No more model 66???

I heard that also, but a guy told me that Smith&wesson said no because they where one of their bestsellers. I think it is a way to increase price + sales.
 
I heard that the 66 was being discontinued for the 620. While the 620 is actually an L frame instead of a K frame, it has 7 shots and comes with a half lug barrel instead of a full lug like the 686. I looked over the new catalogue at the local shop, and I didn't see where they listed the 66, so from that I'd say that it sounds like it is true, and from the sound of it over on www.smith-wessonforum.com it sounds like it is an accepted fact. From the quick gander I just did over there, it sounds like production has already stopped, but some dealers still have some. So, if you want one and you see one, you better get it while you can.
 
:( Bummer.
I've checked at several of our local dealers and none of them even have a new S&W catalog. Guess I'll check out the website.
 
who?

who owns S&W these days? is it still the brits? It amazes me that the k frames me be discontinued, these are the best revolvers they make for 90% of shooting..better balanced than the L frames. oh well..they seem to be going the way of colt a few years back..trying to commit corporate suicide discontinuing classic models and introducing a line of cheap stuff.
 
Nice guns, those 357 K frames. However, the widespread belief that they are not up to a steady diet of 357 loads probably affected their sales. Folks on gun boards offer this info about K frames all the time. So I guess, in a way, some of us killed the 357 K and F frame.

And the 686 really is a popular gun.
 
Sn comment

It may have some truth to it that gun boards venting may have something to do with loseing some good gun models. The same thing happened on some muzzleloading boards regarding guns made in Spain supposedly having unsafe barrels. Now CVA has dropped their entire line of traditional muzzleloaders and will sell nothing but the new in-line style. If the trend continues with other manufacturers it could result in nothing but custom guns of traditional style.

Having said that, I never saw a posting by anyone who ever saw a blown up barrel. There have probably been some, who used smokeless powder against manufacturers recommendations, or grossly overloaded blackpowder charges. There may have even been a few manufacturing errors. Blanket condemnations are rarely correct. When we squawk, people listen even if we are wrong, mistaken or just rumor mongering.
 
Tamara, where are you? Haven't we covered this already? The reason I have heard for discontinuing the K frame, in .357 only, is that the forcing cone is notched. Look at one (I looked at my brother's) the cone is very very thin at one point. Since Smith warrants the gun for life, they don't want to pay to fix this when it wears out from a steady diet of .357's. Especially some of the higher pressure modern loadings.
My understanding is .38's will continue to be produced.

Mike
 
I don't think the reasoning of the forcing cone has merit. If it did they surely would not produce .357's in "J"'s. I understand it was a problem, but if S&W can ovecome it in a "J" they certainly can with a larger "K" if they were so inclined.
 
Say it ain't so, Joe! A K-Frame Smith .357 with a 3" barrel is one of the best combat handguns ever created!;)
 
I bought one yesterday; 2.5". I have read some articles on the 66 and many people consider this to be the premier snubby of all time; unless you're a diehard colt python fan. It's been raining here have not fired it yet. Should be able to fire some rounds today. I also have a 686 6". These two make a nice pair.
 
The .357 K-frames died because the M686 out sold all of them by itself. With the new barrel system they are using now there's very little additional work involved in making the various M686s and M620s so it's cheaper to just build one frame to cover all the models. Since they also already had the M681 in place the M13 suffered the same fate.
 
Went out and fired some rounds thru it. What a sweet gun!! I fired some 147g +p .38spl and some 147g .357mags. The recoil is not bad at all with the Uncle Mike's combat grips. I bought this gun instead of a J frame because I want to shoot it alot. I like shooting the magnums but I will shoot mostly 38's. I am also going to use this for concealed carry. Anyone have any suggestions for holsters?
 


Lowering production costs...

I guess that's why I prefer my revlolvers old, like the 66 I have with the countersunk cylinder. Since I paid $300 for it (good condition) I guess S&W is competing with itself.

Too many good strong, old revolvers out there....


-tINY

 
I don't think the reasoning of the forcing cone has merit. If it did they surely would not produce .357's in "J"'s. I understand it was a problem, but if S&W can ovecome it in a "J" they certainly can with a larger "K" if they were so inclined.
Click to expand...
Look at the K-frames forcing cone and you can see where the potential for the problem exist. The bottom has a flat milled to allow room to close the crane. This thinner area is where they crack.
The "larger K-frame" is the L-frame.
 
Magic,

I inspected 2 of my "K"'s and do see what you are referring to. I am also aware of the "L" being larger than a "K". What I was attempting to say was that if S&W can make it work in "J" they should'nt have a problem making it work in a "K", as in "K" is larger than "J", not that they need a larger "K", as in the "L".
 
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