Milton
US Veteran
Apart from the obvious differences in these two revolvers what is the difference if any in metal heat treat/strength and cylinder/frame window dimensions?
Model 67 vs Model 66
- Thread starter Milton
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CAJUNLAWYER
Member
No difference at all other than the longer cylinder and different countour barrel-both used to add weight and accomodate the longer ctg.
scooter123
Member
IIRC the model 66 and 67 share the same cylinder length and frame window.
Personally I have a hunch that the heat treat between the 2 models are identical, because it would actually cost a bit more to heat treat the model 67 to a lower strength. Heat treating these alloys is a 2 stage process, first the item is heated up and quenched to set the intital hardness. Then it's brought up to a specific lower temperature, held there for a specific time, and then cooled at a controlled rate. That second stage is called Tempering and the interesting bit about Tempering is that going to a HIGHER temperature produces a decrease in Strength with an accompanying increase in Ductility. Since it costs money to heat steel up to a set temperature means that going for a "softer" temper means you spend more in gas for the furnace getting the workpiece hotter. End result is that in economic terms it would be less expensive for S&W to heat treat all of the stainless revolvers to the same "Magnum" rated hardness. In addition you also eliminate the risk of a "special" heat treated cylinder being installed on a "Magnum" frame.
However, I am NOT going to subject either my model 67 or 620 to a harness test. While I have access to one at work I know quite well that they leave a "dimple" that is permanent and something that I would see every time I cleaned either gun.
Personally I have a hunch that the heat treat between the 2 models are identical, because it would actually cost a bit more to heat treat the model 67 to a lower strength. Heat treating these alloys is a 2 stage process, first the item is heated up and quenched to set the intital hardness. Then it's brought up to a specific lower temperature, held there for a specific time, and then cooled at a controlled rate. That second stage is called Tempering and the interesting bit about Tempering is that going to a HIGHER temperature produces a decrease in Strength with an accompanying increase in Ductility. Since it costs money to heat steel up to a set temperature means that going for a "softer" temper means you spend more in gas for the furnace getting the workpiece hotter. End result is that in economic terms it would be less expensive for S&W to heat treat all of the stainless revolvers to the same "Magnum" rated hardness. In addition you also eliminate the risk of a "special" heat treated cylinder being installed on a "Magnum" frame.
However, I am NOT going to subject either my model 67 or 620 to a harness test. While I have access to one at work I know quite well that they leave a "dimple" that is permanent and something that I would see every time I cleaned either gun.
Maximumbob54
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I really wish someone would test both guns and put this theory/question to bed.
Moonman
Member
Maximumbob54,
Send JINKS $50 and ask him.
Send JINKS $50 and ask him.
Bearcat
Member
I agree with fyimo....just makes sense from the manufacturer's viewpoint.
OP
Milton
US Veteran
Thanks guys! I too suspect that the guns are essentially identical .That doesn't mean I am going to load some Elmer or Skeeter .38 loads and shoot in mine ,it is just nice to know the opinions that the strengths of the two are fairly equal.
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
The cylinder in the 66 is longer because of the counter boring for the cartridge head. In the older ones at least.
