RUMOR CONTROL: Is Smith bringing back

[sheriffoconee]

the M66?? Word around the campfire at a training class my Chief Deputy attended was that the 66 would be reintroduced soon. The source was the instructor, who claimed inside knowledge....
Anyone else here heard anything...??
True?? False??? Wishful thinking???

[MSgt G]

I haven't heard anything like that, but wouldn't mind having one!

[Steve_NEPhila]

If an industry insider or gun writer were to say such a thing, maybe. A LEO saying such a thing, unlikely. I will believe it when I see it.

[balldboy]

How about just producing the 686 without the full underlug?
K frame grips, L frame strength.

[jlw]

Originally Posted by Steve_NEPhila

If an industry insider or gun writer were to say such a thing, maybe. A LEO saying such a thing, unlikely. I will believe it when I see it.

I'm the Chief Deputy in question. The class was not a law enforcement class, and the instructor is not a LEO.

[cometpx4]

Baldboy your description is the spec sheet on the 620.Great guns.

[jlw]

Originally Posted by cometpx4

Baldboy your description is the spec sheet on the 620.Great guns.

The 620 would be fine if it were not a 7-shooter.

[ray45]

Originally Posted by balldboy

How about just producing the 686 without the full underlug?
K frame grips, L frame strength.

You are right on!!!

[scooter123]

Originally Posted by jlweems

The 620 would be fine if it were not a 7-shooter.

You can have the 6 shot cylinder from the 686 fitted to a 620. Obviously, your being tripped up by the 6 round rule for the IDPA revolver class, so I thought it pertanent to mention that the 620 can be converted to a 6 shooter.

I have a 620 and it really is a superb gun. In fact I believe that it's the most accurate 357, or 38, caliber revolver S&W has ever made. Put a red dot on the 620 and I believe it will group 2 inches at 50 yards with the right ammo, probably much less in hands more capable than mine. BTW, I haven't tried mine at 50 yards at this point, however on one very very good day for me I did manage to put 7 rounds into a 1 inch group at 25 yards from a bench rest (ammo was Federal LE 130 gr. TMJ 38 spl.).

Sadly, I've seen some indications that the production of the 620 may cease, or be suspended. I watch the Sports South web listings and they have stopped carrying the 620 and the 6 1/2 inch 610. I may be reading too much into Sports South not carrying these models anymore but they have the largest selection of S&W revolvers of any distibutor I know of. Seem odd to me that they would drop the 620 unless they knew something that hasn't been announced by S&W because they carry nearly every model S&W has listed with only a few exceptions.

One other thing I should note concerning the 620. While it is a half lug profile, IMO the 620 is every bit as muzzle heavy as the 686. That large diameter barrel shroud has a lot of weight in it despite it's appearence. So, it's not quite as nimble feeling as the older model 66 and distinctly muzzle heavy when compared to the model 67 that used the tapered barrel. IMO the tapered barrel model 67 has the best balance of any 4 inch stainless K frame ever made and it's the gun that I can group best with when shooting rapid fire DA.

[jlw]

Originally Posted by scooter123

You can have the 6 shot cylinder from the 686 fitted to a 620. Obviously, your being tripped up by the 6 round rule for the IDPA revolver class, so I thought it pertanent to mention that the 620 can be converted to a 6 shooter.

IDPA rules don't trip me up as I don't shoot IDPA.


Respectfully, this wasn't intended to be a thread about why I should be buying a 620. It was a thread asking whether or not the 66 is coming back.

[ColbyBruce]

I know a few people and looked into this rumor. I got one reply and a photo. First off, this is not a campfire. I bet the "instructor" here does have inside info...from the Mason Jar Co. He probably knows firearms too, having been on both ends of them during his career as a independent spirits producer. How much did this class cost?

I owned four DeKalb County PD S&W #66's years ago. Three of them had been unissued, the fourth was horribly scratched from a slide down the backside of Arabia Mountain.

[balldboy]

The 620 has a sleeved barrel doesn't it?

I am sorely tempted to sacrifice a 4" 586 and have it round butted and the underlug cut back to just enclose the ejector rod.

I'd prefer to do thison a 581 but buying that gun appears to have slipped away due to the NJ one a month plan.

Pete

[153]

Wasn't the idea behind the 19/66 that it was a light weight revolver, easy to carry. I would think that the reintroduction of the 66 would be to fill that niche.

Question, is there a LE Agency out there planing a return to revolvers?

[sheriffoconee]

planning a return to revolvers???? the young'uns I have working for me wouldn't know what to do with a revolver....most of them. The Georgia Public Safety Training Center doesn't even teach revolvers in firearms instructor classes anymore....I had to show my young FI's how a speedloader works...
I can't imagine anyone who has gone to selfloaders going to revolvers...however, I NEVER felt like I needed more gun than a Smith revolver....

[Dennis The B]

Originally Posted by 9303

Wasn't the idea behind the 19/66 that it was a light weight revolver, easy to carry. I would think that the reintroduction of the 66 would be to fill that niche.

Question, is there a LE Agency out there planing a return to revolvers?

Smith probably answered the need for a lightweight revolver with the rebuild of the J frame. The model 60's, et. al., are capable of handling .357 magnum loads, albeit only five rounds, instead of six.

S&W would then be marketing another revolver against their own re-designed J frame.

[m60]

I would like to see a new 66 chambered in .327 FED mag.

[ARMinSC]

I'm sure they plan to build most of the popular old models again to add to the "Classics" line since the "M10 Classic" came out this year. I'm sure if the "M66 Classic" shows up it will have the dreaded lock, if that bothers you.

[adweisbe]

Smith probably answered the need for a lightweight revolver with the rebuild of the J frame. The model 60's, et. al., are capable of handling .357 magnum loads, albeit only five rounds, instead of six.

The J-frame is not interchangeable with the K-frame which can have a far superior trigger. The L-frame doesn't interchange with the K-frame because the cylinder is just large enough and the gun is just heavy enough for the K-frame to be more desirable. In the absence of any new production 3" .357 K-frames I went with the 7-shot 3" 686 and SL Variant speed loaders. With the SL speed loaders I don't see an advantage to the six shot guns.

[haifabuddy]

Several months ago I had one of the largest SW dealers inquire of the factory if Model 66 was going to be made special run or otherwise. Even suggested I would help place/sell an entire special run. The answer was no plans, but the company was aware of the rumor.

[jlw]

Originally Posted by adweisbe

The J-frame is not interchangeable with the K-frame which can have a far superior trigger. The L-frame doesn't interchange with the K-frame because the cylinder is just large enough and the gun is just heavy enough for the K-frame to be more desirable. In the absence of any new production 3" .357 K-frames I went with the 7-shot 3" 686 and SL Variant speed loaders. With the SL speed loaders I don't see an advantage to the six shot guns.

I had a 686+ and the SL Variant speed loaders, and it just didn't work well for me.


----------------------------


I like the K frames, hence my desire for a 66. I was told at a class this past weekend that the 66 was being reintroduced. I asked the Sheriff if he had heard anything about it, and he posted it here to see if any others had heard such a rumor; however, the answers coming are pretty much dealing with everything but the respective question.

I've been looking for a 66 because I want a 66. I don't want a 686 or a 620.

If S&W is going to reintroduce the 66, I was willing to wait and buy a new production model as I am wanting it purely as a shooter and plan to use it for a project. If S&W is not bringing it back, I will continue to look for a shooter grade used 66. I don't want an investment. I want a revolver that deserves no emotional attachment but is functional.

[scooter123]

If S&W is going to reintroduce the 66, I was willing to wait and buy a new production model as I am wanting it purely as a shooter and plan to use it for a project. If S&W is not bringing it back, I will continue to look for a shooter grade used 66. I don't want an investment. I want a revolver that deserves no emotional attachment but is functional.

If that's the case, I would suggest that you just look for a good shooter grade used model 66. Even if S&W adds the model 66 to the classic lineup today, it will probably be a year or more before they actually are out in the shops. Just look at the 617 as an example, demand for that model is through the roof and, according to rumors, S&W is just now getting around to building a new run.

[stantheman86]

Don't flame me, I know this is a S&W forum, but as both a S&W and a Ruger revolver fanatic, might your needs for a K-Frame sized "shooter" revolver be met by a 4" or 6" Ruger Security Six?

These are much easier to find than a Model 66, and much more suitable as a "shoot the heck out of it" gun, since most of the nicer M66's out there are gonna be pricey and I know if I bought even a solid shooter grade Model 66, I would still do most of my heavy shooting with my Rugers. After all, the Security Six was Ruger's "answer" to the S&W Model 19 and 66.

I do have a 3" Model 66, made in the late 80's and it's a great gun, I just don't shoot it much. I see at as more of a collectible than something I want to run thousands of rounds through.

[jlw]

Originally Posted by scooter123

If that's the case, I would suggest that you just look for a good shooter grade used model 66. Even if S&W adds the model 66 to the classic lineup today, it will probably be a year or more before they actually are out in the shops. Just look at the 617 as an example, demand for that model is through the roof and, according to rumors, S&W is just now getting around to building a new run.

I've been looking for just such an animal, but suitable specimens have been hard to find, or I was out of position when they came along.

The initial question was more theoretical in nature in that we wanted to find out if was true. The other stuff is why the 620 and 686 just aren't what I want. I wouldn't mind a nice 686, but I absolutely don't want a 7-shooter. Even if I had a nice 686, it wouldn't supplant my desire for the 66.

[stantheman86]

I just did a quick scan of GunBroker and there are several 4" 66's on there with a buy now of $500 or so.......much less than I would have thought.

I see few 66's "in the wild" for sale where I live but if you aren't averse to online buying there's plenty of decent looking 66's online.

Were I in the market for a 66 I wouldn't be waiting for a new one to be made, I would be looking through GB and picking up one or two used ones. We all know Smith still makes the Model 10's and 64's, which are among my favorites, but I still prefer the pin in hammer pre-lock models even though brand new ones are available. Not to bash current S&W's but a 66 with a lock and a transfer bar would not be the same to me.It was like comparing the new "Classic" Model 29 with my 1971 production 29, just not the same. If funds permit I always say go with the original stuff. The lock doesn't bother me at all, just that the newer guns to me just don't "feel" the same as the stuff from the mid 90's and before.

I try to be a "hands on in person" buyer but if it weren't for GB I would not have some of my favorite guns.

[buckeyeshooter1]

It would not matter to me as I prefer N's to K's and Nickel to blue and blue to stainless. I'll never be in the market for one.

[ColbyBruce]

I haven't seen a reasonably priced Ruger Security/Service/Speed Six revolver in my area in over five years. They are nearly as expensive as S&W's.

[shawn mccarver]

Doubtful as the K frame is just not up to the continuous pounding of the magnum cartridge. I think the K frame has pretty well been relegated to the 38 and lesser cartridges.

Besides, if you build the L frame with a barrel with a "half-lug" (I do not like that term), you essentially have a Model 66, but one that you will not have issues with using a steady diet of magnum ammo.

[northslope]

Originally Posted by m60

I would like to see a new 66 chambered in .327 FED mag.

NOW you're talkin!

Heck, for that matter I'd love to see a 9- or 10-shot N-frame in that chambering.

--Neill