S&W sweetness... which one?

[DustyGmt]

Considering one of these two, leaning toward the 66 because it's only $400 over budget, lol. My better half gave me the green light to pick something out this year since it's been awhile since I picked something out.

I basically have no interest in any new autos save for a few very specific guns that I always look for, but I've basically been scanning my LGS page waiting for something to jump out at me and lo and behold, these beauties.

Yikes, don't really have any business getting into $1K wheelgun on a whim but I am definitely thinking about what it'd be like if I did. which one would you choose and the 66 is a pretty good deal if its been a safe weight, no?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

The 29 is a better "deal" at today's preposterous rates, and it would be my pick because I already have plenty of K-frames. If I didn't already have a pile of fine revolvers, and could only choose one, it would be the 66 thanks to its cheaper ammo and better flexibility. Of course, you always want to use caution when firing Magnum loads in any K-frame and inspect the forcing cone regularly for cracking. Likewise, the .44 Magnum is really pushing the limits of vintage N-frame lockwork as well, and heavy loads are best used rarely (if at all).

 

[Tallball]

66 is overall more useful.

I have them both and shoot the 66 more often.

 

[The Kingfish]

I'd be all over that 66

 

[Speedo66]

I’m suffering from sticker shock looking at those prices.

I would have to have a specific reason to buy a .44 Magnum, I personally have no use for one.

The 66 will be more economical to shoot, target loads to hunting/defense loads, that would be my choice.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Neither... Buy a Colt

Just joshin'. Sort of...

I like em both but i like 44 mag more than 357 and that long blue barrel excites me more than the short stainless one.

 

[J-Bar]

Neither.

I really like N frame .357 Magnums, Models 27 & 28. You get the versatility of the .38/.357 ammo, and the heft of that bigger frame.

If you said you were buying to carry concealed, then the 66 of course. But you didn’t.

Wait for a 27 or 28.

 

[Frulk]

The 29 for no other reason than it’s blued. I’d like my GPs and RedHawks a lot more if they weren’t stainless.

 

[wcwhitey]

Buy whichever gives you the warmest fuzziest feeling. Both have negatives that are greatly outweighed by the positives. Read enough and you will find the flaws in anything. I have both, they are both great, they all need a good home. If it checks out the 66 is the better deal IMHO.

 

[Riomouse911]

Personally I would pick up the Model 29. Its pricy, but still a few hundred lower than what it would sell for around here.

The 66 is nice, but that is one I would want to go over with a fine toothed comb before buying. I learned my lesson when I bought my 4” 66, it had to go back to S&W for repair a short time after I brought it home. (The cylinder release started sticking, a part was worn inside.)

I loves me some K-frame .357’s, but the 29 just calls to me.



Stay safe.

 

[Styx]

Vote for the 66. Good for the range and carry. The only con is it's not so good with 357.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Neither. I believe both are over priced.

 

[Styx]

Neither. I believe both are over priced.

$800 for a prelock 66 is overpriced in the current market? The current crop of new manufactured model 66 cost about $800 too. Colt King Cobras and Kimber K6s cost $800-$1000.

I do not know about the pricing or market on the 29.

 

[WisBorn]

A S&W 66 is primarily a 38+p gun with occasional 357s. If you have a 9mm, 40, or 45 you have good defense round. The S&W 29 is a great collector and shooter with 44 special and magnum cartridges. And Dirty Harry thinks it's a better round for police work than the 357

 

[Russ57]

If I wanted a S&W in .357 I would go L frame minimum and ideally N frame.

If I wanted a K frame, it would be in .38 (or .32) and I would get the model 14.

If I hand loaded, and wanted a .38 that could be loaded to nearly .357 power levels, I would get the N frame 38/44 one. Worth checking into if you don't know about them. I didn't until recently.

To me, the .44 mag is strictly a hunting gun, so I'd pick a Ruger which can handle what ever load I wish to shoot. Since I'm not hunting now I don't need one.

Of the two guns shown I'd pick the 29 because I think it has better value. It is a very nice gun, and a joy to shoot with lighter power (think cowboy) loads. It can certainly handle the occasional heavy hunting round.

 

[wcwhitey]

Can we please stop with the 66 being only a .38 +P gun. It gets old. They were never made for a steady diet this is true but as a service gun, a steady diet meant many thousands of rounds, not a box a year. If you plan on shooting nothing but full power .357 Magnums you don’t want a K frame anyway you want heavier. If you want a gun that can shoot .357’s. carry well, shoot like a dream in the meantime practice and make little one hole groups with .38’s they are fine. It’s what it was designed for. If your goal is test the limits of physics there are other choices. Same can be said for the Model 29.
That being said everyone knows about the forcing cone issues, still does not mean that a revolver is going to self destruct when it is shot with the caliber printed on the barrel.

 

[omega5]

66 is overall more useful.

I have them both and shoot the 66 more often.

Same here, My 29 is a 4" blue. Nice to own but not at all practical for carry
unless you live in Alaska. My 66 is a 3" made in 8f for Ashland Shooter Supply. 1 of
4195 made. It is a great carry revolver. Concealable, accurate, and practical for EDC.
Dano

 

[br549arkie]

I've only bought one gun in the last couple of years. I can afford pretty much any of them that I want even at current prices but I have to many as it is and to me they just aren't worth the prices they're bringing.
That said if that M66 checks out good and you want it bad enough snag it. I've owned one just like it years ago that I've always regretted swapping off.

 

[WisBorn]

Can we please stop with the 66 being only a .38 +P gun. It gets old. They were never made for a steady diet this is true but as a service gun, a steady diet meant many thousands of rounds, not a box a year. If you plan on shooting nothing but full power .357 Magnums you don’t want a K frame anyway you want heavier. If you want a gun that can shoot .357’s. carry well, shoot like a dream in the meantime practice and make little one hole groups with .38’s they are fine. It’s what it was designed for. If your goal is test the limits of physics there are other choices. Same can be said for the Model 29.
That being said everyone knows about the forcing cone issues, still does not mean that a revolver is going to self destruct when it is shot with the caliber printed on the barrel.

I think the 66 is a great service revolver. For the same reason I'm planning on purchasing a S&W 69 44mag. Carry often with reasonable practice sessions with 44mag's.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

$800 for a prelock 66 is overpriced in the current market? .

It's more than I would pay, if that works better.

 

[bannockburn]

Given a choice between the two, I would go with the Model 66. Already have gone through my .44 Magnum phase and would get more use out of the .357 Magnum.

 

[entropy]

I agree with BigBlue94, get a Colt.

Actually, I agree with the majority here, get the 66, the 29 will end up a safe queen, and I know you like to shoot your guns

 

[DustyGmt]

Neither... Buy a Colt

Just joshin'. Sort of...

I like em both but i like 44 mag more than 357 and that long blue barrel excites me more than the short stainless one.

Well there is a python in that lot he just got in from a collection and it's $2K and looks pretty mint. Pretty standard price for an actual Python, always wanted one. Personally the python is one of the most attractive BA looking revolvers in existence but im not even gonna pull at that thread, $2K is not happening unless i decide to trade up a lil towards it and i cant think of anytging i really want to let go of, i could stand to say goodbye to a couple AR's that never get shot and i dont really care about AR's or hold them in the same regard as the good old stuff, that i have too lil of. See? This is how my head works..

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Do you handload?

44 Mag ammo is very expensive, if you can find it at all. If you don't handload and want to shoot something a little bit less punishing than 44 Mag, 44 Special is even harder to find these days.

I have not found any 38 Special ammo in stores recently, but I have been handloading it for years, so that is not a problem. Be careful with 357 Mag ammo in a K frame. Stick to standard velocity and relatively heavy bullets. Light bullets going at high velocity can split the forcing cone if you shoot a lot of them.

 

[DustyGmt]

Be careful with 357 Mag ammo in a K frame. Stick to standard velocity and relatively heavy bullets. Light bullets going at high velocity can split the forcing cone if you shoot a lot of them.

Thanks for the heads up. Damn, I never knew or heard of these problems with K frames. I would have just assumed these things would eat all the full house loads you could give em..... that's slightly disconcerting.