Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns S&W Model 66 357Mag

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/920115469

Anyone have one of these that can comment on how they like the gun? I’m thinking about picking up a clean used one. Feels real comfortable and natural in hand.

Don't have a new one. Son has an older one, we both like the K frame. Feels good, points well, just as you said. Makes me happy just looking at it, I like the idea of 38/44 level loads in this gun most of the time, and all of the time indoors.

K frames feel great to me.

But if I was gonna shoot magnums a good amount Id go w an L frame.

I have 66-2 from my brief stint in law enforcement. Picked it up in 1985 and have used it since. I keep it by the back door in a paddle holster which I grab whenever I head outside.

I have a 586, as I prefer the blue & walnut look. Same basic revolver....you'll like it!

The 586 is an "L" frame that is significantly beefier than the model 66 "K" frame.

Unlike the 66, your gun was designed to be fed a steady diet of .357.

They do however have the same K frame size grip.

Makes a difference when it was made. You want a pre-lock at the very least, and ideally a pre-1982.

But here's a review of the newer ones.

I had a real early 4" M66 and granted, it was nice to look at just not to shoot. Very loud and at 4" long the barrel should have been 6" or longer as a hunting gun. Then a M629 6" Classic replaced it and that was better. The Wisconsin State Patrol carried 66's for a time, but scrapped them for semi autos because they were shooting lose with magnum .357 loads.

I can’t comment on the new M66’s
But I have had this M66 since new, 73 or early 74. I like it a lot obviously since I still have it. 😁
I do shoot +P .38spl handloads in .357 cases in it mostly now. It has had a lot of various ammo shot out of it. Carried it when I was in the sheriffs posse back in the 80’s. It’s been on hunting trips etc. Not a problem with it at all. The SS is a lot easier to keep up than a blued M19. Just a great revolver.

A few years ago


Couple of days ago

Futura: I got on the Smith & Wesson Model 66 bandwagon early (1972'ish) and absolutely love them.
Currently I am down to just 5 (five) Model 66's - I own them in 2", 4" and 6" barrel versions.
I carried a Model 66 for many years professionally in fact.
My enthusiasm for the Model 66's was curbed slightly when Smith & Wesson came out later with the full lug barrel Model 686's and I own several of these now in 2 1/2", 4", 6" and 8 3/8" barrel lengths.
Go to a gun range that "rents" both the Smith & Wesson Model 66's and the 686's and compare them for yourself.
I slightly prefer the "feel" and "stability" of the heavier Model 686's over the 66's.
Best of luck to you with whichever you choose.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
P.S.: I personally avoid the current production S&W revolvers with the "hillary hole" in the left side of the frame - that is why your linked to revolver is pictured/shown ONLY from its "right side" - I strongly suspect there is a hillary hole on its other side and those are in much disfavor among most S&W collectors and many S&W users (me!).

Had a bunch of GSP trade ins at the LGS some years back. I think I paid $250. Had to go through a lot of samples to find a good one with no cylinder or yoke end shake.

All of them had some flame cutting but that's normal for a 66 LEO trade in.

Pre lock pre MIM would be my preference.

I have two of the new 66-8s (one 4 1/4" and a 2.75"). Have shot them a bunch. Highly recommend.

FWIW,

Paul

I have a snubby 66 (round butt frame) from the 1970s.

I have a couple of model 19s. They are the old, blue version of the 66. I can’t say anything bad about them except that an N frame is a bit more comfortable to shoot full house 357 loads in. 38 Specials are great in either.

I have a 3” 66-3 and a 6” 66-1. Both are great guns. I don’t shoot a lot of full house 357 in them. Mostly I load to hot 38 special in 357 cases. I have no problem shooting full power magnums in them when they are required.

If you want to shoot it a lot, then buy the current make version. If you want to collect and shoot it a little, then I'd recommend an older one.

Or mainly shoot .38 Special in the older ones, like most people do anyway with a medium frame .357 Magnum revolver.

Dad carried a 4” 66 for 25 years as a police officer. He shot 38+p out of it until the last couple years of his career when his department started mandating magnum loads. He was a cop 85-2009. Still has the gun.

I’d like to get a 2.75” version to match my 2.75” 69.

Very nice and one of the first ones because of the all-stainless rear and front sight. What's your recipe for your +P 38spl loads if you would like to share?

And to the thread starter: I had the M66 black brother. Very comfortable to carry and to shoot even with 357 Magnum loads. Not the heavy type like Philip B. Sharpe did decades ago while inventing the 357 Magnum.

But you should avoid shooting 357 Magnum loads with the lighter bullets than 158 grains because you may cause some damage to the forcing cone.