To folks who have the model 66....

[Sebago Son]

66 Longevity.

This 66-2 is the one 18 DAI is referring to. It was the issue of an old friend of mine who rose through the ranks from a Patrolman to Chief with this gun in his holster for alot of his career. He was a real "Gun Guy". When his PD retired revolvers and went to SiG226's the 66's were surplussed through my shop. I kept this one for myself.

It has a documented in-service round count of more than 13,000 Federal 125 Grain JHP Magnums. This load was at the top of the heap performance wise.

After I got it the only thing I did was replace the cylinder stop and refit a new hand. Not because the gun wouldn't function or was inaccurate, but rather because I wanted to bring it back to zero spec. I also converted it to a round but from a square.

In the 20 odd years since I brought it home it has seen untold numbers of handloads both .38 and .357 without any trouble. Out of the hundreds of revolvers I own it remains my favorite .357 for the field. It has by far the best trigger and is the most accurate of my field guns. The only gun I have that comes close is a 6" scope sighted Model 19.

Drew

 

[JAREDSHS]

I find it curious that S&W discontinued the K frame 357s because they were supposedly too "light" for full charge ammo, while at the same time marketing a pile of different J-frames chambered in that same caliber. ??

MTKTM-----I think the same exact thoughts when I see all the "new"
lightweight J frames that S&W has. I havent seen a 19 or a 66 yet that
dosent look more robust and strong as the new stuff.

 

[stantheman86]

I have 2 66's, a 2.5" 66-2 made in 1989 and a 4" 66-7 made in 2003 or so. I would not part with either of them. Say what you will about the new IL S&W's but my 66-7 outshot the Dan Wesson M15 I used to have.

 

[Smithhound]

I've got a NIB 6 inch 66 that I've had for years now, I've been sorely tempted to wring it out but just can't bring myself to fire it. It shows just three chambers with powder fouling and is clean as a whistle, I've got several other .357's to fire so this one has sat unused. I just may have to break down and take this one to the range. Maybe.
RD

 

[TDC]

This is the best thread related to the K frame 357 Mags I've seen. Lots of very knowledgable people addressing all the pertinate information invaluable to a new shooter/K frame 357 buyer.

A Mod 66 in any preferred barrel length is the model most commonly recommended by those who truly know it benefits, idiosyncrasies and few shortcomings.

It's a shame the 19's and 66's were discontinued. Properly maintained and with proper ammo they in any dash number were the best...

Excellent thread, guys....

 

[lhump1961]

I've got a NIB 6 inch 66 that I've had for years now, I've been sorely tempted to wring it out but just can't bring myself to fire it. It shows just three chambers with powder fouling and is clean as a whistle, I've got several other .357's to fire so this one has sat unused. I just may have to break down and take this one to the range. Maybe.
RD

If you don't shoot it then someone else at some point probably will! But I understand your hesitation. I have a 19-3 2 1/2" with such a beautiful blue finish that I don't shoot it although it is not an unfired gun, just not fired much. As with you I have others I can shoot. I really only have the 19 because it is so good lookin'! If that is where your 66 lies...then so be it!

 

[chud333]

I'm fortunate to have a 66-3 with 3" bbl
It's one of those guns that will never leave my possession.
i cut my teeth on a model 19 blued 6" when i was just a pup.
I shot hundreds and hundreds of full bore .357 loads through it
not knowing any better. It never gave me any problems and shot
lights out if i did my part. My 3" 66 is also an excellent shooter
but i've refrained from feeding it a steady diet of full bore .357's
It is my favorite "shooter" and gets .38+P's remington 125 gr
most of the time but i do shoot some 158 gr. .357 loads from time
to time.


chuck

 

[lhump1961]

I'm fortunate to have a 66-3 with 3" bbl
It's one of those guns that will never leave my possession.
i cut my teeth on a model 19 blued 6" when i was just a pup.
I shot hundreds and hundreds of full bore .357 loads through it
not knowing any better. It never gave me any problems and shot
lights out if i did my part. My 3" 66 is also an excellent shooter
but i've refrained from feeding it a steady diet of full bore .357's
It is my favorite "shooter" and gets .38+P's remington 125 gr
most of the time but i do shoot some 158 gr. .357 loads from time
to time.


chuck

I have the same 66-3 3" and treat it exactly the same as you...but that is how I shoot all of my .357's including my 686. I see no need to run a gun with the harshest ammo all the time. All the talk about how the light hot .357 loads wear out the 66's also rings true to any other revolver...it's just harder on them! I am not afraid to put 158gr .357 in my 66's or my 19 (and do!) but I enjoy shooting the +P's more.

 

[billj47]

66-2 1983 vintage ADTXXXX

This is my favorite also. Just a fine weapon. Here it is with two different grips that I like.

 

[Stainz]

My only 66 is a 6" - actually, from the last batch made 12/2002 as a 66-6. I bought it new on closeout from a Texas closeout dealer for $350 + $10 S&H 9/2003 - a deal even then. The last 66's produced were the 4" 66-7's in 2003. I put a HiViz sight on it as well as Ahrends cocobolo square conversion grips and some lightened effort Wolff springs. The hottest ammo it - or any of my .357 Magnums - sees is the .38 Special +P 158gr LHPSWC Remington R38S12 round. Oh, sure, I load thousands of .357 Magnum cases - with wimpy 125gr JHP to 158gr bullets. I am happy at the lower level and feel those +P's are all I need for protection. To be blunt - my 6" 66 is mainly a plinker - and I expect a long life from it.

All platitudes aside, my 6" 66 was all but replaced in plinking - and Steel Plate Challenge - use just over a year later with a 5" half lug 686P 7-shooter, which came from the factory with the same grips and front sight. It, too, would be replaced by a mix of PC627 8-shooter's, culminating in my all time favorite - the 2 5/8" PC627 UDR. None see real .357 Magnums here - but that's me. Why do I keep the 6" 66? Pick up a properly, ie, wood, gripped 66 - be it 2.5", 4", or 6"... they just fit the hand and feel great!

Sorry, I just had to give my propers to a 6" 66-6, complete with MIM parts and an Internal Lock. It has been 100% dependable - fine revolver.

Stainz

 

[Avery11]

I currently own thirteen 66's ...

That's nothin. I have over 250 air guitars and another on the way!

 

[18DAI]

Keep in mind that the 66-3 and 66-4 incorporated durability enhancements to prevent endshake. Regards 18DAI