First S&W

D

DarkKNight

Inactive
I bought my first S&W recently. A 2 1/2" 66. It seems to be an older production gun...recessed cylinders. Not a collector...but I bought it for off duty carry. I was wondering if anyone has any advice for what loads to look at...(I am not really bothered by recoil...have a contender in 45/70) and who makes a good holster. I dont have much time with revolvers as I carry a beretta at work. Any hints for a neophyte wheel man? I am a fairly competitive local IDPA shooter, a manic hunter, and firearms are my hobby. I spare no expense on my gear, or my weapons. I will be looking for a good "name" smith also. I would like the hammer bobbed off, the action tuned for DAO, the cylinders worked , and some night sights installed. Any one reccomend somebody they have had FIRST hand experience with? I hope I dont overwelm people with my questions...but I am new to the "way of the wheel". Thnaks for any help.

DKnight
 
Ammo rec. -- Remington Golden Saber .357 Mag., 125-gr.

Practice, practice, practice.

I do all my own work on my guns, so I can't answer your other questions.
 
If you are looking for a nice mild 357 range round try Ga Arms 158gr LSWC rated at 1100FPS. I shoot that in my M60 for long range periods.
 
IMO, Both the Golden Sabre and the Hydro Shock do an admirable job in a defense load!Hume makes top quality leather or try to find a old Safariland lined.www.Don Hume.com and request a catalog, you'll get one mailed quick.
Dan
 
I just got one of those older 66's myself, except it has a 4" barrel. Nice revolvers!

In .357, I like the Golden Sabres or W-W Silvertips.

All my duty gear (revolver and auto) is Don Hume. I also have a Don Hume H726 for my P220. Since you spare no expense though, you may want to look at a custom leather shop like Waldon's. Be prepared for a wait, but it is well worth it.
 
Folks have about covered all the basics. I can only add two things. First, get used to pulling straight through on the trigger. Second, enjoy. There are few things in life as nice as shooting a S&W wheelgun.
 
Welcome DarkKNight.
Since you compete in IDPA.....before doin any radical changes to the gun, do a match or three with it....not in BUG but as stock revolver. Only 2½" barrel ?, they sneered. Plenty long enough to not miss any of the targets.

Sight picture held through bang. Accuracy first and speed will come. Speed will come to pass the autoloaders on inlines and double taps.

Have fun safely

Sam
 
In my M66, I use .38 Special +P, Lead Semi-Wadcutter Hollowpoints, as loaded by Winchester, Federal, and Remington.

Recoil is mild, so I can get back on target quickly for follow-up shots. The muzzle blast is not too bad.
 
Nuther thought.

To make IDPA power cheaply from the short barrel, medium stiff loads with 125gr cast SWCs work quite well in either special or magnum cases.

Sam
 
I appreciate the responses. I think I have settled on a Milt Sparks Holster in horsehide. Today I shot the gun with a variety of ammo. Some 158Grn SWCHP +p's, some Federal +p+ hydrashoks (145grn?), a few boxes of speer godldot 125grn JHP, Golden sabre 125grn JHP, and some federal 180- cast core. I can tell you that so far the Gold dots are the prefered carry load, but the castcores will be in it come bear and moose season. I also tried the HKS and safariland speedloaders. I have settled on the safariland ones. Changed the pachmayer presentation Sq. Butt grip for a Round butt Monogrip. Very much like that change. The recoil with even the 125grn JHP's isnt too bad. I can still run fairly fast doubletaps. The sights need IMMEDIATE improvement. The front blade is way to thick for fast work. I am going to go with "cylinder&slide" for a smith. They have a great rep (I had some work done there before) and have excellent service in my opinion.

I need far more work with the speedloaders before I shoot IDPA SSR. The sights need work in my opinion. All in all I am very happy with my first S&W. After some long Hard thought about their past decisions, I decide a carry piece isnt worth any political expression form me. I realize its a used gun and they would have seen no profit...but to me if I boycott a company...I boycott them. I have had a couple of Tauri, soem rugers...but they just arent the same to me. None of them had a trigger this nice...and that short barreled RB K frame is a real looker. Just my opinion....its worth what you paid for it. No offense to Taurus or Ruger owners.

DKnight
 
I have a model 19-3, same as the model 66 only in blued steel. You may want to limit the use of full power Magnum rounds, especially the lightweight bullets. My model 19 is showing accelerated wear on the barrel forcing cone after 300 rounds of 110 gr JHP Magnums. I think it is wise to carry and occasionally fire 110 or 125 grain Magnums, but practice with reduced loads. The model 19 and 66 were not designed from the ground up as 357's. Instead, Smith & Wesson improved the heat treatment on the model 10 frame, a gun designed for 38 Special.

For a steady diet of Magnums I would recommend the Ruger GP-100 or Smith 596/686 guns. These were designed for the 357 Magnum.
 
For what it's worth, if $ is not an issue, you might want to think about the Crimson Trace laser grips. I had front night site only installed on my last snub and went with "overmolded" grips for current one. Been shickeled titless with the investment.
 
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