19/66 Snub Question

[CCantu357]

Not sure what revolver area to post this question in so I figured I would start here. I have been considering getting a Model 19 or 66 2.5 incher for CC use. I shoot a 4 inch 19 a lot and have a good amount of time with a 3 inch Model 65. I always here that 357s in a snub are handful, but that always seems to apply to the J-frames. I was wondering how the snub Combat Magnums are as CC weapons using Magnum loads?

 

[Hillbilly77]

If you are already used to shooting your 4" Model 19, I don't think 1.5" less barrel will be too unbearable for you.

I have a snub-nose Ruger SP101 in .357 Mag. It is sized between a J-frame and a K-frame. .357 Magnum loads are not too horrible with it, so I'm sure the slightly larger and heavier Model 19 will be tolerable.

 

[max]

I have a snub 19 and I refer to it as "my favorite 38 special". I just don't care for magnums in it.

 

[FloridaFlier]

Keep in mind that S&W discontinued the Model 66 because it could not handle continued heavy use of .357's. The recommendation is to practice with .38 specials, and carry .357's. A good pre-purchase inspection is important with any gun, but especially important on that gun. If it were me, I'd probably not shoot anything hotter than a .38 Special +P.

Just an opinion. I'm neither a gunsmith nor a metalurgist.

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
Caution: before purchasing-check very closey the forcing cone area for crack/split

 

[18DAI]

The 2.5 inch tube 19/66 is not more difficult to shoot than a 4 inch variant, its just a little harder to shoot as accurately. If you have no trouble with the full size, I predict you will be happy with the snub size.

As far as why the 19's and pre lock 66's were discontinued, thats been covered here a few hundred times. Opinions differ on the topic.

And as to the alleged "fragility" of either a 19 or 66 using 357 ammunition, well.......thats been well covered too.

Just keep the gun clean, barrel free of lead/carbon buildup and avoid the hot loaded 125 grain 357's. Do these things and your great grandchildren will be enjoying these fine revolvers. Regards 18DAI

 

[rockyrider]

If you choose the Model 15 or 66 in any barrel size it should not be too difficult to shoot .38's, as you know. However, if you choose to shoot .357's in either the J frame or K frame, you're going to notice quite a difference.

 

[Pointblank2U]

I have both a 19 and 66 two and a half inchers. I carry Remington Golden Saber 125 gr 357 Magnum rounds in them. This is considered a medium-powered load and easy to control.

 

[dfariswheel]

With the right grips, the 2 1/2" Model 19/66 is quite manageable.
The Pachmayr Compac, or Professional Compac rubber grips absorb recoil better and offer an excellent grip no matter how cold and wet or hot and sweaty your hands are.

With the .357 Magnum the real problem is the intense muzzle blast that can be damaging if you ever have to use it in a real defense situation, especially in an enclosed space.
However, in that case damage to your ears will be the least of your worries at that moment.

The key to controlling the 2 1/2" is practice.
As above, don't use the 125 grain loads for practice, but you can use them for actual carry.
Stick with heavier bullet Magnum loads for practice, and buy and use a Lewis Lead Remover Kit from Brownell's.
While this is made for cleaning leading from the bore, it also has a cleaning head that cleans lead, carbon, and copper fouling off the critical forcing cone.
Keeping the cone clean will go a long way toward making the gun last a long time.

Last, you might consider using the HOT Buffalo Bullet .38+P, 158 grain, lead, semi-wadcutter, hollow point loads. These are loaded very hot with gas checks and are still one of the best .38/.357 defense loads.

 

[DRYHEAT]

I found them fun to shoot. I am as accurate with the 2.5" as the 4". I have had 4 over a 38 year period, the latest I picked up for $375 (private party). I say try one, if you don't like it they are REAL easy to sell.

 

[CCantu357]

Thanks for the tips. I know all about the "weak cone" issue. I keep my K-frame on a mostly .38+P diet, with most Magnums the 110 Border Patrol round or 158s. I shoot maybe a small box of 125s a year if that.

I just mainly wanted to know with Magnum rounds how they handled compared to a Model 60 or LCR 357. Although the 686+ 2.5 and Taurus 617 look tempting as well.

 

[OLD208X3A]

Love my Model 66

I heard a lot about the "ferocity" of .357 loads and the intense muzzle blast in the short barrel when I got my Model 66, but I personally don't see it. I have never minded handgun recoil (not a fan of rifle recoil at all) and love the .44 mag round and if you're that kind of person you probably won't have any issues. There is a noticeable difference between .38 and .357 in the weapon, but I wanted a .357 mag - not a big .38. I mostly shoot .38's to practice, but mix in a cylinder of .357s to stay used to them. Only carry .357s and I'm sure the blast in a confined, and also dark, space would be pretty wicked, but like someone said; that'd be the least of your worries. Just my feelings and like was also said; you can easily sell if if you don't like it. After having a model 66 the only possible downside to the weapon is that it's heavy and large to CCW. I'm kind of slender and with shorts on I have a heavy duty gun belt to make it manageable. I highly recommend the weapon as a concealed carry gun.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

The 2.5 inch 19/66 barks and torques with 357 loads. I have shot a bunch of 357 in all kinds of guns and I kind of like it.
The J frames are entirely another issue. I find the 649 to be between uncomfortable and out of control with 357 loads.

 

[dfariswheel]

Thanks for the tips. I know all about the "weak cone" issue. I keep my K-frame on a mostly .38+P diet, with most Magnums the 110 Border Patrol round or 158s. I shoot maybe a small box of 125s a year if that.

I just mainly wanted to know with Magnum rounds how they handled compared to a Model 60 or LCR 357. Although the 686+ 2.5 and Taurus 617 look tempting as well.

There's no comparison between the 2 1/2" Model 19/66 and a small frame Model 60 or Ruger.

The Model 19/66 is a much bigger, heaver gun with a much better grip size.
The sights are better, the trigger is better and can be tuned to a higher level, felt recoil will be lower, and the all-around "shoot-ability" of it is far better.

 

[Rufus]

I heard a lot about the "ferocity" of .357 loads and the intense muzzle blast in the short barrel when I got my Model 66, but I personally don't see it. I have never minded handgun recoil (not a fan of rifle recoil at all) and love the .44 mag round and if you're that kind of person you probably won't have any issues. There is a noticeable difference between .38 and .357 in the weapon, but I wanted a .357 mag - not a big .38. I mostly shoot .38's to practice, but mix in a cylinder of .357s to stay used to them. Only carry .357s and I'm sure the blast in a confined, and also dark, space would be pretty wicked, but like someone said; that'd be the least of your worries. Just my feelings and like was also said; you can easily sell if if you don't like it. After having a model 66 the only possible downside to the weapon is that it's heavy and large to CCW. I'm kind of slender and with shorts on I have a heavy duty gun belt to make it manageable. I highly recommend the weapon as a concealed carry gun.

I recently bought a Model 66 (no dash) with a 4" barrel. I sold a Kahr MK40 in order to free up the funds to make the purchase. With that in mind, I wonder how you folks would compare the felt recoil of the 357 mag (158 gr.) to that of the 40 cal. in a small-frame pistol like the MK40? And let's take the comparisons a bit further, and compare the felt recoil to that of the 45 cal. on, let's say, a full-frame (5" barrel) 1911.

 

[OLD208X3A]

Not to hijack the thread, but...

I recently bought a Model 66 (no dash) with a 4" barrel. I sold a Kahr MK40 in order to free up the funds to make the purchase. With that in mind, I wonder how you folks would compare the felt recoil of the 357 mag (158 gr.) to that of the 40 cal. in a small-frame pistol like the MK40? And let's take the comparisons a bit further, and compare the felt recoil to that of the 45 cal. on, let's say, a full-frame (5" barrel) 1911.

I tried a Glock 27 subcompact .40 at a range and it was way too snappy of recoil in that small frame for my liking making a follow-up shot very difficult (for me). To me a full-sized 1911 is a dream to shoot and recoil is very manageable. The weight and grip ergonomics of an all-steel 1911 or a Model 66 makes recoil much more controllable than a polymer pistol with a small frame.

 

[jglsprings]

My complaint with the snub nose 19/66 is it is just a bit big/heavy for concealed carry. I've got good leather and I can conceal them well. The added weight just wears on a person after awhile.

I don't mind the 357 loads in a K frame. I don't mind a lot of 357 loads out of my Model 60.

I carry my Model 60 more (almost all the time) because it is more comfortable.

It is all subjective and your mileage may vary....

 

[sierra255]

I have a 66-1 2 1/2" and I carry it year around. When not on the range, it has 6 Gold Dot 135 gr. HP short bbl. in it with a speed strip of 6 of the same tagging along. I use a couple of different holsters depending on weather and time of year. I got rid of the rubber grips because they hung up at times, and went back to the stock rb's with a polished Tyler -T.

I have confidence in this revolver and I shoot it very well, and that makes it perfect for me.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

I tried a Glock 27 subcompact .40 at a range and it was way too snappy of recoil in that small frame for my liking making a follow-up shot very difficult (for me). To me a full-sized 1911 is a dream to shoot and recoil is very manageable. The weight and grip ergonomics of an all-steel 1911 or a Model 66 makes recoil much more controllable than a polymer pistol with a small frame.

OLD280X3A:

Have you tried different loads in the Glock 27? My Sigma 40F, which is comparable in size to a Glock 17, rather than a subcompact, is an absolute pussycat to shoot with the heavier 180gr. loads. The lighter loads are a different story.

Regards,

Dave