I wish S&W would bring back the 3" model 66. To me, it's the PERFECT .357 Magnum. Only a half inch longer than the 2 1/2" version, but with a full length ejector rod, and a hair more muzzle velocity, plus the 3" barrel just looks right on it.

Agreed. But it would have a lock so I'll stick with tthe no lock, no MIM ones that are out there.

If they do it ECT,
Sign me up for 2!

I would not mind a 3" Model 66, but I would prefer a 3" model 65, a little less mass. I currently carry a 3" model 64 and it is great, but I would like to have that .357 magnum option.

[ QUOTE]Originally posted by bmyk:
I would not mind a 3" Model 66, but I would prefer a 3" model 65, a little less mass. I currently carry a 3" model 64 and it is great, but I would like to have that .357 magnum option.[/QUOTE]
+1

I would prefer a 3" 66 to the 3" 65 just because with aging eyes, the larger adjustable sights are easier to see. Additionally while I have never weighed them, the barrels on these two guns must have different weights because they balance differently.

While I would love a 3"66, I am not going to pay the crazy prices that they bring and will settle on my 3"65 or my 3"60.

quote:

Originally posted by ect1222t:
I wish S&W would bring back the 3" model 66. To me, it's the PERFECT .357 Magnum. Only a half inch longer than the 2 1/2" version, but with a full length ejector rod, and a hair more muzzle velocity, plus the 3" barrel just looks right on it.

Yeah! What he said!

quote:

Originally posted by jwk:
I would prefer a 3" 66 to the 3" 65 just because with aging eyes, the larger adjustable sights are easier to see. Additionally while I have never weighed them, the barrels on these two guns must have different weights because they balance differently.

While I would love a 3"66, I am not going to pay the crazy prices that they bring and will settle on my 3"65 or my 3"60.

JWK, How do the 3" 65 and the 3" 66 differ in balance? I'm familiar with the handling of the 3" 65, but have never handled a 3" 66.

Old Texan

Sorry for the late reply. Haven't had time to be on line much lately.

The 3"65 seems more muzzle heavy in my opinion than the 3" M66. The center of the weight of the M66 seems closer to my hand.

Balance is pretty subjective. You just have to pick up one of each and see how they feel to you.

JWK

I dont understand why the 3 inch 66 brings twice as much in as the 2.5 inch models. It makes NO SENSE.

Ok- I thought about this one good. Did the 3 Inch M66 have a Sq. butt or rd. butt??

becuz, I took a look at the 4" version, and the underbarrel lug is far enough back that you might be able to cut of the excess barrel down to 3" and it would have JUST ENOUGH room to give it that contoured bbl lug still!!!
This might be my next project. Can someone chime in on this so I can know for sure?????

I was thinking, how would you be able to get the top strap area that is raised for the Sight, to be moved back? How do people do this when they do custom bbl cutting???

My 66 3" has a very sexy round butt That is the reason I spent silly money on one. The 2.5" just didnt look as good as the 3" and that is worth 2x the money to me.

Just about the same Mod 65, 3'' barrel and round butt.