|
|
10-29-2017, 03:14 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Tierra del encantamiento
Posts: 3,479
Likes: 6,321
Liked 6,553 Times in 910 Posts
|
|
Model 66 Versus 66-1
As I understand it, the only difference between the Model 66 and the Model 66-1 is that the -1s have the gas ring attached to the cylinder rather than the yoke. Is that the only difference? Does it make any functional difference in reliability or performance? Can anyone tell me why Smith & Wesson made this change seven years into the life of Model 66 series of revolvers?
Thanks so much!
|
10-29-2017, 10:44 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Tierra del encantamiento
Posts: 3,479
Likes: 6,321
Liked 6,553 Times in 910 Posts
|
|
I really hope someone who understands this issue comes forward with some guidance. Thanks!
|
10-29-2017, 11:21 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Palmer, Alaska
Posts: 14,502
Likes: 5,123
Liked 19,055 Times in 6,881 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueRidgeBoy
Can anyone tell me why Smith & Wesson made this change seven years into the life of Model 66 series of revolvers?
|
Probably it was simply the fact that they were making the same engineering change on all the K frame revolvers in 1977. 10-7, 10-8, 14-4, 15-4, 17-4, 18-4, etc.
__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
10-30-2017, 03:21 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 1,548
Likes: 54
Liked 1,140 Times in 364 Posts
|
|
The first version early models had ss rear sights.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
10-30-2017, 06:22 PM
|
US Veteran Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 20,361
Likes: 24,260
Liked 16,154 Times in 7,408 Posts
|
|
I think it was because Massad Ayoob mentioned in gun magazines that M-66's fired with .357 loads heated up too quickly and became difficult to operate. This got him a cold shoulder from S&W's PR people, although cop shops were reporting the same. However, their complaints weren't reaching the public.
Ayoob is a member here, although he seldom posts. He may see this and comment.
Moving the gas ring cured the problem.
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
10-30-2017, 06:28 PM
|
US Veteran Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 20,361
Likes: 24,260
Liked 16,154 Times in 7,408 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Florida Guy
The first version early models had ss rear sights.
|
And Skeeter Skelton at, Shooting Times mentioned that and encouraged the later black sights that you could actually see.
I think he also criticized Ruger for the same thing.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
10-30-2017, 06:57 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Tierra del encantamiento
Posts: 3,479
Likes: 6,321
Liked 6,553 Times in 910 Posts
|
|
Thanks to all for clearing this up for me. The snubby 66 I just acquired has black sights on the rear and the red ramp on the front. The gas ring is attached to the yoke. It will be an EDC gun, not a range gun, so, I don't think overheating will be an issue. It was hard to find one in good shape.
|
10-30-2017, 07:07 PM
|
US Veteran Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 20,361
Likes: 24,260
Liked 16,154 Times in 7,408 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueRidgeBoy
Thanks to all for clearing this up for me. The snubby 66 I just acquired has black sights on the rear and the red ramp on the front. The gas ring is attached to the yoke. It will be an EDC gun, not a range gun, so, I don't think overheating will be an issue. It was hard to find one in good shape.
|
If it gives you problems, just fire Plus P .38 ammo. That evidently didn't cause problems. Magnum loads heat up the gun much sooner.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
10-30-2017, 08:37 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Kentucky, USA
Posts: 7,470
Likes: 2,830
Liked 6,261 Times in 2,170 Posts
|
|
Anyone here remember Blazing Saddles? And the use of Holy words like "Randolph Scott?" Tossing around names like Skeeter and The Duke gets the same reverence among us. Giants of the industry. Just sayin'.
__________________
Dick Burg
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|