Smith Brings back the Model 66!!!

[jimc00]

4.25" barrel

The 4 1/4" barrel may be because IIRC in Canada, a 4" barrel is not legal but 4 1/4" is.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Maybe they seem "snappier" is because there is a slightly heavier mainspring to overcome the "middleman". That might equate to a heavier DA pull on some of them. BTW, most Rugers - at least the multiple GP100 and SP101 have horrible DA triggers compared to S&W. That may in part be attributed to the coil MS though...

There is no "middleman." Ruger uses a transfer bar. The hammer hits the transfer bar, which in turn strikes the frame mounted firing pin (FMFP).

S&W uses a hammer block, which is moved out of the way when the trigger is pulled. The hammer strikes the FMFP directly. I do not believe the mainsprings are any heavier than they have ever been.

 

[Boge]

Man, the haters are out in full force here!! Can't these people get over something that happened almost 15 yrs. ago? Why do they keep posting their venom in threads like these? If you don't like S&W's new models fine, but don't stop & piss in every thread like some drunken brother in law at Christmas! This BS was old TEN YEARS ago. Get over it & move on. This is why S&W is making money & Colt has had the wolf at the door since '86. Technology changes and people do as well or they get left behind.

 

[5Wire]

Some people like me dislike the new stuff while others like Boge like it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But I wonder which guns will appreciate in value more...

Not hatin'; just sayin'.

Ed

I kind of agree with what you posted. Some of the attitude has to come from the reason one has a firearm in the first place. If it is for self defense, I suspect the main characteristics sought would relate to function, capacity, and reliability as well as one's ability to be sufficiently accurate with it for the purpose.

I happen to think Glocks are ugly but there is no denying their accuracy and reliability. I think the S&W Models 19 and 66 snubbies are a great combination of aesthetic balance, reliable function, and solid material usage. I like almost anything by H&K but strongly favor the unique accuracy and reliability of the P7 series.

If reasons extend to nostalgia, historical significance, cosmetic appearance, materials, and so one, there is no "one right answer" beyond one's own tastes.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I'm glad they brought it back. If I didn't have my 686 mtn gun I'd jump right on it. May still down the road. I get so tired of the "grumblers" on here bashing all New Smiths. Folks we don't want Smith to go the way of Marlin. If you don't like it.......Don't buy it........But don't discourage others from doing so.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I'm glad they brought it back. If I didn't have my 686 mtn gun I'd jump right on it. May still down the road. I get so tired of the "grumblers" on here bashing all New Smiths. Folks we don't want Smith to go the way of Marlin. If you don't like it.......Don't buy it........But don't discourage others from doing so.

Absolutely!

Many of us despise ABS on our automobiles, but it's here to stay.

My first Smith was a brand new 686-6. Great revolver.

But since then, I have grown to appreciate and favor the old P&R classics for my own reasons that I suspect are no different than many others here.

I still would not hesitate to buy a brand new S&W. The new m69 being squarely on my "gotta have" list, if not on top along with a 4" m57 no-dash.

But good Lord, what would we do if S&W ceased making revolvers all together??!! IMHO, they are IT. There is no other revolver currently in production that I would spend my hard earned money on...period. Not one.

Locks, MIM parts, FMFP... I could give a rats posterior about all of that as long as the piece functions as it should and puts a round downrange where I want it.

I fully understand and appreciate others opinions, we all have them. And the above is mine.

I say "Thank you" to S&W for listening and bringing back a classic wheelgun that we all love with the return of the M66, even with it's departures from the classic M66. And kudos as well for thinking outside the box and coming out with a totally new wheelgun in the M69!

 

[jd70]

I agree. With the 66 and now the 69 s&w has brought back guns you can carry all day and won't abuse the shooter. (I plan on only shooting skeeter 44 specials mostly with mags as backup.) I can see cc either of these.

 

[flagman1776]

I own a IL, MIM M66-7, (LE trade in from Australia I think). It's fine gun. Not as nice as my M66-2 but it is my ready gun in the bedroom. It makes sense to stretch the 4" to 4.25" for greater sales without making a special export model. Glad to see the 66 return.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

The new model 69 L Frame 44 mag actually is the most tempted I have been to buy a new S&W.And why is there a blued thumb latch on a stainless Gun?.....Did they run out of the MIM stainless thumb latches?

 

[Vaman49]

I swear I think some folks would complain even if they were getting hung with a new rope. I'm just glad Smith is still making revolvers. I have some new and some old, some with the lock and some without. I even have one with the two-piece barrel. Guess what? They all go bang when I pull the triggers. I'm more interested in the new 686 model but the new 66 just might find a place in my gun safe too.

 

[WaMike]

I have new....and I have old. Both look good, work well and make holes wherever I point them.

 

[RonS]

Doin' what they gotta do to make ends meet. When Colt stopped selling double actions the price was over a grand and they were probably breaking even on them at best. A forged and milled, hand fitted revolver would probably cost as much as an Ed Brown or Wilson flagship 1911 does.

Hate the lock, have reservations about MIM, think some of the fit and finish could be a lot better but hey, my 627 Pro shoots like a house a fire and I'm darned glad to have it.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Ball detent?? As in like the X-frames have??

 

[Last of the Mohicans]

My understanding from a thread on a Canadian gun forum is that the new 66 comes with a 4.2 inch (4.25?...I can't remember at the moment) barrel. This has understandably caused some excitement amongst hand gunners up here since anything with a shorter barrel is prohibited and cannot be brought into the country. Most Canadian handgun owners are not permitted to own short barrelled handguns under our Firearms Act (spit!). Some of us are grandfathered and allowed to continue to own, buy and sell such guns amongst ourselves. But have no illusions...when we owners are finally all gone, so will all such guns have been turned into scrap.

 

[jrod]

I'm glad to see the 66 back; Even if it's a little different from the original.
I'm also looking forward to getting the model M-69.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I have never had an issue with the FMFP, the 2-piece barrel, and if the ball-detent lock-up helps with the barrel shank split issue, its addition is welcome. The lock can be removed, and the extra 1/4 inch is no problem apart from the fact that finding a holster will be an issue, at first at least.

I am just excited about the prospect of a K frame with a 4 inch round butt, very similar to the ONI/FBI Model 19s, which were about the best compromise for really hitting your target and carrying ease, and with less corrosion issues.

This is good news from S&W. I am excited. The other thing is that this new model can be shot without fear of damaging the collector value of an older Model 19 or 66 as repairs and parts are just a little easier to come by.

Kudos to S&W. This Model 66 is certainly better news to self-defense oriented old-timers like me than any of the Performance Center competition guns that have been announced for 2014.

Good show!

 

[TucsonMTB]

I have never had an issue with the FMFP, the 2-piece barrel, and if the ball-detent lock-up helps with the barrel shank split issue, its addition is welcome. The lock can be removed, and the extra 1/4 inch is no problem apart from the fact that finding a holster will be an issue, at first at least.

I am just excited about the prospect of a K frame with a 4 inch round butt, very similar to the ONI/FBI Model 19s, which were about the best compromise for really hitting your target and carrying ease, and with less corrosion issues.

This is good news from S&W. I am excited. The other thing is that this new model can be shot without fear of damaging the collector value of an older Model 19 or 66 as repairs and parts are just a little easier to come by.

Kudos to S&W. This Model 66 is certainly better news to self-defense oriented old-timers like me than any of the Performance Center competition guns that have been announced for 2014.

Good show!

+1 . . . Seeing Smith & Wesson revolvers thrive is "all good" from my point of view.

I wonder if S&W employs any marketing people? It is a little surprising to see them limiting the revolver's sales potential by including an unpopular "feature".

 

[5Wire]

+1 . . . I wonder if S&W employs any marketing people? It is a little surprising to see them limiting the revolver's sales potential by including an unpopular "feature".

Maybe their marketing and sales people see a favorable market position opportunity catering to Canada's restrictions with sufficient projected revenue to capitalize expanded domestic variations.

Not so surprising, perhaps?

 

[Last of the Mohicans]

I keep seeing FMFP come up in this discussion...as a Canadian gun owner, I don't know what that means. Google says it stands for Foreign Military Finance Program. Is this correct? And, if so, what does providing grant money to foreign governments have to do with the reappearance of the Model 66?

 

[Last of the Mohicans]

Maybe their marketing and sales people see a favorable market position opportunity catering to Canada's restrictions with sufficient projected revenue to capitalize expanded domestic variations.

Not so surprising, perhaps?

Canadian gun owner reaction to the new 66 is one of rejoicing. Other 4.2 inch revolvers from Smith and Wesson, and, Ruger seem to be flying off dealers shelves as fast as they can be stocked.