Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Modell 66, 2.25” for CC/Hunt Backup

I’m considering trying to get one of these, if possible in CA.

Does anyone have any other ideas on CC revolvers in 357/38? I may use it in bear country too.

My daughter is carrying my 2.5" Model 19 .357 in a Milt Sparks right now, loaded with 170 hard cast Keith loads. She is working as a cowboy/wrangler for an outfitter/guide outfit in Idaho back country. Actually the first two chambers are snake shot followed by 170 Keiths hard cast loads. I think it is a fairly good setup.

I’m also considering a ruger in a similar setup.

I saw a snub nose Model 29 for sale once. No thank you........

I would prefer a 4". But with loads like Mac's 170's or some of the 180 gr. wide flat points I would think you would get enough penetration to do the work. Shot placement is King, penetration is Queen and all else is gravy.

Nothing wrong with the old model Security Six in that same barrel length. Built like a tank and mine is just as accurate as any of my S&W models.

I’m betting the new model S& W 66 in that barrel length is not on the “CA Approved List”.

2.25” 66-8 or a 2.5-3” 686 plus.

Herrett’s stocks?

Hey, JB, I already spoke for those grips! Butt out Mister!

Sure. I don’t know about getting one in CA but I do know it’d make a great dual purpose pistol. I carry a 2” M15 in town and when bow hunting, fishing, mushroom picking, or whatever else.

I would get a S&W M65. The butt of the gun is the hard part to hide. A M66 has a 2.5" barrel and another 1.5" isn't that much more but gives a better sight radius and better ballistics.

Mack, hearing that your sweet little girl is working out there as an outfitter's wrangler sure makes me feel old! LOL Glad that you set her up with a solid pistola!

the Kimber 357 in 3 or 4 inch are worth a look too......

I think a 2 1/2" 357 could do the job ballistically with the right ammo, but I'd look at three other things.

First, I'd make sure that concealed carry is legal where you plan to take it. Given how things are going in California, that could be up in the air sooner rather than later.

Second, ammunition. California requires lead-free ammo for hunting statewide. All-copper bullets need speed to do their best work, and a 2 1/2" barrel might not provide that. Also, it might be legal to use lead ammunition to stop a bear attack if you're camping, hiking, backpacking, etc., but it might not be legal to even possess lead ammunition (for whatever reason) while hunting, and hashing it out in court will be expensive.

Third, make sure that the gun itself is legal where you plan to take it. For example, the Washington regs state:

I can see how a 2 1/2" 357 might be OK under the line about personal protection. But the regs also state:

To me, that says that a hunter using archery tackle or a muzzleloader cannot use a modern firearm to dispatch wounded game, which makes sense. But I also read it to say that you can only use a handgun to dispatch wounded game if it meets the definition in the first quote, which means a 4" barrel.

I prefer to avoid long philosophical discussions with law enforcement officers who I've just met, so I wouldn't carry anything less than a 4" 357 around here, and most of the time I choose a 4" Model 29-2 or a 5 1/2" New Model Blackhawk in 45 Colt. But things may be different where you hunt.


Okie John

Good luck prying them away…. They look like the Detective model.

My son just picked up a nice 4” 66-1 marked S’Port P.D., LA. Tight as a drum, no flame cutting, timed right, some holster wear but otherwise a good buy at $400.

$400 is a steal in today's market.

If it's in any kind of reasonable condition, that is a steal, indeed. In nice condition, it's a felony.

Class A no doubt. He’s got a good eye for old S&W’s, inherited from his old man

Herrett's is still in business, I just ordered three sets of D-45 stocks for my 1911s a couple of weeks ago (already got them, too). They are kind of old-fashioned in their business practices, but you can call them and ask about any grips you might be interested in. 208-733-1498.

Nice folks to do business with.

Really nice setup. As mentioned above I will load my own copper bullets,, I have two loads, a 160 gr solid, and a 140 gr Lehigh penetrator.