Q: 1973 Model 66

Old cop · #1 08-02-2018, 07:05 AM

I recently aquired a LNIB ‘73 Model 66 that had only been fired 3 times since purchased new. I plan to fire mostly standard pressure thirty-eight but have a concern about creating a lead ring in the chambers. Two Q: (1) Will shooting magnum loads now and then help keep the chamber rings clear; and (2) What’s the best way to clean the chambers after a range trip?

ken158 · #2 08-02-2018, 08:32 AM

Normal revolver cleaning and brass brush the chambers after firing and any ring build up should be minimal.

murphydog · #3 08-02-2018, 08:39 AM

.38 Special is shorter than .357, so any fouling buildup 'may' make seating the longer rounds more difficult. In my experience you would have to fire a lot of dirty .38s to cause any problems.

cndrdk · #4 08-02-2018, 08:48 AM

You can also take a fired .357 casing and push it in each hole. It will clean out the fouling ring very good. You can flare or sharpen the fired .357 casing a bit if you want.

BAM-BAM · #5 08-02-2018, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cndrdk

You can also take a fired .357 casing and push it in each hole. It will clean out the fouling ring very good. You can flare or sharpen the fired .357 casing a bit if you want.

After every range session....... before all the "c---" get hard and you should be good to go!

Jebus35745 · #6 08-02-2018, 01:07 PM

Make sure you clean it right after shooting. Seems the carbon gets harder every day and the longer you’ll wait to clean the gun the harder the ring is to remove. The 66’s are nice guns. Save some money for the upcoming Bunch, Larry

gwpercle · #7 08-02-2018, 01:21 PM

Post #2 nailed it.
Brass brush and solvent after every trip. Don't give it a chance to build up.

I've been shooting 38's from 357 magnums for 50 years , clean regularly and the chambers are as clean as a whistle. No Problemo !

Old cop · #8 08-02-2018, 02:08 PM

Thanks everyone, this gun is like new and I want to keep it that way. Got it from a retired cop I used to work with who’s getting way up in years and selling off his collection, but only to other retired cops he knows real well.

kraynky · #9 08-02-2018, 02:22 PM

Are we gonna get to see it? Without my book I don't recall what year they came out and what year the -1 started. I seem to recall my 66-1 was around '79 or '80. The 4" is my favorite, and it's handled quite a few 38's since I bought it, maybe 30 years ago?

It was wearing those hideous Pachmayer back then, being it was a police trade in.

raylan007 · #10 08-02-2018, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old cop

I recently aquired a LNIB ‘73 Model 66 that had only been fired 3 times since purchased new. I plan to fire mostly standard pressure thirty-eight but have a concern about creating a lead ring in the chambers. Two Q: (1) Will shooting magnum loads now and then help keep the chamber rings clear; and (2) What’s the best way to clean the chambers after a range trip?

I have found that a "Lead Away" cloth by Birchwood Casey makes keeping a cylinder clean a snap. I have also applied a little flitz to the cloth when I have a cylinder that has not been cleaned often and the powder coating seems burnt on. I also use Renaissance wax or other brands to finish up with. It is fast, easy and rewarding in that I believe if you maintain this method it makes for cleaning of powder a lot easier.*** Naturally this method applies to SS finishes only. This M66-2 had not been maintained to my liking and I used the "lead Away" cloth throughout. Keep in mind the more Flitz and applied pressure will have a tendency to brighten things up. I go easy (by hand only) as I prefer the flat look and sheen of a S&W Satin Stainless.

Old cop · #11 08-02-2018, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kraynky

Are we gonna get to see it? Without my book I don't recall what year they came out and what year the -1 started. I seem to recall my 66-1 was around '79 or '80. The 4" is my favorite, and it's handled quite a few 38's since I bought it, maybe 30 years ago?

It was wearing those hideous Pachmayer back then, being it was a police trade in.

Wish I could post pics but that’s beyond my tech skill level. This model has the stainless adjustable sights, pinned barrel and recessed cylinder chambers.

Muley Gil · #12 08-02-2018, 04:39 PM

When I went to the po-leese academy, just under a hundred years ago or so, I used a 4" blue M19, that I had round butted, as my range gun. I was issued 500 rounds of .38 special wad cutters by my department.

Regular cleaning kept the chambers nice and clean and .357 cartridges dropped in and ejected fine. BTW, I shot NRA police expert with that revolver.

I soon as I graduated and went back to work, I swapped out my 4" K frame holster for my 6 1/2" N frame holster and went back to carrying my M27 to .44 Special conversion. I would have shot the .44 at the academy, but I would have had to load my own ammo.