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Return of the Smith & Wesson Model 66 Combat Magnum

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Smith & Wesson 66

Smith & Wesson announced the return of the model 66 Combat Magnum.  One of the most popular police sidearms during the 70’s and 80’s, the Model 66 is a K-frame gun lost favor in the law enforcement community with the switch to semi-automatic pistols in the 80’s and 90’s.  The original Model 66 ceased production in 2005.

The new Model 66 revolver uses a stainless steel frame, barrel and cylinder with a glass bead finish.  The guns hold six .357 Magnum rounds.  The guns will ship with the red ramp front sight and white outline, adjustable rear that were popular with many people.

Synthetic grips are standard on the new guns.  No MSRP has been provided on the new model 66, but we will try to nail that down in the coming days.

Smith & Wesson model 66

Smith & Wesson Model 66 Specifications

caliber.357 Magnum
capacity6 rounds
barrel length4.25"
overall length9.6"
weight (unloaded)36.6 oz
front sightred ramp
rear sightwhite outline, adjustable
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About Richard Johnson

Richard Johnson is a gun writer, police trainer and really bad joke teller. Check out his other writing in Combat Handguns, Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement, on The Firearm Blog and at BlueSheepdog.

  • JesseL

    Can we assume that it will stand up to a steady diet of full house .357 better than the K-frame .357s of old?

    I’m curious what else might differentiate this from a half-lugged 686?

    • http://www.GunsHolstersAndGear.com Richard Johnson

      I sure hope so.

    • Joe B

      The 66 is different than the 686 in every way except for the grip frame size and that they fire the same round. Totally different platform.

      • JesseL

        Understood, but is there some reason a person would prefer a 66 (even assuming a new one won’t beat itself to pieces shooting the ammo it’s ostensibly chambered for) to a 686?

        • SD3

          Just received my 4″ 686+. The 66 is beautiful, but I can’t see why I’d choose it over what I have now.

          • Jeff K

            Lighter, quicker handling, better balance. Unless you shoot only (and extensively) hot .357 Mag, it should last nearly forever. The 66 is a defensive gun, the 686 is a hunting gun…imho.

  • Pingback: Smith Brings back the Model 66!!!()

  • Jamie K.

    would love to see this in a 3” barreled K-comp

    • http://www.GunsHolstersAndGear.com Richard Johnson

      I hear ya. I like shooting 4″ Smith revolvers, but love carrying the shorter barrel K-frames.

  • Jamie K.

    Now that is just funny, they are offering a 5 shot .44 magnum/.44 special called the model 69!!! not making this up, check their website.