Smith Brings back the Model 66!!!
- Thread starter cometpx4
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This has grown beyond opinion. It's become like a cult that enjoys "bombing" every thread on new S&W revolvers.
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You can say that about anything today....gun related or otherwise.
Edmo
US Veteran
Hopefully the internal lock parts are MIM'd... Right?? 
Guys, enjoy the fact that S&W is giving you a new revolver option. That is much better than cutting their product line by one or two.
When I think about the cost of manufacturing a revolver as compared to a plastic M&P auto, I'm amazed that S&W is still making revolvers. Additionally, I imagine the market demand for a full sized revolver is much lower than that polymer auto, yet S&W is still giving us wheel gun options. Bravo S&W!!
If the lock or the MIM parts are so revolting go find a "classic" 66 and enjoy. You will likely be happier with it anyway. I just "rescued" a 1982 model 19-5 and couldn't be more pleased, but I would be equally happy with a new 586 or this new 66.
Life is too short to be upset when a manufacturer gives you additional product options. IMHO, we should have a "glass half full" response.
Edmo
Guys, enjoy the fact that S&W is giving you a new revolver option. That is much better than cutting their product line by one or two.
When I think about the cost of manufacturing a revolver as compared to a plastic M&P auto, I'm amazed that S&W is still making revolvers. Additionally, I imagine the market demand for a full sized revolver is much lower than that polymer auto, yet S&W is still giving us wheel gun options. Bravo S&W!!
If the lock or the MIM parts are so revolting go find a "classic" 66 and enjoy. You will likely be happier with it anyway. I just "rescued" a 1982 model 19-5 and couldn't be more pleased, but I would be equally happy with a new 586 or this new 66.
Life is too short to be upset when a manufacturer gives you additional product options. IMHO, we should have a "glass half full" response.
Edmo
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Been grocery shopping in the last month?
$4.39 LB for 80% ground beef. Thomas' English Muffins are now regular price @ $5.59 for six. Decent coffee is $8.99 to $9.99 LB. Navel oranges are about $1 each. The dollar isn't worth the 100% cotton rag Crane & Company stock on which it's printed!
Be GLAD S&W is introducing any new revolvers instead of just $1500 plus 1911's and plastic M&P pistols.
Elkins45
Member
Is the extra 1/4" really that big of a deal?
Frankly I'm happy that S&W is still making any revolvers that aren't plastic J frames.
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RIDE-RED 350r
Member
This thread reminds me of a joke I once heard - a group of old women were just finishing lunch at a restaurant. The waiter comes up and says (instead of the usual "was everything ok"), "was ANYTHING ok?".
AveragEd
Member
I'm sorry to be so negative in my posts about current production Smith & Wesson revolvers but the ONLY way to motivate any company to change its product is to let them know the current item is not well-liked.
I can see you younger guys not being turned off by guns like this new "Model 66" but many of us who know the older versions are. Smith & Wesson is a smart company and they know that all buyer demographics are important. They also know which demographic has the leisure time during which they can use their revolvers and the finances to buy more. Look at the number of S&Ws in some their owners' photos on this site. Us olde pharts are either pretty stupid or fiercely loyal.
Ed
I can see you younger guys not being turned off by guns like this new "Model 66" but many of us who know the older versions are. Smith & Wesson is a smart company and they know that all buyer demographics are important. They also know which demographic has the leisure time during which they can use their revolvers and the finances to buy more. Look at the number of S&Ws in some their owners' photos on this site. Us olde pharts are either pretty stupid or fiercely loyal.
Ed
5Wire
Member
And if it sells profitably in spite of some dislike that's an opposite message and motivates continued manufacture, eh?
handejector
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If you want to talk more about the new Mod 66, stay tuned.
We'll resume our normal programming shortly.
We'll resume our normal programming shortly.
handejector
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FWIW-
It appears the Mod 66 and Mod 69 have now been moved to the K/L frame section- Product: Model 66
It also appears to me that they MAY have simply altered some old, existing copy for another page instead of starting from scratch, and that is why it says "Two Piece Barrel". I do not believe it has a two piece barrel. It also says "• Full Top Strap and Barrel Serration ", and I believe that is also leftover from the old copy about another gun. If you watch the video, at 0.29-0.31 the top of the gun is clearly visible, and it is NOT serrated.
It DOES have the ball detent, or at least it is obvious the forward locking bolt is not in the shroud.
The above is my observations and opinion.
___________________________________
Below are the Facts of Life-
Really- well said.
I invite you all to read this sticky, particularly Post #66:Sticky: LOCK- ..can't get past "the hole".
Some of you should read it two or three times.
If you want to coo and cuddle about vintage revolvers made the old way, there are three forums above this one for that purpose. Go to one and have at it. Enjoy yourself. Meanwhile, let people who buy/shoot/own/collect the current production products enjoy themselves.
All the bitching and moaning accomplishes nothing, and actually lowers the usefulness of this board.
Think about that- a newbie to guns has heard that he/she should start with a revolver, and hears S&W recommended. The newb comes here to find out what new gun to buy, since he/she knows NOTHING about them. They get pummeled with rants that new guns are junk, and they should buy an old gun. Now, remember, this person knows little or nothing about guns and needs advice to sort out the new guns as far as size, caliber, and style, and finds the subject almost overwhelming, and you just said "Go buy a used gun". Do you really think you helped them?
So, here is how it will work-
If you'd like to enjoy/love on/cuddle/read about/post pics of/whatever the older guns, go to the three vintage forums and have a good time.
If you'd like to enjoy the post 1980 and current production guns, this is the place!
If you'd like to rant/rave/bitch/moan/whine/cry in every thread started in this section and discourage new gun owners and shooters, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. I mean that. If the inability to rant/rave/bitch/moan/whine/cry incessantly makes this board unusable for you, find someplace you like better. You ain't wearing chains.
We might all be better for it.
I hope that is clear.
You do know that we don't make the guns here, don't you?
I would suggest communicating your opinions and desires directly to S&W. All their contact data can be found on their website at Smith & Wesson
It appears the Mod 66 and Mod 69 have now been moved to the K/L frame section- Product: Model 66
It also appears to me that they MAY have simply altered some old, existing copy for another page instead of starting from scratch, and that is why it says "Two Piece Barrel". I do not believe it has a two piece barrel. It also says "• Full Top Strap and Barrel Serration ", and I believe that is also leftover from the old copy about another gun. If you watch the video, at 0.29-0.31 the top of the gun is clearly visible, and it is NOT serrated.
It DOES have the ball detent, or at least it is obvious the forward locking bolt is not in the shroud.
The above is my observations and opinion.
___________________________________
Below are the Facts of Life-
Eloquence, sheer eloquence.
Really- well said.
I invite you all to read this sticky, particularly Post #66:Sticky: LOCK- ..can't get past "the hole".
Some of you should read it two or three times.
If you want to coo and cuddle about vintage revolvers made the old way, there are three forums above this one for that purpose. Go to one and have at it. Enjoy yourself. Meanwhile, let people who buy/shoot/own/collect the current production products enjoy themselves.
All the bitching and moaning accomplishes nothing, and actually lowers the usefulness of this board.
Think about that- a newbie to guns has heard that he/she should start with a revolver, and hears S&W recommended. The newb comes here to find out what new gun to buy, since he/she knows NOTHING about them. They get pummeled with rants that new guns are junk, and they should buy an old gun. Now, remember, this person knows little or nothing about guns and needs advice to sort out the new guns as far as size, caliber, and style, and finds the subject almost overwhelming, and you just said "Go buy a used gun". Do you really think you helped them?
So, here is how it will work-
If you'd like to enjoy/love on/cuddle/read about/post pics of/whatever the older guns, go to the three vintage forums and have a good time.
If you'd like to enjoy the post 1980 and current production guns, this is the place!
If you'd like to rant/rave/bitch/moan/whine/cry in every thread started in this section and discourage new gun owners and shooters, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. I mean that. If the inability to rant/rave/bitch/moan/whine/cry incessantly makes this board unusable for you, find someplace you like better. You ain't wearing chains.
We might all be better for it.
I hope that is clear.
You do know that S&W does not own this board, nor have any affiliation with it whatsoever, don't you?
You do know that we don't make the guns here, don't you?
I would suggest communicating your opinions and desires directly to S&W. All their contact data can be found on their website at Smith & Wesson
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Hillbilly77
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My opinion:
You don't compare Smith & Wesson against Smith & Wesson.
You compare every gun is either a Smith & Wesson or it ain't.
You don't compare Smith & Wesson against Smith & Wesson.
You compare every gun is either a Smith & Wesson or it ain't.
Maximumbob54
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I wonder if it will actually be a true 4.25" or if like before you will get odd lengths. In S&W world a 2" = 1 7/8" on the snub J frame. I measured the 6" barrel on my 629-6 and it's only 5 3/4".
New Model 66
Wow, didn't know i would create such a firestorm. All i can say is I live in the present and can only buy from Smith today, what they are making. Do i always keep my eyes open fro vintage stuff-sure but the new revolvers you can shoot the **** out of and they will replace anything that goes wrong. Thats what i am planning to do with one of these new 66's.
The more nay sayers, the more new revolvers for me!!
Wow, didn't know i would create such a firestorm. All i can say is I live in the present and can only buy from Smith today, what they are making. Do i always keep my eyes open fro vintage stuff-sure but the new revolvers you can shoot the **** out of and they will replace anything that goes wrong. Thats what i am planning to do with one of these new 66's.
The more nay sayers, the more new revolvers for me!!
AveragEd
Member
Yes to both questions but most companies have someone who drops in on discussion forums that involve their products occasionally.
I am the sprint car technical inspector for Williams Grove Speedway, a well-known, highly-regarded and historic track that has been in action continuously since 1939. We have a website and part of that site is a message board plus there are two independent boards that cater to central Pennsylvania sprint car racing. Dirt track races and beer go hand in hand and many of our board's posters get a little obnoxious, both at the track and their keyboards. Most of their drivel is ignorable but we have a guy in the office who reads those boards once or so each week. When a complaint about something we did or didn't do is aired by several of those CUSTOMERS, we at least look into it.
But I heard what you said and will behave myself in the future.
Ed
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stantheman86
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I've got a 66-7 and love it
I just finished deactivating the lock on a used 10-14 I use as a range gun, took 10 minutes and a dollar store file. The gun shoots like a dream.
I wish more people were turned off by the IL so I could pick up a lightly used 2.5" 686+ for $450
I just finished deactivating the lock on a used 10-14 I use as a range gun, took 10 minutes and a dollar store file. The gun shoots like a dream.
I wish more people were turned off by the IL so I could pick up a lightly used 2.5" 686+ for $450
SuperMan
Member
...funny...I bought the same gun along with a Model 18 the same year and both mine were perfect. Shot 10K rounds of .357 Magnum through it, had it tuned up, nickeled and a yellow ramp put in at the factory and fired it another 10K before selling it in 1980. A total of SIX rounds of .38 Special made it through the cylinder.
As to the current 66, it is too bad that since S&W seems to be letting quite a few of the J-frames out of the factory without the IL why can't they do the same with the larger frame guns? Especially in their Classic Series like the 57, 58, 21, etc. they would have sold a lot more guns without the IL than with....
I also wonder about the two piece barrel...what is wrong with the never fails one piece barrel?
...and finally wonder if that new L-frame .44 Magnum will one day come in .41 Magnum....the gun that the .41 should have been in the first place...
Bob
stantheman86
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FWIW the 2 piece barrel does not have the flat spot on the forcing cone.
So, the newest 66's are stronger than the "older" 66's. the new blue S&W's still use a one piece barrel.
Dan Wesson used a 2 piece barrel, although it was interchangeable unlike S&W it resulted in excellent accuracy due to tensioning.
S&W went to 2 piece barrels to save money but in the process produced a barrel capable of excellent accuracy, although 99.9% of us aren't good enough shots to notice much difference
So, the newest 66's are stronger than the "older" 66's. the new blue S&W's still use a one piece barrel.
Dan Wesson used a 2 piece barrel, although it was interchangeable unlike S&W it resulted in excellent accuracy due to tensioning.
S&W went to 2 piece barrels to save money but in the process produced a barrel capable of excellent accuracy, although 99.9% of us aren't good enough shots to notice much difference
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