Picked up New 2014 Model 66

[cometpx4]

Well they are out and they are sweet. I did my Saturday morning pop in to my local dealer and there it was sitting in the case. I had to lay out the cash and buy it.
The trigger is a classic K frame smooth. The cylinder edges are beveled, the black trigger, hammer and cylinder latch are nicely contrasting with the bead blast stainless finish. It balances great and the barrel is on straight as an arrow.
I will shoot it tomorrow and report.
Does anyone want pics??

 

[Nick B]

"Does anyone want pics" ? What kind of question is that ?
Pics or we'll raise the BS flag .

 

[Hapworth]

We don't want pics. We demand pics.

 

[sodacan]

Do you own or have you owned an early model 66 for comparison?

 

[bamabiker]

Well they are out and they are sweet. I did my Saturday morning pop in to my local dealer and there it was sitting in the case. I had to lay out the cash and buy it.
The trigger is a classic K frame smooth. The cylinder edges are beveled, the black trigger, hammer and cylinder latch are nicely contrasting with the bead blast stainless finish. It balances great and the barrel is on straight as an arrow.
I will shoot it tomorrow and report.
Does anyone want pics??

We don't want any pics. Somebody get a rope.

 

[Hillbilly77]

Here's a pic of my freshly Ren Waxed 586 to hold us over until the OP posts his new M66.

Here's my M19 too, just for fun:

 

[Engine49guy]

Can you also post some pics of the new ball detent cylinder lock system?
How does that feel compared to the old style ?

Is the rod all one thickness or is it small with a large knurled end like Colts?

 

[RonS]

You just wanted to hear a bunch of people beg, cajole and threaten you, didn't you?

Pics please.

 

[TST]

Wow, HB77, beautiful pictures.

 

[cometpx4]

2014 Model 66 pics added!!!

Everyone asked for it, and now you have it. Note ejector rod, ball detent, two piece barrel, and beveled cylinder edges. Will post a range report after tomorrow's session.

 

[JohnK]

I'd love a pic of the barrel throat, and back end of the barrel.

I was told, the cutout on the bottom is gone.

 

[Engine49guy]

Any chance you have a digital camera to take some clear pics that are in focus and larger than 3" ?

The easiest way is to open a free photobucket acct,
you can easily post links instead of uploading thumbnails to the website .

 

[RonS]

Nice. If they make a 2 3/4 or 3" version I may pick one up. Not a model 19 but a nice size, nice looking gun with some pretty cool features.

Congratulations.

 

[BuckeyeS&W]

Very nice. I'm glad they are out there I can't wait for mine to show up . Thanks for report and pictures.

 

[stantheman86]

Is the ball detent to be a standard feature on all new S&W revolvers?

 

[cometpx4]

new Model 66

Sorry Engine, spent all my money on guns so no camera other than my phone.

 

[loc n load]

What a quandry

Sorry Engine, spent all my money on guns so no camera other than my phone.

Let's see, Camera's or guns? GUNS!! Having been a huge fan of the 19/66 since I first bought one in 72, congrat's on your new acquisition....now load that bad boy up and go shoot some groups.

 

[mag318]

S&W still makes quality revolvers and I can live with the lock and MIM parts on certain models. But for some reason I just don't like the 2 piece barrels.

 

[StickShift]

There may be a lot of unhappy traditionalists cringing at the ball detent and two piece barrel, but that looks like a nice revolver to my eyes, and so did the one in the local shop I took a quick look at. Is it an exact copy of an old Model 66? No, but they're as well made as the late model revolvers many of us own, shoot, and CC daily.

I would buy a 3" in a heartbeat, and maybe a 4.25" if I was going to run one hard and didn't want to beat up a classic model. But yes, make a 3" please S&W. I'll never be able to afford an original for sale here or on Gunbroker, and I'll never be lucky enough to stumble upon one at a gun show or gun shop where the seller doesn't know what they have.

 

[nawilson]

You said yesterday that you would post a range report today after going to the range... just a friendly reminder.






We're waiting!

 

[cometpx4]

Range Report

Ok finally got it out and here is the score:
200 Rounds 130 grain WWB .38's;
50 Rounds 110 Grain .357 magnums;
This thing is a tack driver. Everything functioned perfectly. Easy ejection, trigger was real smooth, standard sights were fine.
All .38 shooting was 10 yards and was a nice big ragged hole right to POA;
I went outside and froze my *&%$* off to shoot the magnums and had no problem hitting the 12" steel plates at 100 yards. I could not set up targets closer because we have 10 inches of snow up here in the Soviet Socialist Republic of CT.
The 110 WWB magnums were stout but not unpleasant to shoot.
Bottom line-I love it. As someone said, its not a classic model 66, but this is 2014. If nothing else the modern manufacturing techniques will probably mean this version is more durable than the 66 of the 70's.
I like the way it looks, feels and shoots. As for the 2 piece barrel, while i only have 250 rounds thru it, it certainly did not affect the accuracy.
I think this will be a home run for smith.

 

[nawilson]

What is the dash number on the new one?

 

[Hapworth]

What is the dash number on the new one?

I believe it's a 66-8.

 

[Jebus35745]

Seems the new 2 piece bbl's shoot good. Nice looking gun, have fun with it. Larry

 

[shawn mccarver]

I note that it looks like the two-piece barrel set up and method of tightening is different than previous two-piece barrels. Or, at least it looks different to me. It looks like the "flange" that used to sort of disguise the two-piece barrel is gone. It looks as if the barrel is tightened not with a wrench that engages the rifling, but with a wrench that engages the pentagonal opening at the end of the barrel. If it works the way I think it does based on the pictures, I think it is a welcome improvement.

I also would like to see a picture of the barrel shank/forcing cone area.

I really like what I see.

 

[S&W1006]

Congratulations. I got to fondle a new 66 on Friday. I have a 66-3 4" and the new 66 is a different animal. I love my old 66 but I want a new one. It has a full size forcing cone and the ball detent lock up is solid. I don't shoot any hot magnums in my old 66 but I would feel confident shooting them in the new 66. If I free up the money I would love to have the new 66. I like the black trigger and cylinder release. Oh and I got to fondle the new 69 44 magnum also if I was in the market for a 5 shot 44 I wouldn't mind having one.

 

[Speedieguy]

I wonder if the new 66s will show signs of flame cutting.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[Ashlander]

I'm glad they made it witha 2-piece barrel. I have a 66-7 2.5" that was an Aussie cop trade in. I love it!. Super accurate.

 

[kbm6893]

The black hammer, cylinder release, and trigger are a deal breaker for me. I guess I could deal with the lock (disable it) and the frame mounted firing pin, but the cheesy black controls? Non-negotiable.

I feel the same way about the third gens with the black triggers, hammers, and safeties.

 

[colt_saa]

There may be a lot of unhappy traditionalists cringing at the ball detent and two piece barrel, but that looks like a nice revolver to my eyes, and so did the one in the local shop I took a quick look at.

You should have heard the traditionalists when S&W announced stainless steel......WHOA