New Model 66-3 owner!

[rmcnelly]

This is my first post here but wanted to share a pic of my newly acquired Model 66-3. Came in the original box with manual. This thing locks up very tight and I hope to get to the range on Friday to try it out. The only other wheel gun I own is a Ruger LCR which is a fun little shooter but I have always wanted a .357 K frame since my dad carried one as a Texas DPS Intelligence Agent when I was growing up.

I remember how much fun he had at my expense when he had me shoot it when I was 14. He warned me "I don't want to see a flinch if you hit an empty chamber". The first couple of .38 wadcutters went off fine and I didn't flinch on an empty chamber. Then I touched off a full house .357 scaring the hell out of me. My dad was rolling in laughter. The next trigger pull was an empty chamber and you could see the gun shaking in my hand a mile away. Fond memories for me ;-)

--Rick

 

[10mmauto]

I love those 2-1/2" k frames. Currently, I have a 3" f-comp that is my favorite, though.

 

[10mmauto]

Sorry. Here's the pic to go with it....

 

[snw19_357]

Welcome to the forum! Mighty fine 2.5" M66 you have there.

 

[rmcnelly]

Grips are my current concern. The skinny little stockers allow a very high grip but are completely unlike anything I've recently shot. I don't plan on carrying this thing, nor do I plan on shooting full house .357s in it either.

 

[snw19_357]

One of the great things about a round butt K-frame. You have so many grips options to choose from.

 

[rmcnelly]

One of the great things about a round butt K-frame. You have so many grips options to choose from.

Too many choices

 

[Poohgyrr]

Congrats! And grips make a huge difference in recoil. The problem is finding the ones that work for your hands.

 

[rmcnelly]

I have skinny fingers of average length. I've been eyeballing the Ahrends Tactical Combats or Retro Combat Round Butt. Pics of them on M66 snubbies are just beautiful.

 

[sw44spl]

very sweet looking 66-3 you enjoy it.

 

[TNDave]

Very nice gun!

 

[Roboto]

I have a 66-3 myself and love it. Enjoys yours and never sell it!

 

[Sportsterguy]

Welcome to the Forum and congrats on owning one of the best, if not the best all around duty S&W's ever made. You will be surprized at it's accuracy. Have 2 66-2's, one a 2.5" and a 3" and they are fantastic little revolvers. They both think they have longer barrels, especially the 3" with the 2.5 coming in a close second accuracy wise. I love Ahrends finger groove round butt grips on my K's. You can always sand the FG's down a little at a time to fit your hand perfectly. The FG's do help controlling the recoil of .357's. After sanding apply 2 coats of poly and they look like new. They handle full house .357's with ease.

 

[rmcnelly]

Thank you very much for the feedback on the Ahrends. I think I'll get a set.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I have the smooth version and I love them:

OK, it's a 19 and not a 66 but you get the point...

 

[edw794]

these are spegel boot grips:

 

[rmcnelly]

So many choices! They all look great!

 

[rmcnelly]

What about Hogue wood grips?

 

[Maximumbob54]

Hogue uses the Monogrip attachment that adds a stirrup to the bottom of the grip frame. You then slide the stock up the grip frame from the bottom. When it is positioned just right there is a screw hole that you poke the screw into so that it can be tightened into the stirrup. The no screw in the side of the stock looks great but for my taste is just adds too much length to the grasping area of the stock. Also, the smooth version that I tried was very slick. I would buy one with checkering next time. The level of fit and finish was very good though so I would say it was very high quality. I just couldn’t get beyond the “boomerang” look it gave the gun. But then I tried it on a four inch 19, so it gave it a very bottom heavy look. The proportions might look better on a six inch full lug gun like a 686, but on a shorty 66 I wouldn’t think it would look right at all. But that is just me.

 

[681ismyfavorite]

i have a 4" model 66, but i'd really like a 2.5"er if i ever had the extra money.