flakbait
Member
I was wondering what are the advantages and disadvantages of a a used Smith and Wesson K-Frame revolver a.k.a. Model 19/66 for plinking/range use over a dedicated L frame revolver like the model 586/686?
I like the looks of the the half-lugged Model 66 over the full lugged 686. Since this its not a carry gun, the weight does not matter much unless it helps significantly with recoil. Do you think the K-frames balance better or does that extra muzzle weight really help much?
I guess like most folks with .357 magnum revolvers, I would shoot mostly 38 special practice ammo with an occasional box of .357 magnum. Most indoor ranges where I live prohibit shooting magnum loads even though some modern calibers like the .357 Sig and the .40 S&W nearly duplicate the .357 magnum in velocity, power, and noise.
I understand the K-frames could not stand up to the high velocity (>1400 FPS) 125 grain .357 loads so Smith and Wesson relegated the K-frame to 38 Special work only but they should tolerate occasional use of the heavier bullet 158 grain .357 magnum loads.
In regards to used vs new, I can't see a huge advantage for a new S&W revolver with all the silly locking mechanisms their lawyers placed in the last decade (just something to go wrong).
I like the looks of the the half-lugged Model 66 over the full lugged 686. Since this its not a carry gun, the weight does not matter much unless it helps significantly with recoil. Do you think the K-frames balance better or does that extra muzzle weight really help much?
I guess like most folks with .357 magnum revolvers, I would shoot mostly 38 special practice ammo with an occasional box of .357 magnum. Most indoor ranges where I live prohibit shooting magnum loads even though some modern calibers like the .357 Sig and the .40 S&W nearly duplicate the .357 magnum in velocity, power, and noise.
I understand the K-frames could not stand up to the high velocity (>1400 FPS) 125 grain .357 loads so Smith and Wesson relegated the K-frame to 38 Special work only but they should tolerate occasional use of the heavier bullet 158 grain .357 magnum loads.
In regards to used vs new, I can't see a huge advantage for a new S&W revolver with all the silly locking mechanisms their lawyers placed in the last decade (just something to go wrong).