I don't own any. I held one yesterday for the first time. This is one nice revolver. Maybe it's the k frame. With front red ramp and adj. rear site this is all what's needed. I think it may be better then my. 686. For all you guys that have one, I like to hear what you have to say. I was holding the. 4 in. It's balanced was on the money. I always like 4 in. The. 5 is to big unless your shooting bullseye. The 3 in. Is ok but the. 4 you can shoot well and it's not that big to keep under you pillow. The only thing I would change out are the grips. Ever tho they feel good into Hands. A nice looking wood grips would be great. Thanks S&W357
S&W 66
- Thread starter S&W357
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Stranglehold
Member
What's not to like?
Roe
Roe
A 4 inch model 66 is on my list of guns to get too. I carried, back in the day a model 19 which is basically the same thing. I agree, they are well balanced and fit well in the hand if it is a square butt. I still have a model 19 but I am partial to the stainless.
Collectors go for the no dash and -1's with the pinned barrel and recessed cylinder but I have seen guys say for a shooter the -2 and on is easier by a bit to clean cylinder wise. I came sooooo close to buying a -3 off of Gunbroker the other day for $500 since it was here in Wisconsin and I could pick it up. Never have bought a gun sight unseen and a little hesitant to go that way and I passed.
Actually, I exhausted the gun funds on a no dash 617 recently and was really in pain that the guy had a 4 inch no dash 4 inch 686 too. He had prices similar to Gunbroker so it was a bit much but that is a beautiful gun too. But I don't plan to shoot much if any .357 so the 66 is the one for me. I cannot stand the bead blast finish, the brushed is fine but a high polish is just plain pretty.
And I agree, "what's not to like."
Collectors go for the no dash and -1's with the pinned barrel and recessed cylinder but I have seen guys say for a shooter the -2 and on is easier by a bit to clean cylinder wise. I came sooooo close to buying a -3 off of Gunbroker the other day for $500 since it was here in Wisconsin and I could pick it up. Never have bought a gun sight unseen and a little hesitant to go that way and I passed.
Actually, I exhausted the gun funds on a no dash 617 recently and was really in pain that the guy had a 4 inch no dash 4 inch 686 too. He had prices similar to Gunbroker so it was a bit much but that is a beautiful gun too. But I don't plan to shoot much if any .357 so the 66 is the one for me. I cannot stand the bead blast finish, the brushed is fine but a high polish is just plain pretty.
And I agree, "what's not to like."
geraldw321
Member
I say one of S&W's finest , like you said 4"bbl is perfect it's well balanced, accurate as hell still concealable , built too last, looks great. i now have 3 66's a no dash a -1 and a -2 all 4"bbl (bottom row)and love them all. also a 19 -2 4"bbl (second pic)
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AveragEd
Member
They don't come any better!
I bought my 4" Model 66-2 seven or so years ago on GunBroker for $545 and consider that frame size and barrel length as about as close to perfect for any task as you can get. But I must caution you - Model 66s tend to multiply.
Although I own more 686s than 66s for some reason, I think the 66 is the best S&W frame size unless you want to hunt big game and then you're probably looking at an N-frame.
Ed
I bought my 4" Model 66-2 seven or so years ago on GunBroker for $545 and consider that frame size and barrel length as about as close to perfect for any task as you can get. But I must caution you - Model 66s tend to multiply.
Although I own more 686s than 66s for some reason, I think the 66 is the best S&W frame size unless you want to hunt big game and then you're probably looking at an N-frame.
Ed
Green Frog
Member
The Model 66 is simply the stainless iteration of the Model 19, a gun that was purpose designed for carry by law enforcement, mostly in the 4" barreled version. As such there is a lot to like and very little not to. In fact about the only complaint I see very often is that it is subject to accelerated wear and/or frame cracking with certain high end 357s, particularly those with the 125 grain bullets. Keep that in mind and you still have one of the most versatile revolvers S&W ever built. I bought a police trade in over 25 years ago, shot a fair amount of PPC matches (38 Spl WC) through it and it still served nicely as the basis for my custom gun built a couple of years ago. Like I said, "... a lot to like and very little not to."
Froggie
Froggie
4" 66-3
Lookin' good modeling the latest in holster fashion.
Well the latest matching belt and holster I made for a forum member anyway.
Lookin' good modeling the latest in holster fashion.
Well the latest matching belt and holster I made for a forum member anyway.
What's not to like?
Love at first site. That gun is sweet. I would sleep with that. Should I buy new or use? I have the money and do like new. I like to put my own dents into her. Unless the old ones are better. ?
THE PILGRIM
Member
I like the older ones.
Love the 4, 2.5 is handy.
Never cared that much for the 6.
Not sure that I ever actually saw a 3.
Wish I had bought a 3 when they came out.
Love the 4, 2.5 is handy.
Never cared that much for the 6.
Not sure that I ever actually saw a 3.
Wish I had bought a 3 when they came out.
JCS&W
US Veteran
As others have said, what's not to like?!!!
But once you get the 4"....well....other barrel lengths will be calling you!!!
But once you get the 4"....well....other barrel lengths will be calling you!!!
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As others have said, what's not to like?!!!
But once you get the 4"....well....other barrel lengths will be calling you!!!
Nice. Very nice. I will buy all of them. If you want to sell one one, I will buy the top one. Looks like a 4 in. What's your, I don't want to sell price ? I seen America puckers say that all the time and then end up buying it. Shoot me with a price.
bigsteve113
Member
I started my LEO career with a 4" 66 in August of 1983. I still carry that same 66 in the woods/fields or for any outdoor activities, and I do A LOT of outdoor activities.
Lord knows how many rounds that old 66 has fired. I went through basics with it in 1984. I shoot a good bit. I mostly shoot warm .38 handloads, but it has seen a lot of .357 Magnum down the pipe also. I even explored the dreaded 125 gr .357 screamer craze back in the 80's with this 66. It shoots as good and as still as tight as the day I bought it. I was always fanatical, and still am, about maintenance, cleaning, and care of my firearms. I don't know if this is what kept it tight and in such great shape or if I am just lucky.
I have always mostly used lead either SWC of WC for plinking. I cast my own these days, and other than a brief period in the 80's I have always preferred 158 gr bullets in the .357.
Been toting this 66 for 31 years now. I have no intention of stopping in this lifetime. If I could only have one handgun, there would be a good chance that this 66 would be it!
Lord knows how many rounds that old 66 has fired. I went through basics with it in 1984. I shoot a good bit. I mostly shoot warm .38 handloads, but it has seen a lot of .357 Magnum down the pipe also. I even explored the dreaded 125 gr .357 screamer craze back in the 80's with this 66. It shoots as good and as still as tight as the day I bought it. I was always fanatical, and still am, about maintenance, cleaning, and care of my firearms. I don't know if this is what kept it tight and in such great shape or if I am just lucky.
I have always mostly used lead either SWC of WC for plinking. I cast my own these days, and other than a brief period in the 80's I have always preferred 158 gr bullets in the .357.
Been toting this 66 for 31 years now. I have no intention of stopping in this lifetime. If I could only have one handgun, there would be a good chance that this 66 would be it!
ma deuce
Member
I don't have a 66, but I've got a couple of 4" 19s as well as 19s in the other sizes. Overall, the 4" is my pick of the litter, and I don't think you'll find a better-handling .357 out there than the 4" k-frames.
geraldw321
Member
Electraclyde
Member
Just yesterday I bought a 66-7, 2 1/2" barrel. Took it to the range today and fired 64 rounds of various home loads that I put together last night.
It is a very nice shooter. I am not a collector and I don't care one way or another about the lock. I will be enjoying this gun for a long time. (I hope!!)
It is a very nice shooter. I am not a collector and I don't care one way or another about the lock. I will be enjoying this gun for a long time. (I hope!!)
S&W1006
Member
I love my 66-3 4". It is a well balanced exceptionally accurate revolver. I hope to add a 2.5" at some point. I have a 5" 686 also but the 66 balances a little better.
oneflycowboy
Member
I just picked up a 4 inch 66-5 a few weeks ago my self.
I just picked up a 4 inch 66-5 a few weeks ago my self.
That is nice'n. Can I ask what you paid?
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