Picked up New 2014 Model 66

[Tycer]

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.

My cylinder release is stainless. Two of the guns my dealer had, both with CUC prefix had SS and the other two with CVC prefix came with black ones.

 

[Tycer]

Some measurements:
All cal throats were .3575" slugged and miked and also calipers in the throats. No difference. Like it was the same reamer. Nice!

Both ends of the barrel and the length of the bore measure the same - no taper - I think it's .3570" but I am challenged on the five groove barrel.

Cylinder gap .010"

All I shot was 50 148 gr wadcutters and five 135 gr Speer LE Short Barrels. All in .38 Special

Shot very very well. The stop before the sear releases shooting DA is more pronounced than my older Ks. SA was very crisp. Everything feels a bit stiff and new. I'll fix that.

 

[Hapworth]

My cylinder release is stainless. Two of the guns my dealer had, both with CUC prefix had SS and the other two with CVC prefix came with black ones.

Are your sideplate screws also stainless?

Also, and this question might indicate the limits of my knowledge of ball detents, but what function does a thumb release have in conjunction with a ball detent?

 

[SWMod10]

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.

Same here...having had a 2 piece barrel go flying down-range once in my life, I would prefer that barrels be 1 piece.

 

[Tycer]

Are your sideplate screws also stainless?

Also, and this question might indicate the limits of my knowledge of ball detents, but what function does a thumb release have in conjunction with a ball detent?

Blued screws. They look fine. Same finish as the trigger and sight and hammer and stock.

None. The ball is just spring loaded and slides into a groove.

 

[Tycer]

Same here...having had a 2 piece barrel go flying down-range once in my life, I would prefer that barrels be 1 piece.

I'd still have my Dan Wessons if my fingers were a bit longer. I have no problem with 2 pc barrels.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Well well well.... Good to see somebody got their hands on one of these new critters.

The beveled cylinder is something I have always liked about my 629 Classic and something I wish they did with all their revolvers. I know it probably serves no real mechanical purpose, I just like the nice, refined look. Kudos to Smith on that.

The ball detent.. I never knew about it till I got my X-frame recently and after reading up about it a little bit it seems that since it is the better method for the X-frame that it should be good for the K-frame as well. The look of the smaller diameter extractor rod takes some getting used to, but it's not the end of the world.

Congrats on your acquisition of the revolver that S&W should NEVER have discontinued! Now if they can bring back the 19....


I want an m69!

 

[-db-]

The beveled cylinder not only looks nice but it's also easier on the interior of holsters.

 

[Tycer]

I understand, however 105mm = 4.134" so the IDPA rule of 4.2" would still meet the 105mm requirment. 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't get a measurment.

Thanks again!

Mine is 4.253".

 

[Tycer]

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

4.263" to the cylinder face, 4.253" barrel only.

 

[chico1911]

4.263" to the cylinder face, 4.253" barrel only.

Thank you very much!

 

[walkin' trails]

Lets see... Stronger forcing cone, better cylinder lock-up, life-time warranty... 125 grain semi jacketed hollow points again without worry of cracking anything? Bill Jordan might just be a smilin'.

 

[Engine49guy]

Tycer thanks for those pics and details.
I like the thicker barrel forcing cone and that ball detent is interesting but the ejector rod is a tough pill to swallow.

Not to be too persnickety but the cylinder is actually "Chamfered".
A bevelled edge refers to an edge of a structure that is not perpendicular to the faces of the piece ,
A chamfer is a beveled edge connecting two surfaces.

Differences are illustrated below
Bevel (Top)
Chamfer (lower)

 

[Blueduck]

Grips look comfy and functional.

Anyone know if they are available aftermarket? Looked on S/W site with no luck.

 

[Hapworth]

Grips look comfy and functional.

Anyone know if they are available aftermarket? Looked on S/W site with no luck.

Most current S&W grips, whether or not they're listed on the site, can be ordered from the factory if you call.

 

[billk75]

I have, love and sometimes carry at work a "model 66 no dash w/4"barrell." I have always been told to use only moderate power 357 ammo in it. I usually use a 158 grain round with a muzzle velocity of about 1259 fps on duty and shoot mostly 38spc at the range. I am not an expert about this so pardon my ignorance. Does anyone know if you can put hotter ammo in the new model 66s??

 

[mesaman]

Unhappy traditionalist

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.

Sorry but the new revolver will have to show itself to be superior to my 66 before I am convinced, and believe me it will have to be one fine weapon.

 

[tennexplorer]

My greatest concern would be the .01" barrel cylinder gap. That's big. Lose a lot of gas there.

There are enough differences now to where Lee may have to establish a 2014 - future category.

 

[Hapworth]

...I am not an expert about this so pardon my ignorance. Does anyone know if you can put hotter ammo in the new model 66s??

Technically, too soon to say. However, it can be reasonably assumed that changes incorporated into the new 66-8 -- such as an uncompromised forcing cone -- make it robust enough to handle hot, lighter grain .357 without the risks associated with the older K-frames.

 

[Hapworth]

Sorry but the new revolver will have to show itself to be superior to my 66 before I am convinced, and believe me it will have to be one fine weapon.

So it wouldn't be enough that the new 66 be the equal of the classic, it would have to be superior to convince you of its merit?

What are you looking for specifically?