New 66-8 2.75"

Telecaster

Telecaster

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It arrived at the FFL today and everything seems to be good (i.e. functional). There is a small file mark on the trigger guard :(, but I can smooth that out. The DA trigger is heavy as heck, hopefully it'll lighten with use. The forcing cone isn't as cleanly machined as I would expect but when I shoot it I'll see if it functions. I expect it will.

I did't think I'd like the satin finish, since the polished stainless Smiths are such works of art, but I really love the tactile texture of it. Smooth! And the grip feels perfect in my hand, like I'm caressing a woman's- Ok, I'll stop there.

It's a little more svelte than my 3" GP100, but it's nearly identical in size to my SP101 except for the cylinder diameter and frame height. 6 rounds vs. 5. On paper it's in between both, so maybe this is my Goldilocks revolver.

2017-05-31_16.25.58.jpg


GP100 and 66-8:
2017-05-31_16.27.42.jpg


Really? :rolleyes:
2017-05-31_16.30.23.jpg


Does this need some TLC?:
2017-05-31_16.31.00.jpg


SP101 and 66-8:
2017-05-31_16.33.25.jpg
 
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I bought mine a couple weeks ago. Already the trigger is smoothing out with use (and dry firing). Mine had no odd nicks or dings and my forcing cone looks a lot better under magnification than yours; the flat ring facing the cylinder is uniform all the way around.

So far I have been very happy.
 
I put 100 rounds of Aguila .38 SP through it today, no issues. The cylinder got a little sticky (hard to open) with all the soot, but the rounds all slid cleanly out upon ejection. This seems to happen to all my revolvers. Nothing a good cleaning doesn't fix.

The dim lighting in the indoor range, and the red front sight blending in with the red bullseye made aiming a challenge. So did my bifocal shooting glasses. I expect outdoors it'll be easier to aim. The target is at various yards from 5 to 20, both DA and SA. The sights seem to be right on, out of the box.

I think the trigger is loosening up a little, another hundred rounds should break it in.

2017-06-01_10.42.35.jpg


Miss Velvet is a dirty girl:
2017-06-01_11.24.31.jpg


For those with a lock fetish:
2017-06-01_11.24.52.jpg
 
Telecaster: How's the cylinder gap? The like your photos. What struck me, however, was not dirty the gun got after just 100 rounds of factory ammo. I'm thinking the face of the barrel is not uniform or just too far from the cylinder and is letting a lot of gas blow back.

BTW, whether or not your gun needs a little factory help, I think this new design (especially the new lock-up at the yoke) is superb. I think this model is going to be a classic someday.
 
It's brand new. I don't have any feeler gauges, but the gap looks totally consistent as the cylinder rotates. It's thinner than a business card, thicker than a piece of paper.

The gap on my 67-6 is thinner than a piece of paper, and the forcing cone is also a little rough around the inside of the rim, but not nearly as much as the 66. The gap on my Rugers is about the same as the 67-6.
 
My neighbor bought the Ruger 3" bbl. Built like a tank, but the cylinder release is backwards from the Smith's I have had for so many years. I want a model 65, or if the rear sight is screwed on something to make it fixed.
 
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I am NOT a perfectionist and don't expect everything to be totally perfect on a new gun. Unless, you pay huge bucks some minor stuff is going to go out the door. BUT, that forcing cone is ugly and possibly it is the photo angle but looks like shallow and uneven. Plus, look like it got wacked a couple times. I think I would sent that back and say "Do better than that".

I have the tools to fix that myself, but, think I would still send it back.

But it does appear that it does shot pretty well.
 
It looks like the forcing cone is hand forged!
Mine was still spitting something, so I sent it back.
I got a shipping label within an hour of sending an email.

Best,
Rick
 
riverrat38 said:
It looks like the forcing cone is hand forged!
Mine was still spitting something, so I sent it back.
I got a shipping label within an hour of sending an email.

Best,
Rick
Click to expand...

Riverrat38 makes a good point in jest. The final facing on the forcing cone looks non-existent. There's a video on line that shows a S&W worker dressing the face of the forcing cone with a huge mechanical file while the frame is held in a vice. On my new 66-8 I can see very very fine machine marks from such a mechanical file -- very tiny lines (like grain lines) going perfectly straight left to right across the face. The pictures of the forcing cone in this thread look as if that step was skipped.
 
Agreed with Ashlander. The nick in the trigger guard would drive me batty on a brand-new gun, but the forcing cone doesn't look finished. Since you've had a chance to shoot and enjoy it at least once, I'd clean it up and send it back. They'll make it right... I've sent a couple back myself, and have always been extremely pleased with any adjustments or repairs S&W has made.

Edit: I also have the 2.75" 66, and just checked my forcing cone. It's surface is very smooth.
 
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I'm waiting to hear back from customer service. I'm also surprised the muzzle crown doesn't have the nice smoothly rounded finish piece. I can't see how it would attach, but my 4" 67 has one.
 
S&W is on what I consider "Gen2" two piece barrels. The new ones don't show as two piece from the side like the Model 620's, and others, do. They look more like a recessed crown design. I like!

Best,
Rick
 
I wish S&W would hurry up and send the 66-8 2 3/4" to DOJ for testing and approval to get on the (BS) list of approved handguns. The 4 1/4" is on the list already, but to not the 2 3/4" version. If all else fails, I might have to get the 4 1/4" and send it to S&W for a barrel change.

I've got my old duty 66-2 4" and a 66-2 3". I try to avoid shooting them with many magnum loads, particularly 125 gr. I'd like the 66-8 for the improved metallurgy and design so I can shoot more magnums without having to carry my L or N frames.
 
snowman.45 said:
I wish S&W would hurry up and send the 66-8 2 3/4" to DOJ for testing and approval to get on the (BS) list of approved handguns. The 4 1/4" is on the list already, but to not the 2 3/4" version. If all else fails, I might have to get the 4 1/4" and send it to S&W for a barrel change.
Click to expand...

Snowman: The new 2.75" 66-8 has a different style detent lock-up on the yoke than the 4" 66-8 that was released a couple years ago (the ball detent was visible on the 4" guns, while it is tucked away with the new 2.75" model). I presume all the new guns will have the new style lock-up, but make sure before you go that route.
 
Gratz on owning such great guns.

That nick on the trigger is nothing but that forcing cone has to be fixed.

I've shot some dirty ammo in my time but have never seen a cylinder so dirty after just two boxes.
 
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