My LGS guy posted this on his website today after returning from a buying trip. This new 66 2 3/4" is among several items he said he's ordered. Hadn't seen a photo of one of these, only the stuff on the website, so thought I'd share with those who'll appreciate it. He didn't say when he expects to get 'em in.

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

Anyone have an idea when these will be available in shops and on the web? Thanks, Dennis

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S&W M60-15 Pro 3", M69 2.7"

I like the balanced look of the 2.5 inch barrel. Thats why i want a 686 plus with the 3 inch barrel. Looks really cool. I wonder how much they will go for. Now that I have my Governor coming this week the next thing ill want is either a 686 or 66.

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Smith all the things

Retail is $849.

Model 66 Combat Magnum(R) | Smith & Wesson

Like safeties.......if you dont like the keylock system, just dont use it.

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Smith all the things

They should sell for the same price as the longer barrel model. They are not a new gun, just a new barrel length.
The 4.25 inch M66-8 are selling for $750 I'm my area. I expect the snub to cost the same, unless scarcity drives the price up near the MSRP of $850.
My LGS dose not get many of the longer barrel versions in, and they don't sit on the shelf for long. I expect I will need to make recourse to Gunbroker. I usually do for revolvers. Have not had any problem with new guns.

Best,
Rick

I can't get used to the hammer redesign, it just doesn't look right to me.

Hate to say it but I agree...it just doesn't look "right" compared to the old versions.
Maybe it will grow on me, though. The new ejector rod looks funny but at least it is full length. For some reason it reminds me of the Governor, except with a shorter cylinder.

Edit: I'm probably being too harsh on appearances - S&W did manage to make the 66 with a stronger forcing cone and longer ejection rod in a compact size, I can live with the somewhat unusual styling if it shoots well.

Here it is on Davidson's for $736.99

Shady Oaks Gun Range

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

The most important thing is that since they have the ball detent lock in the crane, they were able to keep what looks to be a full length ejector rod with this 2 3/4 inch barrel. Good show!

[QUOTE=StakeOut;139475566]Here it is on Davidson's for $736.99


Well, they did price the snub $24 more than the 4 inch version.
They must be expecting a high demand!
They show zero in stock.

Best,
Rick

It just looks cheap to me. But it isn't...

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My Daddy was a pistol..

I really dislike the black hardware as well. I agree Breakaway - it looks cheap.

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K & N S&W revolvers

Yeah, I'm not sure I understand the black hardware. Most people seem to dislike it. Why not just leave it matte?

At that price, I prefer an (original) older model no dash or dash 1 with p&r.

I think it looks like the perfect CCW revolver!

No amount of pins in the barrel equal a lifetime warranty though. I could see going used for personal preference, but that warranty has to carry some intangible dollar value.

Exactly the reason I just bought a new 686+ 2 1/2 inch .357. The used prices are phenomenal. New from Buds LE price was $596.00, plus the lifetime warranty included. I will learn too live with the stupid lock.

If it was a model 65, I would buy one. I am not a fan of adjustable sights. I just bought a snub nose model 60 with fixed sights.

Black extractor rod and extractor ? My 66-8 with 4.25" barrel has raw stainless finish. I don't care for the black finish,to much and over done, but that wouldn't stop me from buying the 2.75" version. I would buy it to shoot ,carry,and shoot some more. I do love the old 66's and the model 19's but replacement barrels and parts are getting harder to find.

I want one. Just waiting until they are available.

Eventually when I get one of these I will polish out the black to make them match the rest of the gun.

Finally 3" K Frames!!! Model 69 too! We have been asking for this for years. Well here they are! WooHoo!

Only if they made it as easy to change front sights as it is on the adjustable sight models, or start out a thinner FO front on it.

I own two 3" M-64s and love em, but that damned ramp almost completely fills the notch, making it very hard to pick up. Only option is to get a smith to grind it off and dovetail a new one.

As for the picture: they're toying with us. That's a 4" gun photo shopped.

Impatiently waiting on a 2.75" 69. If I come to dislike the black parts I was thinking of having them hard chromed.

The new 2.75" M66 is the main gun I plan to pick up this year. I've been waiting patiently since November when I first found out this was coming to market. I have the 4.25" 66-8, and LOVE it. So I'm waiting... and waiting...

I'll just leave this here...

Here's photo my brother in law sent me from SHOT.

Attached Images

IMG_0074.jpg (69.5 KB, 245 views)

Now if they'd just make a scandium model 19 w 3". Even better, hammerless/no lock like the 340. Perfect carry gun.

I'm sure it's a fine gun. I'm slow to accept change and it can take time for things to grow on me so perhaps that will be the case with the two tone look, but as of right now it doesn't appeal to me. There is a whole new generation of shooters out there that will love it for sure but I will sit on the sidelines for now.

Sadly, I have to agree, but for a different reason. Once you go 'J', it's hard to go 'K'. ALL HAIL J! ALL HAIL J!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

The advantage of the 2 3/4" barrel over the older 2 1/2" barrel is that the revolver can use a full length ejector rod, not a cut down one like the older snub nosed 66s had to use.
And of course like the Model 66s that have been shipping for several years now, the forcing cone no longer has the flat on the bottom of it that most Internet folks blamed the epidemic cracking issue on

It looks to have the stamped s&w logo instead of the laser etch, which I applaud.

A J-frame is great for deep concealment but if I can use a belt holster I'll take a K-Frame every single time. To me this looks like the perfect size for a carry gun (although since my older 66 snub still works great I'm not sure I'll buy one yet).

I can't tell from the photos - will these have a separate barrel and shroud - or one-piece like before? I had to turn down an otherwise very nice 686 3-inch at the local emporium because a couple of small lumps of metal were lifted up when the barrel was crush-fitted ... Otherwise it was near perfect (well for current production anyway) - strong carry-up, tight lockup, and did NOT look like Mr. Magoo polished it!!

"I can't tell from the photos - will these have a separate barrel and shroud - or one-piece like before?"

This is not a new revolver, just a new barrel length. It looks like everything is the same as on the M66-8 4.25 inch barrel version that has been around for several years, that is, with a separate barrel and shroud. I had a Model 69 with the same type barrel, and it was very nicely done. You can't see the seem from the side, it is in the muzzle, and looks like a recessed crown. The front sight is aligned with a notch in the frame and not by barrel torque. This should eliminate the problem with canted barrels and front sight. I also think the design might help eliminate barrel constriction problems due to the "crush" fit, but that is still speculation.

Best,
Rick

Sorry I did not take a photo from the front when I was handling them last month.

As riverrat38 has already mentioned, the snub nosed model 66 uses the tensioned multi piece barrel design.

The Smith and Wesson implementation is much more attractive than the older Dan Wesson multi piece barrel.

BTW riverrat38, the model 69 is also available in the same 2 3/4" barrel length as the model 66

Wouldn't chrome sights cause a really bad glare problem when the sun is out?

I think that being molded parts, that dark color would carry through the entire part. I agree that the older guns like my -4 were more attractive.



But I have to say that functionality of the newer ones should not be inferior to the older ones; perhaps even superior.

Ed

My 625 PC has a black trigger and hammer, and I haven't expected that it could be polished out. My 686-6 has been polished out and looks better to me.

But not with magnum ammo.

Forgot about this thread. Thought somebody bought one and posted a picture, got all excited. Back to impatiently waiting.

The hammer and trigger of the M66 are undoubtedly carbon steel with a black surface treatment. S&W tried making those in ss, briefly in the '70's, but it was more trouble than it was worth. Silver colored H & T's are carbon steel with a "flash chrome" plating.

The point being, on a M66 if the black is polished off those parts will be "in the white" -- shiny carbon steel. Prone to corrosion if neglected. Sweat, in particular, could be a problem for them.

The thumb piece, nut, ejector rod, and side plate screws are harder to say. They very well could be stainless under the black coating.

I wonder if the strain screw is black.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

I sure wish A&W would make the performance center 640 pro in 2.75 or 3" barrel. I would buy that over the six shot 66-2.75"-

Really S&W, how hard would it be to make a 2.75" or 3" full extractor rod barrel on the 640? And rhw 640 pro has nicer low lrofile ccw type sights that are doevtailed and night sight capable.

The 640 pro aesthetically looks SO much better than the two tone black hardware of the 66-2.75".

I kind of like the 2-tone finish.

Add in the plug, a C&S fixed rear sight, replace the front sight with a plain black modified ramp (or maybe a gold bead) front sight, bob the hammer with a DAO trigger job, and add a set of PGS Hideout grips, and it'd be a winner for me.

But for now, the no-lock Centennials are better values for me, as far as new production S&W guns go.

I have the 640 Pro, and have wondered if the 3 inch barrel of the M60 would fit. Both J frames. Might be a problem getting the correct front sight height. Or, maybe the barrel wouldn't mate to the frame nicely.

Best,
Rick