The_Antibubba
Member
I just accquired a S&W Model 66, Stainless steel, 4" barrel I haven't been to the range yet. What are the quirks and peculiarities I can expect over the lifetime of this fine-looking revolver?
Questions on the 66
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Stainz
Member
I bought my first-ever .38/.357 last fall, after shooting big bores for years. The 66-6 I bought has a 6" barrel - and the new hammer lock. The latter is a non-issue... it won't ever be a problem. That 66 quickly received a fiber optic 'HiViz' front sight (The new sight must be drilled to be pinned in place.) and a Hoque wood grip (The original backstrap-enclosing rubber Uncle Mike's combat grips are better for recoil... I just like wood.). I shoot mainly .38 Special level lead loads in .357 brass - all my own reloads. In fact, I have only shot one commercial round, .357 Magnum, through mine - and it was a thump for sure.
My 66 broke in to be very smooth - and a joy to hold and shoot. I seem to be shooting it more than my once-revolver-favorite .44 Specials, .45 ACP's, and .45 Colts now. That may have to do with the low recoil - and low ammo cost. My numb hands (Larger bores take their toll after a while!) enjoy the .38-level performance. I have a pair of HKS #10 speedloaders - and they work perfectly with my 66 as well as the 2" 10 I bought at the same time. I am actually afraid to buy another .357/.38 now - I don't see how I could be more pleased!
Don't forget - S&W will remind you, should you call them to ask. The 66 is a .357 Magnum - and the forged and heat-treated frame, etc, will take the pounding. The smallish forcing cone is a limiter of sorts, and I just wouldn't shoot 'nuclear' level loads, as others have said, on a regular basis. I have been accused of shooting my 'wimpy' loads in .357 Magnum now - along with my older 'wimpy' loads in my .44 Magnum. I don't care... I still have my Ruger Super Redhawk in .454 Casull for 'emphasis'... and my light loads will keep my .357 & .44 Magnums alive for quite a while.
Stainz
My 66 broke in to be very smooth - and a joy to hold and shoot. I seem to be shooting it more than my once-revolver-favorite .44 Specials, .45 ACP's, and .45 Colts now. That may have to do with the low recoil - and low ammo cost. My numb hands (Larger bores take their toll after a while!) enjoy the .38-level performance. I have a pair of HKS #10 speedloaders - and they work perfectly with my 66 as well as the 2" 10 I bought at the same time. I am actually afraid to buy another .357/.38 now - I don't see how I could be more pleased!
Don't forget - S&W will remind you, should you call them to ask. The 66 is a .357 Magnum - and the forged and heat-treated frame, etc, will take the pounding. The smallish forcing cone is a limiter of sorts, and I just wouldn't shoot 'nuclear' level loads, as others have said, on a regular basis. I have been accused of shooting my 'wimpy' loads in .357 Magnum now - along with my older 'wimpy' loads in my .44 Magnum. I don't care... I still have my Ruger Super Redhawk in .454 Casull for 'emphasis'... and my light loads will keep my .357 & .44 Magnums alive for quite a while.
Stainz
JNewell
Member
It's a super classic -- enjoy. I know that they can be shot till they're loose in every dimension, but having never had a chance to interrogate the folks who did that to the 66s I've seen for sale used in that condition, I'd take the advice above and prepare to enjoy a great piece of hardware.
stans
Member
Antibubba, I suggest that you do not shoot that gun, for if you do, you will forever be hooked on the S&W K-frames.
bountyhunter
member
Keep the end of the crane tube well lubricated with a good grease. That is the stress point on a 66 that wears and gradually opens up the cylinder end shake. Also grease the frame slot in the recoil shield that the hand comes through.. wear at that point increases cylinder wobble in lockup.
Eskimo Jim
Member
Anti-Bubba,
I have a S&W 66-5 which is the model variation that came out right before Stainz's 66-6 with the internal lock.
I tend to shoot 38+P through mine most often. I have put some 125gr UMC 357 magnums through it.
I found that I can get respectable groups using 4.3gr of Hodgdon's Titegroup ahead of a 158gr TMJ-FP from Ranier Ballistics.
The only think I'm not crazy about is the rubber grips that came with it. I'll probably get replacement wood grips from Eagle or Herretts in the near future.
It's a joy to shoot. I hope that you have lots of fun with it.
-Jim
I have a S&W 66-5 which is the model variation that came out right before Stainz's 66-6 with the internal lock.
I tend to shoot 38+P through mine most often. I have put some 125gr UMC 357 magnums through it.
I found that I can get respectable groups using 4.3gr of Hodgdon's Titegroup ahead of a 158gr TMJ-FP from Ranier Ballistics.
The only think I'm not crazy about is the rubber grips that came with it. I'll probably get replacement wood grips from Eagle or Herretts in the near future.
It's a joy to shoot. I hope that you have lots of fun with it.
-Jim
Guy B. Meredith
Member
I can't shoot my M66 with internal lock as well as my 627, probably due to weight differnces, but I enjoy it a lot more. Wonderful balance and smooth action. Actually, before shooting the M66 I didn't understand what people meant by balance. Other shooters have done incredible groups with it and I am determined to improve my shooting to do it credit.
The least expensive revolver I have, but I might actually choose it over the 7-shot and the 8-shot if I had to. It will be getting a moonclip conversion as soon as the budget allows.
The least expensive revolver I have, but I might actually choose it over the 7-shot and the 8-shot if I had to. It will be getting a moonclip conversion as soon as the budget allows.
Valkman
Member
Man, do I love my 66-2! Back in '96, a gun store in Sacramento, CA had some police trade-ins for sale and I got there too late. Bummer, but the guy said they'd have more in a couple of weeks. When the day came I was waiting at the door when they opened and had my pick. I got one marked "Chico PD" that has the sweetest action you ever saw - I mean like buttah! It is the most accurate handgun I own by far, and I wouldn't part with it for anything. It was $229.95!
Stainz
Member
I have to add my $.02 re even my 6" 66-6... it sure does 'point' well - the balance is great! Don't get me wrong, I love the traditional look/feel of my square-conversion gripped 625 & 629 Mountain Guns... but this 'little' 6" 66 seems to 'point' more naturally, if possible, than those MG's! My 865 fps 158gr LRN/LSWC 'plinkers' are sure fun... and accurate. Yeah, a 2.5-3 inch version is now on my 'want' list. I doubt I'll ever miss the seventh round of a 686+ or eighth round of a 627PC, in shooting plates... it is just that accurate.
Since I have made all of it's ammo, I use Federal primers. This allowed me to replace it's springs with lower rate Wolff's. Add this to it's slick action, just from my usual clean/lube, dry-fire 500-1,000 times, re-clean/lube, and you have a delight to shoot. It was a bargain at $350 new - with a Redfield scope rail, which I sold further lowering it's net cost. Heck, I should have bought a second one while they had them... I could have had it re-barreled! Hind sight is soooo good. The 66 is a great revolver... and that is from a dyed-in-the-wool big bore revolver nut!
Stainz
Since I have made all of it's ammo, I use Federal primers. This allowed me to replace it's springs with lower rate Wolff's. Add this to it's slick action, just from my usual clean/lube, dry-fire 500-1,000 times, re-clean/lube, and you have a delight to shoot. It was a bargain at $350 new - with a Redfield scope rail, which I sold further lowering it's net cost. Heck, I should have bought a second one while they had them... I could have had it re-barreled! Hind sight is soooo good. The 66 is a great revolver... and that is from a dyed-in-the-wool big bore revolver nut!
Stainz
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
I do not want to rain on the Parade but I had a nice 66-1 with a 4" barrel and a square butt. It had a great action and wias an accurate shooter but I would rather have a badly blued gun over a sparkly revolver. I also had a real nice 4" 65 and sold both of these guns and bought a slick 586 4" and a K38. I also have a 13 that is just perfect. I really like the K frame and all of the blue variants of it.
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