The Mod. 66 with a 2.5 inch barrel may just be the perfect K frame for carry. Compact, comfortable to carry in a good holster and very accurate with a variety of ammunition and bullet weights.

I am currently the care taker of a 66-2, wearing a pair of Mr. Gashorn's elk stag grips and a 66-5 with banana grips. When carried, they are in one of two Don Hume holsters both black, one with a a thumb break and the other an "open top." Both holsters are OWB, slide type with open bottoms to accommodate any barrel length.

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Glenn, back in the '70s, I carried one every working day for several years. I also shot it recreationally. Most all shooting was done with Magnum ammo. No way to get around it, with Magnum ammo in a ~36 oz. gun, you're probably going to notice the recoil.

I pretty much wore out my 66 out before going to the S&W L-Frame revolver about 1980. Had S&W overhaul the old gun, and I still have it. Fine little revolvers IMHO.

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NRA Life, COTEP 640

The Model 19 and the Model 66 were and are K framed .357's. The were and are failures when it comes to using a steady diet of full house 158 grain bullets. Two thousands rounds (which is not a lot of shooting) usually means the gun is ready for a trip to a qualified gunsmith to tighten them up again as they can and will begin to shoot loose.

I use only .38 specials in K frame guns. If you want to shoot a lot of .357 magnums the L frame or N Frame is the only way to go.

Sure, the bigger frames are what is needed for a steady diet of magnum loads.

But the OP asked about the Model 66, not L frames or N frames, nor why they are "better" than the K frames.

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U. S. Army Veteran

One version has the dreaded "125gr full-house loads" melting the weak K-frame's firing cones like butter, and now we have the "full house 158gr bullets" as the culprits...? Who are ya' gonna' believe?

I continue to shoot 357 Magnum loads in my Models 19-3 & 66-1 with confidence.

Would an L or N-frame be a viable addition? Of course: if I was primarily shooting hundreds of 357 Magnums (and full-house, of course!) at the range every time... But, I don't: well, not now, anyway?

Cheers!

P.S. There is a difference between a 16 oz. Stanley Fiberglass Claw and an Estwing 30 oz.Long Handle Straight Rip Claw, but it is doubtfull a couple dozen nails can really tell the difference...? One's arm can, though!

Owned a 66 with a 2.5" barrel and currently a couple 4" models. As to recoil its all about the grip. With Hogue rubber grips I fired 145 grain Silvertips out of the 2.5" with no discomfort. With the 4" models also have Hogue Rubber grips and firing 158 JHP magnum reloads is not an issue in regards to felt recoil.

Some years ago I fired one of those "dreaded" Federal 125 JHPs out of a friends Model 19 with the classic wood target grips and my hand felt pain at round one. These days I don't shoot the 125 magnum loads out of the 66s mainly because of the atomic cannon muzzle blast. My 8 3/8" Model 27 shoots the 125s well with less blast and Earth shattering concussion.

Your M27 has less blast and concussion because it has a longer barrel, allowing a full powder burn and having the muzzle farther away helps too.

I can't see an N frame having less blast than a K frame if both barrels are the same length.
There's nothing magical about a fatter cylinder that will tame blast and concussion over a smaller diameter cylinder.

Barrel length will help, and it also helps to be a handloader so you can match the powder's burning rate to the barrel length.

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U. S. Army Veteran

Not with the Hillary Hole.

What is this thing called recoil about anyway? Sounds dreadful to me....

Randy

PS.
As my deceased father used to tell me, if you can't handle the recoil of a .357 mag, get an air pistol.

I've got both, we should talk.

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.

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.

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.

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S&W Accumulator

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.

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Back in the day - the ultimate law enforcement revolver …

Fuzzy Farrant grips with a cut grip frame to accommidate

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S&W Accumulator

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.

Just picked up the new S&W 66 Combat today. I haven't shot it yet but will soon. Pic is of the 66 and the 686 SSR. Not quite sure I will keep the 686. Time to find a holster.

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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

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.

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.