If you could only have one handgun - the Model 66?
- Thread starter PALADIN85020
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As an intellectual excercise Mike did a good video. A 4" .357 is a great, practical choice. Maybe there are better revolvers than a Model 66, that's debatable. I support his choice …
Still If I really had to have just one …
It would be my K22.
Still If I really had to have just one …
It would be my K22.
SGT ROCK 11B
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JMHO, the four inch 686 made the 66 obsolete in 1981.
Mine would have to be my 4" 686 round butted no dash; I've had since the mid 1980s.
Be hard not to stick with my 3" 66-4 for concealed carry though;or give up my 4" 681.
Be hard not to stick with my 3" 66-4 for concealed carry though;or give up my 4" 681.
BLACKHAWKNJ
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Limited to my personally owned S&Ws, I would take one of my N frames over a K frame (have 2 M-19s). Limited to a choice between a pickup truck and a sedan, I would opt for the former. A pickup truck can always
carry passengers but a sedan can't substitute for a pickup truck.
carry passengers but a sedan can't substitute for a pickup truck.
I have a number of S&W K and L frame revolvers to choose from.
As well as some Ruger six series:
While I like the Model 66 in many ways, if I could have just one it would be my 3" 686+ for a number of reasons:
1) A Model 686+ is only about 2 oz heavier than a Model 66 of the same barrel length and has the same grip size and trigger reach. And it's still only a 35 oz handgun.
2) the 686+ offers 7 rounds rather than 6 for the Model 66, and like the 66 it's heavy enough to shoot well with full power .357 mag loads and still light enough to carry all day.
3) The 3" barrel is short enough to readily conceal and long enough to be reasonably ballistically efficient with the .357 Mag, particularly with proper load selection.
4) The L frame 686+ is much more durable than the Model 66. A small price to pay for a couple more ounces in weight.
——
The Model 66 wouldn't be my second choice either. The Ruger Speed Six and 2 3/4" Security six are also much more durable than a Model 66 and split the difference weight wise between the 66 and 686.
When I first worked in law enforcement I purchased a Service Six (pictured above between a 6" Security Six and 2 3/4" Speed Six) because it was much more affordable than a S&W Model 19. But I quickly noted not many officers carried a Model 19, they were more likely to have a Security Six or a Model 28.
——-
On a related note, this morning I reorganized the "ready" gun safe, the small one with the rifles and handguns I use on a regular basis. The two revolvers that made the cut were my S&W 3" 686+ and my Kimber K6S. The K6S does a nice job when the 686+ is just a little too large.
IMHO Kimber may have gotten this one right size wise. It's a bit bigger than the J frame and very close to the SP101, but offers 6 rounds. Once you put a little larger grip on it, like the SP101 it becomes a tolerable to shoot but easy to conceal revolver.
As well as some Ruger six series:
While I like the Model 66 in many ways, if I could have just one it would be my 3" 686+ for a number of reasons:
1) A Model 686+ is only about 2 oz heavier than a Model 66 of the same barrel length and has the same grip size and trigger reach. And it's still only a 35 oz handgun.
2) the 686+ offers 7 rounds rather than 6 for the Model 66, and like the 66 it's heavy enough to shoot well with full power .357 mag loads and still light enough to carry all day.
3) The 3" barrel is short enough to readily conceal and long enough to be reasonably ballistically efficient with the .357 Mag, particularly with proper load selection.
4) The L frame 686+ is much more durable than the Model 66. A small price to pay for a couple more ounces in weight.
——
The Model 66 wouldn't be my second choice either. The Ruger Speed Six and 2 3/4" Security six are also much more durable than a Model 66 and split the difference weight wise between the 66 and 686.
When I first worked in law enforcement I purchased a Service Six (pictured above between a 6" Security Six and 2 3/4" Speed Six) because it was much more affordable than a S&W Model 19. But I quickly noted not many officers carried a Model 19, they were more likely to have a Security Six or a Model 28.
——-
On a related note, this morning I reorganized the "ready" gun safe, the small one with the rifles and handguns I use on a regular basis. The two revolvers that made the cut were my S&W 3" 686+ and my Kimber K6S. The K6S does a nice job when the 686+ is just a little too large.
IMHO Kimber may have gotten this one right size wise. It's a bit bigger than the J frame and very close to the SP101, but offers 6 rounds. Once you put a little larger grip on it, like the SP101 it becomes a tolerable to shoot but easy to conceal revolver.
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One? Oh the horror!
It would be this one, my 66 is beloved, but a big man needs a big gun.....
It would be this one, my 66 is beloved, but a big man needs a big gun.....
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Could have been if they didn't add that totally useless heavy under lug. I prefer the 66/19 much more.
3" M65 like my avatar.
It'll be the last one to leave.
It'll be the last one to leave.
press-1-for-english
Member
SweetMK
Member
After reading this thread,, yesterday, I went to a new LGS near me,,
I told him that I wanted a Smith Model 66 that was capable of being carried,,
and, good for bear,,
He sold me this,,
Did I get the right gun??
I told him that I wanted a Smith Model 66 that was capable of being carried,,
and, good for bear,,
He sold me this,,
Did I get the right gun??
Jeppo
Member
You should be good to go
I'm pretty sure you won't need to worry about hot 357s damaging the forcing cone.
After reading this thread,, yesterday, I went to a new LGS near me,,
I told him that I wanted a Smith Model 66 that was capable of being carried,,
and, good for bear,,
He sold me this,,
Did I get the right gun??
I'm pretty sure you won't need to worry about hot 357s damaging the forcing cone.
I'm pretty sure you won't need to worry about hot 357s damaging the forcing cone.
For Bear you'd want 158 gr. and up; not fast 125 gr hollow points.
SweetMK
Member
The LGS sold me 1250FPM 250's,,
and 1285FPM 305's,,
Those ought to make it "TALK"!!,,,
The LGS sold me 1250FPM 250's,,
and 1285FPM 305's,,
Those ought to make it "TALK"!!,,,
What?
FPM? Feet per minute? That's about a 4 minute mile!
250's 305's ???????????? Buffalo Bore goes to 180 gr. Think you'd be running into OAL issues above 180?????????
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SweetMK
Member
What?
FPM? Feet per minute? That's about a 4 minute mile!
250's 305's ???????????? Buffalo Bore goes to 180 gr. Think you'd be running into OAL issues above 180?????????
FPS,, OOPS,,, from the looks of it,, most of the excess lead is stuffed in the brass,,,
That full under lug, adopted because Colt had one on the Python, became a broader fashion statement with the S&W L frames and Ruger SP101 and GP100 as well.
There are some arguments for it on 3" barrels, and possibly we can argue about the benefits on 4" barrels. However on longer barrels it just makes them needlessly muzzle heavy and over weight.
It's why I don't own a 686 longer than 3", and why I don't own a GP100.
Old Corp
Member
Literally lived with this issued M66 from 1980 until my department's adoption of an auto in 1989/90. We were allowed to purchase our M66's which I did. IIRC, they were $125.
Mine unfortunately has a case number electro-penciled on the grip frame from an OIS I was in in 1982. (An incident that brought both 'Revrunds' Sharpton and Jackson to my city).
It also allowed me to go home on a couple of other occasions.
Have many S&W revolvers I think highly of, but this one may be the last to go.
Mine unfortunately has a case number electro-penciled on the grip frame from an OIS I was in in 1982. (An incident that brought both 'Revrunds' Sharpton and Jackson to my city).
It also allowed me to go home on a couple of other occasions.
Have many S&W revolvers I think highly of, but this one may be the last to go.
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xfarfuldog
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Back in the day I carried a Python. When we were finally allowed stainless guns I bought a 66. Later I tried a 686. I found it too heavy and went back to the 66 and then the Python. I have owned a few 686's since then. Now I own five 66's and no 686's. Oh and the original Python plus one more.
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