A Model 66 for a hiking companion?

[Jeff 506327]

Another Oaks PA gun show and another S&W picked up! This time a Model 66 357 magnum.

I figure it must be 80's era with no pinned barrel, S/N: ANA77XX

I do a bit of hiking and wanted something with more stopping power than a 38 spl. or 9mm and I figured the stainless snubby would make a good walking companion.

Normally I don't worry about black bears, but a sow with cubs could be a problem if she thinks I'm a problem!

So my question is what would be a good defensive load for my 66 as a bear stopper rather than a man stopper?

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

In my estimation the only thing better than the gun you bought is the same gun with a 4" barrel!

 

[Jeff 506327]

"In my estimation the only thing better than the gun you bought is the same gun with a 4" barrel!"

Well, maybe the next gun show!

 

[Laketime]

Any hot loaded hard cast bullet,or semi jacked soft point designed for penetration is what I would use.I haven't owned a .357 magnum in about 20 yrs,so not sure what's available these days.

 

[les.b]

Jeff, you and SPEEDGUNNER are both right!!! It's not either-or, and it's not "one or the other", it is definitely "both"!!

I have both the 2 1/2" and the 4". Each has its special place in my affections.

Best Regards, Les

 

[Jeff 506327]

les.b

GREAT AVATAR!!

 

[BigMuddy]

HEAVY 357 MAG OUTDOORSMAN Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

This is the ammo I would use for your intended purpose.

Dan

 

[apollo99]

.357 is marginal on bear, but if that's your choice in caliber, I would go with a 158 grain jacketed soft point as suggested. Hollow points are a no-no, probably won't get through the fat / muscle layer, and just make him or her mad. That is a great gun, I consider the model19/66 in 2 1/2" barrels works of art.

 

[lamarw]

I personally think you are just fine with the 2 & 1/2" barrel. It is easier to carry, and resell value will always exceed an equivalent condition 4" revolver.

Mine is loaded with Hornady Critical Defense. I am not expecting to run into a black bears. The last one spotted in this area was killed for no reason recently by an idiot. I understand he has not faced the judge yet, but I hope they throw the book at him.

This is not to say if one's life is threatened that they should not do everything possible to stop the threat.

 

[Jeff 506327]

I personally think you are just fine with the 2 & 1/2" barrel. It is easier to carry, and resell value will always exceed an equivalent condition 4" revolver.

Mine is loaded with Hornady Critical Defense. I am not expecting to run into a black bears. The last one spotted in this area was killed for no reason recently by an idiot. I understand he has not faced the judge yet, but I hope they throw the book at him.

This is not to say if one's life is threatened that they should not do everything possible to stop the threat.

Totally agree! I think the 4 inch would be great, but the 2.5 inch barrel just seemed to fit my concept of a backpacker's sidearm.
Also agree I would really, really rather not shoot any animal I didn't intend to eat. Just wanted something that was more than a man stopper should it have to come to that!

 

[AJ]

.357 is a good deer round in a six inch barreled revolver. For bear (especially a p.o. 'd Mama bear) a four inch Model 29 at the very least.

 

[max]

A solid bullet and you should be ok.

 

[Jeff 506327]

.357 is a good deer round in a six inch barreled revolver. For bear (especially a p.o. 'd Mama bear) a four inch Model 29 at the very least.

You're right of course, a 44 mag would be vastly better, but as most of my collection is either 9mm, 38 spl. or 380 auto the new .357 gives me a little more in the way of options.

I won't be hunting with it and at 57 I'm getting too old to run away. Just want to carry something that will allow me to walk away with peace of mind!

 

[AJ]

You're right of course, a 44 mag would be vastly better, but as most of my collection is either 9mm, 38 spl. or 380 auto the new .357 gives me a little more in the way of options.

I won't be hunting with it and at 57 I'm getting too old to run away. Just want to carry something that will allow me to walk away with peace of mind!

Unless you get a heart shot with a heavy slugged heavy loaded .357 on a pi$$ed off Mother bear with cubs, I venture you'll be hamburger. I have a feeling a head shot with most .357 rounds will probably glance off. Better to be over gunned than under gunned. A Pa. bear isn't overly large, but larger than I want to meet with either of my .357's (a 3.5" and a 6" both of the Model 27 variety).

 

[kbm6893]

I touched off ONE .357 fired from a 4" Ruger Service Six "just to see what it felt like". Well, it felt like an ice pick in my ears and they rang for hours. Yeah, it's better to have ringing ears than be dead, but has anybody here fired an.357 without hearing protection and not been disoriented?

As for the 2.5", I'd LOVE to have a 2.5" 66, but for bears, I'd rather have a 4". And keeping a gun in your pack isn't going to help. If you ever do need it, your only hope is quick access. I'd keep a 4" on my belt in a covered holster.

 

[les.b]

les.b

GREAT AVATAR!!

Thanks!! When Lee Marvin starred in "M Squad", he carried a Colt Cobra. But in this publicity still for the series, he is wielding what appears to be about a four inch N frame Smith!! BTW, I have the whole series on DVD. One of my favorites.

Also, don't forget that when the .357 was first developed back in 1935, D. B. Wesson took one out west and killed a couple of Grizzly bears with it. I know, longer barrel, hotter round back then, but he did it. Doesn't make it ideal, but one of my camps is in black bear country, and I often run into them. I have often carried the same gun you have. I agree with the above poster, 158 ft soft point jacketed bullet, full power .357.

I also have a .44 Magnum 4" that I sometimes carry in the woods. It is better bear medicine for the smaller bears like the blacks. Even it is marginal for the big bruins!!

Best Regards, Les

 

[AJ]

I touched off ONE .357 fired from a 4" Ruger Service Six "just to see what it felt like". Well, it felt like an ice pick in my ears and they rang for hours. Yeah, it's better to have ringing ears than be dead, but has anybody here fired an.357 without hearing protection and not been disoriented?

Much to the expense of my hearing, Yes, I have heard many a full house .357 and .44 Mag's fired without hearing protection on. Usually because I was taking with someone and did not get the hearing protection on when the line was called hot. Never was disoriented, cussed a bit, but never disoriented.

 

[kbm6893]

Much to the expense of my hearing, Yes, I have heard many a full house .357 and .44 Mag's fired without hearing protection on. Usually because I was taking with someone and did not get the hearing protection on when the line was called hot. Never was disoriented, cussed a bit, but never disoriented.

But how far away from you were they when they fired?

 

[Recusant]

I also spend a lot of time in mountains of western Virginia and carry a Model 65 when I'm on foot. During the summer months I usually load the first 2 rounds with CCI snake shot because there are many more copperheads and rattlers around than black bears. In my experience the bears tend shy away rather quickly, however the poisonous snakes will often coil up and wait for you!

 

[ladder13]

Many years ago up in the Catskills, I touched off a 454 300 gr Freedom Arms factory load from a sitting position. My ears rang for the whole week I was in camp. I think the deer survived.

Just this past winter I was deer hunting with a forum member, I carrying my Marlin 44 1894SS, he a 6.8 SBR.
Towards the end of the day we met up and were standing there just BSing when a huge Grey Fox came out of the thick woods running right towards us. I stepped aside so I could get my Marlin in action. Before I knew it, boooooooom . Never heard anything that loud, worse than my FA454.
He was much quicker than I. The fox got away, but we had a good laugh