Issues with my 66-8 2.75"

[southpaw187]

southpaw187, what happened with yours?

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Hi Bluedot, this discussion thread is at least 2 pages long so make sure to read through the whole thing for detailed updates from me and others. But the long story short is, I sent it back to SW for warranty repair and they sent it back with replaced parts and a fixed forcing cone and i have had 100% reliable and expected function since then. Please update this thread with your range report!



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[KSDeputy]

I am very appreciative of this information. I was planning to buy one of these revolvers, though I wish it were a model 65 as I do not like adjustable sights. I bought a new model 60 and haven't shot it yet, but I am anxious to do so. I may reconsider buying the model 66.

 

[southpaw187]

I am very appreciative of this information. I was planning to buy one of these revolvers, though I wish it were a model 65 as I do not like adjustable sights. I bought a new model 60 and haven't shot it yet, but I am anxious to do so. I may reconsider buying the model 66.

We are glad to help, let us know if you grab the 66. Have fun with the 60!


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[Dpris]

Surprised with the accuracy reported here.
The sample I have, even with a bad cone, shot at or under 2 inches with 3 of the 5 jacketed test loads at 25 yards.
Denis

 

[mikethebike67]

I didn't measure my group's but it seemed to be more accurate than my 8 shot 627 and my Performance Center 625.

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[Groo01]

Howdy Fellas, well I have an update for you.

I went to the range Friday, shot a decent variety of ammo and observed the following:

Overall function - Gun worked as it should. Zero blowback. Zero shavings at forcing cone. Zero light strikes. No screws backing out. Cylinder didn't bind. One thing about the cylinder assembly is that it was screwed together very tight by S&W warranty repair; so tight that I can't unscrew it with hand strength. I am going to leave it like this for a while as long as the cylinder keeps spinning freely and correctly.

Accuracy - I have some work to do in order to perfect my double action shooting with the puppy. The DA pull is pretty stiff. But in SA, I was getting nice groups. I even shot a group at 25 yards seated at the bench with my gun resting on my range bag, and I kept all 6 shots within the black circle on my targets, probably 4". And this is not representative of the gun, rather my ability to shoot a group at 25 yards. So I am going to declare that accurately on my sample is a non issue.

Ammo shot:

38sp Federal AE 130gr FMJ 50 rounds - This has been my go to practice load. No issues to report.

38sp Freedom 158gr LSWC 50 rounds - This is the ammo that binded up my cylinder last time. No such problems this time. But I have to say, I am going to stop using this ammo. Extremely smokey and extremely messy. Not worth the neatly punched holes they leave in my opinion. Better choices out there. Just too filthy and smokey for my like.

357 Freedom 125gr FP 50 rounds - I believe these are plated bullets. I had no problem with these. Decently hot 357 loads and flawless function. A nice 357 practice load.

357 Federal 158gr JSP 50 rounds - I got these at Walmart for $25 and they are marked CHAMPION on the packaging but I think these are also offered in the American Eagle line. Guys, HOLY COW. This is some hot factory range ammo. Let's out a boom that everyone on the range can feel and the recoil is STOUT. I am not sure the muzzle velocity out of my gun but I would love to clock these. The only time I felt this level of concussion and recoil was when I was handloading H110 & N110 and filling the powder to the gills. This is one hell of a factory round I must say. KA-BOOM. I would not have made it through this box of 50 without a shooting glove. I bet this rounds would be devastating out of a lever action rifle. Kudos to Federal.

357 Hornady Critical Duty 135gr FlexLock 25 rounds - These are stout rounds in their own right. They definitely feel hotter than the Critical Defense 357's. These will get the job done, that is for sure.

So all in all it was a range day that made me smile. If I can keep getting these results, I am considering having Dave Lauck work on this gun for me (i.e. his sights fitted and tuned to my carry ammo, an action tune and perhaps a hard chrome refinish).

Once I break down the cylinder assembly, I will report back to the thread if there is anything note worthy; especially if there is fouling on the yoke.

Thanks gents,

Southpaw

Groo here
When next you think you need to clean,things get sticky,
Remove grips, open cylinder and drop in some K-1 [clear kerosene from camping store]
Allow to sit for 12 to 24 hrs, then hang to drip dry or use air to blowout and dry.
Then a quick lube ,I like Marvel Mistory oil or some spray lube, [not WD-40} and shoot some more.
WD-40 will help dry the gun when you fall in the river but
will evaporate unlike lube oil.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Hi Bluedot, this discussion thread is at least 2 pages long so make sure to read through the whole thing for detailed updates from me and others. But the long story short is, I sent it back to SW for warranty repair and they sent it back with replaced parts and a fixed forcing cone and i have had 100% reliable and expected function since then. Please update this thread with your range report!

Oops, I see it. Don't know how I missed it.

Question: You said you had a gunsmith recut your forcing cone in your first post. S&W didn't have a problem with that & recut it again for you? That was a pleasant surprise. How does it look different from before you sent it?

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[southpaw187]

Oops, I see it. Don't know how I missed it.



Question: You said you had a gunsmith recut your forcing cone in your first post. S&W didn't have a problem with that & recut it again for you? That was a pleasant surprise. How does it look different from before you sent it?



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I did not disclose to them the smith cut it. And i dont heve the tools to measure the difference in the throat; we're talking thousandths of an inch. Cant be seen with naked eye. But anecdotally it is working as expected, so i am pleased nonetheless.


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[BLUEDOT37]

I figured they would have spotted the difference right away. Good to hear they didn't want to play hardball about it.

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[BLUEDOT37]

Updated my original post, #59, with pics & notes.

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[sailhard]

Well well, not sure I would have made this purchase if I had found this thread last week. Purchased the 66 combat magnum 2.75" barrel. 40 shots and complete lockup. Shot 38+p, whatever they had on the shelf to test before further testing w/357 (which of course didn't happen).

The shop was kind enough to send it back on my behalf. I have several S&W wheel guns. Never had any issues like this. I left the store bewildered and feeling pretty alone. Wish I was alone on this one actually. Quite an expensive revolver to have out of the box issues.

On another note, being that I see a month going by before testing the gun again, any holster suggestions for cc? The store had nothing at all.

 

[dwhite]

Well well, not sure I would have made this purchase if I had found this thread last week. Purchased the 66 combat magnum 2.75" barrel. 40 shots and complete lockup. Shot 38+p, whatever they had on the shelf to test before further testing w/357 (which of course didn't happen).

The shop was kind enough to send it back on my behalf. I have several S&W wheel guns. Never had any issues like this. I left the store bewildered and feeling pretty alone. Wish I was alone on this one actually. Quite an expensive revolver to have out of the box issues.

On another note, being that I see a month going by before testing the gun again, any holster suggestions for cc? The store had nothing at all.

I will start by saying that mine had to go back to the mother ship as well -- something that shouldn't be required at this level of purchase.

BUT the really good news is that you will most likely be very pleased with the results when you get it back.

Mine was having light primer strikes and the ejector rod kept coming unscrewed. It also had a poor trigger, burrs on the muzzle crown and a largeish cylinder gap at 0.011. The gun shot dirty and wasn't terribly accurate.

I got mine back on Friday. While at S&W, they replaced the barrel, trigger, hammer, and ejector rod.

I just got back from the range and it performed flawlessly!

• No misfires
• No problems with the ejector
• It's clearly now more accurate than I am
• Trigger pull is slightly better and definitely smoother
• No more muzzle crown burrs
• MUCH cleaner shooting
• And the muzzle gap is now at a perfect 0.003"

After confirming function I then installed Wilson Combat main spring and 12# return spring. These helped tremendously with the trigger pull and smoothness and stilled fired perfectly.

I'm VERY pleased with the end result!

For holsters, I'm wearing a Lobo Gun Leather Enhanced Pancake as we speak and it's very comfortable and holds the gun in tight to aid concealment.

I also have on order a JMCK George if you fancy Kydex AIWB holsters. This will be my first Kydex AIWB for a revolver; but I've purchased many of Tony's AIWB rigs for my auto-loaders and I've been extremely pleased with each of them.

I'm sorry for your wait (about 1 month seems to be the norm); but it WILL be worth it.

 

[sailhard]

Thank you, dwhite, for the possitive response & the holster feedback. I am learning I am not as patient I thought. While this m66 proved extremely accurate, & no bloody cheeks, it begs the question:

does the reseller, a storefront in this instance, have any obligation to refund on a dead on arrival revolver (or any new firearm for that matter). Or is it like certain electronics, no return policy-send to manufacturer? Naturally, the next question is, Is there a lemon law? I read of people getting fed up and selling their problem firearms to others, hopefully with disclosure.

Saw a video title today, shoot what you got. I found that humorous in light of this m66 combat magnum. I love my main carry, m640, but wanted just one more round lol. Some say the 66 is the perfect revolver (for my intentions), so I saved up like most people.

 

[sailhard]

FYI, S&W factory will be closed so any return for repair work will be extended at least a month and a half - just got off the phone with them 30 seconds ago.

 

[riverrat38]

Took my M66-8 snub to the range today to see how the new, improved forcing cone preformed.
The answer is, quite well. Not sure why they were stingy with the FC, there is plenty of barrel wall thickness, so no need to skimp on the cut.
The new K frame snub did well with plated, jacketed and lead bullets, both factory and reloads.
I am glad I stuck with this revolver, just what I wanted. When they came out with the 4.25 inch version, I said I would buy a snub if they made one. Guess they were listening.

Best,
Rick

 

[Sol-Invictus]

Same issues with the forcing cone and crown. Back to factory. All is well and good now. Funny, I have many Smith revolvers. Have only bought 2 new ones and both had to go back but they made it right both times.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Now I'm ready for the range. .

Finally made it to the range. Shot great, no issues. I'm happy!

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66 Combat Magnum target (-01a)
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[sailhard]

Update:
S&W sent me a tee, cap, & a nice range bag. Meanwhile, I decided, for me - - not necessarily for anyone else - - that this individual revolver would always trouble me in the back of my mind. And I didn't want it. It could lock up when I actually need it, if ever. Then at that moment the gun shop called and offered to replace the gun. Very nice of them.

As I first stated, I wish I'd found this thread prior to the purchase. I ordered the 686 plus, a 2.5" 7 shot. Just got back from the range and couldn't be more happier. It's not as heavy as the 1911 I used to carry. And it's a 7 shot ! ! !

Thanks for listening everyone.
Thank you Kiffneys in Key Largo!

ps. Thats 2 out of 3 new ones in the past 2 years that were dead on arrival & needed smithing.

 

[gnystrom]

Glad I have been following this thread. A month ago co-worker showed up with a new 66 2-3/4". I shot two rounds through it in a direct comparison with my 686+ and decided there was not enough difference between the two to warrant another revolver in my safe.
Yesterday. I got to put it through it's paces. Mixed .357's with copper 38's in a dozen cylinders full. Lot's of lead spattering from the .357's so I think I will advise him to call S&W and have the forcing cone looked at closely by S&W.
I appreciate the input from all.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

This is truly sad. Years ago, when K frames were pretty much universal in LE, an academy student could purchase a new S&W revolver for the Basic Jailor firearms training and be assured that it would function for a couple of hundred rounds of low budget .38 lead reloads before needing a good scrubbing. Sounds like too many of the new production K frames aren't built with professional use in mind.

I posit that "years ago, when K frames were pretty much universal in LE..." the same problems occurred with probably the same frequency but there was no internet........