New Beefed-Up S&W 66: Anyone Have One?

[Confederate]

Now that the Ruger Security-Six is no longer made, I'm thrilled to finally -- after all these years -- see that the S&W 66 is finally making a come back. The 686 is a good .357, but a bit chunky. The nice thing about the New 66 is that it's more robust and has a thicker forcing cone. No more cracks, no more stretching. Now comes the fun part: trying to find one and at a reasonable price!

So does anyone have one? If so, let's see it and hear the story! Oh, and the price.

Deaf, do you have one yet?

 

[gamestalker]

I'm really interested in it also. I currently have two 66's, a -2 and -5 snubs. I love the M66's, they are a fine revolver, lock up is clean and tight right out of the box. So if the newer stronger version is anything like the older one's, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one to add to my small slow growing collection.

Despite the alleged forcing cone issue on the older one's, I have run thousands of full house H110/296 jacketed loads through both of mine since acquisition, and I haven't seen any indication of a problem what so ever, and that includes a good number of 110 gr and 125 gr. JHP's also. They're both just as clean action feeling, and lock up is as tight as the day I bought them used. I can't hardly wait to get my hands on one of the new one;s either.

Aren't they now considered an "L" frame?

GS

 

[MrBorland]

Aren't they now considered an "L" frame?

Nope. Still a K-frame. I checked one out at the LGS, and the guy behind the counter thought it was now an L-frame as well. I compared it's cylinder to an L-frame 686 they also had, and it's obvious it's a K-frame.

I don't have one, but the new 66s look good. A full forcing cone, a (tad longer) 2-piece barrel, and they replaced the locking lug in front of the ejector rod with a well-engineered ball detent at the front of the yoke.

 

[CajunBass]

I don't have one, but noticed one in the case at my local dealer this afternoon.

The hang tag was marked $839.99. No idea what the "wiggle room" might be on a new gun.

 

[A.K.A.]

Hi. I'm a long time lurker, first time poster. MSRP for a Model 66 is $849. As to wiggle room on pricing, a week ago I purchased a new Model 686 SSR for the hangtag price at $859, which carries an MSRP of $999. The dealer offered me a 3% discount for cash. Later in the week I stopped by a high-profile dealer in Charlotte, NC who had a new Model 686 SSR on display for list price. I haven't found gun dealers to offer any significant wiggle room over their price as marked on the hang tag. It pays to shop around if one has the option.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Here is the difference between a K and L snubbie .357.

The 66-2 on the left is a bit lighter but with full magnums a bit to light.

The 686-1 on the right is, like the 3 inch GP-100, kind of heavy.. but one can handle more powerful ammo with it.

Neither of these are 'beefed up' but as long as you only use those 'beefed up' rounds now and then they will do fine.

But if you do want a 'beefed up' .357... ok.

That's my pick. And yep, I have 'em all.

Deaf

 

[gwpercle]

I sure wish I had One, K-frame , 357 magnum , what's not to like?
Maybe Santa will get my list this year and drop one off at Christmas.

 

[Confederate]

Neither of these are 'beefed up' but as long as you only use those 'beefed up' rounds now and then they will do fine. But if you do want a 'beefed up' .357... ok.

Well, if I'm going to have a S&W 66, I'd prefer to have one that's beefed up. I'm surprised they left the cylinder the same size, but I like the new lock-up. But I'm not going to spend $845 for one! You can get a mint Security-Six for $450. Spending almost a grand for a revolver shows how much our money has been devalued.

 

[Old Dog]

Not sure where exactly some of y'all live, but I have seen several new specimens of the M-66 in dealer cases lately for prices ranging from $739 to $799. That tells me that there have to be some good deals on this revolver out there in internet gun-land ...

I'm gonna get around to picking one up, sooner than later, and I'll write up a comparison with my 4" 66-4 on it ...

Edited to add: just checked the website for one of our more expensive LGSs, they've got the new 66s in stock for $729, which tells me that I should be able to find one locally for $699 or less ....

 

[Old Dog]

OP, just noticed that member Guy B. Meredith mentioned he was looking for nightsights for his new M-66 (w/the lock), so there's at least one of us who already owns one ...

 

[anothernewb]

I hope it gets popular enough to sell it in a 6"

 

[Confederate]

I hope it gets popular enough to sell it in a 6"

The Ruger SECURITY-SIX in 6-inch is a gem. But so then are the S&W 66 revolvers. The gun rags years ago showed a lone hunter in the snow aiming his 6-inch medium frame revolver. But they don't do that with the large barrel lug guns because they're ill-suited for that kind of hunting.

But then I'm strange. I'd like to see a 3-inch LCR. To have barrels below 2-inches in a .357 is a travesty.

 

[horsemen61]

We will have to agree to disagree on the under 3 inch thing confederate I like a snubby especially my lcr 357 mag

 

[Deaf Smith]

Well, if I'm going to have a S&W 66, I'd prefer to have one that's beefed up. I'm surprised they left the cylinder the same size, but I like the new lock-up. But I'm not going to spend $845 for one! You can get a mint Security-Six for $450. Spending almost a grand for a revolver shows how much our money has been devalued.

Totally agree! In fact you can get almost TWO Security Six's for that price.

Deaf

 

[gotboostvr]

I see them locally at 700.00 at two different gun shops.
If they bring back the 3" or less barrels, or 5" or more, I very well may pick one up.
Until then I've got plenty of 4" 357's

 

[centag]

I bought one last year and like it. It is loosed up or smoothed out with use. Don't see much sense posting a picture. Mine looks like all the others.

 

[Buckeye357]

I have one and really like it. I added wolf springs,main and rebound,also smoothed up block and molly lubed everything. The trigger was a bit stiff but now I love how it feels . I bought the 66 to shoot and so far I put about 700 rounds thru it and it gets better and better. I paid a little over $700 for mine out the door from my local dealer.

 

[daverich4]

Hi. I'm a long time lurker, first time poster. MSRP for a Model 66 is $849. As to wiggle room on pricing, a week ago I purchased a new Model 686 SSR for the hangtag price at $859, which carries an MSRP of $999. The dealer offered me a 3% discount for cash. Later in the week I stopped by a high-profile dealer in Charlotte, NC who had a new Model 686 SSR on display for list price. I haven't found gun dealers to offer any significant wiggle room over their price as marked on the hang tag. It pays to shop around if one has the option.

If you're referring to Hyatt Guns, they show list prices in the store but discounted prices on their web site. They'll try to get you to pay list but honor the online price if you ask. In other words, they'll sell you a 66 for $700 if you ask.
http://www.hyattgunstore.com/smith-...a-sa-357-magnum-4.25-6rd-stainless-steel.html

And while this is more than you paid for your 686 SSR, this is the price Hyatt actually would have sold it to you compared to the price tag in the store. Just gotta look online first.
http://www.hyattgunstore.com/smith-...ainless-357-w-4-barrel-adjustable-sights.html

 

[stoky]

To have barrels below 2-inches in a .357 is a travesty.

I agree. 4" is okay, 6" is perfect. I guess some folks like fireballs in their faces.