I bought this 66 (no dash) to carry while fishing and hiking. It’s an old cop gun, and it just begs to be carried.

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Nice.........IMO..... a 4" 66 is just about the perfect field gun..........the only thing better would be a 3" 66.

That said...... my "Kit gun" is a 3" Model 60-10 ...... think micro 686.

I've been lucky enough to acquire all three.......over the course of the past 29 years.


Nice football grips.........years ago.... I cut a pair down by 3/8" and rounded the edges to get rid of some (for me) excess bulk.
That stainless front sight can be painted ...... base coat of white and I use Testers florescent red......for a better flash sight picture.

Who can argue against a M66 for a woods gun. That stainless front sight shows up well in a woodsy background. It's "old school" confidence and security in a holster....works for me !!

Near perfect.
Ever looking for a semi-viable excuse to acquire another S&W, I got a used 4" M65 for woods carry, as a way to spare my old duty 4" M66 any perceived abuse in the role of a woods beater.
Best excuse I could invent.

Enjoy.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

I have one just like it but I prefer my 60-10 3" target for those situations. Same firepower but smaller and lighter.

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

sounds like I need to start looking for a 3" 60-10...

If you can add a 60-10 great; but don't trade off that 66................it is close to the ideal all purpose, utility revolver

My 60-10 is carried a lot but shot very little...... if I could have only one it would be a 4" 66 vs the 3" 60-10.

Nothing much I can add at this point other to say you have a fine revolver for it's intended purpose. Enjoy that one!

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Stay safe people!

I did in fact carry my 3" M66-2 off duty gun as a hiking and horseback gun in my handmade holster an almost copy of a Bianchi BHL. I carried it high on my right hip & a speed loader in my left hand insulated vest pocket.

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

[QUOTE=flagman1776;139773090]I did in fact carry my 3" M66-2 off duty gun as a hiking and horseback gun in my handmade holster an almost copy of a Bianchi BHL. I carried it high on my right hip & a speed loader in my left hand insulated vest pocket.[/QUOTE

At one point I only had 2 K-frames..... my 3"66s...... carried one in a Milt Sparks Summer Special for weekend Concealed Carry and in a Bianchi 111 Cyclone weekends at the cabin or out in the woods.

For a long time a 4" Ruger Security Six in a GI flap holster filled that role very well. Any 4"K frame is good too. Plain or fancy, doesn't matter...

Everything you need, nothing you don't

Nice gun, pretty pictures...thanks!

As long as you're cool with it getting dinged up it should be fantastic. I keep trying to convince myself to carry a nice sixgun in the woods but I see how chewed up all my climbing/camping/mountain biking stuff gets and I just can't bring myself to subject something nicer than a Glock or similar to it.

Thanks for all the replies!
I think I'll need 2 holsters: (left) shoulder for fly-casting and high (right) hip for hiking. Any recommendations for either?

the beauty of this gun is the fact that it's "pre-abused". I won't try to beat it up, on-purpose, but I won't have to baby her, either.

Bianchi X15 shoulder holster w/ strap..... and 111 Cyclone for belt.... it's a cross draw....... but I like having the gun/butt in front

My Hiking, Camping and Field gun is a 3" M65. While in Bear Country I stoke it with Buffalo Bore HEAVY 180 grain Hard Cast Semi Wad Cutter .357 Magnums. 1,300 fps from a 3" barrel. Almost 1400 from your 4" tube. For a 180 grain bullet that is serious medicine.

For two legged animals Buffalo Bore Heavy 158 grain +P 38 Special #20A LSWCHP-GC is what I use. Out of a 3" tube it will give you 1,150 fps and almost 1,170 from a 4" tube. Because it's a .38 special you will NOT get the violent recoil, muzzle flash and loud report of the Magnum. Also gives you much better recuperation for a follow up shot and more control.

Doesn't the Bianchi M-111 holster allow carry on either hip? Separate belt loops?


The Safariland Model 29 is a fine field holster for right hand use and is replicated by the El Paso Model 2. I have both. If you find the old Safariland one at a gun show, many dealers don't charge a lot for used holsters. I think I paid $15 for mine, and it's lined, with basketweave stamping. Hardly used when I got it. I have three, one for a six-inch M66 or Ruger Sec-Six and one a four-inch M-66-3 and one for a .44 Magnum M-29/629 with six-inch barrel. I think paid $40 for the N-frame one, but that's still a great deal on an unused holster of that quality.


Price a new one on El Paso's site and you'll see what I mean!


If you wear this holster or similar Threepersons rigs back on the right hip where they belong, you may be able to cast flies without problems. I use open-face spinning gear and if you remember to hold the right elbow out a little from your side, it's no problem.


I haven't tried a M-66 in the GI shoulder holsters for M-10's and Victory Models used by Navy and Marine aircrew, but those may work. Replicas from Pacific Canvas and Leather may be loose enough inside to take the adj. sights and heavier barrel. I think El Paso offers similar ones made to fit your gun. www.epsaddlery.com


I gather that you are badly delinquent in your gun reading. I suggest acquiring a copy of Elmer Keith's, Sixguns, the 1961 revised ed. You'll see holsters. Some are too wide and heavy but others are still good. Alas, it pre-dates most modern holster companies. John Bianchi's, Blue Steel and Gunleather is good if you can find a copy. Really , we need a good new book that covers holsters well.


Buy a good belt suitable for the holster. Most people try to cheap out with ordinary pants belts. You'll be AMAZED at how much more comfortable a true gun belt is.


Be careful, and your field gun won't get scuffed up much, if carried in a proper holster. I really marvel at how some manage to scratch guns. Using rubber grips helps, but care will see few scars on good wooden grips.


NOTE: I just checked the El Paso link for you. They call the GI shoulder holster their 1942 Tanker holster. They make it for most common guns... one at a time, to your specs.


Personally, I find shoulder rigs uncomfortable and prefer a close fitting, high ride holster on the right hip, unless carrying a rifle.

Perfect. Just perfect. Guns were made to use.

The more you use them the better you get with them.

Perfect world.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Not sure how much you want to spend on leather, but a great choice for your intended use of that M66 would be the Guide's Choice from Diamond D. Wouldn't need to get two different rigs.

Dan

If that is the chest rig, I concur. I would seriously consider buying one for such purposes. I would also always carry the M66 (or any K frame, but I can't see the fixed sights well enough for fast shooting) in preference to any J frame. It is much easier to shoot well with almost anything than a J frame, and a J frame is a niche revolver for the times you can't carry a real gun.

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NHI, 10-8.

gfprs, I think the 66 is a very practical gun for your use. Mine is an "old cop gun" too. I was the old cop

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NRA Life, COTEP 640