Smith & Wesson Brings Back The Combat Magnum Model 66
Source:S&W Model 66 Combat Magnum Returns
Return of the K-Frame .357 Magnum®
• Full Top Strap and Barrel Serration
• Ball-Detent Lock-Up
• 2-Piece Barrel
The K-Frame revolver is one of the most important innovations in Smith & Wesson history and was built specifically to handle the .38 S&W Special cartridge. Since its introduction in 1899, the K-Frame has been a favorite for military and police professionals as well as target shooters and enthusiasts. Today’s K-Frame is available in .22 LR and .38 S&W Special.
ALL BACKED BY OUR SMITH & WESSON LIFETIME SERVICE POLICY.
Availability subject to applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and ordinances.
A beautiful weapon. It’s no accident, however, that their publicity photos feature the right hand profile, as shown above. The other side would prominently feature the keylock mechanism that is the primary obstacle to purchasing one for me and for many others. Pre-lock Model 66 specimens, when you can find one, often cost well over $1000 and these new ones will not change that.
I still prefer the one I have http://www.dayattherange.com/?p=63
Well, it turns out that I erred in saying that older 66’s are always over $1000. Two of them just showed up on the Collector’s Firearms website at $800 (a 66-2) and $850 (a 66), respectively. Good buys if the new ones sell at the $849 msrp.
This is the link for one of them, although it likely won’t be there for long …
http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/smith-wesson-66-357-magnum-pr25362/
People need to get over their lock phobia. I don’t like it… wish it wasn’t there… but if you are picking old S&Ws just because they don’t have a lock you better be darn sure you know what you are doing.
You cannot buy a revolver that is more precisely machined than the ones that Smith is making today—and this gun, with its two piece barrel and ball-detent lockup is going to be one crazy accurate handgun… and very handsome to boot!
You’d really pass that up because of the lock? Personally, I’d just use a little lock-tite on the lock mechanism and forget about it. Passing on the best revolvers that Smith has built in a long, long time, simply because you don’t like one small detail about the gun is, IMO, self-defeating.
I can fine something I don’t like about just about any gun made.
m66 is a great gun, the question is why are you showing a picture of a m627?
I am unsure of the product you are looking at but this is the model 66 not 627.
Here is the model 66
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_827561_-1_757769_757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y
This is the model 627
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_764970_-1_757770_757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y
Model 66 is a K/L Frame and the model 627 is a N Frame. I hope this helps.
Ive got two revolvers with the lock. This new 66 and a 629 Mountain Gun. I just ignore the locks. They have never ever caused a problem. The second hand 66s ive seen are all in the neighborhood of $500 to $550.
Derek the gun is the new Model 66 not a 627