So S&W IS releasing a Model 66 snubby ...

[Old Dog]

Should have a T&E sample of the new 66 snub in about three weeks.
Already have an original minty 66 snub in the vault.

I'll do a shoot-out between the two for a write-up.
Should be moderately interesting to see how they stack up against each other.
Denis

Waiting anxiously!

 

[Deaf Smith]

"Ball-Detent Lock-Up"???? What the heck? There is supposed to be a front and rear lockup, not a 'Ball-Detent Lock-Up'.

Mine has what I consider S&W lockups. Oh, and I bet the new one has a Hillary lock on the side.

Bummer.

Deaf

 

[Confederate]

The newer ones have a beefed up forcing cone and a ball detent lock up on the yoke, versus on the extractor rod for better lock up. It let's you get a full length extractor without having to use a 3" barrel.

Yes, and these are all critical. Plus I like the 2.75-inch barrel. But I'd send the blue parts, and the hammer and trigger, to Mahovsky's to get hard chromed. Once I got everything silver again, I'd get a nice pair of wood S&W grips. Why the company insists on giving us a crappy two-tone gun for the outrageous price of + $800.

Hey, I've got a better idea!

 

[Deaf Smith]

And for eight hundred buck, that's a much better idea!

Deaf

 

[natman]

Too, in my Not-So-Free state, I cannot purchase used any revolver wearing a barrel shorter than 3 inches so I'm limited to new stock should I want another snub.

It's hard to keep up with CA law, but that's a new one. What law bans buying a used snubnose revolver? And why only used?

 

[9mmepiphany]

It's hard to keep up with CA law, but that's a new one. What law bans buying a used snubnose revolver? And why only used?

That's because the law doesn't exist...or is at least mis-stated. The law restricts buying the gun if it isn't already in the state

 

[Old Dog]

While I appreciate the input of all the Ruger fans (almost reminiscent of a 1911 thread where folks chime in and say, "Just buy a Glock), I will note that my purpose in starting this thread was simply to ask if there were those out there who'd be considering buying S&W's newest revolver, an update of a true classic K-frame (I first noticed the 66 snubby in that classic 1977 Clint Eastwood flick, The Gauntlet, and had to have one).

The Lock no longer offends me as much as it once did, and MIM concerns seem to be falling by the wayside. As I stated, this new revolver cannot possibly replace my beautiful 66-4 snubby, but it sure might augment it nicely ... I'm merely appreciative that some of our companies are willing to revisit old classics and bring back new versions for us to try (like the new Colt Cobra), or radically different takes on the revolver, such as the previously introduced Kimber.

And if the price offends you, you don't have to buy one.

 

[200Apples]

natman

It's hard to keep up with CA law, but that's a new one. What law bans buying a used snubnose revolver? And why only used?

When I posted, "I cannot purchase used any revolver wearing a barrel shorter than 3 inches" I neglected to state why: The CA Safe Handguns Roster. If the handgun is not on roster and I wish to purchase it used, it must be rendered single-action (think SSE for semiauto pistols) and wear a barrel of 3" or greater. This is what I have been told by two FFL here in southern Ca. I dont know any section numbers of any code, but there it is; I can only have transferred to my collection what these dealers are willing to transfer. I can of course purchase new S&W snubs that are on roster.

That said, I am pretty happy with the contents of my present arsenal...

 

[9mmepiphany]

If the handgun is not on roster and I wish to purchase it used, it must be rendered single-action (think SSE for semiauto pistols) and wear a barrel of 3" or greater. This is what I have been told by two FFL here in southern Ca

Either you misunderstood them or they're misleading you. Those rules only apply if the gun is coming from out of state. There are plenty of used snubbies available already in the state, they would just have to be transferred to you via a FTF transfer

 

[200Apples]

Ah. Yes; this one comes from Texas... and that is twice now I that have omitted pertinent information in my posts relating to this particular transfer (due to my lack of experience in the transfer of firearms from out of state). Thank you, 9mm, for assisting in the clarification of this matter.

 

[CoalTrain49]

I like model 19's, the blued version of the 66. I have several, a 19-3 and a 19-6. I believe around 1990 or so the quality went south. I can say this because I also have a 625-8 that is about 4 years old. I don't think I would buy another new S@W after shooting the 625 for a few years. Someone who has no experience with the older guns probably wouldn't have a problem but the quality difference is night and day.

If I were looking for a model 66 I would hunt down one of the early models. You would be much happier with the quality and they're pretty easy to find. They made plenty of them.

 

[FTG-05]

Bangor Punta Suger owned S&W from 1965-1985. They produced more pinned and recessed models than any owner of the company. They also owned owned Pepsi Cola. Hence, S&W handguns of that era are often referred to as "Pepsi Pistols".
In 1985 S&W was bought by Lear Sigler Heater Co. owners of Piper Cub Air Craft. These were among the poorist quality handguns ever produced by S&W. Tomkins Limited of England bought S&W. I was working for the Tomkins Engineering group at that time.
Tomkins was a typical anti-gun British business. They almost destroyed the S&W company. The quality remained very poor during the 1990 ownership. Many of the fellows I knew in the Mdl. 29 group took their retirement. Dark days.

Good stuff!

Two questions: Who owns them now and what is your assessment of S&W's current quality.

BTW, several years ago while on business for Boring, I had a half day to myself, so went to S&W and went on their factory tour. Very informative and very interesting. This was just before the Klinton Agreement, which didn't turn out all that well for them, thank god!

 

[Dog Soldier]

I was transferred to the Canadian Engineering group and later retired. I have lost contact with anyone at S&W. They now belong to American Outdoor Brands?
As for today's quality? It seems to be very good. I am still depressed when they folded politically. The management agreed to add the "Hillary Hole" to their revolvers.