Revolver for Tax-Free Day: Two Finalists

[iofneedle]

Hi,

So my search for a 357 mag continues...I've narrowed it down to two:

Smith and Wesson 686+ 4" SS
Smith and Wesson New Model 66 4" SS

I like them both very much. My opinion:

• Looks goes to the Model 66. Love the black accents on the satin stainless.
• Balance goes to Model 66. A little less barrel weight.
• Which feels best in my hand goes to 686. I like the wider grip.
• Less recoil and muzzle lift goes to 686.
• Family use goes to the Model 66. I have large hands...family does not.

I know the ladies and gentlemen at NES are never at a loss for opinions and comments.

Thanks

 

[Snora]

Are you going to look at it or shoot it?

 

[Billy2]

Cant really go wrong either way. Nod goes to the 66 if its a family gun. I am assuming you have other pistols of your own.

 

[iofneedle]

Are you going to look at it or shoot it?

LOL....

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Cant really go wrong either way. Nod goes to the 66 if its a family gun. I am assuming you have other pistols of your own.

Yep, plenty of 9mm and a SR22

 

[chris_1001]

Ooooh! Where did you find a 66? (PM me if you don't want it or if they have more).

My advice is ick... no one want's a 66, get the 686

 

[M1911]

I prefer the 66. I prefer how it balances. I don't shoot a lot of .357 Mag, mostly .38 spcl at about 120 power factor, and there just isn't any recoil to speak of.

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Ooooh! Where did you find a 66? (PM me if you don't want it or if they have more).

S&W has restarted production of the 66, so I assume that they are readily available, though I admit I haven't looked for one (as I already have 3 K-frames).

 

[chris_1001]

S&W has restarted production of the 66, so I assume that they are readily available, though I admit I haven't looked for one (as I already have 3 K-frames).

I knew they had talked about it. Not sure it had arrived and have not seen one in the wild yet. Hope that don't put the lock on it. I had one years ago (sold it), so now I want to replace it.

 

[iofneedle]

I knew they had talked about it. Not sure it had arrived and have not seen one in the wild yet. Hope that don't put the lock on it. I had one years ago (sold it), so now I want to replace it.

Sad face...there is a lock...

 

[chris_1001]

Sad face...there is a lock...

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.............

 

[M1911]

Sad face...there is a lock...

Go find a pre-lock K-frame. None of mine have locks. One of mine is even pinned and recessed.

 

[Mountain]

Look at, 66.

Shoot and drive tacks, 686. Won my last NRA 25 yd slow fire with a 686.

 

[Wadcutter]

K (66) and L (686) revolvers take the same grips, and they are very easy to swap out. Grip feel shouldn't be a huge factor in picking out a S&W.

While I'm not a fan of the lock, and have a pre-lock 66 myself, the new models do have some improvements to stand up better to 357 rounds. Plus you might have a hard time finding a pre-lock 66 in stock this weekend. I look all the time for stainless k frames and they aren't that easy to find. I'd get the 66 over the 686, as it just feels more elegant to me.