one.
Accuracy was excellent with both. My first five shots through the no dash knocked over 4 out of 5 100 yard rams.
Balance with the standard heavy barrel is good, but not as 'perfect' as the tapered barrel .38 special Model 15.
In my hands the Goncalo Alves target stocks pointed more naturally than the Pachmayer Grippers I also used, but the Pachmayers had the edge for concealment and if using a speed loader.
The triggers are typical S&W, a fairly heavy double action of around 12 pounds and a very crisp 3 to 4 pound single action.
The red ramp insert on the later gun was much easier to see than the stainless front sight of the 1970s gun.
I've recently traded of my Model 66 in favor of a six inch Model 28 and I don't regret the trade. If I was going to carry one the 66 would win. If I was going to play IDPA the Model 66 would win. But as most of my shooting these days is down the line, the Model 28 is better suited to my requirements.

Got this one several years ago from a co-worker for $260.00. It's a tack driver. Model 19-3. It gets shot occasionally. No plans on ever getting rid of it.

I really like the size of the K frame S&W's with a 4" barrel. They handle the recoil of .357 loads just fine and are, of course pussycats with .38 Specials.

Mine is a 66 no dash that I picked up several years ago and is very accurate.

Ahh yes, the model 19, one of my favorites to be sure. The balance with the 4" gun is divine. This one is the collector.



This one is a rescued 66, now bead blasted matte. This one is the shooter.

Either one is a excellent choice. I have a 19-2 4 inch and a 66-4 4 inch. I believe S&W K frame revolvers are the best all around revolver ever made by S&W.
Howard



Howard

i prefer the model 65 4 inch heavy barrel fixed sight.no rear sight to damage if dropped or rusting.the ideal to me is the model 65 3 inch heavy barrel round butt fixed sight.compact for ccw carry,stainless forcorrosion issues,but still the great addition to the model 19 family.

Model 66-1

I have this 2 1/2" model 66-1. I would like to get a blue model 19, either 2 1/2" or 4" one day.

I've got 4 K frame guns. And two of them are the 19 and 66 you're asking about. I've also got an N frame 28 and have shot L frames belonging to friends on quite a few occasions. Of the lot I actually prefer the K frame guns for most of my shooting.

In a word? Let's say "Delightful". For me the K frame balance in the hand very nicely for the style of shooting I like doing and using them for. Namely a mix of standing freestyle bullseye and run around "action" matches. The 19 does very well for me in my revolver class in our local club level Speed Steel meets. And I just used my 66 in one of our local IDPA meets for the first time. A little rocky with the speed loaders but otherwise for a first time under the timer I did pretty decent with it.

By the way, from this description you can see that ALL of my handgun shooting is range time only. I also shoot primarily .38Spl out of the guns. And when I do shoot .357's I prefer my own reloads that are down in pressure and velocity from maximum by about 10% to tone down the recoil for the lighter guns.

For full power, longer distance and flatter trajectory the 28 gets loaded up with full power .357 rounds. The extra mass tones down the smack to the hands and makes the full power rounds a delight out of the 28. It's not that I'm afraid of using the full power rounds in the 19 or 66, it's just that I find it pounds my hands and wrist into a bit of shockyness after a cylinder or two so I prefer a "little off the top" with the lighter K frame guns. My favourite round to shoot from my K frame guns is .38Spl+P power levels in my reloads.

I'm absolutely addicted to K-Frame guns.

I have 3 Model 10s, a Model 64, and a Model 19-3.

What sweet shooters!

My very favorite revolvers. I agree with those who say the 19/66 were the finest revolvers to come out of S&W. There has been nothing as nicely made or beautifully designed and finished since.

I have multiple examples of both the 19 and the 66 in every barrel length made. 2.5", 3", 4", and 6". I have not found a 3" 19 - yet, so the 3 inch 66's will have to hold me over.

I have heard of 5 inch model 19 "lunchbox" guns being made. These were 19's that had 5 inch barrels made by employees and were allegedly smuggled out of the factory.

If I had to choose a favorite I guess it would be the pre lock 66 in 3 inch or 2.5 inch flavor. As a detective I carried both for many years. In my retirement I mostly carry an old 2.5" 19-4 beater.

Great revolvers that we won't see the likes of again.

Only the perfect blend of size and power. In four inch trim, the most wonderfully balanced revolver ever, in 2.5 inch snubby version, an awesome daily packer ... My favorites are the 19-3/19-4 P&R in blue, and the 66-4 snubby.

2.5" 66-3 here. Quite easily my favorite method of firing a 357 out of a handgun. I stick to heavy bullets 145gr and above. I don't know just how valid the concern of firing a light bullet in a K frame is, but I have no need to find out.

Here's a shot of my Model 65 3" .357...



I also have a security trade-in Model 10 with the same grips.

I love the way the K-frame balances in my hand. If I absolutely HAD to pick "one handgun if I could only own one," it could very well be the Model 65. A lot would depend on whether concealed carry is a huge factor. If it is, I would probably go with my J-frame Model Pro-60. But I do love the K-frames...


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I have a 4" 19-3 blued, bought new in the mid-70's. The M-19's reportedly have a problem with cracking of the forcing cone, mostly with hot, light-bullet loads. The M-66's don't seem to have this problem.
This is my "walk in the woods" gun, stoked with +P handloads. A real sweet, well-balanced, and accurate gun. I have a 1-1/4", 5-shot group at 25 yards, open sights target posted on my reloading wall.

Love the K frame S&W! I have a 66-0 and 66-2 both with 2.5 bbls, a 64-4 sporting a 3' barrel and round butt and a 10-5 with the 4' skinny barrel. Love them all. At one time I also had a 65-0 and a 66-4 both with 4' barrels I regret selling them both, which I'm currently in the hunt to replace them both.....

JFrame, I had to go check my collection to see if mine 65 was still there. It is. Yours looks identical to mine right down to the grips. My wife took my 2 1/2 inch 66-2 for her gun so I had to find another. I found a nice 3 inch 65-3 that I carry quite a bit when off duty.

Black Knight said:

JFrame, I had to go check my collection to see if mine 65 was still there. It is. Yours looks identical to mine right down to the grips. My wife took my 2 1/2 inch 66-2 for her gun so I had to find another. I found a nice 3 inch 65-3 that I carry quite a bit when off duty.

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Hey, B.K. -- looks like we both scored a winner!

My 65 came with wood grips, but I got the Pachmayr Compac grips for it. I really like those grips, so I also got them for my Model 10. I'll probably also get them for my 686 at some point, just to have consistency of feel across the three guns.


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Oh Baby - gotta lot of love for the 66's. All P&R for me. I really need to clean them up and get some better shots of them. Great guns to shoot.

66-1 6" on top, then the 66 all SS including rear sights 4" and the MSHP 66-1 from below.



No dash snubbie with aftermarket grips - gotta get that fixed.


A little range time with 3 66's and a 27-2


66-1 MSHP my first and favorite...

Well the greatest endorsement I can give S&W k frames is I carry a 3" model 13 everyday. I have owned shot and carried all sorts of handguns and find I shoot the k frames the best. Not only is it accurate at slow deliberate fire but also as a fighting handgun running drills such as FBI quality etc.

A couple of 66's and a 19

66-no dash


66-4


19-2

I've got a few in up to 6" flavor. My favorite is this 19-4 with boot grips. It is an excellent gun to carry AND shoot. The previous owner installed meprolight 3 dot sights on it.

mbopp said:

I have a 4" 19-3 blued, bought new in the mid-70's. The M-19's reportedly have a problem with cracking of the forcing cone, mostly with hot, light-bullet loads.

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Yep, my early 80s 6" M19 cracked the forcing cone but with 158 grain loads. S&W replaced it at their cost. I treat the pistol easier, when it gets shot, with only an occasional cylinder full of hot loads.

Love the revolver. I would like to get a 4" M19 or M66 someday. The wife's 4" M586 just does not have the same balance.

K frames are great.