Model 66's vs 66-8 size comparison??

[Zebra War Wagon]

I have had several Model 66's in previous years and recently purchased one of the new 66-8 models. The more I look at it, the more it appears to be larger than previous model 66 editions? It feels more like an L frame to me.... Maybe I have been looking at my 640 J Frame to long?
Does anyone have the new 66-8 and an older model 66 with the 2.5" barrel that they can post side by side for a size comparison?
Thanks in advance.

[wheelyfun66]

I think the k frame with internal lock looks bigger, because the frame is larger in the area from cylinder release to hammer (if that makes sense)
To accommodate the lock, the frame is shaped differently

[Telecaster]

Same size. It may be the finish that makes it look different.

[wproct]

I'm sorry, I don't mean to hijack your thread, but perception can be a strange thing. For example, several years back I almost bought a like new 66-1 2 1/2 in bbl revolver, but walked instead. It felt so sleek in the hand, and I had a perfect set of Hogue exotic wood combat grips for it. Oh well, so recently I bought a very nice 64-2 2 in bbl, K frame and put those combat grips on it, should be exactly the same size as the 66-1, right? Well, it feels bigger for some reason. Don't know if it's just me, or what, but it definitely feels bigger. Probably just my imagination.

[UncleEd]

The area around the enclosed firing pin
and lock is a bit bigger than with the
older model where the firing pin is on
the hammer. Also the hammer is a bit
smaller/more buried into the frame of
the new model.

And your barrel is less sculpted as well
as being a quarter inch longer giving
you a full length ejector rod, which is
accomplished by the yoke lockup instead
of at the end of the ejector rod.

[Paul105]

I did some measurements a while back. These are all the longer barrels, but that won't make any difference relating to frame size. It includes the M69 (L Frame) because I was too lazy to edit out.

Cylinder diameter – widest part

M69 ……. 1.575”

M66-8 …… 1.450”

M19-3 …… 1.459”

Cylinder length

M69 ……. 1.670”

M66-8 …… 1.670”

M19-3 …… 1.677”

Top strap width

M69 ……. .660”

M66-8 …… .665”

M19-3 …… .654”

Top strap depth (not incl sight base/mortise)

M69 ……. .211”

M66-8 …… .230”

M19-3 …… .218”

Frame – cyl window vertical

M69 ……. 1.558”

M66-8 …… 1.476”

M19-3 …… 1.474”

Frame – cyl window horiz

M69 ……. 1.827”

M66-8 …… 1.812”

M19-3 …… 1.814”

Barrel/frame junction - width

M69 ……. .880”

M66-8 …… .822”

M19-3 …… .826”

Front of frame – vertical – bottom of front to top of front

M69 ……. 2.370”

M66-8 …… 2.289”

M19-3 …… 2.289”


Paul

[Zebra War Wagon]

Paul105, thanks for posting this. It really explains a lot!

[CAJUNLAWYER]

There has to be some sort of dimensional difference that allowed for a forcing cone without the bottom flattened off to allow yoke clearance under the barrel.

[Paul105]

Model 19-3



Model 66-8

[BC38]

I think wheelyfun66 hit on the reason it appears larger. Looking at the first photo below you can see that the curve where the hammer comes through the frame is different resulting in it being wider from the trigger opening to hammer opening. This was done to make enough room for the lock mechanism.

With a little copying and pasting of the the grip frame area from one to the other you can see in photos 2 and 3 that the frame sizes and dimensions are otherwise the same.

[bulletpoints]

Originally Posted by Telecaster

Same size. It may be the finish that makes it look different.

Which model Pachmayr grips are on the 66-8? Thanks.

[BC38]

Originally Posted by bulletpoints

Which model Pachmayr grips are on the 66-8? Thanks.

Those look like the Compac Pro model to me.

[wheelyfun66]

Originally Posted by BC38

Those look like the Compac Pro model to me.

I would say Compac, but NOT "pro"
the Pro Compac has an exposed backstrap, for better concealment, but... less cushion!

[BC38]

Originally Posted by wheelyfun66

I would say Compac, but NOT "pro"
the Pro Compac has an exposed backstrap, for better concealment, but... less cushion!

I thought the Compac is the one with the pinky notch, and the Pro were the ones without?

[wheelyfun66]

Originally Posted by BC38

I thought the Compac is the one with the pinky notch, and the Pro were the ones without?

Well, there are Hogue "compact" grips with pinky notch, ha!
The Pachmayr comes in two varieties of "Compac"... the Compac, which covers the backstrap, and the "Compac Professional " which leave backstrap exposed and might be slimmer also.

[BC38]

Originally Posted by wheelyfun66

Well, there are Hogue "compact" grips with pinky notch, ha!
The Pachmayr comes in two varieties of "Compac"... the Compac, which covers the backstrap, and the "Compac Professional " which leave backstrap exposed and might be slimmer also.

OK, here are the Pachmayr Compac grips with the pinky notch that I am talking about
Compac Grips | Pachmayr Revolver Grips

[scruffy]

Pachmayr Compac Pros on my 66-8.