Any thoughts on the S&W 66 Combat Magnum?

[SeANMcBAY]

[rm1911]

[Calif Hunter]

9mm ammo is cheaper, particularly in bulk, than .38 SPL or .357 Mag. The Models 19 and 66 had problems with high volume shooting of (particularly) 125 gr high velocity ammo. It would take a large volume of such ammo to induce these problems, though. If you are going to shoot mostly .38 ammo with occasional use of hot magnum loads, you will probably never see an issue. I generally prefer 140-180 gr magnum ammo, anyway.

[Joezamboni]

What barrel length are you thinking for the 66?

9mm ammo is much cheaper and extra capacity and magazines are always a plus. The sig also has night sights. Being a single stack I would imagine it would be thinner too.

I have a 4.25" barrel 66-8, had to be sent for warranty work. Now that it's fixed it seems like it will be great to shoot. However even with a short barrel I would never dream of carrying one over a single stack 9mm.

Personally the 66 is fun, but for the same price you could get a S&W Shield and a Ruger LCR and have two good carry options. My shield and LCR actually fit well in same Remora Holster.

[ChuckDizzle]

I have a Model 19, it's one of the best handguns ever made if you ask me. A Model 66 should be nice as well.

[3453]

I have a 4" 66 which is a first year production and is marked Chicago PD. I also have a 3" which I've only had since the start of the year but I do carry it when it's not summer. I lost a model 19 blued Combat magnum to my wife. She shoots it well.

[Khromo]

Back when I had a job, I carried a 2 1/2" M.66 for several years. I carried it stuffed into my waistband for a long time, and on my belt sometimes, or for qualifications.

The climate here, and the work I was doing, made wearing a "cover garment" impractical. Even for the short barrel, you kind of needed a jacket or a dashiki or something that covered your rear end, or at least reached past your waist. It was a little heavy.

That gun shot like a dream. One night we had occasion to enter someone's home, and a dog took exception. I had to shoot that short barreled .357 indoors, in the dark, with (obviously) no ears or eyes.

HOLY COW! It wasn't as bad as being mauled by a vicious dog, I guess, but it hurt like Holy Hell.

Some years later, I migrated to a P-239 in .40 S&W. That has been my gun, when clothing allows, ever since. That P-239 is a gift from Heaven. A near perfect gun. Tritium sights, some fancy wood grips from Hogue, and good ammo.

Both are outstanding guns. Either will serve you well.

Sorry I couldn't be more help!

[Orbiter]

I picked up a 66-8 just last month and it's fun. 357 magnums kick, but they don't hurt much (if at all). Not a fan of the heavy stock trigger so I lightened it up with a Wolff spring kit. I also plan on getting some Ahrends retro combat grips to replace the stock rubberized ones, as the finger grooves don't really work well with my medium sized hands.

I also chose the model 66 because it's a gun that's light enough that you can conceivably carry it, but heavy enough to shoot comfortably at the range. However I personally would rather carry a semi-auto than a revolver if I needed to.

If you buy bulk brass ammo online, 38 special seems to run $0.25 per round while 9 goes for $0.20, without special discounts. As a reminder, stock up on cheap online ammo this year before we legally have to buy from local gun stores at dealer prices next year.

[scamp62]

I have had a Mod 66-1 since the late 70's and it has had thousands of rounds of 357mag rounds fired thought it. and she is still a great shooter !!

[plumbum]

The modern K frames have 2 piece barrels and can digest more factory ammo than the vast majority of us could run through them. Personally, I think the 19/66 has got to be one of the best platforms available. That 2.75” barrel is damn sexy, but can’t go wrong with a 4”.

[SeANMcBAY]

I was thinking of the 2.75 barrel one. I think I’ll go with the P239 first and grab the 66 later. I’ve always been terrible at shooting revolvers but I just love the craftsmanship and want to learn.

[Joezamboni]

Get the P239, this is coming from the 66 owner. It took 5 minutes of reading its praises to be curious but I already have too many 9mm firearms. The P239s weight is the only thing stopping me from looking into it more.

[Orbiter]

I was thinking of the 2.75 barrel one. I think I’ll go with the P239 first and grab the 66 later. I’ve always been terrible at shooting revolvers but I just love the craftsmanship and want to learn.

I own the 4.25 barrel and I wouldn't consider this for concealed carry at all, but I'm a smaller framed person. It would probably make for a nice open carry in states that allow it. For comparison, this weighs about the same as my all-steel Colt Commander 1911 (2 lbs 5oz). If you plan to get just one all-purpose revolver, I'd say the Model 66 is among the top choices.

[SloChicken]

9mm ammo is cheaper, particularly in bulk, than .38 SPL or .357 Mag. The Models 19 and 66 had problems with high volume shooting of (particularly) 125 gr high velocity ammo. It would take a large volume of such ammo to induce these problems, though. If you are going to shoot mostly .38 ammo with occasional use of hot magnum loads, you will probably never see an issue. I generally prefer 140-180 gr magnum ammo, anyway.

this.

It has to do with cartridge overall length (COAL) and the round being too short to correctly propel without having gasses escape between the breech and the cyinder.
The gasses can cut the top strap and forcing cone of the revolver.

Just run 158 on up and all is good.

IF it makes you feel any better. I used to have a SP101 that couldn't accept any longer than 125gr for the same reason, just the inverse.

[SloChicken]

I have a Model 19, it's one of the best handguns ever made if you ask me. A Model 66 should be nice as well.

Wow.
I agree with the Dizz!

My 19-3 is absolutely my favorite revolver, and quite possibly my favorite gun overall