New 66, or 686 Mountain Gun, or 686SSR?

[Gearhead Jim]

I'm thinking of trading my 66-6 for something that will stand up to magnum loads longer, my current gun exhibits no problems but some day...
When I had it tuned by S&W, it came back with a note:
"Sir- Practice with .38, carry .357"

The new 66 has the two piece barrel, that eliminates the flat spot on the bottom that weakened the forcing cone on the older guns. But I don't see any evidence that the rest of the gun is any stronger, and it has that scratch-magnet glass bead finish.

The Lipsey 686 Mountain Gun in six shots is a nice choice, but hard to find and I'm not sure it meets the IDPA weight limit.

The current 686 SSR looks a little strange with the flat-sided barrel, but meets the IDPA specs and should be ready to rock, right out of the box.
Has a satin finish like the older SS guns, according to S&W's website.

Suggestions?
Thanks.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Do you really shoot all Magnums, and if so, why? I cannot imagine that any competition requires it, and there are better tools these days for defense.

When did you get that note from S&W? I have not seen a personalized note on an S&W work order for more than a decade. These days, the work order is usually not even specific as to what work was done.

 

[Boogsawaste]

Just don't look for one of those silly 686 mountain guns. They're really hard to find an I'll be looking for one myself in the near future so don't need the competition. Just kidding of course, although I do hope to find one. Love the tapered barrel L frame!

I'm also a fan of shooting lots of 357 in appropriate guns. The 686 is more than heavy enough to take the sting out of them and I enjoy some recoil. I don't know, maybe I'm just young and dumb??

 

[DR505]

The MG...hands down.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

The note about practicing with .38's was on the back of a S&W Customer Service business card, no individual named, that came back with the gun after being tuned at S&W. This was in September 2006.

I don't shoot all magnums by any means, but use them for some practice and qualification shoots.
The gun was used when I bought it, seemed tight but no idea of what the previous owner had been shooting.

 

[shawn mccarver]

The note about practicing with .38's was on the back of a S&W Customer Service business card, no individual named, that came back with the gun after being tuned at S&W. This was in September 2006.

I don't shoot all magnums by any means, but use them for some practice and qualification shoots.
The gun was used when I bought it, seemed tight but no idea of what the previous owner had been shooting.

That is very interesting, and I appreciate the clarification. As far as the use of Magnums most of all of the time, you will have more durability out of the L frame 686, and the 7 shot Mountain Gun is stronger (offset locking notches) and the same weight as the K frame 19/66, so you get the best of all worlds.

I agree with the earlier statement by DR505 that the 686 MG wins hands down. Another one of those guns S&W should have made as a regular catalog item.

 

[jrandyh]

The new 66 doesn't look like a 66 to me. 1/4 inch longer barrel, the elevated front sight is not the proper sight and the frame is wider at the back than the original. Of course it doesn't have the firing pin on the hammer either. All of these destroy the aesthetics of the 66 for me. I have a 19 with 50,000 38's and at least 5-7k of the Remington 125 SJHP. If the gun is cleaned properly and lead not allowed to build up not likely to bother it. I have read numerous articles and spoke to gunsmiths about this. If iy concerns you. Buy a 686. Just bought a 66-1 this weekend and look toward to shooting them in it.
JR.

 

[shocker]

I can tell you I am very satisfied with my Model 69.
So I would recommend inspecting a new 66. The engineering is very impressive on both guns. Basically, SW is able to make a rock solid gun in a frame size smaller (for caliber) than previously possible, while keeping the price affordable.
The 66 is not a lightweight, 35 oz I think, so recoil from 357 isn't going to be especially harsh.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

The new 66 doesn't look like a 66 to me. 1/4 inch longer barrel, the elevated front sight is not the proper sight and the frame is wider at the back than the original. Of course it doesn't have the firing pin on the hammer either. All of these destroy the aesthetics of the 66 for me. I have a 19 with 50,000 38's and at least 5-7k of the Remington 125 SJHP. If the gun is cleaned properly and lead not allowed to build up not likely to bother it. I have read numerous articles and spoke to gunsmiths about this. If iy concerns you. Buy a 686. Just bought a 66-1 this weekend and look toward to shooting them in it.
JR.

Without a sample to compare, I don't understand the part about "the frame is wider at the back than the original."
Can you explain?

 

[Paul105]

Here are some measurements – remember these are quick and dirty with dial calipers. New M66 (-8 IIRC), and M19-3

Frame window front to back:
M66 - 1.815"
M19 - 1.805"

Frame window top to bottom:
M66 - 1.475"
M19 - 1.475"

Top strap:
M66 - 0.665"
M19 - 0.655"

Cylinder Diameter:
M66 - 1.450"
M19 - 1.450"

Cylinder Length:
M66 - 1.670"
M19 - 1.675" (Recessed charge holes)

M66 Barrel is larger in diameter than the M19 – I didn't measure it.

Here are some pictures top two are of the M66 barrel shank and face of cyl assy that shows how the cyl closes with the full size barrel shank of the M66.

Bottom two of M19 – couldn't get a real clear picture of the cut on the bottom of the barrel shank.

M66

.

.
Model 19-3
.

.
I really like the New M66 -- it's my 38/.357 shooter and I don't worry about it -- I baby the M19. I have 4" M617, 4 1/4" M66, 4 1/4" M69 all equipped with Hogue 500 ruber grips (due to the bone at the base of my thumb). Transitioning between the 3 is virtually seamless.

FWIW,

Paul

 

[158Grain]

Looks like I'm all alone on SSR island! IDPA is what the SSR was born for. Mine is very smooth, balances great, and is very accurate. I mostly shoot LRN 38's, but every once in a while a box or two of full magnums. It is a pleasure to shoot either way.

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