5Wire
Member
FMFP = Frame Mounted Firing Pin referred to in the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson as the "floating firing pin".
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Smith Brings back the Model 66!!!
- Thread starter cometpx4
- Start date
Last of the Mohicans
Member
Ah. Thank you. I was aware of the firing pin location change, but didn't make the connection with the acronym. Thanks again.
Agreed. I count that as being on the positive side.
I was thinking about the visceral reaction of dyed in the wool S&W enthusiasts to the inclusion of "the lock". Although I was not a revolver enthusiast at the time, I have read that the original introduction of "the lock" was pretty damaging to their market share, with something like a 40% shrinkage attributed to that decision.
Admittedly, I am neither a good student of commercial history nor a marketing guru. But, losing that much of your market had to be painful. Sticking to that decision may have continuing negative effects.
It reminds me of what Microsoft seems to be doing with their Windows desktop operating system. Reportedly, their management's insistence on unpopular Windows 8.x features and excluding popular older features has accelerated their demise in a market where they were once "the 800 pound gorilla".
The IT trade rags point to decisions about a seemingly small details as being very damaging to Microsoft, long term.
Admittedly, Microsoft faces a lot of serious competition. Arguably, there are fewer contenders for S&W's crown as "King of Revolvers" . . . unless you count the plastic pistols and Ruger revolvers.
S&W1006
Member
I can't wait to get my hands on one. I want to get a look at the forcing cone with the 2 piece barrel. I know some people seem to hate the idea of a 2 piece barrel I can't help but wonder if that is the solution to the forcing cone failure. It would be a welcome change for me to be able to shoot 125 grain magnum ammo without fear of cracking my forcing cone. I love the balance and feel of my 4" 66 and I don't think an extra 1/4" is going to upset that balance. I might have to buy one and let my 66-3 rest. The new 66 might not ever have the collectibility but I have an older one for that. Maybe if we are lucky they will make a short barrel version as well. Also I don't get what the big deal is about the frame mounted firing pin. I have 2 revolvers with them and 2 with hammer mounted firing pins and they both work just fine.
stantheman86
US Veteran
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Already have a 4" 66-7, excellent gun and a very sweet shooter.
I could care less about the IL but hate the CA compliant firing pin.....nothing an Apex pin and spring won't fix.
I could care less about the IL but hate the CA compliant firing pin.....nothing an Apex pin and spring won't fix.
5Wire
Member
I'm curious. What is the CA Compliance rule? What about an Apex pin and spring makes it compliant?
Ed, sharpen your reading skills as I NEVER said that I LIKE it. I merely ACCEPT it as I know there is no going back. Ain't gonna happen. I own classic S&W revolvers and appreciate them for what they are. I also know that Chevy ain't ever gonna make a '57 again. I don't post on GM forums saying "GM is stupid because they don't still make a '57!!". Well, that's how ridiculous these anti-MIM & anti-lock threads appear. It is the reality of the matter. You can choose to accept it or not. However, the incessant whining, harping and bellyaching makes the naysayers appear as nutjobs and it is beyond just getting old. Just quit pissing in every thread like a broken record.
KLYDE
Member
AE stated that everyone has a right to an opinion. Obviously you don't agree with that.
Clearly you feel strongly and there's nothing wrong with that, though your tone's harsh and you aren't considering all the facts in arriving at your rather pointed conclusion.
As least as far as the lock goes, consider that since S&W has in recent years shown a willingness to produce new revolvers without it, that fact appropriately encourages those who don't like the lock to continue to voice discontent, because apparently someone in the company is listening and the complaints have had an influence on the current product.
Water on rock. Takes time but it can work, so long as the vocal don't listen to the naysayers who tell them to shut up.
No worries!
At some point in the past, S&W was shipping slightly shorter firing pins in response to a California drop test requirement. As I understand it, some people experienced light strikes with the shorter pin, hence the popularity of the full length Apex replacement firing pin.
Based on my limited experience, I believe that the current S&W firing pins being installed in new revolvers and offered as spare parts are the original design length again. In other words, the current S&W part is the same length as the Apex replacement. So, replacing the S&W part with an Apex part is no longer a big deal, pun intended.
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5Wire
Member
Thanks for 'splainin' 
Good news, sir. I believe that S&W has returned to making normal length firing pins.
The several spare S&W firing pins I recently purchased from Midway are the same length as the Apex pins, also purchased from Midway.
Life is good!
Isn't it a little odd that S&W has cataloged the 66 as an N-frame?
kamloops67
Member
sometimes i wouldnt even recognize this forum if it wasnt for the blue background. pretty sad.
i for one, find this to be great news , i will be ordering the l frame and maybe the 66 as well .good timing because i just bought a 6" 66 to have cut down to 4 1/4.
maybe ill just sell it to fuel the purchase of a new 66.
HOORAY FOR SMITH & WESSON!!!
i have a 629 4 1/4" its my favorite piece ,a friend has a 686 in 4 1/4"
i dont give a rats bottom if some of you dont like it , dont buy it then.
i for one, find this to be great news , i will be ordering the l frame and maybe the 66 as well .good timing because i just bought a 6" 66 to have cut down to 4 1/4.
maybe ill just sell it to fuel the purchase of a new 66.
HOORAY FOR SMITH & WESSON!!!
i have a 629 4 1/4" its my favorite piece ,a friend has a 686 in 4 1/4"
i dont give a rats bottom if some of you dont like it , dont buy it then.
Maybe just a mistake in where s&w put it's product info page? The product page itself says it's a k-frame.
My 67-6 -photo posted previously in this thread- has the modern CNC machined K frame and two piece barrel. The barrel is fully round at the forcing cone/frame end unlike my older K frames. The new K frame is ever so slightly larger allowing the full thickness, round barrel with no flat cut for cylinder clearance at 6'oclock. I'm certain the new 66 will be done the same, eliminating the Achilles heel of the K frame magnum.
I hope somebody trades in a vintage six inch 66 or 66-1 on a new four and a quarter inch 66 at my LGS so I can replace the one I traded away twenty plus years ago!
2ndAmendmentNut
Member
On a positive note it is nice to see S&W listening to what people want and trying to reintroduce the K frame magnums. Also it would be nice to see the older K frames come down in price. That being said I will not buy a new one unless they get rid of the lock, or at least offer it without a lock.
Does anyone know why the profile of the K frame was so drastically changed? I understand there is a lock and frame mounted firing pin, but S&W managed to get a lock in their J frames without changing the magnum J frame profile much. Also S&W had 22lr guns in both J and K frame for years which have frame mounted firing pins without changing the profile.
Does anyone know why the profile of the K frame was so drastically changed? I understand there is a lock and frame mounted firing pin, but S&W managed to get a lock in their J frames without changing the magnum J frame profile much. Also S&W had 22lr guns in both J and K frame for years which have frame mounted firing pins without changing the profile.
Lurker here....but I seriously doubt that someone {Talo} will miss the need for a 3 inch 66 and a 3 inch 69...I'm sure these will be available in a little time
DFrame
Member
All other things aside, the fuss over the FMFP or frame mounted firing pin is about as silly as it gets. Witness Colts Python which has had it's firing pin, frame mounted, since it's inception circa 1953 approximately Sixty years ago.
Jeesh the things people get upset about!
Jeesh the things people get upset about!
Last of the Mohicans
Member
sometimes i wouldnt even recognize this forum if it wasnt for the blue background. pretty sad.
i for one, find this to be great news , i will be ordering the l frame and maybe the 66 as well .good timing because i just bought a 6" 66 to have cut down to 4 1/4.
maybe ill just sell it to fuel the purchase of a new 66.
HOORAY FOR SMITH & WESSON!!!
i have a 629 4 1/4" its my favorite piece ,a friend has a 686 in 4 1/4"
i dont give a rats bottom if some of you dont like it , dont buy it then.
You're not alone in being happy to see the gun's return, if in a slightly altered form. Because I have 12-6 on my licence, I have a 4" 66 and a 2 and a half incher. I like them both. I haven't picked up a new revolver since the whole Firearms Act mess was enacted; I have been buying other prohibs on the used market as I prefer the aesthetics of shorter barrel lengths.
I think some of the dislike for the new gun may be analogous to a steady diet of steak...our Southern friends can have their pick of steak, when they want it and how they want it. On the other hand, we have had virtually no steak at all for the last 20 years, and so are glad to have a chance at the cut being offered.
In the end though, I see it as a good idea and one that I think will do very well on our side of the border.
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