S&w Model 66-4 - Since I first detailed my quest to find the ideal revolver in 2015, I have received so many inquiries about the S&W 3-inch Model 66-6 that I have finally selected. Unfortunately, the 3″ versions of this gun are pretty scarce, so it’s not something I can recommend as a readily available option for other wheelgun enthusiasts. At this year's SHOT Show, I got a look at what appeared to be the next best thing: the new 2.75-inch version of Smith & Wesson's Model 66. I finally got my hands on one of these six shooters...a few months ago, and I have some thoughts on S&W's latest attempt at mid-sized cameras. The full review is in the video below, or you can scroll down and read the transcript.
The Smith & Wesson Model 66 Combat Magnum is one of my favorite revolvers, but it was hard to find for a while after production ended in 2005. Two years ago, Smith & Wesson re-released the Combat Magnum with a 4 slightly redesigned. -. in. Model 66-8. This year, they've added a 2.75-inch version that's a little easier to carry around, and that's the model we're reviewing today.
S&w Model 66-4
Each version of the Model 66 is a 6-shot .357 stainless steel pistol with adjustable sights built on a Smith & Wesson K medium frame. It was first introduced in 1970 as a stainless steel replacement for the Combat Magnum original blue steel, the Model 19. Both were extremely popular lethal weapons for the police during the last decades of the 20th century. Like most revolvers of the era, the Model 66 was commonly found with a 4-inch barrel, although 6-inch and 2 ½-inch models were also commonly produced.
S&w Model 66 2 Combat Magnum Revolver
There are also some limited edition versions of the 3-inch model that have been offered sporadically over the years, and this 66 is my favorite. Some of you may have seen the video I made of my modified 3 inch model 66-6. years ago with the somewhat exaggerated title, "The World's Best Revolver." I like the 3-inch barrel in part because it's easier to conceal than the 4-inch barrel, but it's still long enough to leave room for a full-length push rod. Older 2.5-inch models have a short ejector bar that doesn't reliably eject all the empty shells when you reload.
The new Model 66-8 also has a full-length pushrod, although the barrel is only 2.75 inches long, made possible by the new buckle design. In older models, the cylinder is locked to the frame between a pin that is in the center of the extractor star and a second pin (called a "locking pin") below the barrel that is locked to the tip of the trigger rod. 'push. So the barrel should be at least as long as the push rod plus the spring lock pin.
Old Lock: The K-posts were previously locked to the frame by latches on the extractor star (left) and a locking pin on the barrel visor (right).
But look at the same place on the new 66. There is no locking pin, and that's because it's been replaced with a ball plug in the frame that locks into the yoke. This is supposed to be a more secure locking point, allows the barrel to be a little shorter, and also solves the problem of the bar sometimes being pushed back due to recoil and the cylinder lock closing.
Ruger Sp101 2.25\
The new lock for the S&W 66-8 omits the locking pin in the barrel shroud (left) in favor of a ball pin in the frame that locks into the boom/yoke (right).
Just above this area you can find the second design improvement. On the older K-frames, the forcing cone was flat on the bottom and this was a weak spot that would sometimes crack, usually after firing a lot of heavy loads at high velocity. The new, thicker forced cone eliminates this design weakness.
Unfortunately, while Smith & Wesson could have made some durability improvements, there is a lot about this gun that I'm not really excited about. Of course, it has an internal lock where the gun's soul exits. I'm not a fan, but this is old news. There are many other topics to discuss.
Let's start with how it's set up. Traditionally, short-barreled K-frames are highly prized for handling and shooting like full-size revolvers, but in a smaller, more practical-to-carry package. But none of these advantages are easily noticeable in this latest version of Combat Magnum. The rubber material is large and sticks to clothing, compromising concealability. And the small rear track and unreasonably heavy 15-pound trigger make the gun difficult to shoot well.
Consigned Smith & Wesson 66 4 357 Mag 66 4 Hand Gun Buy Online
The shooting challenge of the Model 66-8 became apparent when I put it through the nine-stage Lucky Gunner pistol practice test that we've used for all of our reviews this year. My best in three runs with this gun was 47.87. This is the worst score of any pistol I've tested so far, including several small frame pistols and pocket pistols. Compared to my modified 66-6, I only dropped a few more points in penalties with the new revolver, but thanks to the shorter scope and heavy, uneven trigger, I have to slow down to hit those shots, and raw times are almost 10. seconds slower. [Note: More detailed information on how the S&W 66-8 compares to other pistols I tested can be found in the Pistol Scorecard.]
Mechanical accuracy testing is a bit more recommended. From the 25-yard bench, I shot two 5-meat groups with 6 different meats each in .38 Special and .357 magnum calibers. The average group size is 2-3 inches for all but one of these loads, which isn't too bad.
My criticisms of the way this gun is set up are mostly subjective, but there are also some quality control issues I feel compelled to point out. Smith & Wesson was kind enough to loan us this revolver to review, and this is actually the second one they sent. I had to resend the first one. Something has not been mounted correctly and part of the yoke is rubbing against the frame, making it very difficult to open and close the cylinder and even starting to make the action feel a bit sluggish.
When I told Smith & Wesson, they apologized and sent this to me quickly. It worked well, but it wasn't exactly a perfect template either. There is a large ledge on the cylinder release pin. While it's just a matter of aesthetics, this is the kind of neglect you wouldn't expect to see on a gun with an MSRP of $850.
Smith & Wesson 66 1 .357 Mag Stainless 2.5\
Given all these complaints, you'd probably assume I wouldn't recommend this gun. But really, it depends on what you're looking for. If you want a new mid-sized revolver ready out of the box, I wouldn't buy this one. You'd probably be better off with something like the Wiley Clapp 3-inch version of the Ruger GP100. It's a bit larger than the 66, but generally executes the mid-sized revolver concept better.
However, if you're like me and really like the size and handling of short-barreled K-frames, the new 66 might be a good place to start. My 66-6 is one of my favorite guns. But when I first got it, it wasn't much different from this new one. It left the factory in 2004, so it's not exactly a good example of Old World craftsmanship. It has evidence of the same modern automation and cost-cutting shortcuts as the Smith & Wesson revolvers that have been criticized for years. It's still a great shooter though, I just need to put a little more time and money into it. I think this new 66 has the same potential. To make it a good revolver I personally would at least make the following changes:
I will be replacing the main spring with a Wolff Standard Weight Powerib spring to activate the double action. There are better ways to improve the action, but the Wolff spring is a cheap solution that is still a huge improvement.
On the new 66, Smith & Wesson switched to a shorter rear sight blade. Therefore, the groove is shallower and it is more difficult to obtain a frontal view. I would trade it for a standard height rear sight blade.
Smith & Wesson Model 66 3
And the front sight with the red plastic insert has to go too. They wash out very easily in many lighting conditions and can be difficult to see. An affordable upgrade would be a red fiber optic from Dawson Precision.
This is a little over $100 modification on a gun that currently retails for around $700-775.
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