S&W model 66 safe ammo???

[kingvillien]

I've read on several forums that the S&W K frame revolvers can't handle 125gr bullets, but can handle 156gr and up because of a defect in their forcing cone. Is this true? Would shooting buffalo bore out of it be safe, particularly this product: http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php...t_detail&p=287 ? Thanks.

 

[LawofThirds]

Erm....

I wouldn't suggest it. You're looking at a gun that can handle small amounts of normal level .357 and ammo that's as hot as .357 can possibly be loaded. The combination is about the quickest way I can think of shooting a revolver loose. Plus, that round HURTS. Out of a snubby 66, I can imagine it would be somewhere very close to the "ice the hand afterwards" threshold. I would suggest looking at their .38 +p 158g SWCHP load or their short barrel "tactical" .357 158 JHP instead, you'll get normal or above normal .357 performance out of either one.

 

[kingvillien]

Thanks man!!

 

[Hondo 60]

The high-powered 110 & 125 gr ammo is not good on the forcing cone (where the barrel meets the cylinder) of a K-framed revolver (Models 13, 19, 65 & 66).
Some forcing cones have cracked, which necessitates a new barrel.

That's why S&W came out with the L-framed revolvers like the 581, 586, 681 & 686.
The forcing cone is beefed up on these models.

158 gr ammo is slower when it hit the forcing cone, so is safer for any model 357

 

[kingvillien]

Which "off the self" 357mag rounds would you recommend for self defense? Which would you recommend for practice shooting?

 

[LawofThirds]

Not all 158 .357 is the same. The buffalo bore heavy .357 is a 158 at over 1400 fps. That's a lot of bullet in what's at best a .38 sized frame. I wouldn't suggest it.

 

[sidheshooter]

Somebody like fuff or saxon will be along to correct me if I'm wrong about this, but I believe that is is the super hot gas and flame that cuts the forcing cones (and top strap; many stainless K frames with lots of magnum rounds have ditches on the inside of the top strap. The ultra hot 125ers had a lot of flame and gas compared to the 158s. I am guessing that any load that pushes 158 grains to close to 1400 has some burning powder behind it with flame to spare, but maybe BB's powder selection mitigates this somewhat. I don't really know for sure.

 

[fatcpa]

Check out this Butch Kent article from Gunblast.com

http://gunblast.com/Butch_MagnumLoads.htm

 

[xXxplosive]

Just bought some Buffalo Bore 38 SPL +P Outdoorsman....because I happen to think the hard cast Kieth Bullet is very good. The only thing I didn't realize was that it's 1250 FPS out of my S&W 36....Geeezzzz.
Was wondering if the gun can handle this load also...........

 

[18DAI]

I have a 4 inch 66-2 that was used by a Chicago LEO. He told me they only shot 125 grain 357's through their 66's. He estimated there were over 20,000 of them through this particular model 66.

It exhibits minimal flame cutting on the top strap. Minimal erosion of the forcing cone. No endshake. Locks up tight and is laser accurate.

I've probably run 2000 158 grain 357's through it. I'll believe that model 66's are "weak" when I see one with a broken forcing cone in person. I've shot them in qualification, competition and for fun since 1972. I've not seen a broken one yet.

In fact, I only found out how weak and worthless they were when I got on the internet a few years back.

If these guns were so bad, why did they continue to make them, right alongside the L-frames, for over 23 years?

 

[BCRider]

All the references I read about forcing cone cracking in K frames;

• Occured due to shooting very fast 110gn bullets at very high velocities.
• Only occured in blued steel models. Supposedly the stainless models don't experience this problem. At least this thread is the very first where I've even seen the stainless models mentioned at all in this regard.

So if you stick to 125gn or heavier and don't seek out the very fastest rounds then you should be OK. And maybe use .38 +P ammo for practicing.

 

[Quoheleth]

I know I read somewere - and I think it was here on THR - that model 66s, made of stainless steel, were not as succeptible to the damage done to model 19s. Stainless is a little bit harder. In fact, thats why it took Smith (and others) so long to make guns in stainless - it took a while for technology to come along with cutting tools able to handle the stainless.

Q

 

[Cop Bob]

I have never seen a Stainless Smith with a forcing cone issue, only one blue gun, and it was a civilians that shot a steady diet of high speed hand loads that, well frankly were in my opinion way too hot... I have always shot midrange velocity lead bullets for practice, saving my 125's for service, or "social Work".. the minor shift in your point of impact will not matter WTSHTF.. Actually, most all of my revolvers, if I sight service ammo to a 6 o'clock hold, the wadcutters, and semi wads, I just cover the bull with my front sight and I'm in the X on a standard B-27 Target from 7 to 25 yards...

For hunting, I will shoot a bit more with high velocity hunting loads, but not thousands of rounds, just some sighters, to make sure it IS going exactly where I'm pointing.

I have never seen a real need to shoot a steady diet of Hi-Velocity ammo.. Under stress you will revert to what you do in practice.. Under stress, it is very doubtful that you will hear the gun go off, feel or notice recoil, or remember how many rounds you have fired.. Steady diets of hard kicking ammo, often times develops more flinches, and bad habits than it cures... Just my two cents...

 

[TwoEyedJack]

I have a Model 66 that has launched thousands of hard cast 158 gr. using 9.2 gr. AA5 for around 1200 fps. Lockup is as tight as the day it left the factory. This is about as fast as you can push non-gas checked cast without leading. I have shot max loads with jacketed 125 gr. loads but the combination of recoil, muzzle blast and less accuracy keeps me going back to the cast.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I would like to see the 66-2 that has 20,000 rounds of 125 gr. magnums with no end shake. Every smith I have shot very much has endshake even my 63 in .22LR. I don't know what kind of magnums he shot from that 66-2, but given the age of the gun I'll bet it was the hot stuff and the gun would not have survived imho. I had a 66-2 too and after 350 rounds of Remington 125 magnums the forcing cone was cracked. I sent it back to s & w and they replaced the barrel, cylinder and fitted a new hand as it had gone out of time. They advised me not to shoot so many 125 gr magnums as the guns were not designed for that bullet weight in such a hot loading.