S&W 357 Magnum

[socialmonsters]

Hey everyone, this is only my second post and I'm pretty new to the handgun world in general. I've shot multiple times with my dad (20 year military vet) but I don't really have any in depth knowledge on firearms. I was recently given my first revolver, that belonged to my uncle (also ex-military), and I'd love any tips and suggestions on customizing and getting to know it better.

It's a Smith & Wesson 357 Magnum, 66-1, 4" barrel. I took it to the range for the first time yesterday and am already a big fan of how it shoots. It's got some nice weight to it, without being too heavy for my girlfriend, and seems to be very accurate. I used both .357 and .38 specials.

I apologize in advance if these questions are overly amateur. So far, only the grips have been changed from wood panels to rubber Pachmayrs. Other than that everything looks to be stock. I'd like to have it custom painted but don't know where to start with having that done. Also, I was wondering if it's possible to purchase a 2"-2.5" barrel to replace the 4" with. If so, where would be the best place to start looking?

Any info would be really appreciated. Thanks guys!

 

[MrBorland]

Welcome to THR!

Painting your M66? I couldn't tell you where to start, but I'd recommend keeping it as is. Molesting a classic firearm aside, stainless is pretty low maintenance.

As far as the barrel swap, it's possible to do, but it'd be far easier and better to keep it as is (a 4" .357mag is a terrific all-arounder) and pick up another M66 with the barrel you want.

You have a very fine revolver. Congrats. At this point, though, I'd recommend spending money on a bunch of .38spl ammo and learning to master it, rather than spending money on modifying it.

 

[BYJO4]

You have one of the most popular 357s ever made by Smith. The 4" barrel is ideal for almost any purpose. Properly maintained, it will also maintain its value. The rubber grips make it more comfortable to shoot in my opinion but you could get a set original wood grips to put on when showing it off. I would not make any other changes to the gun as it will take away from its value. Just add more guns to your collection as time goes on.

 

[bannockburn]

As others have already pointed out what you have with your Model 66 in it's current original condition is one of the best all-around .357 revolvers ever to be made. I might possibly look into getting an action job done by a reputable gunsmith but aside from that I really wouldn't be swapping out barrels or painting a stainless steel gun. It's pretty much .357 perfection just the way it is.

 

[DPris]

While it is your gun, the idea of painting stainless steel on a classic model like that (or really ANY stainless model) is hard to take for many of us.

No need, corrosion-wise, and it just puts too much makeup on a pretty girl who doesn't need any.

"Paint", in several of the common formulas, will eventually wear at contact/friction points, with regular use.
You'd also be de-valuing the gun by "painting" it. (I hope you don't mean literally "painting" it.)

As mentioned above, getting another 66 with a shorter barrel would be easier overall than scrounging for a used barrel & paying to have it installed.
You'd be looking at a minimum of $200 to go that route.

I have a 66 snub & quite like it, but I would never have monkeyed with a classic 66-1 in good shape to get there.
Denis

 

[Waveski]

Welcome aboard.

"I'd like to have it custom painted". No. No no no! You have , as already stated , a top notch stainless steel Smith&Wesson revolver. Perhaps you might like to polish it a bit (Flitz is a good product - NO power tools...) , otherwise it is perfectly good as is.

Your M66 is a heck of a fine first handgun for you. I am envious. Enjoy.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Welcome to THR.

Listen to what Mr Borland said. It's sound advice. If you want to modify a gun, I recommend you do it to a new production gun, not a classic.

WARNING: Revolvers are highly addictive.

 

[Bama Drifter]

Welcome aboard.

"I'd like to have it custom painted". No. No no no! You have , as already stated , a top notch stainless steel Smith&Wesson revolver. Perhaps you might like to polish it a bit (Flitz is a good product - NO power tools...) , otherwise it is perfectly good as is.

Your M66 is a heck of a fine first handgun for you. I am envious. Enjoy.

+1 on Flitz paste. Use a soft cotton cloth, and PLEASE for the love of all that's holy DO NOT abuse and devalue your gun with paint, or changing bbl length. For a snub, you may look into a S&W 642 ~ $350 brand new stainless .38 snubbie! I say again, plz don't screw around with a collector quality gun. Deaf Smith keeps his in the safe and carries GP-100 IIRC. Thanks

 

[gamestalker]

Congrats on the 66-1, they are a work of art.

I own a couple of M66 snubs, a 66-2 and a -5, and both are amazingly accurate with just about any load I feed them.

As far as altering the finish, I wouldn't even consider painting it, SS is about as good as it gets IMO. I polished one of mine and regret having done so, the original brushed finish looked so much better than the nickel like appearance polishing produced. I did however see a SS revolver that someone had recently hydro dipped to a camo finish, and it came out looking really cool. But I would seriously doubt that, that finish will hold up to constant exposure to the holster and firing. I would almost bet that the next time I see that revolver, that the finish will probably be chipping off.

The barrel can be swapped out, but unless you have a specific need to do so, I wouldn't go changing it. Doing so will likely only diminish it's value.

GS

 

[DPris]

One other consideration re polishing: If you take it to a mirror finish, you'll also reduce value.

Value as far as any potential sale down the road goes may or may not have any relevance to your situation.

On a family heirloom, presumably you'd want to hang onto the gun and possibly pass it on down some day, in which case the intrinsic value would have little importance.

But, on the off-chance that you might sell or trade to get into another gun you might like more, values on classic & "collector" guns is always dependent on condition and originality.

If the 66 is in good shape now, keeping it in good shape and un-modified (beyond grips & a trigger job) would help it retain value years from now.

Any finish alteration ("paint", coating, polishing) or barrel change would lower its value.
The only exception (in a different category) would be engraving (GOOD engraving, not cheap laser or low-grade work).

Just something to think about.
Denis

 

[X-Rap]

Not trying to be critical but I'd like to know what would possess you to want "custom paint" as a modification on an M66?

 

[cfullgraf]

Another point to remember, the K frame S&Ws in 357 Magnums (mostly the Model 19 and Model 66) have a reputation of splitting the forcing cone on the barrel with a steady diet of full power magnum loads.

If your desire is to shoot mostly full power loads, get a L or N frame S&W or a Ruger GP100 and got to town.

Save the Model 66.

 

[Starter52]

Another thing to consider.....if you find a 2.5 " barrel and switch it, you still won't have the correct gun. The factory 2.5" is a round butt gun, while yours is square butt.

 

[NoirFan]

You have a great gun there. I think the K-Frame Magnums are the ideal size for the .357 cartridge, anything bigger is just too clunky in my hands.

If you want to paint it, why not? It's your gun and they made a million of them so you're not defacing an irreplaceable classic. It won't hurt the steel either. Try enamel paints like kids use for models. That stuff comes right off with a quick dip in paint thinner if you decide you don't like it later. Just make sure you avoid painting any moving part or surface where metal touches metal, like the front of the cylinder. The clearances can be pretty tight on a revolver and a little bit of paint in those parts can tie up the whole works.

 

[DPris]

Good God!
Enamel MODEL PAINT??????????
Denis

 

[USSR]

socialmonsters,

First, you don't "paint" guns. Your stainless steel revolver is as good as it gets just as it is. Second, there would be more to it than simply replacing your 4" barrel with a 2.5" barrel. The rear sights are different and the ejector rod are different. If you want a 2.5" Model 66, save your $$$. They can be quite pricey. Ask me how I know.

Don

 

[j1]

The grip change seems like a good idea. Get a good holster and practice a lot. Safely of course. Enjoy it. You made a great choice.

 

[socialmonsters]

Thanks everyone for the multiple and quick responses.

Your advice has been heard loud and clear, as well as taken to heart. I won't be making any adjustments to the 66-1. I really appreciate the honesty. Initially, I wanted to change the finish simply due to having other similarly finished handguns, no other reason, so I have no problem NOT doing that now.

Also, as a few have alluded to, I was only looking for a shorter barrel to make this a lighter conceal. I'm all for looking into a separate gun all together though. Now I know this is personal preference but do you guys suggest a snubbie or a pistol for a concealed carry?

Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thanks again everyone!

 

[MrBorland]

do you guys suggest a snubbie or a pistol for a concealed carry?

There's a lot to be said for pistols for a CCW. But you've already got a 66, and will presumably practice with it, so unless you're willing to practice with two different (and new-to-you) platforms, logic tells me a revolver would be the simpler choice.

Personally, before deciding on your CCW, I'd recommend shooting your 4" 66 until you're sure you like it and to gain some proficiency with it. And in the meantime, see if you can rent a semi-auto (or 2 or 3...) to see if you like it at least as much.

 

[just for fun]

As an old timer that started out with revolvers, you came closer than many have over a long period of time, of spitting coffee all over this keyboard with your comment to paint your Smith! (that's what glocks are made for). If you want to do anything to your Smith order a set of grips from S&W website for it. not to use, but to make it correct should you decide to keep it or sell it. Prelock Smiths are only going up in value. Hold on to it!! (and change NOTHING!)

 

[socialmonsters]

Heard loud and clear! I won't make any mods at all on what I didn't know was/is such a classic. I really do enjoy it, even with the extremely small amount of experience I have with it, so I don't want to ruin a good thing.

 

[rcmodel]

If you want to do anything to your Smith order a set of grips from S&W website for it. not to use, but to make it correct should you decide to keep it or sell it.

I am also firmly in the 'don't paint a S&W' camp!!!

But I would point out you can't buy 'correct' grips for a model 66 from S&W any longer.
Your best bet is eBay, or one of the gun auction sites.

What S&W sell for grips now are nothing at all like the original ones should be.



Here is a former Kansas Highway Patrol Model 66 with the original factory Target grips.



Here is the same gun with factory Magna grips, and a Tyler T-Grip adaptor.
(Which I much prefer!)



rc

 

[Wishoot]

By the time you buy a new barrel and pay an experienced gunsmith to install it correctly, you're probably close the the cost of just buying a new revolver outright.

 

[rcmodel]

Its not just a matter of fitting a new barrel.

The ejector rod is shorter, and the sights are different on the Model 66 2 1/2".

Its not an improvement anyway.

rc

 

[RealGun]

Focus on getting your girlfriend her own gun, so it has no effect on what you shoot, although you might share some 38s.

You have some good value there to use in trade, if this gun doesn't really suit, and setting aside sentimental value.