Glenn54
Member
For those of you that have or have had a S&W 66 Combat, what are your opinions? Interested in recoil for one thing. Anyone carry one? Which holster style? Thanks.
Smith & Wesson Model 66 Combat Magnum 357
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MetalMan
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My 66-4 probably has the best trigger of any revolver that I own and is remarkably accurate at the range.
Carried sparingly OWB in a custom Snubbyfan holster.
For EDC, I much prefer my J’s…
Carried sparingly OWB in a custom Snubbyfan holster.
For EDC, I much prefer my J’s…
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Scharfschuetzer
Member
I've carried all three barrel lengths of the Model 19 as an LEO for many years and I think that it's the best carry magnum out there. I still have a 4" and a 6" and I shoot them quite often for fun and for practice.
If you're worried about recoil, just shoot +P 38 Specials or standard 38 Specials. That's all I shoot anymore in my K Frames.
If you're worried about recoil, just shoot +P 38 Specials or standard 38 Specials. That's all I shoot anymore in my K Frames.
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Got me a 66-8 2.75"
Recoil is basically the same as a 4" L or K frame. It can be a lot of recoil for some people and lots of range ammo will wear your hand out unless you want to shoot 38, special which pose no problem.
I carry IWB 3 o'clock in a Tucker Texas Heritage. It's for a 4" 686, but it can hold a k snub up to my 5" 627. The 66 feels quite slim in a holster that wide. It disperses the weight well.
It's not small like a J frame or K6s. It certainly doesn't carry as big as a 686. It is very much a goldilocks gun.
Recoil is basically the same as a 4" L or K frame. It can be a lot of recoil for some people and lots of range ammo will wear your hand out unless you want to shoot 38, special which pose no problem.
I carry IWB 3 o'clock in a Tucker Texas Heritage. It's for a 4" 686, but it can hold a k snub up to my 5" 627. The 66 feels quite slim in a holster that wide. It disperses the weight well.
It's not small like a J frame or K6s. It certainly doesn't carry as big as a 686. It is very much a goldilocks gun.
jtcarm
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Smith & Wesson Model 66 Combat Magnum 357
Depends on what ammo and your intended use.
For SD where you want fast repeat shots, the .357 magnum is an experts round. That’s true for pretty much any .357 revolver, not just the Smith K-frames.
I can pass various standard drills (like the Wizard Drill, or Revolver Super Test) with a Model 66 shooting magnums, but my EDC is still a .38 Spl.
Now if you mean is recoil tolerable in general, yes, with the right grips.
When I head out to the boonies, it’s with a 4” M-66 or 3” M-65 and full-house magnums to handle 2 or 4-legged vermin (the latter being mostly feral hogs.)
The Uncle Mikes that used to be standard on K-frame round-butts are hands down THE BEST. All of my K-frames wear them.
Here they are on my carry M-64:
The factory grips on the current 66-8 look like they should handle recoil pretty well, too.
The old wood factory target stocks are OK for single-action slow-fire, but too thick for my hands for DA shooting.
I’ve found with hard-kicking DA revolvers, wood stocks thin enough for my stubby fingers are very punishing. Shooting magnums with them will lift skin from the web of my hand pretty quick.
Oh, as to your question: I own 3 M-66s and have had as many as 5 in my safe, if that tells you anything.
The holster pictured is a Lobo leather offset belt clip for EDC. I carry a 3” M-64 AIWB and occasionally a 2.5” M-66.
My 4” guns are carried 3:00 in a Safariland 568 or Garret Industries Silent Thunder OWB, through I’m not crazy about either one.
Depends on what ammo and your intended use.
For SD where you want fast repeat shots, the .357 magnum is an experts round. That’s true for pretty much any .357 revolver, not just the Smith K-frames.
I can pass various standard drills (like the Wizard Drill, or Revolver Super Test) with a Model 66 shooting magnums, but my EDC is still a .38 Spl.
Now if you mean is recoil tolerable in general, yes, with the right grips.
When I head out to the boonies, it’s with a 4” M-66 or 3” M-65 and full-house magnums to handle 2 or 4-legged vermin (the latter being mostly feral hogs.)
The Uncle Mikes that used to be standard on K-frame round-butts are hands down THE BEST. All of my K-frames wear them.
Here they are on my carry M-64:
The factory grips on the current 66-8 look like they should handle recoil pretty well, too.
The old wood factory target stocks are OK for single-action slow-fire, but too thick for my hands for DA shooting.
I’ve found with hard-kicking DA revolvers, wood stocks thin enough for my stubby fingers are very punishing. Shooting magnums with them will lift skin from the web of my hand pretty quick.
Oh, as to your question: I own 3 M-66s and have had as many as 5 in my safe, if that tells you anything.
The holster pictured is a Lobo leather offset belt clip for EDC. I carry a 3” M-64 AIWB and occasionally a 2.5” M-66.
My 4” guns are carried 3:00 in a Safariland 568 or Garret Industries Silent Thunder OWB, through I’m not crazy about either one.
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Hair Trigger
US Veteran
No different from any K-frame .357; the longer barrels seem easier to shoot with magnum loads, a little more weight to counter the recoil. The snub nosed versions are pretty ferocious; manageable, but nothing you want to shoot all day at the range. Reduced magnum loads or .38 Spl +P are just fine, though. I carry this one from time to time:
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I find 2 1/2 inch 66s with full magnum loads not so fun to shoot.
4 inch are not bad if it's the 125gr load... but mighty loud.
6 inch are ok.
But I would not use a whole bunch of full loads. I'm talking about maybe 200-300 are ok. Most of the time shoot .38s and enjoy. The snub 66 is a dandy gun with +P .38s. My favorite load is the Buffalo Bore 158gr LSWHP at 'standard' pressure. Makes 900 fps from the 2 and 1/2 inch barrel. Easy to shoot one handed.
4 inch are not bad if it's the 125gr load... but mighty loud.
6 inch are ok.
But I would not use a whole bunch of full loads. I'm talking about maybe 200-300 are ok. Most of the time shoot .38s and enjoy. The snub 66 is a dandy gun with +P .38s. My favorite load is the Buffalo Bore 158gr LSWHP at 'standard' pressure. Makes 900 fps from the 2 and 1/2 inch barrel. Easy to shoot one handed.
SW 66 rocks!
I too have a new 66-8 with the 2.75" barrel and I think it is fantastic! Sure there is a bit more recoil with a 357 round than a 38 special - but not that much more it seems to me. For me the 66 handles 357 rounds much, much better than expected. One of my favorite, and easily controllable, rounds out of this gun is the Buffalo Bore 140 Barnes 357 Mag cartridge. I could easily see making that my trail load.
I too have a new 66-8 with the 2.75" barrel and I think it is fantastic! Sure there is a bit more recoil with a 357 round than a 38 special - but not that much more it seems to me. For me the 66 handles 357 rounds much, much better than expected. One of my favorite, and easily controllable, rounds out of this gun is the Buffalo Bore 140 Barnes 357 Mag cartridge. I could easily see making that my trail load.
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dmthomp32
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.38 +P for sure. It’s probably my favorite round. .357 is fun and enjoyable out of a 4” barrel. When you drop down to a 2.75” barrel them the concussion at an indoor range gets to be a bit much. Outdoors is far more enjoyable. My ears wear out before my hands indoors.
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John Patrick
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I have a 4” and a 2 1/2”. Both are great.
The 4” is the only SS or blue steel revolver I own with rubber grips. [I have three 386s and they all wear rubber, and need rubber.] They’re Pachmayer’s and very comfortable to shoot with, even high end 357. 38spl is a joy to shoot.
My 2 1/2” has combats and they’re great to shoot with too. Full power 357 is tolerable, but not the joy to shoot that 38spl is.
I typically load either BB 158gr SWCHP +P or Gold Dot Short Barrel 135gr +P.
The 4” is the only SS or blue steel revolver I own with rubber grips. [I have three 386s and they all wear rubber, and need rubber.] They’re Pachmayer’s and very comfortable to shoot with, even high end 357. 38spl is a joy to shoot.
My 2 1/2” has combats and they’re great to shoot with too. Full power 357 is tolerable, but not the joy to shoot that 38spl is.
I typically load either BB 158gr SWCHP +P or Gold Dot Short Barrel 135gr +P.
I have a 4 inch Model 19, recoil with full power magnum loads is a little on the stout side, but not horrible. It is easy to shoot with reduced power magnum ammo and any variety of 38 Special ammo. I will say that regardless of ammo, the K-frame is easier to shoot than the smaller J-frame S&W. I'm making that comparison based on my experience with the Model 19 and Model 640-1.
Green Frog
Member
OP, if you are asking this question, it would probably be a good idea to go to a range and rent or borrow a 4” Model 66 and buy a box of 158 gr +P ammo. Fire it at police type targets at 7 1/2, 15, and 25 yds until the box of ammo is gone, then make your own decision. If you like it, buy one. I’m partial to the K frame for middle magnum cartridges, but that is a function of my training and experience. As the old saying goes, “You do you”.
Froggie
Froggie
I carry my 4 inch 66 in a DeSantis pancake holster. It rides close to the hip and is so comfortable I forget it is there.
My M69 is in it here but I also use it for the M66.
You will notice the recoil with full power .357 but it isn't too bad, especially if you are used to shooting big bores.
I only load .357 when going up to the mountains, for town carry I use Remington .38 Special +P JHP.
My M69 is in it here but I also use it for the M66.
You will notice the recoil with full power .357 but it isn't too bad, especially if you are used to shooting big bores.
I only load .357 when going up to the mountains, for town carry I use Remington .38 Special +P JHP.
THE PILGRIM
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The goldilocks comment seems spot on. This is a timely thread as it's one of the two models I'm strongly considering for my next purchase, mainly as my woods/boonies gun. Unfortunately, no LGS has one in stock.
While I've never shot a K frame, I can chime in on magnum rounds in J frames and L frames. My J frame model 60 (3") is a delight to carry. For me, shooting magnums with it works without much drama for slower, controlled DA firing and SA work only. I'm not the kind of shooter who can quickly empty a cylinder of magnum rounds from a J frame achieve the accuracy I'd like to see. Consequently, running .38 +p in it is much more realistic. On the other end of the spectrum, my 6" 686 soaks up magnum loads and does everything better...except carry. It's weight and bulk mostly relegate it to home use.
I think for my purpose (I live in the boonies and mainly carry in the woods while hiking, bushwacking, foraging), a 4" 66 sounds almost perfect. Otoh, a 4" 686+ weighs only 2 ounces more and would most likely offer better performance with magnum loads. For the OP and others, what about the model 66 would make you choose it over the slightly heavier 686, particularly if one of your benchmarks is performance with magnum loads?
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It would be hard to find a finer self-defense revolver than a 4" Model 66. Mine was bought as new in the box and treated to a primo action job by Nelson Ford in Phoenix. This one dates from May 1978. It's a dash one, the last of the pinned and recessed models. I love it.
John
John
Well 2 1/2, 3 and 4 inch models were my go to carry guns for about two decades. +P.38s in urban areas, 158 gr .357 soft points when out in Penn's Woods. My favorite are the 3 inch 66s with Spegel Boot grips.
Today I baby my K-frames. While I still carry the 3" 66 IWB in a Milt Sparks Summer Special. If I plan to, or think I might need to, shoot more than a cylinder of .357s I opt for a 4" round butt 686 or 681.
Why? Because I can't replace those K-frames at a price I'm will to pay!!!!
And my 4" guns are early no-dash, P&R with stainless sights.
Today I baby my K-frames. While I still carry the 3" 66 IWB in a Milt Sparks Summer Special. If I plan to, or think I might need to, shoot more than a cylinder of .357s I opt for a 4" round butt 686 or 681.
Why? Because I can't replace those K-frames at a price I'm will to pay!!!!
And my 4" guns are early no-dash, P&R with stainless sights.
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It would be hard to find a finer self-defense revolver than a 4" Model 66. Mine was bought as new in the box and treated to a primo action job by Nelson Ford in Phoenix. This one dates from May 1978. It's a dash one, the last of the pinned and recessed models. I love it.
John
It's very easy to find a better carry gun. It's called a 686+ and it's very common.
