My new combat magnum

[Marshal Amp]

Finally got my long awaited model 66 combat magnum and i could not be happier.
She was a long time coming too but the wait was worth it.
Now my complaints. . .
This is ONE HELLACIOUSLY HEAVY trigger pull. And the cylinder release is gritty. The overall functioning is just stiffer than my 629.
Regardless, no regerts. Absolutely love this pistol. Just not sure if i want to carry it full time but i will be dressing it up with some new wood and a fine leather "coat"

 

[BAM-BAM]

Congrats...... doesn't' get much better..............
If it's an old one..... probably needs a good cleaning

 

[kaaskop49]

Congrats...... doesn't' get much better..............
If it's an old one..... probably needs a good cleaning

^^^^what he said. You've gotta clean up that trigger pull, the strong point of the K-frame. I'd have the piece examined by a 'smith to see what's going on inside. Let him attend to any problems: my usual suggestion.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Bill In Texas]

Congratulations! Which barrel length?

 

[Marshal Amp]

Congratulations! Which barrel length?

The 2.75" bbl. As soon as i saw it on S&w's website i went in to my lgs and ordered it. It like seven monts to arrive then another 6 on layaway. (Give or tak)

 

[dubshooter]

The trigger on my 66-8 is nice and smooth. Not quite as good as my snubby model 10, but it's good. Might need a clean up inside, especially if the cylinder release is gritty

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Now my complaints. . .
This is ONE HELLACIOUSLY HEAVY trigger pull. And the cylinder release is gritty.

SA or DA trigger pull?

Clean & lightly lube the innards. Dry fire it a bunch. Take it to the range & put a couple hundred rounds thru it. If it's still too heavy there are a few things you can do to improve it.

Glad you're liking it otherwise. I do mine.

.

.

 

[MCorps0311]

Congrats,I would love to see it one day!

 

[Ashlander]

Mine is smoothing out nicely after a 3 or 4 months. I had the slide plate off and wiped it out good as well as lightly lubed the contact points. I also lightly polished the sides of the rebound slide and hammer. I put a drop of oil on the yoke detent and that eased the cylinder release markedly.

 

[Sol-Invictus]

Mine is dramatically better after the last 6 months or so. In fact it is my favorite trigger right now. There is something about it that is almost magical.

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[Bill Lear]

Reads like you got the "new" M66 with two-piece barrel. If so, it's a great gun that will stand up to considerable full-power loads as opposed to the original models.

The two-piece barrel off-loads mounting stress from the frame-barrel join and distributes it in tension via the shroud...much as did the original Dan Wesson design. The result is greater accuracy, and lower static strain on the forcing cone.

Also, the "new" M66 Combat Magnum has a few tweaks to make it more solid throughout...the cylinder latch pin is longer and fits deeper...which is why people often report that it seems the gun doesn't unlock as smoothly, and there is a small ball detent on the crane, set to engage a V-notch on the frame for a more solid lock-up. The new-style, frame-mounted firing pin is also a major improvement using a "blocking bar" system with rebound hammer.

Overall you'll find the "new" M66 to be a superb update on a classic design!

I don't shoot mine as much in this era as I once did back 40 years ago, but it's clear the gun is capable of handling a lot of dedicated full-power ammo as opposed to the original K-frame being intended mainly to handle .38 Spl for "daily" practice (so hot), with limited .357 exposure for the real world.

 

[BigBill]

I just lube the inners with moly and cycle it.

 

[Sol-Invictus]

Here are some groups from today at 25 yards. Shot standing hunched over with a makeshift barrel rest and gusting winds, bifocals, and cheap ammo. Some day I will do a real test with quality ammo. The 4 shot 1 1/8th group was with the Rem UMC 125 SJHP +p. The two groups with the Win White Box 357 110 SJHP are 1 1/2, and after a couple of clicks up 2 1/8, but the first two are just 1/2. It can shoot into an inch double action standing most of the time with about any ammo at 7 - 10 yards.

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[Sol-Invictus]

I love these Altai grips but noticed some speedloader interference. Nothing that couldn't be worked around but I decided to make them more speedloader friendly and give them a complete dehorn this morning. Notice the profile of the grip on the left side versus the photos in the previous post.

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[kaaskop49]

Here are some groups from today at 25 yards. Shot standing hunched over with a makeshift barrel rest and gusting winds, bifocals, and cheap ammo. Some day I will do a real test with quality ammo. The 4 shot 1 1/8th group was with the Rem UMC 125 SJHP +p. The two groups with the Win White Box 357 110 SJHP are 1 1/2, and after a couple of clicks up 2 1/8, but the first two are just 1/2. It can shoot into an inch double action standing most of the time with about any ammo at 7 - 10 yards.

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That's pretty nice shooting, given the poor trigger pull and gusty weather conditions! A little trigger work should do wonders. BTW, I was not aware that the 2 WM loads you used were not "quality ammo..." Enjoy your nice gun!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

P.S. As a side comment, perhaps one day a dealer here in the valley will have one of these in stock so I can examine the front cylinder lockup. Am having difficulty visualizing it even from clear photos.

 

[Sol-Invictus]

These photos should help. The first is the recess. The second shows the spring loaded locking pin. Actually a spring is pushing a smaller pin in to the side of ghe locking pin, dont ask how i know. Lol The third shows them together.

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[kaaskop49]

attn OP

They do help! Many, many thanks! I have 2 of the original 66 snubs and they just about shoot themselves. I DO have to extend my arm, though. Hope your new gun is equally as cooperative. Happy holidays and good shooting.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Sol-Invictus]

They do help! Many, many thanks! I have 2 of the original 66 snubs and they just about shoot themselves. I DO have to extend my arm, though. Hope your new gun is equally as cooperative. Happy holidays and good shooting.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Love my 66 no dash snub and my 66 snub Lady Smith. Great guns.

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[mikesal34744]

I actually got mine and wanted to sell it because of the trigger. I took it to the range a couple times and put some rounds through it and I love the trigger now. It should improve. Night and day for me.


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[kaaskop49]

Love my 66 no dash snub and my 66 snub Lady Smith. Great guns.

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A 66 LadySmith!? Now there's one I've never heard of! Must check SCSW.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103