Model 66 with 2.75 inch barrel is being introduced

I like the cut at the end of the barrel lug. Distinguishes it from the 686.
Was thinking if I really dislike the look of the black parts I'll have them hard chromed. Loved that look when S&W did it.
Can't wait to get one! I've got plenty of 44 special and magnum brass, different weight bullets and a selection of powders to play with. This should be a fun one!
 
ruggyh said:
Finally a photo

and it does have a black cylinder release.

SW10061_2_zpsgmxdx1dm.jpg
Click to expand...

Yep...I'll have one. Will be for carry.

Damn now I regret buying the 686+ 3".......No I don't :D
 
MUST have!! I also have the 66-8, and absolutely love it. I've been pining for a 2.5 - 3" option for the past couple years. Everything else on my "want" list just came to a screeching halt... THIS will be my next purchase. Thank you Santa, bring this NM 66 to market!!!

Please, PLEASE don't let this be a joke. I never thought this would happen due to the the 4.25" length required for the Canadian market.

I may have just peed a little, I couldn't be more excited about this news.
 
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I think $700-800 would be a more than fair price. I can't imagine them priced more than a new 686+
 
My, but this is a tough crowd. S&W finally steps up and specs out what everyone is asking for, and it gets nit picked to death. Sheesh! The lock isn't gonna go away, and neither are the black MIM parts. If I didn't already have a 66 snub, I'd be very interested in this one. The new one is probably more inherently accurate with the two piece barrel. Don't know if the extra quarter inch of ejector rod is enough, but it can't hurt.
 
Well, I love my 69 4 1/4" and am definitely in for the 2 3/4" of both.
We have been asking for variations of these guns since they came out.
I am surprised that, as soon as the company seems to acknowledge the market, the critics and naysayers take over. Despite the cosmetic complaints the 69 has proved to be an excellent, reliable addition to the S&W stable. I hope these offerings are well accepted so more L-frame calibers and offerings are on the horizon.
 
Stopsign32v said:
How on earth is it "ruined"?
Click to expand...

Beats me. But let the naysayers be naysayers, hopefully that makes it easier for me to get my hands on one when they are released. I've truly been pining for this, and couldn't be more excited!

I got a NM66-8 shortly after they were released, and it's one I don't ever plan to part with. I upgraded it with a Wilson Combat spring kit, a Hi-Viz front sight, and I absolutely love it. I've found it to be crazy accurate, too.

SampW%20NM66%20Combat%20Magnum%2009.23.2015_zpsgiijf1ly.jpg


I'm really, really hoping these new 2.75" models won't be some kind of Lipsey's or TALO limited run, and will be fairly easy to find once they come out.
 
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Last time I checked they were currently making some 38 snubs without the lock. It does not matter to me, have wanted a 3 in 69 since they came out. 2.75 in with full length ejector rod is more than close enough. Hopefully it does make the older versions more valuable, am getting old enough to get some return on those 696's and 3 inch n-frames.
 
I'm so thrilled they are coming out with the 66-8 in 2.75'' barrel. I absolutely adore my 66-8. I prefer the 2 toned look of the black trigger,hammer, cylinder release on the bead blasted finish. I think this will be a great competitor to the rugged SP101 2.25(which I have and love too).

I think they will be hesitant to make it a part of their product line because it would compete directly with the L frame. However, I do think there is room for both. Make the K frame the "standard" 357 line and keep the L frame for people who value that 7th round. After all, there is still the N frame for people who want 8 rounds :-)
 
Lee's Landing Billy said:
A S&W rep told us to our face that we would never see another S&W revolver with an exposed hammer without a lock. He said it would be a legal nightmare to remove a "safety device" once it was introduced into production. This was 2 years ago at the dealers meet in Columbia, S.C. at the fairgrounds.
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Exactly what I've been saying for years. They'd get pilloried by the media and every AD thereafter would result in a suit & big settlement.

silversnake said:
And yet, they were able to introduce the M&P Shield with a thumb safety, only to release a safety-less version a couple years later?

Why would the exposed hammer make any difference?

Edit: If there's really some reason they can't make one with an exposed hammer, how about producing a K-Frame centennial? I'd buy a new 66 (or even something like a Nightguard 315 or 386) with a concealed hammer if it meant no internal lock.
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Because the SA trigger on an S&W revo is about 1/2 the weight of an M&P and doesn't have the take up. Bottom line is, once they put it on revolvers, it'd be easier to put toothpaste back in the tube than remove it.

A K-frame Centennial: my thoughts exactly! Especially a 3" scandium .357 (a "319")
 
ruggyh said:
Smith & Wesson now has this on their website with addition pictures.
Click to expand...

Man I can't wait to get my mitts on that snub M69. I'm thinking 200gr XTP's at about 1100-1200fps will be a the ticket for me.
 
Wonderfully proportioned handguns. I'm satisfied with my 4" 69 and am not in the market for a 357 otherwise I'd be asking the LGS to get one.
 
New features notwithstanding, I really like this format. I carried a 2 1/2" M19 early in my career and have missed it since I turned it in for a Sig 220. K-Frames are my favorite Smiths...
 
Just 1 oz. difference in their weights.

I like them both... definitely... most definitely. :p

On the M69's webpage it says:

Overview:

The K-Frame revolver is one of the most important innovations in Smith & Wesson history and was built specifically to handle the .38 S&W Special cartridge. Since its introduction in 1899, the K-Frame has been a favorite for military and police professionals as well as target shooters and enthusiasts. Today's K-Frame is available in .22 LR, .357 Magnum and .38 S&W Special.

First L-Frame in .44 Magnum®

Don't know why they added the paragraph referencing the K-frame; that's for the M66, which does have the same paragraph on it's page.

Had me wondering at first until I saw the line mentioning the L-Frame.

.
 
Hi everybody. I haven't visited this forum in a looonnng time. Was starting to lose interest somewhat - so bad that I started a 5.56 phase :eek:

Then it happened. I was on S&W's website and thought; hey, why do they have a pic of a 3" 66 on there? And, why'd they put that new grip on a 3" 66...

** Lee Guac-A-MoLee.

They built the EXACT gun I described on a S&W wish list thread a couple years back. Albeit with a two-piece barrel, ball detent, black controls, bead blast finish and IL.

I guess the engineers, lawyers, etc. have to justify their existence.

All in all; Well Done! I can't wait to get one...or two. If it pans out as expected, then I could see myself settling in on this model for the long haul.

Who'd a thunk S&W would have any idea of what the customers like me actually want to buy?

WOW.
 
The only thing I don't like about this is that they decided to release it 4 months after I decided to have a 67 cut to 3". I figured I'd get a 4.25" 66 down the road. I'd have kept the 4" 67 as is and then bought this for my 3" needs. Oh well, at least I now have a really cool 3" 67.

And I'll still need to buy one of these.

And a 4.25" 66.

2017 will be expensive.
 
I will probably buy the new ruger gp100 44 special....it will most likely be much much cheaper. S&W has priced themselves to high imo

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
alphabrace said:
Looks awesome but it will probably be priced out of my range.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...



Grab a Gun has them priced around $800 (not in stock).

Odd, when they list a 3" 686+ for $100 less.
 
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