Picked Up The New 66

[southpaw187]

This is the tool that was used to measure the barrel throat

BROWNELLS BARREL CHAMFERING PLUG GAUGES | Brownells


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[NCBeagle]

I have never seen a Smith lock up this tight. Ever.
Hammer cocked, zero cylinder movement anywhere, neither fore & aft nor rotational.
Like the old V-Spring Colts used to do when the trigger was pulled fully to the rear.

Just FYI.
Denis

That was my observation as well. Locked up very tight.

 

[NCBeagle]

I think that with lesser guns, the forcing cone is responsible for compensating for less than perfection in the barrel to chamber alignment.
Unfortunately, my new 66 snub has only the merest hint of a forcing cone. The new revolver shoots my hand loads well, but I was experiencing some kind of blowback when I fired my factory loaded Speer 135 gr GDSB MGN rounds that I was planning on using for EDC. I don't know if it was brass, lead or powder, but something was hitting my left cheek consistently with these cartridges.

I experienced the same thing. Left my face bloody. I posted about it a couple weeks ago. This was only with one particular brand of .357. Everything else ran through just fine.

 

[NCBeagle]

Here is my forcing cone. It's thick but not much of a "cone." Rather, it's very sharp.

 

[JR2ATN]

I'm curious, does anyone know if this new ball detent system is now being used on the 4.25" 66-8's or just the 2.75"?

 

[southpaw187]

Another observation about my 66: it does not like being dirty. After 200-300 rounds of mostly S&B magnums the fowling deposits on the crane and cylinder assembly gummed up the cylinder pretty bad to where it created extra force required when pulling the trigger. Fixed it right up with a clean and a lube. Happened twice so far. Not a knock against the gun, just sharing my experience. My other smiths run much dirtier.


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[Hopper]

Another observation about my 66: it does not like being dirty.

Good observation. My 4.25" NM 66 doesn't like to run dirty for very long either, with the same sort of "binding" feeling you described. This begs a question... is there a gas ring on the cylinder with the 2.75" model? The 4.25" doesn't have a gas ring that I know of (my 686 does have one, and can run dirty almost all day long), but I swear I read someone else's post on here about the 2.75" models possibly having one. I searched for a schematic of the new 2.75", and haven't found one yet.

 

[southpaw187]

Good observation. My 4.25" NM 66 doesn't like to run dirty for very long either, with the same sort of "binding" feeling you described. This begs a question... is there a gas ring on the cylinder with the 2.75" model? The 4.25" doesn't have a gas ring that I know of (my 686 does have one, and can run dirty almost all day long), but I swear I read someone else's post on here about the 2.75" models possibly having one. I searched for a schematic of the new 2.75", and haven't found one yet.

On my 2.75 there is not a gas ring on the cylinder it is on the yoke.


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[Hopper]

On my 2.75 there is not a gas ring on the cylinder it is on the yoke.

As it is in my 686 as well. I had it backwards before when I said it was on the cylinder of my 686. Thank you!

 

[Sol-Invictus]

So far I love mine. Best fit and finish for a newer Smith in a long time. Timing is perfect, excellent trigger, smooth and light. Very good machining and side plate fit. Forcing come is no different than my 640 or 28. Nothing like the big wide mouths of my older 66s 10s pre 10 etc. Handled 110 grain magnum comfortably. Would like a narrower front site and bigger read blade. Cylinder lockup is no tighter or looser than other newer guns. Fits fobus paddle perfectly and my holster for concealed carry for my other snub 66s. Accurray is good. Not P&R good but can keep them in the 10 ring. It will be my new drag anywhere and not worry about it gun.

 

[southpaw187]

So far I love mine. Best fit and finish for a newer Smith in a long time. Timing is perfect, excellent trigger, smooth and light. Very good machining and side plate fit. Forcing come is no different than my 640 or 28. Nothing like the big wide mouths of my older 66s 10s pre 10 etc. Handled 110 grain magnum comfortably. Would like a narrower front site and bigger read blade. Cylinder lockup is no tighter or looser than other newer guns. Fits fobus paddle perfectly and my holster for concealed carry for my other snub 66s. Accurray is good. Not P&R good but can keep them in the 10 ring. It will be my new drag anywhere and not worry about it gun.

Glad to hear about your results, let is knowif and when you run some 158 magnums through it, curious to see if you get perfect function. I agree with you on the sights, accuracy and drag anywhere status of it!


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[riverrat38]

The gas ring is on the yoke, and it has been cut away to clear the barrel, instead of the other way around.
I went to the range yesterday and fired 158gr plated HP over 6.0gr HP-38 in MGN cases. No problems, but the gun does seem to get dirtier in the vicinity of the yoke. I also fired some 140gr XTP over 12.0gr A#9, also in MGN cases, and no problems. I had 3 of the 135gr GDSB MGN that I got blowback from last time. This time, no problems. I even held a piece go computer paper behind the revolver and nothing.

Best,
Rick

 

[Sol-Invictus]

These were a few double action 5 yard 3 shot groups with various 125 grain +Ps.

 

[Sol-Invictus]

My 66 snubs.
Top. 66 no dash P&R with Altamont round to square grips, custom green insert.
Middle. 66-4 Lady Smith. Wife's (used to be mine, she claimed it at first range session, lol)
Bottom. 66-8.
I would like to find the correct grips for the no dash which is my most accurate revolver with the possible exception of my 4 inch 1964 Model 10.
Bottom picture is 18 rounds of UMC 125 grain +Ps double action at 5 yards. Interestingly this is the most accurate round out of all of my snubs and currently $32 for the 100 round bonus pack at Wally World. Go figure.

 

[southpaw187]

My 66 snubs.

Top. 66 no dash P&R with Altamont round to square grips, custom green insert.

Middle. 66-4 Lady Smith. Wife's (used to be mine, she claimed it at first range session, lol)

Bottom. 66-8.

I would like to find the correct grips for the no dash which is my most accurate revolver with the possible exception of my 4 inch 1964 Model 10.

Bottom picture is 18 rounds of UMC 125 grain +Ps double action at 5 yards. Interestingly this is the most accurate round out of all of my snubs and currently $32 for the 100 round bonus pack at Wally World. Go figure.

Nice pieces and nice shooting!


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[Sol-Invictus]

Nice pieces and nice shooting!


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Thanks, I have a few semis, but I can shoot various snubs better and faster inside of 10 yards than anything else. I out shot everyone in a group of over 20 at CCW qualification with a 640-1 including recent Iraq vets with Berettas and various other "better" self defense guns even the instructor who was kuwait Afghanistan Iraq vet was a suprisingly weak shooter. It is fun to show up at a local shoot with a $300 pre model 10 snub or 1905 4th change with half moon sights and keep up with the 45 guys wearing their tactical gear and 4K customs. I like to do the old slow drawl talk with them. "Whooeee, dem dar sum fancy shootin` iruns, makin` a man dizzy whit so mut stuff dancin` round and such, I ain't quick naff ta thinking ma way tru all dat" lol

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[brjr51]

Thanks, I have a few semis, but I can shoot various snubs better and faster inside of 10 yards than anything else. I out shot everyone in a group of over 20 at CCW qualification with a 640-1 including recent Iraq vets with Berettas and various other "better" self defense guns even the instructor who was kuwait Afghanistan Iraq vet was a suprisingly weak shooter. It is fun to show up at a local shoot with a $300 pre model 10 snub or 1905 4th change with half moon sights and keep up with the 45 guys wearing their tactical gear and 4K customs. I like to do the old slow drawl talk with them. "Whooeee, dem dar sum fancy shootin` iruns, makin` a man dizzy whit so mut stuff dancin` round and such, I ain't quick naff ta thinking ma way tru all dat" lol

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Love the story. I too was the only one to show up in a class of about 30 with a revolver for qualifications. After putting the required 21 hits inside the 10 circle with my 4" model 64 the instructor just gave me a thumbs up and handed me my certificate .
I consider myself just an average shot but it was kind of an eye opener when I saw how hard it was for some to just hit the silhouette on that B27 target, which is all that is required to qualify.

 

[Sol-Invictus]

Love the story. I too was the only one to show up in a class of about 30 with a revolver for qualifications. After putting the required 21 hits inside the 10 circle with my 4" model 64 the instructor just gave me a thumbs up and handed me my certificate .
I consider myself just an average shot but it was kind of an eye opener when I saw how hard it was for some to just hit the silhouette on that B27 target, which is all that is required to qualify.

I also just consider myself average at best. The guys and gals on video and TV make me feel like a blind putz. I guess it is all relative. Nice shooting and revolver representing. I think I just coined a new catch phrase " revolver representin`" lol

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[southpaw187]

I was wondering if someone on this thread can help me out. My calipers are at my office so i cant pull the height measurement on the factory front sight of my 66-8 2.75". Am considering buying some replacement sights. Can someone tell me the height of the factory sight please? Thanks in advance.


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[Dpris]

Hauled up my minty 66-4 snub that'll be used in the shootout with the new 66-8.
The older cone's still comparatively shallow, but the rifling ends roughly 1/8-inch ahead of the back end of the barrel.

On the new one, rifling visible all the way to the end.

Obvious gas ring differences.
New one locks up much tighter.

Old one has a white outline rear sight & a brighter front insert.
New one has a black rear & a darker front insert.
Older one's sights are much better.

The full-length rod on the newer gun is a nice feature, its barrel is a quarter-inch longer.

Glossy black trigger & hammer on the new one look a little "odd", for me.
DA pull on the older is lighter to my un-calibrated finger, both are beyond my 8-pound scale.

Hope to do the side-by-side shootout in a couple weeks.
Denis