Sigh - thought I got one of the good new 66-8's, any advice?

D

dutch686

Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2009
Messages
193
Reaction score
120
Bought a new 66-8 3in last Sat. Went over it, and didn't see any issues with the finish, the barrel insert or the lock up. New rounds would drop in and the cylinder would rotate as expected.

Today took it to the range, and didn't get through 3 cylinders. The cylinder would bind at one spot after firing. New rds. drop in and rotate just fine.

I thought it was my ammo which was S&B 38 and Win 38's, but both brands did the same thing. I checked my cylinder ejector rod, and it is tight.

Any suggestions for a home remedy before I make arrangements to send it back to S&W?
 
Dirt under the ejection star could do this. Also a bent ejector rod could do this. Also a tweaked ejector star, though that is not terribly likely. Odd that it does not do it before firing, only after. Have you tried spinning the cylinder while fully loaded with live rounds to see if it hangs up? It should free-wheel with no problem if you pull the hammer back just enough to disengage the cylinder stop. Do this VERY CAREFULLY, preferably outdoors, in the safe direction, with your finger NOT in the trigger guard.
 
dutch686 said:
Bought a new 66-8 3in last Sat. Went over it, and didn't see any issues with the finish, the barrel insert or the lock up. New rounds would drop in and the cylinder would rotate as expected.

Today took it to the range, and didn't get through 3 cylinders. The cylinder would bind at one spot after firing. New rds. drop in and rotate just fine.

I thought it was my ammo which was S&B 38 and Win 38's, but both brands did the same thing. I checked my cylinder ejector rod, and it is tight.

Any suggestions for a home remedy before I make arrangements to send it back to S&W?
Click to expand...

This may not help since you had the issue with two brands of ammo, but both of my Uberti SAA clones would bind up with S&B ammo, and no other ammo. I believe S&B uses very thick bases on their shell cases, for what it's worth.
 
Thank you for the advice. Yes it will free spin with new rounds loaded, only binds when fired, and only in one spot. The other cylinders move normally until the binding spot.

I did check for "stuff" under the star, but these rds were the very first fired since purchasing. Both S&B and Winchester factory rounds load and spin freely until fired, and then it binds in just the one spot.
 
Since we are talking about the Model 66 can anyone help me determine the production year of a six inch barrel model 66-3 with a BFF34** serial number ?
 
Brand new gun? Send it back. I would not mess with it trying to find out the problem. Sadly, as stated many times before on this forum and other forums, quality control at S&W, as well as other firearms manufacturers, has suffered greatly the last several years. Good luck.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

DARE
One That Got Away
Replies
3
Views
588
ImprovedModel56Fan
I
W
The one that got away…
2
Replies
29
Views
925
swagmeister
S
N
M&P Bodyguard Revolver…any advice on this problem?
Replies
8
Views
461
swagmeister
S
Bucknuts44124
PC 625-8 V Comp … Any info?
Replies
2
Views
268
Tanners Owner
Tanners Owner
M
model 66-8
Replies
2
Views
397
murphydog
murphydog

Latest posts

Back
Top