Picked up New 2014 Model 66

[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

 

[bronco45]

ColtSAA, I'm old enough to remember the first Model 60 no dash. There was a lot of Smith bashing. Same story when the 66 showed up in 72. After a couple of years and shooters began to realize the advantages of stainless steel, Smith had a hard time selling nice blued revolvers.

My "in the elements" guns are stainless for a reason.

 

[Mule88]

My dealer had both the 66 and new 69. Since I already have a 4" 66 I bought the 69. Side by side they look identical on the dealer shelf. When this weather breaks I'm gonna see what it can do at the range. Congrats on your new gun, should be a good one.

 

[AveragEd]

Are those "black" parts actually black or are they color-casehardened? If the latter, I actually prefer that look; if they are blackened, that's different but couldn't the three pieces be replaced with flash-chromed ones?

Ed

 

[Paul105]

My dealer had both the 66 and new 69. Since I already have a 4" 66 I bought the 69. Side by side they look identical on the dealer shelf. When this weather breaks I'm gonna see what it can do at the range. Congrats on your new gun, should be a good one.

Here's quite a bit of info on the 69 -- thought you might be interested.

S&W Model 69 (L Frame .44 Magnum), 4 ¼? Bbl. | Single-Actions

Paul

 

[S&W357]

Lucks of good shooting with the 66. That's a real nice shooter....
I want one but need to sell some guns to buy one...

 

[chico1911]

Nice revolver!

Can you please measure the barrel? I know S&W says it's 4.25" but there are many who are wondering if they rounded up and may be IDPA legal. IDPA max barrel length is 4.20"

IDPA measures from the front of the cylinder to the end of the barrel.

Thank you in advance!

Brian

 

[colt_saa]

Nice revolver!

Can you please measure the barrel? I know S&W says it's 4.25" but there are many who are wondering if they rounded up and may be IDPA legal. IDPA max barrel length is 4.20"

IDPA measures from the front of the cylinder to the end of the barrel.

Thank you in advance!

Brian

It is to be export legal to Canada. They have a 105MM minimum barrel length

 

[chico1911]

It is to be export legal to Canada. They have a 105MM minimum barrel length

I understand, however 105mm = 4.134" so the IDPA rule of 4.2" would still meet the 105mm requirement. We have called S&W and after talking to many people nobody could answer for sure. The final suggestion was to get one and measure it.

Hopefully we can get a measurement.

Thanks again!

 

[Tycer]

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.

 

[Tycer]

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?

The detent is noticeable for sure since I've never had one before. It's fine by me, lockup is seriously tight.

The knurling is not as big as Colts