Smith & Wesson Model 66 Combat Magnum

[msfgabe]

Hello Everyone!


What does everyone think of the new 2014 Smith & Wesson Model 66-8 Combat Magnum revolver? Do you own one? Have you used one? What did you think of its accuracy? How about reliability and trigger pull? Does it carry well? Thanks everyone!

 

[RevolverDen]

My LGS has had one in stock for the past few weeks. At first I sort of rebuffed it due to it being different from the model 66's I have grown accustomed to from the 70's and 80's that I have owned. But I have to say the new design has grown on me. While I have not had the opportunity to shoot one, I feel in time it will get more acceptance. Also see the previous thread regarding holsters for the new 66-8 regarding availability.

The only thing that truly held me back on the 66-8 was the fact it is in the price range of several other revolvers I am currently considering from the classic series, including a 586 that was actually priced -$40 lower than the 66.

 

[msfgabe]

My LGS has had one in stock for the past few weeks. At first I sort of rebuffed it due to it being different from the model 66's I have grown accustomed to from the 70's and 80's that I have owned. But I have to say the new design has grown on me. While I have not had the opportunity to shoot one, I feel in time it will get more acceptance. Also see the previous thread regarding holsters for the new 66-8 regarding availability.

The only thing that truly held me back on the 66-8 was the fact it is in the price range of several other revolvers I am currently considering from the classic series, including a 586 that was actually priced -$40 lower than the 66.

$583.00 @ Buds Police Supply

S&W 66 6 Shot Stainless Steel 357Mag 4.25" for Sale at Buds Gun Shop $583.00

 

[Ashlander]

"Hillary Hole?" Oh, come on with the lock! I thought the administrators had cautioned us about that. There are a lot of reasons not to buy the new 66-8 that have nothing to do with the so-called "Hillary hole." So that leaves no way to vote "no" in this poll without having to buy into this lock foolishness.

Honestly, I suspect of everybody in this country who cares two doodles about the lock, 95% of them stay up nights trying to work their gripes into this forum.

I wish people would just drop this lock stuff! We know a lot of you hate it -- telling us another hundred times every month is just tiresome.

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

I voted no because of the price of new revolvers. Rather have an old one with target trigger and hammer. Plus, S&W decided it would be cool to put a black trigger and cylinder release on stainless guns. It looks awful and tacky.

James

 

[R*E]

I have an older 66, otherwise I'd get the current one.

 

[Green Frog]

I'm old school enough that the only Model 66 I've ever owned was a "pre-dash" and if I got another one it would be either a -1 or a -2 because of a variety of features, plus workmanship as well as the IL, not exclusively because of the IL.

That said, if Smith released another model with features I do want, I would probably be able to get past the IL, but that's JMHO.

Froggie

 

[RevolverDen]

I'm old school enough that the only Model 66 I've ever owned was a "pre-dash" and if I got another one it would be either a -1 or a -2 because of a variety of features, plus workmanship as well as the IL, not exclusively because of the IL.

That said, if Smith released another model with features I do want, I would probably be able to get past the IL, but that's JMHO.

Froggie

I had the chance at a 66-2 but was sorely disappointed that the seller misrepresented the condition in a big way. Though he did a great job of cleaning it up, it was clear that the gun was fired a lot and not the safe-queen he claimed it to be. I'm sure there are many nice safe queens to be had, but they are getting farther and fewer between.

This is one of the reason I have zero issues with contemporary S&W offerings I.L. or no I.L. All my new S&W's purchased recently have been top notch handguns that I'd readily put up against any of my pre-lock /pre-MIM guns. If given the choice I too would prefer S&W offer non-IL versions of all their guns, but it's not something that keeps me away from some of the best revolvers ever made such as my two current Performance Center revolvers: 686PC & 627PC both of which have the IL's and neither bother me in the least.

 

[jughed440]

You forgot an important poll option..."Not interested"

 

[StickShift]

I voted Yes, conditionally - I want a 3" Model. I can't afford the $1k+ that the older ones routinely sell for and I'll never be lucky enough to stumble over one where the seller doesn't know what he has. With that in mind, I would buy a new one with little hesitation.

I would buy a new 4.25" or 2.5" over an older one if I planned on carrying or extensively shooting it. In that case, I'd rather use a new, better engineered, and fully warranteed new Model 66 than beat up an old, and increasingly collectible, gun.

If the new Model 66 does anything for me, it makes a current production 6-shot 686 obsolete. The crane ball detent and two piece barrel with no flat remove the biggest durability issues with the old Model 66. Unless I had to have a 7th shot in the cylinder or I was shooting max pressure 357 loads all day, every day, I'd take the lighter weight and smaller size of the new 66 over a new 686. That's probably just me though.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I said maybe. I know I would swap out the cylinder release with a stainless one though. I'm fine with the black trigger. It would get the plug post haste. But I'm holding out for a snub offering which I hope they are smart enough to offer sooner or later.

 

[Waywatcher]

"Hillary Hole?" Oh, come on with the lock! I thought the administrators had cautioned us about that. There are a lot of reasons not to buy the new 66-8 that have nothing to do with the so-called "Hillary hole." So that leaves no way to vote "no" in this poll without having to buy into this lock foolishness.

Honestly, I suspect of everybody in this country who cares two doodles about the lock, 95% of them stay up nights trying to work their gripes into this forum.

I wish people would just drop this lock stuff! We know a lot of you hate it -- telling us another hundred times every month is just tiresome.

Asking the question in a poll form is the least invasive way. Not asking the question would give skewed results and whitewash the issue. I hope folks at S&W are watching; I know Ruger has removed locks from most of their SA revolvers. (Most of their DA revolvers never had them.)

Honest to God, I would buy one today without. I recently did buy a brand new no-lock 442; I'm not speaking hypotheticals.

 

[Voyager28]

My problems with many of the "new" S&W's are two fold: 1) The round butt. IMHO they're uglier than my prom date. 2) I am having a very hard time getting my head around the two piece barrel. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know all about the technical aspects. But, there's just something about it that doesn't appeal to me.

Personally, I'd much rather find an older 66 and, as long as the bore is good, spend a little money on it, if need be. Result? A beautiful, classic revolver that will last well past my lifetime.

Bob

PS: If there had been a simple "No" option that's what I would have selected. My opinion of that particular, or any, revolver has nothing to do with the IL.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

I voted "Yes" because the medium frame "Combat Magnum" is still the best balanced defensive revolver in existence. Plus I am impressed with the quality and consistency of the new parts. I would bet that the trigger will be smooth, smoother than an old K-frame off-the-shelf.

4 1/4" barrel, well that's a little awkward. IL can be plugged if it troubles you. The only question I have is who makes a holster for a medium frame with a 4 1/4" barrel.

 

[Ranger514]

I already have a 66-3 snubby, otherwise I would seriously consider buying one of the new models.

 

[WCCPHD]

I looked at one when they first came out and decided I could live without it. It has nothing to do with the changes such as the lock or the two piece barrel. What I don't like is the barrel length. Having carried a four inch 66 in the 1980's I find the extra 1/4 inch to make the gun feel unbalanced. Also, I have four Model 66's already, so I don't need one.

 

[Bart45]

Bought a 66-4 2 1/2" a few months ago. Think 'll stick with that model..........

 

[s&wchad]

These links are worth reading:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/110903-lock-cant-get-past-hole.html
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/354030-bashing-crying-whining.html