New Model 66 (66-8?)

[Kronos]

So I wander back in,anyway I decided to get another S&W my other a SD9VE I may sell off so I was hunting for something else and by various ways I got enough to buy something nice and chose a M66 since one I had ten years ago was something I really liked except for the whole forcing cone thing which I hear is fixed with the new guns.

Replaced the grip with a Hogue Bantam grip,was going to replace the front but may not,or may get a night sight like the mepro,I will get a fixed sight for the rear just they were all out of stock right now,got an Alien Gear IWB coming in for it (yea I'm going to carry it concealed)

 

[CajunBass]

Congratulations. You're going to like it.

I don't have a 66, but I do have a 19-9, same gun pretty much I imagine, only in blue. I can't find a thing I don't like about that gun.

 

[KSDeputy]

I bought a snub nose model 66 and replaced the rear sight with a fixed one. It is a nice revolver.

 

[kaaskop49]

I bought a snub nose model 66 and replaced the rear sight with a fixed one. It is a nice revolver.

A thinking man! Bet you carry that off-duty or as a backup. I know I would. Stay safe, partner. Check 6.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[snowman.45]

I have the 2.75" barrel model 66-8. I have found it to be accurate and smooth firing. I have no concerns about running magnum ammo through it, like us old guys did with the 125 gr. and lower .357 mag. The forcing cone is consistent in thickness all of the way around.

KSDeputy, what fixed sighted you use on the 66-8? I've been considering changing mine over, as well.

 

[dubshooter]

I have one as well. I put on some Pchmyr Compacs. I also bought a Dawson FO and taller rear blade sight, but haven't gotten them installed yet

 

[Kronos]

KSDeputy, what fixed sighted you use on the 66-8? I've been considering changing mine over, as well.

I know you didn't ask me but I know D&L Sports has one and so does Cylinder and Slide.

The Alien Gear IWB holster came in,for such a large handgun it carries as well as any smaller one I've had,yes it's a hair longer since the holster they sell is four inch and the new M66 is 4.25 don't matter it's stuffed in my pants anyway:

 

[Revolver Man]

66-8

I love my 66-8. I installed an SDM fiber optic front sight and VZ Grips. Changed the hammer spring and the trigger return spring and bobbed the hammer. I shoot IDPA matches with it and also carry it as my sidearm while in uniform.

 

[snowman.45]

Thanks for the information, Kronos. Both appear to be quality sights.

 

[Kronos]

Okay end of the month I'm going to add three new parts to this piece:

D&L Fixed rear sight.

Probably pick up a solid S&W front sight in plain black and a bottle of white sight paint-I do not care for that front insert...I may even try to drill a small pocket into the solid front and do a white dot.

I like the Hogue grips a whole lot however that rubber does love to stick to cloth,and I mean LOVE otherwise it's a fine grip but shove it under a shirt and every time you bend over you have to adjust your clothes or you look like a statifyed cat on one side soooooo~I'm going to buy some G-10 VZ K frame grips should fix it right up.

 

[Paul105]

2 ¾" M66-8 chrono resulst from my then new LabRadar chrono

For Information Only, Use at Your Own Risk

Labradar Muzzle Velocity (familiarization run)
60 Deg F
S&W M66-8 2.75" .357 Mag

130gr Fed Hydra-Shok JHP "Personal Defense" PD357HS2 H …….. 1,416 fps avg (84 fps ES) -- two rounds
140gr Underwood Xtreme Penetrator (Philips head mono metal).. 1,422 fps avg ( 5 fps ES) -- two rounds
158gr Horn Xtp - 15.0gr A2400 Std small pistol, new Starline...… 1,316 fps avg (49 fps ES) -- six rounds
165gr CSWCGC (358156) - 13.0gr A2400 New Starline ...… 1,070 fps avg (49 fps ES) -- six rounds
180gr Buff Bore …………………………………………………………………………….. 1,312 fps avg ( 6 fps ES) -- two rounds
185gr LFNGC (Beartooth), 15.0gr Lil'Gun, CCI 400 New Starline.. 1,228 fps avg (14 fps ES) – two rounds
200gr WLNGC (leadheads), 13.4gr H110, Fed 205, New Starline.. 1,102 fps avg ( 4 fps ES) – two rounds
200gr WLNGC (leadheads), 14.4gr H110, Fed 205, New Starline.. 1,155 fps avg ( 2 fps ES) – two rounds
(purported to be the "Doubletap" load info)
200gr WLNGC (leadheads) handload with Lil Gun ………………………. 1,266 fps avg ( 2 fps ES) -- two rounds
Load data not given -- maybe too much of a good thing. Spent cases fell from chambers, and no obvious signs of over pressure. Recoil was heavy. Don't even know if this stabilizes.

If even needed, I would limit useage of the 180, 185, and 200gr loads in J & K Frame guns

Also ran two Buff Bore 180s thru 16" Rossi M92 carbine ……………. 1,894 fps avg ( 6 fps ES) -- two rounds