Opinions on the 66 w/2 1/2 in barrel?

[ImDrRich]

Thinking of getting one. Thanks

 

[Bullseye 2620]

I think you ought to do so. I would recommend the no dash or -1 variants. I stoke mine with Remington 158 grain LSWCHP +Ps and feel very well armed when I leave the casa.

Take your time, and don't settle for a gun that hasn't been well maintained. There are pristine examples out there. Good hunting and let us see what you buy.

 

[BAM-BAM]

For concealed carry very hard to beat..... unless you can find a 3" 65 or 66..... folks don't part with their 3" 65s very often and 3" 66s number less than Registered Magnums.

 

[ggibson511960]

Loud!!

K-frame M-19's have the strength to shoot nuclear level .357 loads with fearsome muzzle blast from a 2-1/2 in. bbl. No fun to plink around with unless you revel in muzzle blast, flip and recoil. They are cool looking and the round butt compliments the short bbl for carry/conceal. At some point you wonder why such a piece has adjustable sights as if it were purposed to targets. Not! Having said this, I like mine. Lot of power in a small package. Can't imagine shooting one of the J-frame .357's with anything approaching a full power load.

 

[Pisgah]

You will hate it and will beg me to take it off your hands for $100.
(Practicing my mind-control techniques...)

 

[old bear]

I happen to think the 2 1/2" model 66's are one of the best all around revolvers produced. Get one now, as they are going fast and going up in price.

 

[D Brown]

The only reason I don't have one is I haven't found a nice one...yet.

The 2 1/2" Model 66 is definitely on my short list!

Best of luck with your search!

 

[dr. mordo]

I have a 2.5" M19 that I absolutely love. I'd buy a 2.5" 66 in a heartbeat if the price was right. The 2.5" M19/66 is almost my favorite revolver.

That said, last weekend I had my 4" M19 and my 2.5" M19 at the range together, and when shooting magnums the blast and recoil were surprisingly more intense from the snubby.

 

[CH4]

The one S&W everyone should own. Definitely one of my favorites.

 

[Laketime]

Years back I owned a 19 with the 2 1/2 barrel. Nice little powerhouse but the gun had been magnaported so the report was deafening to the ears.

 

[jdlii]

Mod 66, 2.5" or a 686 2.5", probably not worth troubling yourself with at this time. That way there will be more left for the rest of us and or me!!

Get one ASAP and never look back!

 

[LPD256]

Or just buy a19. Great guns....

 

[Mzuri]

A 2.5 inch 66-4 was my first revolver. I am now running out of space in the safe because of the interest sparked by that gun. Proceed with caution.

 

[Zipdog]

If you're going to carry one you are much better off to have a fixed sight K frame snubbie. M10,M64, M65 in 3inch. The adjustable sights just get in the way and serve no purpose except in the looks department.

 

[one eye joe]

K-frame M-19's have the strength to shoot nuclear level .357 loads with fearsome muzzle blast from a 2-1/2 in. bbl. No fun to plink around with unless you revel in muzzle blast, flip and recoil. They are cool looking and the round butt compliments the short bbl for carry/conceal. At some point you wonder why such a piece has adjustable sights as if it were purposed to targets. Not! Having said this, I like mine. Lot of power in a small package. Can't imagine shooting one of the J-frame .357's with anything approaching a full power load.

IMHO, ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS ARE AN ADVANTAGE, EVEN ON A 2 1/2" REVOLVER. I SHOOT .38SPL+P, 135GR, TMJ, SPEER LAWMAN. OUT OF MY 2 1/2" M686+, AN EDC WEAPON, AT 50' BULLSEYE TARGETS, EACH TIME I VISIT MY RANGE. IT IS QUITE ACCURATE, AND A PLEASURE TO SHOOT....

I HAVE OWNED A FEW FIXED SIGHT HANDGUNS, THAT DID NOT SHOOT POI TO POA---AND THERE WAS NO RELIABLE MEANS OF CORRECTION. SINCE I HAVE NO INTEREST IN INACCURATE WEAPONS, OR KENTUCKY WINDAGE, I NO LONGER PURCHASE WEAPONS THAT DON'T HAVE ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS, REGARDLESS OT THEIR BARREL LENGTH......

THE ONE EXCEPTION I MAKE, IS MY M642, WHICH IS EQUIPPED WITH CT LG-405 GRIPS, THAT ARE ADJUSTABLE.....

 

[moralem]

What is there to opine on.....the gun speaks for itself.

 

[Gryff]

Just an iconic snub-nosed revolver.

 

[wood714]

I love the 66's. I had two 2.5" ones, a dash 1 and not long ago got a dash 2 in trade. Listed both for sale and planned on keeping the one that didn't sell first.

The dash 1 sold fast at a lot more than the dash 2.

Got two dash 2's now, one has an extra 1/2 inch thou.

 

[white cloud]

I think most readers of this forum would agree when I say S&W has made some really elegant revolvers over the years. I think the 2.5" M19/M66 guns are among the top in the elegance department. I am an old Bullseye competitor and so greatly appreciate the micrometer sights. If the shooter knows how to run the revolver, I feel these are among the most capable self defense guns around.

 

[MetalMan]

A 2.5 inch 66-4 was my first revolver. I am now running out of space in the safe because of the interest sparked by that gun. Proceed with caution.

I totally agree.....it's a sickness....

And this forum is populated by a wonderful group of enablers.

I purchased my 66-4 from a fellow forum member a couple of years ago and this started a buying binge of S&W revolvers, now numbering 7.

While I have now found that J-frames are more suited to my EDC/CCW lifestyle, I do still carry this 66 in my custom Snubbyfan holster on occasion.