Model 66 with 2.75 inch barrel is being introduced

[Ashlander]

From first word on this forum on 11/22/16 that a 2.75" 66 was pictured on the S&W website until one landing in my LHS on 5/16/17 was just about 6 months. Not bad. It was enough time for me to get used to the idea of the black accents. Bought it. Shoot it. Love it.

 

[epj]

Any issues with blowback? There have been some reports of a couple of these guns spitting fragments probably due to forcing cone issues. Just wondering if these were isolated cases.

 

[Ashlander]

Any issues with blowback? There have been some reports of a couple of these guns spitting fragments probably due to forcing cone issues. Just wondering if these were isolated cases.

I had read the thread about the blow-back issue, so I inspected the cylinder line-up of each chamber and they seemed perfect. I shot 62 rounds (12 were lead) of .38 Special (which I know is not a real test for blow-back given the lower pressures) and I saw no hint of any shaving when I examined the forcing cone.

It's a very well designed gun and aesthetically I believe it's going to be a classic. 2.75" is perfect for full ejection (the new detent lock-up made that possible).

 

[Telecaster]

I just noticed this thread. I've been looking for a clean Ruger Speed Six (2.75" barrel) but the few for sale are at prices higher than this new M66, so it's a no-brainer.

 

[Macinaw]

Any issues with blowback? There have been some reports of a couple of these guns spitting fragments probably due to forcing cone issues. Just wondering if these were isolated cases.

I have 300 rounds of my Steel Challenge reloads through mine with no lead shaving. I am using 125gn lead Bullets with 4 grains of Red Dot. I can pass a .358 sized lead bullet through the cylinders' chambers with a little resistance.

 

[Ashlander]

I just noticed this thread. I've been looking for a clean Ruger Speed Six (2.75" barrel) but the few for sale are at prices higher than this new M66, so it's a no-brainer.

That's just what I thought last November when we first heard S&W was going to put out a 2.75" 66. I have wanted a 2.75" Speed Six forever. This 66-8 solves that problem nicely. I am very happy with this build.

 

[pjstreng]

I have one of the new 66s with 2.75 barrrel. I own 15 other S&W revolvers of various models and age and the new 66's fit, finish and accuracy is as good or better than all of them. The lockup out of the box was very tight.

First time at the range I had a copper jacket shaving issue with 158 grain AE .357 semi jacketed ammunition. The buildup after three cylinders worth caused the revolver to lock up. I had shot 100 rounds of Remington 135 grain FMJ .38 spl prior to the .357s without issue.

The fouling was exactly like that which was reported by another owner in a previous post -- copper buildup at the top of the forcing cone. It was easy to remove after returning home from the range.

The following week I fired a mix of several types and weights of .38 and .357, including the 158 grain AE. 150 rounds total. The shaving did not occur again.

I have been to the range twice more and have had no further issues. It's almost as if the gun just needed to be loosened up a bit.