Navy Seals use of Model 66s or 686s?

[S&WIowegan]

I've read some snippits here and there of the Seals using both Model 66s and Model 686s. Nothing concrete, just a lot of snippits, including things like Seal Team 6 was the only one to use the 66 and the rest used 686s, that they were used because stainless steal was easier to deal with in salt water environments.

I've also read that the Seals might "still" use the 686 in some cases, because it's less likely to jam in silty water, etc, etc.

I'm curious if anyone has a more detailed account of their use by the Seals. And especially any pictures or information on when they were used, how they were carried (where and holsters, etc) and specificly what models were used. Were they only 4" barrel models for example, or did they carry 2.5 or 3" versions too?

Also, if any modifications were done to them...i.e. changes in sights, internals or anything else?

It just really peaked my interest when I read this and I'd like to find out as much as I can about their use by the Seals since I'm a big Model 66 fan. If there's a website or anything that I missed while trying to search I'd appreciate the link too.

I figure these were probably all mid 1960s guns so that's why I posted in this section. Thanks for any insight or info.

This zombie thread has come to life and I noticed this first post could use some actual dates of introduction of stainless revolvers by S&W. The stainless Model 60 came first in 1965. The Model 66 was introduced in 1970 and the Model 686 came out in 1980. All these dates are in the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson.

 

[99savage308]

clif58,
Really ?

 

[amd6547]

I read the book Point Man, by Patches Watson, recently.
Model 15's were mentioned several times by that famous SEAL.

 

[mayo258]

S&WIowegan:

FYSA - Reference Dick Marcinkco's first book, "Rogue Warrior" (1992). Both the enclosed pics and text on page 222 mention Model 66s. By the time I was in BUD/S in 1989, we'd switched to 686s.

 

[Basque1]

US Navy SEALS have pretty much open door to use a lot of weaponry while on duty, in my 20 years in the NAVY I don't ever recall any SEAL using SW revolvers, for the most part I saw SIG 226 and 229 . Here is a link that might provide an idea as to what they use.
Navy SEALs Weapons
Lou

 

[loc n load]

I was at S&W attending the revolver armorer's school in the 80's. My bench mate was a SEAL, there was another SEAL in the class also. I remember the fellow I shared the bench with telling me that they would cut a groove into the sight ramp and install tritium lamps (harvested from bow sights) in them to make a night sight for the revolver. I borrowed that idea and used it in my own shop.

 

[jack2ndbas]

I've read some snippits here and there of the Seals using both Model 66s and Model 686s. Nothing concrete, just a lot of snippits, including things like Seal Team 6 was the only one to use the 66 and the rest used 686s, that they were used because stainless steal was easier to deal with in salt water environments.

I've also read that the Seals might "still" use the 686 in some cases, because it's less likely to jam in silty water, etc, etc.

I'm curious if anyone has a more detailed account of their use by the Seals. And especially any pictures or information on when they were used, how they were carried (where and holsters, etc) and specificly what models were used. Were they only 4" barrel models for example, or did they carry 2.5 or 3" versions too?

Also, if any modifications were done to them...i.e. changes in sights, internals or anything else?

It just really peaked my interest when I read this and I'd like to find out as much as I can about their use by the Seals since I'm a big Model 66 fan. If there's a website or anything that I missed while trying to search I'd appreciate the link too.

I figure these were probably all mid 1960s guns so that's why I posted in this section. Thanks for any insight or info.

We used the 686 in the 1970's, w/ a chest holster.
If we were going in the salt water.The ss stands up better than the blued finish and it doesn't jam up in silty / salt water.

 

[kwill1911]

We used the 686 in the 1970's, w/ a chest holster.
If we were going in the salt water.The ss stands up better than the blued finish and it doesn't jam up in silty / salt water.

Thanks for jumping in, thanks for your service and welcome to the forum.

 

[Texas Star]

We used the 686 in the 1970's, w/ a chest holster.
If we were going in the salt water.The ss stands up better than the blued finish and it doesn't jam up in silty / salt water.

That 's a pretty good trick, considering that the gun wasn't even MADE until 1980-81.

I was a gun writer then and was invited to an early introductory range session when the L-frame models were introduced.

 

[Citiboy289]

What a great thread

 

[jspick]

That 's a pretty good trick, considering that the gun wasn't even MADE until 1980-81.

I was a gun writer then and was invited to an early introductory range session when the L-frame models were introduced.

You beat me to it!
John

 

[digiroc]

You need your own gear ...

Way back in 1985? I had a SEAL TEAM buddy get orders from SEAL TEAM ONE ( West Coast ) to some SEAL TEAM on the east coast . As soon as he got there he called me and wanted to buy his jump gear back from me that he had sold to me...

I kept my gear, No skydiver wants to jump unfamiliar gear. Here I am airing it out after 30 years in the pack. I'm wearing a "Boot" from a chainsaw cut to my leg so I couldn't jump that day.

Think it's still good after three decades of disuse? My 547 was. I have a waterproof "swim" holster for it in case I fall in:

digiroc

 

[ABPOS]

Somewhere on my computer I had a pic from Marcinko's book of a guy (supposedly a SEAL) with a ski mask (or was it like one of those race car masks that has an oval for the eyes) holding a 66 in his right hand, looking like he's going through a door. But I can't seem to find the dang thing right now.