revolvers?

[M E Morrison]

greetings,

I'm looking at getting a new revolver, either in K or L frame.
I have in mind a stainless .357 mag.
I'm not familiar with current guns so do not know if there are any models to avoid, or to prefer. All my guns are from the 1980s, or before.
I will mostly use it for informal club competition,so don't want to invest a fortune in it. It will need to be red dot and/or scope capable. It should also be fairly light, as some events require weak hand only shooting.

Hope I am not asking for too much.

TIA

[murphydog]

If you are looking for a current production gun, the 4.25" model 66 fits the bill. Lighter than an L frame and without the full lug barrel. A 4" 686 SSR would be a close second.

[Andy Taylor]

Based on the criteria mentioned, Murphydog's recommendation would also be mine.

[Invictus357]

Hmmm

I agree the 66 is a good choice and I would recommend the Combat Magnum.

Model 66 Combat Magnum(R) | Smith & Wesson

And this for mounting your red dot sight.

Smith & Wesson Mini STS Scope Mount - AllchinGunParts.com

[M E Morrison]

Originally Posted by murphydog

If you are looking for a current production gun, the 4.25" model 66 fits the bill. Lighter than an L frame and without the full lug barrel. A 4" 686 SSR would be a close second.

thank you. I am leaning toward a modern gun, mostly because of the factory drilled scope bases.

[colt_saa]

I too would recommend the current Model 66 as a very fine offering

Originally Posted by M E Morrison

thank you. I am leaning toward a modern gun, mostly because of the factory drilled scope bases.

If this is your only reason to go with a "Modern" gun, you should know that the factory began drilling and tapping frames for scope mounts in the early 1990s

So if there is an older gun that is catching your eye, there may not need to be a reason to rule it out

[M E Morrison]

Originally Posted by Andy Taylor

Based on the criteria mentioned, Murphydog's recommendation would also be mine.

thank you!

[hyena]

I have very little experience with K frames. But I have a late model 686 four inch barrel that I think is the best all around revolver made. For the money. I had TK Customs do an action job on mine and it is sweet.

Good luck with your decision.

[Benchrest1]

+1 on the 686.

[CH4]

Another vote for the 686 over the 66, which has the two-piece barrel. The extra weight of the full lug will help with 357 mag recoil.

[rwsmith]

How much .357 are you planning on shooting through it? If you are shooting more .357 than .38, definitely get the 686. If you only shoot .357 occasionally, get the 66.

[murphydog]

Originally Posted by colt_saa

I too would recommend the current Model 66 as a very fine offering

If this is your only reason to go with a "Modern" gun, you should know that the factory began drilling and tapping frames for scope mounts in the early 1990s

So if there is an older gun that is catching your eye, there may not need to be a reason to rule it out

Correct, if you find a 66- or 686-4 or later (the ones with the rounded forward edge of the rear sight leaf), these were factory drilled and tapped for an optic mount.

[stansdds]

Since you mentioned that you want something relatively light in weight due to having to shoot weak handed as part of competition, I'd say the Model 66 Classic would be a good fit. It's a few ounces lighter than a 4 inch Model 686. The Model 66 Classic had a much improved cylinder locking system and the two-piece barrel eliminates the thin spot at the bottom of the forcing cone in older K-frames, which is an area that can crack.

[StrawHat]

I have shot competition and have used both the K and the L frame revolvers. For what you have requested the newer Model 66 is the answer.

My advice would be to attend a couple of shoots and see what others are using. Unless things have drastically hanged, competitors enjoy showing off what they have and use. They may even let you try a few shots.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Kevin

[M E Morrison]

Originally Posted by Invictus357

Hmmm

I agree the 66 is a good choice and I would recommend the Combat Magnum.

Model 66 Combat Magnum(R) | Smith & Wesson

And this for mounting your red dot sight.

Smith & Wesson Mini STS Scope Mount - AllchinGunParts.com

good info - thanks!

[M E Morrison]

Originally Posted by colt_saa

I too would recommend the current Model 66 as a very fine offering

If this is your only reason to go with a "Modern" gun, you should know that the factory began drilling and tapping frames for scope mounts in the early 1990s

So if there is an older gun that is catching your eye, there may not need to be a reason to rule it out

I'm leaning toward modern, pre-drilled, as there are no "gunsmiths" around here that I would trust. Down side of living out in the boonies....

[M E Morrison]

Originally Posted by CH4

Another vote for the 686 over the 66, which has the two-piece barrel. The extra weight of the full lug will help with 357 mag recoil.

How about that two piece barrel? I'm not at all familiar with them......

[M E Morrison]

Originally Posted by rwsmith

How much .357 are you planning on shooting through it? If you are shooting more .357 than .38, definitely get the 686. If you only shoot .357 occasionally, get the 66.

I would expect to shoot more 38s, or cowboy loads in 357 - some matches have a short time limit and require a reload, so recoil becomes an issue.

[M E Morrison]

Originally Posted by murphydog

Correct, if you find a 66- or 686-4 or later (the ones with the rounded forward edge of the rear sight leaf), these were factory drilled and tapped for an optic mount.

thank you.....

[M E Morrison]

Originally Posted by stansdds

Since you mentioned that you want something relatively light in weight due to having to shoot weak handed as part of competition, I'd say the Model 66 Classic would be a good fit. It's a few ounces lighter than a 4 inch Model 686. The Model 66 Classic had a much improved cylinder locking system and the two-piece barrel eliminates the thin spot at the bottom of the forcing cone in older K-frames, which is an area that can crack.

thanks for that info

[M E Morrison]

Originally Posted by StrawHat

I have shot competition and have used both the K and the L frame revolvers. For what you have requested the newer Model 66 is the answer.

My advice would be to attend a couple of shoots and see what others are using. Unless things have drastically hanged, competitors enjoy showing off what they have and use. They may even let you try a few shots.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Kevin

good idea - thanks

[rwsmith]

Originally Posted by M E Morrison

I would expect to shoot more 38s, or cowboy loads in 357 - some matches have a short time limit and require a reload, so recoil becomes an issue.

It doesn't sound like you need the full .357 magnum power soaking ability of the 686 since 'cowboy' loads are pretty mild. So surely the 66 would be a good choice UNLESS you want to absolutely minimize recoil at the expense of a heftier frame with the full barrel lug.

[M E Morrison]

Originally Posted by rwsmith

It doesn't sound like you need the full .357 magnum power soaking ability of the 686 since 'cowboy' loads are pretty mild. So surely the 66 would be a good choice UNLESS you want to absolutely minimize recoil at the expense of a heftier frame with the full barrel lug.

yeah, this is turning into a juggling act - heavier for less recoil - or lighter to suit the weak hand.....

[bigggbbruce]

Originally Posted by colt_saa

If this is your only reason to go with a "Modern" gun, you should know that the factory began drilling and tapping frames for scope mounts in the early 1990s

IINM the rounded sight base occurred at that time as well.

[CH4]

Originally Posted by M E Morrison

How about that two piece barrel? I'm not at all familiar with them......

It’s merely personal preference, but I don’t like the look of the two-piece barrel. To my eye it just looks cheap/cheesy compared to a one-piece barrel.

[Babysitr]

Reading these posts have almost talked me into a 686.....never shot one!

[CH4]

Originally Posted by Babysitr

Reading these posts have almost talked me into a 686.....never shot one!

You won’t be disappointed.

[stansdds]

Originally Posted by M E Morrison

How about that two piece barrel? I'm not at all familiar with them......

Evidently the patents on the two piece barrel system pioneered by Dan Wesson has expired. S&W began using a similar system and now Ruger has started to use a similar system.

The two piece barrel consists of a tubular barrel that is threaded on both ends. It is screwed into the frame and the barrel-cylinder gap is set. Then, the external shroud is placed, usually the shroud is indexed to the frame with a pin and hole arrangement and a retention nut holds the shroud to the muzzle end of the barrel.

The first version of Dan Wesson revolvers had an ugly, external nut, but the second version used a recessed nut and that is what is seen on S&W and Ruger revolvers. One benefit of the two piece barrel system is that it tensions the barrel, which dampens vibration during firing, this often results in improved and more consistent accuracy.

Do not fear the two piece revolver barrel system, it works very well.

[M E Morrison]

Originally Posted by stansdds

Evidently the patents on the two piece barrel system pioneered by Dan Wesson has expired. S&W began using a similar system and now Ruger has started to use a similar system.

The two piece barrel consists of a tubular barrel that is threaded on both ends. It is screwed into the frame and the barrel-cylinder gap is set. Then, the external shroud is placed, usually the shroud is indexed to the frame with a pin and hole arrangement and a retention nut holds the shroud to the muzzle end of the barrel.

The first version of Dan Wesson revolvers had an ugly, external nut, but the second version used a recessed nut and that is what is seen on S&W and Ruger revolvers. One benefit of the two piece barrel system is that it tensions the barrel, which dampens vibration during firing, this often results in improved and more consistent accuracy.

Do not fear the two piece revolver barrel system, it works very well.

OK, thanks for the explanation. I had never seen one of these, so didn't know what to expect....

[M E Morrison]

well, it's settled. I ordered a 4.25" M66 yesterday afternoon.

[hittman77]

Being late to the thread I was going to suggest GP100.

[M E Morrison]

Originally Posted by hittman77

Being late to the thread I was going to suggest GP100.

not too familiar with them, but I don't think they are as easy to install scopes/red dot sights?

[Sgt911]

Originally Posted by Babysitr

Reading these posts have almost talked me into a 686.....never shot one!

I kind of want a new 66 now.

[PHS327]

Originally Posted by Sgt911

I kind of want a new 66 now.

Then I think you should get one.

[Groo01]

Groo here
All the above and one more.
As you said light, A M327 TRR8.
5in 8 shot 357mag on an N frame BUT mounts included and goes 35 oz.
BUT they are pricy,,,,,,,
The 66 is on the K frame and if your hands are some what smaller
will be a treat.

[M E Morrison]

Originally Posted by Groo01

Groo here
All the above and one more.
As you said light, A M327 TRR8.
5in 8 shot 357mag on an N frame BUT mounts included and goes 35 oz.
BUT they are pricy,,,,,,,
The 66 is on the K frame and if your hands are some what smaller
will be a treat.

I have a pair of N frames, a 624 and a 625 - they are bigger than I want for this application...

[Redlegvzv]

Originally Posted by stansdds

Evidently the patents on the two piece barrel system pioneered by Dan Wesson has expired. S&W began using a similar system and now Ruger has started to use a similar system.

The two piece barrel consists of a tubular barrel that is threaded on both ends. It is screwed into the frame and the barrel-cylinder gap is set. Then, the external shroud is placed, usually the shroud is indexed to the frame with a pin and hole arrangement and a retention nut holds the shroud to the muzzle end of the barrel.

The first version of Dan Wesson revolvers had an ugly, external nut, but the second version used a recessed nut and that is what is seen on S&W and Ruger revolvers. One benefit of the two piece barrel system is that it tensions the barrel, which dampens vibration during firing, this often results in improved and more consistent accuracy.

Do not fear the two piece revolver barrel system, it works very well.

THANK YOU for this excellent explanation. I've been looking for this information.
To the OP, I would go with either a 686 or 686SSR. I own both and they are crazy accurate; a pleasure to shoot. My standard 686+ 4 inch is both handy and well-balanced as well as accurate. Can't ask for more.

[Targets Guy]

I picked up my Model 65-8 last year. It shipped in 2005. Shoots just fine.


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[M E Morrison]

picked up the M66 today - went straight to the range!

only had some Fiocchi 158 cowboy loads, so got it sighted in for them. shot it in two postal matches.

shoots pretty good - I'm happy!

[JayFramer]

I would get either a Model 66 or then new Combat Magnum version of the 66.

[Oracle]

I recently asked this forum for a recommended red dot mount. Raptor Sight Mount S&W Reflex Sight Mounts was recommended so I bought one.

The mount is working great with my Trijicon RMR2.