The dreaded 66 vs 686 question

[Mumbly-Peg]

Thanks, I'd really rather buy new though. This will be my first hand gun, so I don't trust my own inspection ability. Plus, the warranty is appealing.

To further make my head explode, I'm now diving into the glass bead / satin stainless debate. This is the problem with giving me too many options.

 

[gr7070]

Thanks, I'd really rather buy new though. This will be my first hand gun, so I don't trust my own inspection ability. Plus, the warranty is appealing.

To further make my head explode, I'm now diving into the glass bead / satin stainless debate. This is the problem with giving me too many options.

Unless the discount is large, and it's usually not, I buy new, too. The savings just isn't big enough to justify the risk.

There is no debate on the finish. It's whichever you like best is all.

 

[Mumbly-Peg]

So the Great American Outdoor Show is going on this week. Am I really going to drive 2 hours each way and pay a $14 entry fee just to get my mitts on both of these revolvers side by side?

Looks that way.

 

[BB57]

Unless the discount is large, and it's usually not, I buy new, too. The savings just isn't big enough to justify the risk.

There is no debate on the finish. It's whichever you like best is all.

I take the opposite position.

The discount on a used S&W revolver in excellent condition isn't great compared to a new one, mostly because the old ones are in greater demand.

I prefer the old Model 66-4 compared to the current Model 66 in part due to the non MIM parts, the color case hardened hammer and trigger, arguably better fit, the shiny stainless versus the satin stainless finish, and the pre-lock configuration. IMHO the 66-4 was the last of the good Model 66 revolvers.

Similarly I prefer my older 686-5. As a 686-5 is has an MIM hammer and trigger, but they are still nicer looking than the current parts, and the 686-5 is still a pre-lock S&W.

 

[SeamasterSig]

So 66 it is! (Fingers crossed)

Good choice! Four inch model 66s are iconic... even though either model would serve you well. If you're going to be shooting mostly 38 spl, don't forget to clean the cylinder well after each session and preferably shoot up your magnum loads first before the 38s. The shorter overall length of 38 caliber bullets will cause the front end of the cylinder to get really dirty and make it much more difficult to extract the longer magnum bullets. If you get an older model 66 with the flat spot on the forcing cone, just stick with 158 grain loads or heavier when shooting 357 magnum (bullet weight isn't an issue with 38 special), keep the forcing cone clean, check your timing periodically, and don't worry about cracking the forcing cone.

 

[gman51]

I would say definitely hold both to see how each balances and feels in your hand. I haven't held either of these guns and I would be curious if either feels more muzzle heavy than the other. To me a gun that feels well balanced is much more pleasant to shoot. They both might feel the same or negligible difference. In some guns a mere 2 ounces can feel a lot different also.

 

[Mumbly-Peg]

Yeah, I'm trying to see if I can make it to the GAOS.

Hopefully the have a 686, 66, and maybe a 686 SSR to get my mitts on.

 

[scruffy]

I've had both, bought NIB. I kept the 66-8 and sold the 686. The difference for me was not so much the recoil. I felt recoil and muzzle flip were close to the same, (possibly a little less with the 686.) For me, it was all about two things which enable me to shoot better.

1) How the gun fit my hand. The 66 fit me perfect and distance to the trigger when gripping to get a comfortable double action pull was ideal for my hands. The 686 always felt about a 1/2 size too large.

2) Action. My 66-8 has a super smooth relatively light pull for a DA revolver. Single action likewise is very smooth and breaks cleanly at 4.25 lbs. The 686 DA pull felt heavier and not quite as smooth as the 66. Not bad at all but just not as sweet, to me.

 

[Mumbly-Peg]

Well, I tracked down a shop within an hour from me with both guns in stock, and my permits just came in today.

It's looking like tomorrow will bring a big decision!

 

[Wee Hooker]

You'll be thrilled with either. Of course if you really want to loose sleep, there is the 686 SSR Pro which is somewhat like a hybrid of the two with a factory action job. I find the quick change front sight to be a great feature as well.

 

[Mumbly-Peg]

You'll be thrilled with either. Of course if you really want to loose sleep, there is the 686 SSR Pro which is somewhat like a hybrid of the two with a factory action job. I find the quick change front sight to be a great feature as well.

Don't do this to me, Dave! I actually considered the SSR as well. I like the slab sided barrel, but I gravitate toward classic styling, so I'm afraid I'd get sick of it. The shop owner said he has multiple 686's on the shelf though, so if it's there, I'll get my grubby little fingers on it.

 

[silversnake]

1) How the gun fit my hand. The 66 fit me perfect and distance to the trigger when gripping to get a comfortable double action pull was ideal for my hands. The 686 always felt about a 1/2 size too large.

You may already know this, but you can put identical grips on a 66 or 686 and get the exact same trigger distance with either revolver. (The only exception is if one is square butt and the other round, but even this can be rectified by a gunsmith).

That said, given the choice I would take an older model 66 every time. They balance perfectly in my hands and the forcing cone issue is unlikely to ever come up unless you shoot thousands and thousands of magnums.

 

[kamloops67]

That is undeniably true.

But it's also not much of a difference.

My Model 66 has a cylinder diameter of 1.45" and my seven shot Model 686+ has a cylinder diameter of 1.56".

That's a .11" difference, just slightly more than 3/32". Both of them fit the same holsters.

That may be true but put the two side by side there is a noticeable difference

 

[Mumbly-Peg]

After handling the 686, 66, and 686 SSR at my LGS, I'm going with the 66, though the SSR was a close runner-up. I liked the bead blasted finish more than the standard matte finish in person. The triggers were about the same, but the SSR is more expensive and just felt a little bulkier than the 66.

This is going to bother the traditionalists out there, but I actually really liked the ball detent on the crane. I feel like it's a conceptually elegant way to ensure that the crane is in the same place when the gun goes bang. And seeing as I'm 30 years old and making my first handgun purchase, I have the benefit of not remembering the way things were.

 

[44wheelman]

Good choice (it helps not having the option of a bad choice), good luck & enjoy.

"...makes me lean towards the one I find prettier."... Beauty is in the eye of the gun holder, or something like that. Besides, no one wants an ugly gun in their collection.

 

[Amp]

My opinion is go with the 66.
The original 66 was my first carry gun. Should never have sold it off..

 

[gwpercle]

The model 66 , there's just something right about the 66 K-frame 357 magnum with 4 inch barrel. It's just about the most perfect all around , if I could only only own one , revolver.
It's also a classy looking and handling revolver.
I can't put into words what it is.....it's like looking at a 1957 Chevy, it's just right.
But handle both and get the one that feels right and speaks to you, that will be the one for you .
Gary

 

[SeamasterSig]

That may be true but put the two side by side there is a noticeable difference

I agree. It's not much, but the extra mass resulting from nearly a 1/8 inch difference in diameter is clearly visible by the human eye. If we were talking semi-autos, that much difference in slide width is even more obvious.

 

[chrisyounts]

S & W 686

I have a 686 short barrel with mahogany grips NIB around 1989. I have shot 38s and magnums with it. I can't think of any good reason to use the 38s. The gun is perfectly weighted for the 357 with slow muzzle rise and to me no recoil with two hand stance. Why buy a 357 if you want a 38. Look at the difference in energy on target between the two. This was the deciding factor for me. Maybe a snub 38 as a backup on your ankle. Small size is the only advantage I can think of.

 

[MrMoose]

I'm going with the 66

Great choice. Congratulations. You knew what you wanted, found a way to handle them all, and made your final decision. Good job.

All the modern improvements, best warranty possible, just enough retro. Strong enough to eat any & all the magnums you want to shoot. Not too big or small. Not too light or heavy. Shoot the heck out of it and have fun.

Next difficult choice is the holster, but that's a story for another thread

Me, I'm lusting after the new version of the 67 and want to mount a red dot on it. Pics of some of my current favorites attached...