I love my 4 model 66s. 2 66-2s, 66-6 and a 66-8 which I put the .500 target hammer, .400 target trigger, thumb latch, side plate screws all in stainless steel. This is how the 66-8 should have looked. I hated the black parts. The front and rear sights still in black. As for recoil on 66s I pay no mind. Also use .38 spl.+p for PD. Use .357 sparingly from availability and cost.
Smith & Wesson Model 66 Combat Magnum 357
- Thread starter Glenn54
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Invictus357
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In a J/K/L frame for EDC, the 38 wadcutter is the best SD round.
Recoil is not an issue so carry what is most comfortable for you.
Recoil is not an issue so carry what is most comfortable for you.
OP
The 66 Combat is paid for. I will pick it up Wed. Already have the 686+.
My 2 1/2" 66 has rode many many miles on my side. Including today. Purch NIB in1974. Has never let me down. Only add on is a Tyler grip adapter.
357 shooter
Member
Congratulations on the 66! I may have to fire a few through mine soon. A real pleasure to shoot.
I have a 2 1/2" 66-1, which I bought new in 1979. I carried it for many years as an off duty and plain clothes weapon. It is a great weapon and very manageable, even with full magnum loads. Proper grips are all important. The ones pictured are on it and have been on it for many years. A better choice is the 2 1/2" 686, which I also have. When I do carry a revolver, it is always the 686-3 and it sports the same grips as the 66. To me they're a perfect fit. The 686 was designed from the ground up for the .357 magnum cartridge and it handles that round quite well. Mine is a 6 shot, but the 7 shot plus is also available. It's a little too bulky for me, but still a great carry piece. Everybody has an opinion as to what's best. I think both guns are a great choice, with a little edge to the 686.
By the way, when I carry either of them, it is in a Bianchi suede lined leather pancake style holster.Attachments
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jcs266
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By far my all-time favorite S&W is the 686. My most-often carried is a 3" but my 4" is a huge favorite and has seen it's fair share of time on my hip. It's just a fantastic gun, strong and solid.
OP
lppd4
Member
I have 2 66's great guns. Carried one on duty for many years, it was fed a steady diet of .38's and occasionally some .357's. Recoil is manageable with .357 158 grain JHP's
theprincipal
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My model 19 classic made my hand numb with the wooden and g10 grips, shooting full magnum loads. I installed rubber hogues and it is a night and day difference.
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If you are carrying it concealed what type of holster do you use?
I bought a 686 plus with a 4 inch barrel last weekend at my LGS. Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet but aside from two of the sideplate screws being loose it had no visible defects and the nice trigger I expect from S&W. The ammo I ordered is coming in today so I hope to remedy its not being shot this weekend, weather permitting.
I looked for a 66 to compare it to but couldn't find one in stock anywhere. Its impossible to judge how well a gun balances and feels in your hand by looking at a spec sheet so I went with the 686.
I have a Simply Rugged pancake holster for my 4.25 inch S&W 69 that my new 686 will fit in. But I found the 69 was too big and heavy to work as a concealed carry gun in my case and see no reason the same will not be true for the 686, the 69 and 686 are nearly identical in terms of size and weight. More of an OWB open carry sort of gun.
