Is a 66 a true 357?

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Bconn83

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Hi everyone, much like Columbo I have just one more question.( more to follow) is a model 66 a true 357 Magnum gun in the sense that it's truly designed to handle magnums? Or in the sense that it's basically a 38 I can shoot magnums out of. For this I mean standard factory (Remington, Federal, Winchester ect) 357 that to my understanding is medium to weak. I understand the history of the k frame being designed for 38 so we can skip that. I already stay away from 110 and 125 grain magnums just because of the rumor mill. Any firsthand knowledge/ round count /observations?
 
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Had one with thousands of rounds through it. Practiced with 38s but put two 357 cylinders through it at the end of each practice session. The 66 is a fine weapon and handles 357 loads. It can be shot loose over time especially if you insist on hot 357 rounds... seen them that way, but mine held strong. My son still shoots and carries it.
 
I consider the K-Frame magnums to be "magnum" revolvers. If you stick to 158 gr. magnums you will be fine. But, if you want to shoot a boatload of 125 gr. "flamethrowers" you might as well get your self a L and/or N-Frame.
 
Before getting to the Model 66, the big Model 27 and 28 guns were, by general estimation, beyond any question "true" magnum revolvers, but they were huge and heavy. The cops wanted something lighter. Hence the K-frame magnums. It is no secret though that when S&W designed K-frame magnums, they anticipated that they would be shot mostly with .38 Special (I have read about a suggested ratio of 80/20). Later they created the L-frame magnums as a more solid platform.

Does that mean a 66 is not a true magnum? It might be just me, but when I want to shoot full magnum loads I go with my 686-6 or my GP100.
 
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My 66 did a wonderful job killing paper targets and protecting my family with all kinds of magnum rounds, until it was stolen be the Federales on the 4th of July.

Richard
 
I say yes.

The -7 and -8s are even better, IMO. The two piece tensioned barrels are wicked accurate.

I haven't run thousand of magnums through my -7, but I suspect it and the -8 will hold up better than previous K-frame magnums since they don't have the cut at the bottom of the forcing cone.

Wish to heck they'd make a 3".
 
Truly designed for 357? to answer the question, I guess technically the k frame was not developed for the 357. Changed/adapted to safely accommodate.....yes. Designed specifically for...no.

I seem to hear the stainless guns had better reputation than their blue counterparts... Perhaps the nickel/chromium content must have made the bbl's tougher than the carbon steel because I don't hear near the problems with the 66 bbl's breaking compared to the mod 19.

the same argument could be made that the k frame was not designed to shoot 32 HR magnums either.... We all know it's perfectly safe for that too. And there were N frames long before there were 357's....

I guess the same argument could be made against semi autos that shoot 40 that were designed for 9mm... Like the browning hipower, beretta 92....

What about those j frame model 60's that were chambered in 357? I'm guessing not? So my early production Ruger sp 101...won't qualify either; bbl is stamped 357 magnum max 125 gr bullet.... it truly is a 38 made to shoot 357 ( later versions had lengthened cylinders).
 
Yes it's a true magnum. As far as the rumor mill about the 125gr ....that's also kinda true if you were to shoot many many many cases of that ammo. Shooting a box or a dozen boxes won't do much.
 
Maybe I am showing my age here but I long ago heard the story behind the Model 19. Bill Jordan of the Border Patrol wanted a 357 magnum in a more easily carried revolver than the N frames. He and others stayed after S&W to build the 357 on a K frame and eventually they got what they had asked for. It was as I recall designed as a duty 357 magnum that would permit practice and training with mostly 38 specials and carry and limited practice with 357's. Bill Jordan was quoted as saying the Model 19 was a peace officers dream. According to stories about Jordan he worked some rough areas of the border where gunfights were not that uncommon so you have to appreciate his opinions on tools of the trade.
The 586/686 was created to alleviate concerns about shooting the K frame guns loose with to much hot 357 magnum use. Certainly some K frames were shot loose doing so.
IMHO it will take more 357 magnums than most shooters can ever shoot to shoot a L frame loose and if shooting an N frame standard pressure 357 loads will for all practical purposes last forever.
I have a 19 and I really do not worry about shooting it loose but I do not hot rod my 357 loads. And as intentioned most shooting is with standard pressure level 38's. I expect my heirs to have to worry about it shooting loose.
 
New owner of a nice Model 66

I recently bought a no-dash M66 with 4" barrel. I love it but I just read that using 125 grain .357 might not be a good idea? Explain for me please.....I have been shooting 125g in all my .357 magnums. Should I go to 158g? Sorry if this is a dumb question but I really don't know.....
 
This is like asking if a light-duty pickup truck is truly a truck. Maybe it is -- maybe it isn't; it really depends on how you intend to use it. If you want to do light hauling, go hunting from time to time, and use it as your around-town vehicle, then the light-duty will suit you fine; if you want to pull a giant trailer or haul a ton of gravel in the cargo box every day, better step up in size.

A model 66 will stand up to more full-house .357s than the average shooter will, but if you're an above-average shooter and like to really wring out your handgun with thousands of full-power loads per year -- best move up unless you are budgeting for eventual repairs or replacement.
 
Of course it's a true .357. Any gun will fail with a high enough round count. Any current production .357 should be fine. It's my understanding that the loading's from back in the day - i.e. 50's, 60's, 70's were hotter than there are now.
The current production 66's have a different barrel setup than the did originally and the new barrel is supposedly stronger. If I had one of the new ones I wouldn't be concerned about it at all.
You will blow through $1,000's of dollars in ammo before hurting the gun unless the gun was defective to begin with. Actually that number is probably closer to $10,000's of ammo before noticing any significant amount of wear.
 
Years ago I shot some Super Vel 357's. They sure seemed really hot loaded. Noticeably more so than regular 357 ammo. That was 60-70's ammo.
 
Honestly regarding this subject you have to understand what took place years ago.It was widely known in the gun community and Police departments of the following issues.In the mid 1970's most police departments were now mandated to have their officers qualify with their duty carry ammo. That meant more .357 magnums shot than .38spl.According to Massad Ayoob and the other experts at that time,armorers were having a hard time keeping K frames running from the badgering of magnum rounds.Smith & Wesson began loosing sales in groves to Ruger's line of .357's. Smith & Wesson answered the call to this with the L frame line of revolvers.I cant speak of modern K frames ,but can shed some light on the past history of these magnums.Regardless of past durability issues,these models were and still are a fantastic line of revolvers.
 
Of course it is.
That said, I regard it as a carry gun to be carried alot and shot a little. It was designed as a lighter alternative to the Model 27/28 N frames which are considerably heavier.
To me, the .357 magnum is a powerful cartridge that generates considerable recoil. If you are shooting a few rounds, it is not so bad. But empty a 50 round box of factory magnum loads with a wooden gripped K frame and your hand will be smarting. You may even have a blister worn on the web of your thumb. For this kind of shooting I fall back on my L framed 686 and my Ruger GP100, both of which have rubber grips covering the backstrap.
 
Thread drift warning.

I've always thought it was ironic that the Model 19 was originally championed by Bill Jordan. He had hands the size of catcher's mitts. By some accounts it was suggested by him to the company. There are pictures of him with with Model 19s and in his hands they look like J Frames.

If anybody was ever able to wield an N Frame effectively, it was Bill Jordan.
 
I broke two M19 6" and one 2 1/2" with a lot of hot 125gr loads. The L frame didn't exist and I switched over to the 1911 and never looked back. Recently I have become enamored with the little J frames, the airweight doesn't get shot a lot with anything other than mild .38 loads. When the K frame was running right, it was a tack driver, I wish the L frame had been out.
 
Sgt 45 said:
I broke two M19 6" and one 2 1/2" with a lot of hot 125gr loads. The L frame didn't exist and I switched over to the 1911 and never looked back. Recently I have become enamored with the little J frames, the airweight doesn't get shot a lot with anything other than mild .38 loads. When the K frame was running right, it was a tack driver, I wish the L frame had been out.
Click to expand...

Try the new 66. It is a K frame with a L frame forcing cone.
 
I do like the light truck comparison, I did try to trade my 66 for a new one and also a 686, even with a lock, I didn't have any takers which is fine because after I shot it some I kinda fell in love. I like it I shoot magnums in it. Just a bit of the grass is greener kinda thing I supose. Only reasonable solution is to buy a new 66-8 also........and maybe a 686 just to have my bases covered. :-)
 
The Model 27 and its predecessors are the only true magnums! All else are pretenders. ;) (Even the 28 :p)
 
Bconn83 said:
Hi everyone, much like Columbo I have just one more question.( more to follow) is a model 66 a true 357 Magnum gun in the sense that it's truly designed to handle magnums? Or in the sense that it's basically a 38 I can shoot magnums out of. For this I mean standard factory (Remington, Federal, Winchester ect) 357 that to my understanding is medium to weak. I understand the history of the k frame being designed for 38 so we can skip that. I already stay away from 110 and 125 grain magnums just because of the rumor mill. Any firsthand knowledge/ round count /observations?
Click to expand...

I still have and shoot the 66-2 revolver issued to me as a my first service weapon in 1986. No worries . . .
 
Bconn83 said:
Hi everyone, much like Columbo I have just one more question.( more to follow) is a model 66 a true 357 Magnum gun in the sense that it's truly designed to handle magnums? Or in the sense that it's basically a 38 I can shoot magnums out of. For this I mean standard factory (Remington, Federal, Winchester ect) 357 that to my understanding is medium to weak. I understand the history of the k frame being designed for 38 so we can skip that. I already stay away from 110 and 125 grain magnums just because of the rumor mill. Any firsthand knowledge/ round count /observations?
Click to expand...
Maybe there's a different magnum people are talking about. But my mod 66 is a true magnum! It even says it is, right on it......twice!

So magnum, X 2 = really, double the magnum!

How many times does your magnum, say its a magnum!
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