3" Model 65 vs 2.5" Model 66....which one is "better"?

Robinett_11B

Robinett_11B

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Hey, everyone. I'm looking into buying one of these guns, maybe both...but I'd like to save the money spent on one of 'em for another project. I know their obvious differences, such as adjustable vs fixed sights, underlug, and red-ramp front sight...but, in your opinion, is there anything that puts one of these guns 'above' the other one for an OWB CC piece? I know it's a subjective question, but I'm just trying to get a feel for other people's opinions. Were there any variations sought after more than others? I know the 3" M66 is relatively rare, but is there anything else noteworthy in the dash #'s of either of these guns? I'm only referring to pre-lock & pre-MIM examples, by the way. I appreciate all your input. Thanks for looking -Rob
 
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Robinett_11B said:
Hey, everyone. I'm looking into buying one of these guns, maybe both...but I'd like to save the money spent on one of 'em for another project. I know their obvious differences, such as adjustable vs fixed sights, underlug, and red-ramp front sight...but, in your opinion, is there anything that puts one of these guns 'above' the other one for an OWB CC piece? I know it's a subjective question, but I'm just trying to get a feel for other people's opinions. Were there any variations sought after more than others? I know the 3" M66 is relatively rare, but is there anything else noteworthy in the dash #'s of either of these guns? I'm only referring to pre-lock & pre-MIM examples, by the way. I appreciate all your input. Thanks for looking -Rob
Click to expand...

Sir, FWIW, I've had both and saw no difference between them in terms of performance. Both were a handful with full-power loads. I personally don't care for target sights on belly guns, so would opt for the Model 65.

Actually, if I just had to have a 3" .357 K-frame, I'd look for one of the Ladysmith 3" Model 65s. They had shrouded ejector rods, a good feature that regular 65s lacked.

JMHO.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.
 
Looks, style, class and panache ...the 2.5 Model 66. An honest to goodness working revolver that has the best handling features of the 66 with the benefit of a little more ejector rod and much cleaner lines (if you are pulling it out of your waist band from under a loose shirt this can be important....then the 3 inch 65 is the pick. I lusted for a 2.5 19/66 but spent many years carrying a Govt 3inch Model 10. I decided as a result that the 3 inch 10/13/64/65 was about the pick of 38/357 carry piece.

Your mileage may of course vary to mine. Either will serve you well.

Andy
 
I own two 3" M65s because that's all I've stumbled across.

IMNSHO, adjustable sights on a 2 1/2" gun is just plain silly. YMMV
 
Robinett_11B said:
Hey, everyone. I'm looking into buying one of these guns, maybe both...but I'd like to save the money spent on one of 'em for another project. I know their obvious differences, such as adjustable vs fixed sights, underlug, and red-ramp front sight...but, in your opinion, is there anything that puts one of these guns 'above' the other one for an OWB CC piece? I know it's a subjective question, but I'm just trying to get a feel for other people's opinions. Were there any variations sought after more than others? I know the 3" M66 is relatively rare, but is there anything else noteworthy in the dash #'s of either of these guns? I'm only referring to pre-lock & pre-MIM examples, by the way. I appreciate all your input. Thanks for looking -Rob
Click to expand...

For what purpose? For a pure carry/fighting firearm the 65-4 and below have the other options beat hands down. Also they will likely be more reasonable in price and easier to find. But if you are just starting your search you will be somewhat limited by what you can find available at a reasonable price. Also as others have stated the 3" K frame is a winner in terms of overall "balance" of features but I count them as .38 +P's not .357's. Within that framework and fed quality ammo they are as close to a perfect EDC revolver as you are likely to find.
 
IMHO the 2.5" 66 is a little easier to conceal......not much though.

The lack of a rear sight blade on the 65 is a little easier on coat liners.

I prefer the 3" 66 for the full length ejection of spent casings.

Having owned both models you inquire about I'd suggest you buy both! There won't be any more as nice as either of them. Regards 18DAI.
 
Personally, I would opt for the Model 65 with three-inch tube. I am a fixed-sight fan for concealed-carry. As others have stated, they also do not catch their rear sight on clothing.

Both are fine shooters, but I have no need for adjustable-sights on a short-barreled carry-gun.
 
I have a 2.5" Model 66 and I just purchased a 3" Model 13. I have set both of them up with bobbed hammers.

I installed a set of Meprolight nite sites on my Model 66. Since it already had adjustable sights, i thought it would be nice to see them at night.

I like a fixed site, heavy barrel revolver, I have two Model 58's as well.

To me the Model 13 is my .357 workhorse, but I really like the nite sites that are available for the Model 66.
 
I appreciate all your repsonses. At first I was leaning more towards a M65, but the I saw the M66 and thought "no, that's the one". I'm a big fan of fixed sights, as all my wheelguns as of yet are fixed sight J's & one K. The purpose of the 65 or 66 would be for OWB concealed carry and it would most likely only be stocked with .38 +P's...as it's generally known that fullhouse loads aren't too good for 'em. I've heard mixed reviews, also as seen here, on fixed sights vs adj. sights for CC. What about a M66 with a set C&S Extreme Duty fixed sights? There may be no difference, but the M66 seems a little "beefier", which should make for a better shooting gun, right? I may be off on that though. I'd definitely buy a 3" M66 if I could find one, but all I've been able to readily track down are 2.5" and 4" :/ I've been able to track down 3" M65's about as readily as 2.5" M66's, and they're priced pretty close together...at least close enough for my current "gun budget" to readily handle. I'm just having a hard time choosing one over the other :/ I'm going to keep doing research and hopefully get more opinions from you fine gentlemen, and maybe I'll be able to make a decision someday sooner than later. Thanks again for all your input, everyone.
 
I own one 2.5" 66 and two 3" 65s. I like them all a lot, but neither model is perfect. To me, the greatest advantage of the 3" guns is their longer ejection stroke. The difference in concealability is negligible, as is the difference in ballistics provided by the extra 1/2" of barrel. The huge failing of the 65s is their nigh-invisible front sights, whereas one can actually see the sights on a 66. However, any good, well-equipped gunsmith can fit a cross-dovetail front sight to a 65, and then, I'd give the advantage to the 65, even with the frame-notch rear sight.
 
I have both firearms and as others have stated, you can't go wrong with either. It's a close call as to which one I prefer.

However, I lean a bit toward my 65-5, 3-inch for all around usage though; CCW, nighstand, exposed carry, boondocks companion, whatever. There's just something about it's no-frills/all-business features that flip my switch.
 
The bigger, blockier adjustable sights on a S&W are much, much faster to pick up visually than are the fixed sights. They allow you to precisely zero your weapon for the ammunition you carry. I suppose if you don't use your sights when you shoot, this doesn't matter much.

I carried 2-1/2 and 3 inch Model 66's in plain clothes for years. I never had one snag on clothing in a draw (I shot with a jacket on during cool weather- train like you will fight). The hammer spur is more likely to do this, and I never had that happen, either. Holster choice would minimize wear to your coat lining. I dealt with lining wear by having an alterations shop sew squares of light leather, about 12" by 12", onto the jacket lining in the area that covered my holstered handgun. Much cheaper than new suits and sportcoats.

As for weight, both for carry and recoil purposes, the two guns are so close together that I doubt a blind person could tell which was which.

It's a matter of personal preference. If you can, try both styles before you buy one.
 
I have a 2 1/2" M66-1 (In fact I have it on now in an OWB holster). It is my favorite K-Frame carry revolver. I also have a 3" M13-2 that is about a 98% gun. I rarely carry it as I don't want to mar the finish. If I had a 3" M65 I would probably carry it quite often. I used to use a belly band quite a bit and that would be just the ticket, especially with a bobbed hammer. It's nice to have adjustable sights but if your "serious social purposes load" is always the same it's not a problem. I'd most likely prefer the M66 for most carry. If I were you though, I'd get both if the budget can afford it.
 
Hands down for me, I MUCH prefer the 3" M65 fixed sight revolver to the M66 (stainless) & M19 (blued and nickel versions) with a 2 1/2" tube.

The full length ejector rod is a HUGE thing for me . . . for 100% reliable extraction is so beneficial during stressful self defense use. There's always a chance with a revolver with a short ejector rod that a spent round or two will hang up and thus lock up the gun for a few extra seconds that it might take for the other guy to kill you.

Accuracy? My M65 3" has PERFECTLY regulated sights to my preferred point of aim . . . and thus is can be a tackdriver. My 2 1/2" Model 19 is not as accurate with its shorter sight radius . . . even with adjustable sights. I find that I can pick up my M65's fixed sights just fine and have won pin (bowling pin) matches with my slick-handling Model 65.

Balance and handling? Again, the 3" tubed models (M65 in stainless and M13 in either blued or nickel) are fast from the holster, swing well during recoil between fast, double action strings . . . and they handle, IMHO, much better during shooting drills.

Yep . . . I've got both, but don't care much for the 2 1/2" K frames vs. any of the 3" variants.

2448400IMG1162psw300.jpg


244924665-3.jpg
 
My 2.5 66 no dash is my EDC. I don't think it gets much better. That being said, I've got a 4" 65 that is probably my favorite gun to shoot. I really want a 3" 65. It would probably replace my 66.
 
Like several of the other posts I've got to go with the 3 inchers simply because of the ejector stroke. Doing pressure reloads is much easier with the longer ejector. I have both a 3" M-65 and a 3" m-66. I've carried and used both a 2.5 inch in M-19 and M-66 and if I had to I could do it again, but prefer the 3 inchers. You can't go wrong with any of the bunch. Keep shootin'
 
It's hard to beat a 3" K Frame, if you only plan to shoot .38's the Model 64 isn't a bad option either...

64-3b.jpg
 
Decisions, decisions.

Both are excellent choices...pick the one that speaks to you. From one of your posts, it sounds like it's the 66.

For either, but especially the 66, I'd recommend a holster of the pancake/scabbard type (Kramer makes a nice one) which will cover the hammer/sights, but still allow a firing grip upon first contact. Add a good belt and spare ammo carrier, good practice and defense loads...and you're set.

I'd work with the stock adjustable sights for awhile. Sight it in to your defense ammo and live with that for awhile. Down the road, you can try the C&S Extreme Duty fixed sights, but it could be that the adjustables work just fine.

You already know the factual cons of the 2.5 inch 66: shorter barrel means a little less velocity, a shorter sight radius, maybe more difficult "point" shooting (if you practice below eye level body indexed shooting). And, of course, the length of extractor issue.

And you know the pros...shorter barrel may clear leather a split second sooner...less for the bad guy to grab hold of during a scuffle..adjustable sights allow you to precisely sight in your weapon according to ammo selection and offer a better/faster sight picture.

On the whole, they are about equal...in a fight for your life, your skill, determination and tactics, not to mention a little luck, will play more of a role in the outcome then the selection of one over the other. So pick the one that speaks to you.
 
I have both and IMHO there is no real difference in their performances. It all depends on which model of sights you prefer. I like the precision and the 'look' of the adjustable sights on the Model 66, so that is what I choose to carry. The correct holster will prevent any interference between clothes and the rear sight. .......... Big Cholla
 
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