New Model 66-8

howiema

howiema

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Well I may get shelled for this one but I decided to grab a new model 66-8 last week. I spruced her up with a set of old combats, I wanted an I don't care what happens shooter and she performed well. I love my older guns but must say the new ball detent lock up is really nice. I slicked the trigger a bit and she is a guaranteed shooter. I know the jury is out this year on them but it is very accurate revolver 4.25 inch barrel and all. My only wish is that is was a square butt.

Enjoy, Pete

 
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I've got one. Really like it. Close to 700 rnds thru it. Personally like the round butt -- you can get "round" to "square" grips but not the opposite.

Can't understand why these "new" M66 threads don't get a better response.

Paul
 
I think it's interesting that they are making them again.

I recently looked at one and noticed the forcing cone looks a bit different than my old 19-4

I wonder if they can handle a steady diet of 125gr magnum loads ?
 
derek45auto said:
...I recently looked at one and noticed the forcing cone looks a bit different than my old 19-4

I wonder if they can handle a steady diet of 125gr magnum loads ?
Click to expand...
It's a full profile forcing cone -- like an L or N frame -- rather than snipped at the 6-o'clock like they used to be on the K-frame magnum guns to make room for the yoke.

It's theorized that that snip might have made for the occasional forcing cone problems with the old magnum Ks, and that this new design means Ks will now handle higher numbers of heavy loads like Ls or Ns.

Remains to be seen...
 
I've been considering one of the new model 66's. I've got a 6" m19-2 that is very easy to shoot accurately but the 6" barrel is a little much for woods carry. Plus it just is too nice to beat up in the woods. I've also got a Ruger SP101 with a 4.25" barrel that I got to replace the 3" model 60 I sold to buy the M19. In spite of the fact that it is bigger and heavier than the M60 it's not any more accurate and not nearly as easy to shoot as the M19. I'd really like to see some serious range reports on the new 66-8. As a woods carry gun, accuracy is important to me as is the easy to not worry about stainless finish.
 
New M66

Thanks for sharing your experience and photo--I have been on the fence, but my 686 no dash needs a friend :-)
 
I too have bought one, had the smitty smoothed it out for me, and boy, is it a shooter. I had one issue, however. The more I shot it, the less the cylinder wanted to rotate, thus raising the amount of force to shoot it double action. Took it apart, and cleaned and lubed the shaft the cylinder rotates on, and it seems fine. I don't think it's a problem with the dirty ammunition I shoot (the bullet grease makes it look like I'm shooting black powder sometimes) since the ammunition doesn't cause the same issue with other revolvers. It is a very nicely balanced piece, I expect to carry it evenings downtown.

HiCap
 
I stoned the sear a bit and ever so lightly stoned the trigger where it meets the sear. I am not very fond of snipping springs and adding other than factory spring kits. I just wanted to take the grit out of the action a bit. Nothing major as it will slick up after time. Yes I would like to change the controls due to the color but you cannot find these cylinder latches currently anywhere. I shot the gun today at the range and it is growing on me. - also it cleans up real easily due to the finish.

Pete
 
Where is the gas ring with respect to the cylinder gap? S&W has taken liberties with this in the past, and hot gases may be forcing their way into the cylinder bearing, making it hard to rotate after sustained firing.

Assuming the gas ring is the same diameter as before, and since this is a K frame, the notorious flat spot in the forcing cone has probably been eliminated by reducing the rest of the barrel to equal the thinnest part. That would certainly simplify manufacture and assembly of the two part barrel.
 
Here's a picture of the front of the cylinder.

IMG_0639_zps339ba85c.jpg


Had mine out again today. Blasted thru 56 rounds in short order - wish I had another 100. What a fund gun to shoot. Not running full magnum ammo - just 38-44 stuff (12.5gr A2400, 158gr JSP). It chronos' right at 1,100 fps. A full load of A2400 (15.0gr) under a 158gr Horn XTP chronos right at 1,300 fps form this gun - 5 long paces from muzzle and 40 deg F.

Paul
 
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Thanks for sharing your experience. I have one being held at my dealer that I will be picking up early November. That seems way too far away. ;)

Sent from my Galaxy Note II
 
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Those grips really set the new 66-8 off, howiema....

My experience with both the new guns pictured below confirms to me they are sure to become true S&W classics. S&W has obviously given much thought to their engineering and development . The result is a home run, IMHO.

It seems the few complaints being offered for the 66-8 are cosmetic and easily remedied....

Get them while you can, people.... We all have learned how quickly the desirable guns like these can disappear from inventories - and disappear for a long time...

JMHO

 
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When they discontinued the 66 in 2005 there was one sitting on the shelf of a LGS, and they reduced the price so I decided to grab it up. Last of the breed, as it were, but I was looking for an IDPA-SSR legal shooter, and the 66-7 looked like a good candidate for that duty. I used it for a number of years and it presently resides in my truck. I put between 3000-5000 (I'm not sure of the number, so the figure is pretty much a guess, but it's no less than 3K and no more than 5!) rounds, mostly 38s, through it over about 7 years. It still looks and shoots like new, and it has never given me a lick of trouble. Kinda ugly, though.....



I'm glad that they brought the 66 out again. I'd buy one tomorrow if I didn't already have the -7, and agree that it makes a great versatile everyday shooter. Not real pretty like the older ones, but gets the job done.
 
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