Model 66-2 vs. 66-5

olivehead1 · Sep 21, 2022

I've had this particular 66-2 (mfr. 1984) for several years, and last week picked up the 66-5 (mfr. 1999).

I thought someone might be interested in a quick visual comparison.

The -5 brought the introduction of the floating firing pin, MIM hammer and trigger, slanted thumbpiece, round butt frame for all barrel lengths, change in rear sight design, elimination of the cylinder stop stud, and some other changes inside and out. Unfortunately, this was the last variation without the Hillary Hole, and one of the last with engraved markings rather than crappy laser etching. Note the considerably heavier barrel on the -5.

Still, IMHO, nicer than what they're making today.

Baxter6551 · Sep 21, 2022

Olive - Great 66s you have there and thanks for the comparisons. Very interesting.
I am anxiously awaiting the purchase of a 66-1 complete with box and apparently unfired since the factory. I have yet to see in person but from photos looks NIB. The seller is a friend who bought it around 1980 for a duty gun at the same time they decided to issue model 65s. He carried it for a couple of months till he received his issue 65 but never shot the 66 to qualify. For some reason he took the stocks off and is currently searching for a missing panel. He’s not a gun guy so he just put it away all these years.

yugolovr · Sep 21, 2022

Very nice revolvers. I still miss my 66.

John Patrick · Sep 21, 2022

Interesting comparison. Thanks for posting the photos.

Any significant weight difference? And does the 66-5 still have the flat on the bottom of the barrel extension?

olivehead1 · Sep 21, 2022

John Patrick said:
Any significant weight difference? And does the 66-5 still have the flat on the bottom of the barrel extension?

I was wondering about the weight myself, but don't have a scale to measure that. The "feel" is similar. Maybe less steel in the round butt configuration offsets the heavier barrel.

Yes, the forcing cone still has that flat spot just like, I think, all the K frames up until the reissues of the Model 19 and 66 in the last few years.

Bald1 · Sep 21, 2022

Olive , it’d be neat to get a range review and side by side shooting comparison. Accuracy, trigger feel, etc…… wonder if firing pin change matters. Beautiful combo. Congrats

wproct · Sep 21, 2022

Nice revolvers! I really like the Target Trigger and Hammer on the 66-2.

mnkdad · Sep 21, 2022

I have the exact two revolvers you are showing and if i could only keep one it would be the 66-5. Like the heavy barrel.

Baxter6551 · Sep 22, 2022

Oh I didn’t notice the heavy barrel. I like that too along with the black pinned front sight. I swapped to a black red ramp sight on a model 19 that had been either hard chromed or armoly (not sure which).

TheTinMan · Sep 22, 2022

Interesting comparison. I’m considering a quest for a 3” 66-5 to add to my collection. I like the heavier barrel but not the MIM parts.

notsofast · Sep 22, 2022

yugolovr said:
Very nice revolvers. I still miss my 66.

Yep me too, had a p&r 6”

WildBillWJW · Sep 23, 2022

Still like the k frames

Two great 66’s. I need to check my three 19/66’s for their series/edition. Though I owned a much earlier 66 and 19, I sadly let them both go. Thanks again for the info and insite.
BW

66fan · Sep 23, 2022

I also like my 66’s. I have two 66-2’s, one 66-6, and one 66-8. Yours look really nice, never get rid of them. If you do you will regret it greatly.

LeadSpitter · Sep 23, 2022

Thanks for the comparison. I still have the 66-2 that I bought as my very first handgun when I turned 21. That was 38 years ago and back in..... 1984. I love my 66-2 and I will never get rid of it. Well, not until I'm gone anyways. And I won't know or care then. lol

ruger 22 · Sep 23, 2022

Does anyone really think the floating firing pin is an improvement?

olivehead1 · Sep 23, 2022

ruger 22 said:
Does anyone really think the floating firing pin is an improvement?

If it breaks, maybe. But really, whether hammer mounted or internal, how often does that happen?

On a related note, when you pull the trigger on this 66-5, it does not make that metallic “clunk” that all of the more recently produced guns I’ve handled and shot make.

Model 66-2 vs. 66-5

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