Gun show fun

[robctwo]

Went to the local club's gun show today. Got Dad's S&W 10-6 out and decided to reload for it. Thinking about a .357, looking at full size S&W or Ruger. The show was packed. Couldn't hardly get to a table to look. After a couple hours I was looking at a small table run by an elderly couple. They had a pretty nice blue 27-2. Sitting next to that was a stainless 66-2







Didn't look like it had any wear at all. Fits my smaller hand better than the full sized. $485 OTD. I did have some concern about shooting a bunch of really hot .357 through it. Looks pretty good with the old 10-6



Had lunch. Talked to some club members. They liked the gun. One guy asked if I liked the Ruger Blackhawk. I said I just got one in 45 Colt/ACP. Went to my dealer's table. Surprise, he had the 6.5" convertible .357/9mm. Longer barrel. I've read here often enough to "get both", so I did.





He also had the .357 Stainless. Nice gun but broader grip. Thought the almost matching pair was nice.

Got all the makings for rolling my own except the lead. That should be here in a few days.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Nice group of pistolas you have there. I love me some Blackhawks.

 

[cottonmouth]

Don't worry about the model 66, it can hold it's own!

J.B.

 

[madcratebuilder]

The show was packed Saturday, looks like you did well.

 

[dbarale]

Nice guns! For the 66, just stick with heavy bullets (158gr) and it will be just fine. The 125 screamers are (were?) responsible for the forcing cone erosion and cracking.

 

[robctwo]

Thanks for the info. I have some 158 gr lead ordered. Will get some jacketed for higher velocity.

 

[Stainz]

Ohh, you've done it now. A .45 conv BH was my intro to revolvers... bought to shoot up my stash of .45 ACPs left when I sold my G21 nearly a dozen years ago. I just had to 'try' that .45 Colt cylinder - and the madness started. My handgun life had been .45 ACP - and c&b bp. Simple. Then .45 Colt - and I was reloading, too. I never 'touched' a .38 or .357M when I ordered a 2" 10-11 and a 6" 66-6, both new, from that Waco, TX closeout dealer most of seven years ago. Now, that's a mainstay here - all I seem to buy.

BTW, your K-frame .357M will take a steady diet of 125gr reloads - if you just don't make them as hot as the commercial offerings. After all, it's the 'gas-cutting' that is the problem - and that comes with higher velocity/pressure rounds. I shoot glorified .38s in .357M cases in all of my .357M's now - even moonclipped for my 627's. Fun plinker - and the 125gr Montana Gold JHPs are decently priced. I still have a ton of 158gr LSWC's, too, but the clad shoot cleaner.

Here is what the final installment of the 6" 66 looked like, my -6 made 1/03:



The day it arrived, I already had the HiViz front sight, Ahrends grips, and some Wolff springs waiting for it, not to mention some HKS #10 speedloaders to share with the 2" 10. I keep the speedloaders loaded with the Remington R38S12 +P 158gr LHPSWCs for HD duties. That 6" 66 is a great plinker - super fun with .38s. You did exceedingly well!

Stainz