If you could only have one handgun - the Model 66?

[Roofer]

There are Smiths that will hold up better to .357 and .38+ than the model 66.

That said, my 3" 66-4 is pretty much the best feeling in hand revolver I own. Balance, weight, recoil with regular .38. I don't need another one, but I'm keeping my eyes open. Maybe a 64 or 65 next time...

 

[Patrick L]

Back when I DID have only one handgun, it was:

A MODEL 66!

My very first handgun, wayback in 1989. I bypassed the . 22 LR and went with a 6" 66. I was already an accomplished reloader, and the classic .38 wadcutter over 2.7 Bullseye had just a smidge more recoil than a 22, but nothing you couldn't handle. That load taught me how to shoot, and I worked my way up to magnum proficiency over the years.

I now have many more, but that 66 will always have a special place in the safe.

 

[BC38]

As much as I love my 3" M65, I am now happy to say that I own not just one but TWO M66 revolvers.
I've had the 4" M66 no-dash pictured below for a few years, but I just picked up my most recent purchase from my FFL yesterday. A 2-1/2" M66-1. We'll be going to the range together sometime in the next couple of days.
So yeah, it is fair to say I like the M66 a lot.
But they would both leave my safe before I'd ever give up my 3" M65.

 

[MR.G]

M66 is a great gun. Sold mine and got a 686 Plus. Like the 686 better. A little bit bigger and heavier but stronger and one more round.

 

[snowman.45]

I'm really fond of all of my K frame and L frame revolvers. However, the two below are special. The 4"66-2 was my last issued duty revolver before we transitioned to S&W 645/4506s. The 3" 66-2 was my deceased brother-in-law's from his days in Detectives.

 

[DeafSmith]

Simple! This one (true it isn't a 66 but a 66-5 I've swapped parts and timed to perfection!) Or this one at the top!

 

[mrwiggins]

i love my model 66, i have 3, my dad "borrowed" my first one, so i picked up a second. it was rough so i had the internals coated by birdsong in mississippi, the black t finish on the internals and the stainless make it a great gun for the river and general purpose. i traded a stoeger coachgun for the last one, haven't done much with it yet

 

[BC38]

i love my model 66, i have 3, my dad "borrowed" my first one, so i picked up a second. it was rough so i had the internals coated by birdsong in mississippi, the black t finish on the internals and the stainless make it a great gun for the river and general purpose. i traded a stoeger coachgun for the last one, haven't done much with it yet

What is this "black T finish" on the internals that you speak of?
We need some pictures. One picture is worth a thousand words as they say. Show us your modified M66!

 

[GTS197]

Not to hijack the thread, but how's the "new" model 66? Has the K frame .357 issues been resolved with the beefed up frame and dual cylinder lockup?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[catboat]

A Model 66 4" would be a good choice, but I'll take it in the 44 mag version. My "if I could only have one" selection would be a S&W 629-3 or -4, 4" barrel 44 mag ( both versions have the "endurance package" for increased strength). It uses a heavier bullet if you need it (my max weight is 265 grain cast), but can use lighter 180-200 grainers on the other end to be very mild.

I use moderate loads- in the 900-1100 fps range- for comfortable shooting. A 0.429" bullet just has more mass for deer hunting, and doesn't need to run hot to be effective in many scenarios, as the increased bullet mass does the work, not velocity.

The S&W 66 is a great candidate for an "only one gun" choice. I just prefer my 4" 629-3 for the reasons stated. I sold off my 3" m65, 6" m14 , 6" m586, 4" and 6" m686, and m28 revolvers as a result. Just one man's opinion.

 

[Telecaster]

My "one and done" is a 4" 686. I know this makes me a commie pinko bass tard, but I don't seem to get along well with K-frames and 1911s. I love them, they just don't love me.

 

[max503]

Without a doubt my first choice would be a 357 revolver. Second choice would be a 1911.

 

[old bear]

In spite of my attraction to the Model 19 series of revolvers, if I had to pick one and one only handgun it would be my 2 1/2' model 66-1. It can do everything I would ever want or need a handgun to do.

 

[jcs266]

The 3" 686+ is by far my most-carried sidearm.

 

[SAFireman]

Just one gun? Boy, that would suck. I could get by with a 66.

3" or 2.5" easy enough to carry
adjustable sights to mitigate ammo changes
I can reload for just about any purpose in North America from 38spl shot to 220gr hard cast


Here are a few of the choices.....

 

[boykinlp]

A Model 66-2 was my first gun bought by myself after I turned 21. I would be hard pressed to keep many of my guns after getting rid of it.
Larry