smith m66 vs 686

[geronimotwo]

well, just like it says, i'm looking for a 6 inch .357. i have narrowed it down to these two. what does anyone think of one or the other? i prefer the 66 styling (especially with the pinned barrel, and recessed cylinder), but am conserned about the lighter frame. i will be using it for a woods gun, plinking, possibly hunting, nightstand, and the ever popular zombie defense. i will use .38 for plinking, with only an occasional use of standard .357 loads (maybe a couple of boxes of .357 per year).

what advantage is there to the Lframe to the Kframe?

besides the usual revolver checklist, (see sticky in this forum) are there any special concerns to look for on these used guns?

how can you tell if the gun has ever been stressed with loads that are to hot?

any info and thoughts are appreciated, please indicate whether it is opinion hearsay, or factual personal knowledge.

thanks.

 

[SeanSw]

I had the same question and still have not purchased either of these guns. What I have done is seek out and handle both of these models, and I decided that my needs would be easily met with the model 66. The 686 is a great gun but it lacks the handling and aesthetics of the 66, which matter more to me than sending thousands of full power magnums down range.

The full lug of the 686 and 617 (which I do own) appear clumsy and overbuilt IMO, especially concerning barrels 4" and shorter. I think they're better suited to larger guns with a dedicated hunting or target shooting purpose. Whatever you decide you should consider buying an older model without the modern "safety" features on new production guns. Both the 66 and 686 can be found without internal locks, new barrel technology, and MIM parts.

The supposed problem with K-frame magnums occurred when a large number of 125gr ammunition was used, but there is no shortage of 158gr ammo to be used instead.

Be sure to read the revolver checkout sticky at the top of this forum to help you find a good specimen.

 

[warriorsociologist]

For me, I have owned both in several barrel lengths and now I have come to prefer the 66 for 4" guns and the 686 for 6" guns. I still have a 4" 686, but the 66 gets more range/carry time. It's a "feel & balence" thing as much as anything else.

 

[pinkymingeo]

Only the 66 and 66-1 are P&R. 66-2 and later aren't.

 

[geronimotwo]

why does the lighter grain ammo cause more stress? it would seem the heavier ammo would cause problems?

 

[jcord]

The 125 grain police load pushed the bullet to 1450 fps and flame cutting of the top strap was a problem. It was not as much a problem with the heavier bullets even when pushed fast. I do not know why.

 

[warriorsociologist]

Here's a quick and dirty explaination for how I understand it...

"Warm/hot" lighter-bullet ammo (110 - 125gr, for example) typically achieves much higher velocities than, say, 158gr loads (all things being equal). So, as a 110gr. pill screams out of the cylinder, it enters the forcing cone area much faster and this causes the accellerated wear. Flame cutting of the top strap from the greater amounts of escaping hot gasses is also encountered more with the 125gr. and under loads... Still, a few 100 or so is not likely to do any harm.

 

[YardVarmint]

Go with the K-Frame smith.

I've shot both kind a lot in the past and had less trouble with the K-Frames.

And for the record I've never shot .38 Special loads. All were mid to high range either 158gr or 125gr.

 

[rcmodel]

i will use .38 for plinking, with only an occasional use of standard .357 loads (maybe a couple of boxes of .357 per year).

Thats the exact use Bill Jordan & S&W envisioned when the Model 19 was first designed.
For an easy packen woods & trail gun, you will be much happier with a 6" 19/66 then you will be with a 6" L-frame.

Given your intended use, you can expect a K-frame .357 to last your life-time, and then some.


rcmodel

 

[Tom C.]

My vote is for "none of the above."

My personal preference is for the 627PC. 5" N frame 8 rd. .357.

 

[Gustav]

Both are very good choices and have pros and cons the K frame model 66 is a noticably a lighter pistol its parts are all not as thick dimensionaly as those on the L frame 686.
The K frame .357 was built on a .38 special frame (it dates back to before the last century) and thanks to a few individuals among them Bill Jordan the model 19 and later model 66 came into being.
Many people and agencies would shoot mostly .38 special loads and not so often the hotter .357 loads in their K frames the problem a few ran into was allot of heavy use with the .357 ammunition would sometimes cause erosion or cracking of the forcing cone or would loosen up the revovler with repeated heavy use.
Most people would never shoot that much in a lifetime but some individuals and agencies did, the L frame was specifically designed around the .357 magnum round it was the last of the combat magnums designed for uniformed police and sportsmen.
Just as many agencies were swapping out their S&W K frames for L frames the wondernine craze took off and then the .40 S&W and Glocks came into being.
Many otherwise good K & L frames ended up being sold off or traded in so good deals can still be found on many of these just be sure to check any used pistol from top to bottom.
For allot of heavy .357 use I would advise the 686 in either a 4 or 6 inch barrel for a carry allot and seldom shot piece the K frame 66 is hard to beat.
The barrel lug and extra weight out front does help to dampen recoil and aid in shot to shot recovery time its just a little more weight to carry if that matters.
Try out as many lengths and models as you can either borrow or rent first.
Good luck on your quest neither one will let you down if it is in good working condition and you get to know it.

 

[Gator]

I have four K frame .357s and one fairly recently acquired 686. Unless you plan to shoot a lot of 125 gr screamers, I'd pick the 66. K frames are so pleasingly proportioned that (even though the L frame is not that much bigger) they make the Ls seem a bit clunky.

BTW, I plan on having my 686 converted to .44 Spl soon....a much better cartridge/frame size match

 

[Coyote Hunter]

I carried a M66 for several years in the early 80's as a police officer before the auto craze... it was a sweet weapon, never a malfunction, never wore out shooting the 125 grain JHP 357 rounds (hundreds) and accurate. It also polishes up to look like nickel if you want.

CH