66-8 2.75" VS 66 any dash 3"

[Crh1943]

Hello guys and gals,

Been doing some thinking on what future purchase I should be making. This gun would possibly be carried, but only on the rarest of occasions. This type of revolver would probably be shot with 70-80% .38 special or .38 +p and the remainder in .357 magnum.

Right off the bat, I just want to say that even though I do not care for the lock on modern S&W's, it has never stopped me from purchasing one. I have found no issues with the revolvers I have that have one, not even one time.

I am more of a shooter than I am a collector; none of my firearms are "safe queens" and all get to the range. I do have some nice vintage firearms, but they still get shot.

Let's go over the pros and cons of both, shall we?

Model 65 3"

Pros - Tried and true design. K frame (fits everyone). "Carries like a 2", shoots like a 4." Full length ejector rod. Fixed sights. Stainless steel. Round butt. Plenty of grips/holsters.

Cons - Forcing cone. Maybe does not keep up with modern lighter magnums as well. Lack of parts availability if something breaks. Price.

Model 66-8 2.75"

Pros - Mothership support as it is a current production firearm. K frame! Full length ejector rod. Modern ball & detent lockup. Full forcing cone. Stainless steel. Round butt. Plenty of grips/holsters.

Cons - For me, adjustable sights on a possible carry gun are a con; they can break if dropped just the right way. The orange sight can get washed out in certain lighting conditions. I would opt for a Bowen style rear sight (someone please chime in if you have experience with them) and a fiber optic front from Dawson or Hi-Viz. I guess we can put "the lock" in the cons section.

Also, I would change the grips for either gun to VZ boot grips.

S&W veterans, please chime in and let me know what direction to take! Also, please educate me if I have missed some details or said something wrong. Anything to help guide me.

All the best,
Crh1943

 

[Bill In Texas]

Howdy!

You may have answered your own question. If the only thing holding you back from the model 66-8 is the adjustable sights, you stated that you might carry the gun rarely. What are the odds of dropping a gun that isn't carried much. Even so, because the model is currently made, S&W will fix it for you in the unlikely event it does get dropped and damaged.

I own several older k frames and I love them, particularly the models with fixed sights. That being said, if I was going to carry a k frame on a regular basis, I might buy a 66-8 just because it would be easier to fix or replace. Hope this helps in your decision.

Of course if you just want a model 65 I don't blame you. I think it's my favorite among the older k frames.

 

[Telecaster]

I’d say the 66-8 because you said it wasn’t for collectability, and it would cost way less to purchase. Try the factory grips, you might like them!

 

[MG-70]

I agree with Bill, above, and despite owning a 3" Model 64, and a 3" GP100 (with adjustable sights), I would like to find a shorter barrel Model 66 and may be limited to the current offering, due to its cult status, and the current political climate having created X million additional gun owners, many of whom with more money and/or less common sense than I, and willing to seriously overpay for anything gun-related (perhaps fueled by the regulatory changes proposed by their elected officials).

I don't mind the adjustable sights, which should be easily swapped, but don't care for the bead-blasted finish or the two-tone aesthetics. The only two tone anything I liked were the '80's Ford pickups.

Happy shopping!

 

[Rpg]

Given a choice between adjustable sights and fixed Smith sights, I’ll take adjustable sights every time.

I’ve had no problems with supposedly fragile adjustable sights.

Adjustable sights are much, much quicker to acquire than Smith’s fixed sights for me. The added visibility and crisp sight picture provided by adjustable sights can’t be underestimated.

 

[ken158]

I carried a 66 “on the job” for many years and never dropped it. Now, that could happen but didn’t stop me nor does not driving to the store because I “might” get a flat tire stop me either...

 

[Marshal Tom]

Way too much enfaces on fragile adjustable sights. They are very strong and reliable. when was the last time you ever heard of an adjustable sight falling off or malfunctioning when carried??? I personally love adjustable sights for the fact that you can tune the sights to the desired loading.

 

[SLT223]

Way too much enfaces on fragile adjustable sights. They are very strong and reliable. when was the last time you ever heard of an adjustable sight falling off or malfunctioning when carried??? I personally love adjustable sights for the fact that you can tune the sights to the desired loading.

I prefer adj sights as well. However, I personally I have bought two old used smiths because I was able to negotiate value due to the busted rear sights, which clearly peened and broke from being dropped / slammed into something. In both cases it was just the blade, which for me is a five minute fix with my spare parts.

 

[wproct]

Different angle.

Coming from a different angle. Everybody likes the pretty girl, and the 2.75 in model 66 is simply the best looking revolver ever made, IMO.

 

[Eddietruett]

3” Model 65 all day long over a Newer S&W. Forcing cone should never be an issue. If concerned, just dont use 110 & 125 grain bullets

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

I have a 66-8 2.75". The white outline rear sight and the orange front sight insert make target acquisition quicker than with my fixed sight revolvers, IMO. The rubber combat grips are a plus too, especially if you're planning to fire some stout 357 loads. I'd rather not have the lock, but it doesn't bother me at all.

 

[stansdds]

If I were looking into buying a compact, 6-shot 357 Magnum S&W revolver for CCW, I would opt for the Model 66-8. The Model 66-8 does bring improvements in durability and a better lock system for the front of the cylinder, plus warranty support, should it ever be required.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I have had a 65 as a concealed carry revolver since the mid-80s. (I also have and carry a 3" 66-4) In an urban environment I carry +P.38 hollow point ammo. If it gets carried out in Penn's Woods I opt for a 158gr .357 semi-jacketed soft point.(this gets carried a lot but shot very little)

The cracked forcing cone issues was linked to the "hot" 125gr hollow point ammo of the 70s and 80s. Todays factory ammo is generally milder ... though Buffalo Bore ammo is said to be hotter than most.
If I need it I switch to a 4" L frame 686/681.

 

[shocker]

The 66-8 2.75 is probably my favorite handgun to shoot.
As far as carry goes, different decision..... photo of 6 shots vs 18.

 

[Gunaholic]

I have the short 66-8. It’s excellent. The OEM grips are surprisingly comfortable. I’ve tried a few other grips but put the factory grips back on. Mostly shoot .38s but some mid level .357 reloads in it.
I’ve had the older 19s and a 13. Nice guns but the 66-8 is their equal to my way of thinking and stronger.

 

[Crh1943]

Curve Ball

Thanks everyone for the input!

What do you guys know about the model 19 carry comp? That might be a good one. Is it blued?

 

[Paul105]

Thanks everyone for the input!

What do you guys know about the model 19 carry comp? That might be a good one. Is it blued?

I have both 2 3/4" 66-8 and the M19 carry comp. The carry comp is a dull blue (don't know what the finish is). I use and enjoy both, but don't think the carry comp is worth the extra money if you are only going to have one (just my opinion). In this market, you may have to get which ever one is available.

Carry Comp:
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M66-8
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FWIW,

Paul

 

[stansdds]

Thanks everyone for the input!

What do you guys know about the model 19 carry comp? That might be a good one. Is it blued?

The current Model 19 finish is blue. I thought compensators were great, until I was around them for a while. They direct hot gases up, which could be an issue if you ever had to fire the revolver close to your body, and are quite the noise maker, especially when shooting on a range that has a roof over the firing line.

 

[Tennessee Jed]

A fellow shooter at the range a couple of weeks ago had a nice 66-8, brand new. He let me dry fire it, and the trigger was awful, but I have a feeling it's just because it hadn't been shot more than a few times. Gritty as can be. For those owners of 66-8's, does the trigger get smoother with use?

 

[stansdds]

A fellow shooter at the range a couple of weeks ago had a nice 66-8, brand new. He let me dry fire it, and the trigger was awful, but I have a feeling it's just because it hadn't been shot more than a few times. Gritty as can be. For those owners of 66-8's, does the trigger get smoother with use?

Something often overlooked by shooters is the fact that new firearms require a good cleaning and proper lubrication before shooting. It is not uncommon to find metal shavings in the lockwork of a new revolver, that may be even more true these days as manufacturers are making firearms as fast as they can. Machining debris in the lockwork will make the action very gritty. As for smoothing out from repeated use, the answer is absolutely yes. One reason older firearms often have wonderfully smooth actions is that the action has been used a lot and is well broken in.