I've been pondering the purchase of .357 revolver for general fun...range use, occasional "woods" carry, fishing, etc. At present time, Smiths and Rugers are for the most part out of my "easy to acquire" budget, whereas a Model 66 Taurus can be had under 400....Just wondering what people's experience has been with these, especially newer ones....accuracy, reliability, etc. Sure wish Taurus was running their rebate on these as well as the model 85 snubbies, which have also been tempting me....if the 3 inchers were commonplace, I'd likely grab an 85 in a heartbeat, but find the 66 4 inch pretty teempting too
Recent Production Taurus 66 experience?
- Thread starter Davek1977
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maxxhavoc
Member
My 66 is from 1984 as I recall. It's in the running for my most accurate pistol. It has had a steady diet of 357s, that's about all it shoots.
I use it as a woods gun and lawn mowing "snake" gun. No experience with newer 66's, but I have a 605 and an 85UL that have been bought in the last few years. They are solid and accurate.
The 66 is on the bottom.
I use it as a woods gun and lawn mowing "snake" gun. No experience with newer 66's, but I have a 605 and an 85UL that have been bought in the last few years. They are solid and accurate.
The 66 is on the bottom.
MedWheeler
Member
maxxhavoc, are you sure on the date of your 66? I was under the impression that the cylinder releases were round (like the gun in the top of your picture) prior to about 1990-ish. My 66, from 1987, and my buddy's 66, which is from about 1990 and is sitting in my safe right now, both sport round cylinder releases. Perhaps yours was replaced somewhere along the way?
maxxhavoc
Member
Your eye is better than my memory. It is a 2009.
Jim NE
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Sorry, no new 66, but I do have a new model 82. It's built on the same frame as a 66, but only shoots .38 Special, and is a solid gun. 100% reliable and accuracy is decent. My only negative comment is that the barrel tends to lead faster than other guns. Possibly a slightly larger bore? I don't know. The bore isn't quite as clean as some of my other new guns, but with Taurus, it's all about getting the job done at a lower cost, and I certainly think it does that. VERY hard to find a shiny blued finish that nice on a brand new gun that only cost me $330.
entropy
Member
Not sure what year it was made, (he bought it new in '14) but my son's 66 is very accurate, and reliability is not a problem. I always fire a few jackets bullets at the end of a range session, (with other guns,too) seems to keep the leading down.
ewrski
Member
I have a 66 circa maybe 2010.. Never a problem. Shoots straight....
hemiram
Member
A friend of mine bought one last year, brand new, Shoots and looks great.
loose noose
Member
I've got a Taurus model 686 SS and it was purchased back around 1995-96, has the ported barrel in the 6", I too have only shot 357 rounds thru it, and as far as accuracy goes it is extremely accurate. Since I've had it I've probably shot 1000 or more rounds thru it, and shot at least 3 feral hogs with it. One of the hogs stands out as it was a one shot kill at nearly 100 yards, and weighed in after being field dressed at 210 #s. Never had a problem with that handgun, it is just as tight as my S&W Model 19 with the 4" barrel. BTW it was made in Brazil. I'd go for it as Taurus seems to have pretty good customer service.
JeeperCreeper
Member
I know nobody in person that has had an issue with a Taurus revolver (not pistol... just revolvers). I wouldn't be worried about buying one.
Just to be that guy, Sarsilmaz has been having their 357 revolvers imported for around $300 recently. I love Sar products. I would rather have one of those but that's just a crappy opinion.
Just to be that guy, Sarsilmaz has been having their 357 revolvers imported for around $300 recently. I love Sar products. I would rather have one of those but that's just a crappy opinion.
Riomouse911
Member
I bought a stainless 66 in 1988 I believe....It was a good revolver, well made and shot accurately.
Unfortunately I sold it about a year and a half after I bought it when I was between jobs and needed to pay the rent...
Unfortunately I sold it about a year and a half after I bought it when I was between jobs and needed to pay the rent...
dawei
Member
Taurus® never made a Mdl 686SS. They did make a Model 669 and a 689. I have a 669SS4CP and I suspect that your gun is a 669. Both the 669 & 689 were available blued and stainless with 4" and 6" barrels. The 669 was ported but not the 689. The 689 did have a vent rib, however.
hemiram
Member
I got one of those a while back, seems to be a very solid gun. A little loose in the lock up, but no problems, and it has a much better DA trigger than new S&W 686's have been coming with.
loose noose
Member
Sorry fella's it is a 669, says so right on the frame inside of the crane, it kind of reminds me of the S&W model 686, with the exception of the main spring being of the coil type, rather than the leaf. Excellent balance with the 6" barrel and full length ejector housing.
stchman
Member
I own a Taurus Model 66 7 shot 6" made in 2001 and it is a good revolver. No problems and shoots great.
Glockula
Member
I m have had a 669CP 6 inch barrel that I got in 1995. Sorry, but not new. I have put 1000s of .357s and 38s through her. It is my beater woods gun, accurate as sin and more than a few venomous snakes have lost at the business end. I had it in them holster yesterday.
Confederate
Member
Several years ago, I shot someone's Taurus .357. It was a beautiful black revolver patterned after the S&W 19, including the heavy barrel. The one I shot really impressed me, but I've never seen one since. If anyone has one, I'd like to hear about your experiences and see a photo or two.
Finding a good, used Ruger Security-Six might also be worth considering.
Finding a good, used Ruger Security-Six might also be worth considering.
Mark 40
Member
Good for you Davek; hope you'll check back with your impressions and a range report.
stchman
Member
Stainless, blued? 4" or 6"? I saw Bud's is selling the 4" Model 44 SS for $383 shipped.
Steve51
Member
Not sure when I purchased mine. It is a 7 shot stainless steel M66 with 4" barrel. Very accurate and have had absolutely no problems with it. I wanted a Ruger GP-100 but could not be had at the time. Probably during one of Obama's gun control crusades. My LGS had the Taurus. I had heard some bad things about them and was reluctant. He assured they were good revolvers. In my case, he was right.
thats the exact version i ordered, and where i ordered from
was planning a day of shooting and grouse hunting today, but rained out. that said, i HAD to do a little shooting since i was at the ranch, and put about a box of 158 gr aguilia jsps through it, along with some .38s. i didnt have the time or conditions to do any real sighting in/accuracy testing, but had no issues blowing up some pop cans and plastic bottles. definitely more snap to it than my other handguns...22's, 9mm's and .38s.....but in a good, fun way LOL no issues with function, and i think i'm already loving it with what limited shooting i've done.....i don't regret the purchase in any way.
il.bill
Member
My buddy had his brand new SS Taurus Model 66 7-shot 4" Bbl Revolver out for the first time this week. It shoots very well and handles factory 158 grain SJHP with ease. We all especially liked the trigger feel and the easy to cock for SA hammer. It looks like a keeper!
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