Is there a difference between a S&W model 66, and a 66 Combat Magnmum? If so, what are the differences? Or is the M66 the same as the 66 Combat Magnum?

“Model 66-8 Reintroduced at the 2014 SHOT Show with a two piece 4-1⁄4" barrel as the “Model 66 Combat Magnum “ . Features ball détente lock –up, two piece barrel and full length top strap and barrel serrations, pinned red ramp front sight, white outline rear sight, black hammer, black trigger and black thumbpiece. Synthetic grip with S&W monogram and fitted with internal lock.”

Excerpt From
Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson
Jim Supica & Richard Nahas
https://books.apple.com/id1173072936
This material may be protected by copyright.

Research indicates barrel length and therefore overall weight.

S&W 66: 4.25" barrel, 36.9 oz
66 Combat Magnum: 2.75" barrel, 33.5 oz

Info found here.

The first combat magnum was the blue model 19 the name and model number both apply.
Later when the combat magnum was introduced in stainless it was the model 66 stainless combat magnum and over time the various mechanical revisions of the design ( traditionally a significant mechanical design change in S&W’s is designated by a so called dash number 66-2, 66-3 etc)
Another perhaps better example is the model 27 which before model numbering was instituted ( 1957/58 time frame ) the N frame 357 was simply called the “357 magnum” as no other gun in the S&W line shared that caliber.
Similarly since 1899 the K frame 6 shot 38 was named the military and police, when model numbers started the additional model number of 10 was added, but the gun was still named the military and police

And to up the game, the 686 was the Distinguished Combat Magnum!

S&W has used phrases like Kit gun or K-38/22,K-22 Masterpiece (Model 17) Registered Magnum (Model 27), Highway Patrol Man (Model 28), Combat Magnum, Combat Masterpiece (K-38/15), Chief Special (36,60),Military and Police (M&P) (Model 10), etc. They have also reused the phrased Military and Police and Chief Special for semi-automatics.

When I checked the S&W website they are showing a model 69 (.44) Combat Magnum and a 66 Combat Magnum (.357). Both Combat Magnum models have a 2.75 inch barrel vs the 4" barrel of the normal model. I can also tell you that the current production 66 Combat Magnum has a ball detent lock in the frame vs the front of the ejector rod (sorry if my nomenclature is wrong), a two-piece barrel, and a full diameter forcing cone. This is a significant difference from the classic model 66. That's from personal inspcetion of the new model and owning a 66-3.

I have no experience with the model 69 combat magnum.

Sorry if I nerded out on you.

Everything CD228 said above is correct. The current model 66 is built on an L-Frame, not the traditional K-Frame, which leaves a little more room for the barrel and eliminates the issue of cracked forcing cones that the K-Frame .357s sometimes suffered from.

My 66 is an older pre-lock 66-4 K-Frame with a 4" barrel, but I do have one of the new 69 Combat Magnums built on the L-Frame. Both are excellent guns, but I really like that 69. It has all the stuff we're supposed to hate...the internal lock, mim parts, two-piece barrel, detent on the crane...but it's increeibly smooth and accurate and a great shooting gun. I've actually contemplated buying a new 66 to go with it.

quote:

Originally posted by BigJoe:
Is there a difference between a S&W model 66, and a 66 Combat Magnmum? If so, what are the differences? Or is the M66 the same as the 66 Combat Magnum?

Smith and Wesson transitioned from naming firearms to model numbers back in 1957

When Bill Jordan convinced Smith and Wesson to make a K-frame based 357 Magnum revolver back in 1955 it was named the Combat Magnum. When model numbers came into existence in 1957 this carbon steel firearm was dubbed the model 19. Several years later when Smith and Wesson decided to create a stainless steel version of the
combat Magnum it was given the model number of 66



Both names are correct and can are used interchangeably amongst collectors

The model 19, 66 or Combat Magnum were originally created on the K-frame and are still made on the K-frame to this day. Forum member 92fstech is mistaken on this issue, the revolver has never been built on the L-frame.

The L-frame version of the 357 Magnum is known as the Distinguished Combat Magnum and carries the model numbers of 586 in carbon steel, 686 in stainless steel or 386 in Scandium alloy

Colt,
Thats a pretty L frame. It looks like a 2 inch -3 or earlier with a round but t. Who did the engraving?

quote:

Forum member 92fstech is mistaken on this issue, the revolver has never been built on the L-frame.

I stand corrected. S&W's website does indeed refer to it as a K-Frame. Do you know how they managed to fit a fully-round barrel without the flat cut at the base of the forcing cone into a K-Frame? Because I know the new model 66 does not have that cut.

quote:

Originally posted by CD228:
Colt,
Thats a pretty L frame. It looks like a 2 inch -3 or earlier with a round but t. Who did the engraving?

Sorry but I do not recall the name of the engraver

That gun was engraved about 40 years ago, I bought it directly from the engraver at the FEGA meeting back then. He was not a big name but I did like his work and he made me a spectacular deal

That is one of the original 2 1/2" guns that Lew Horton convinced Smith and Wesson to build. Prior to the introduction of this model, all L-frames were square butt revolvers with the shortest barrel being 4" long

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:

quote:

Forum member 92fstech is mistaken on this issue, the revolver has never been built on the L-frame.

I stand corrected. S&W's website does indeed refer to it as a K-Frame. Do you know how they managed to fit a fully-round barrel without the flat cut at the base of the forcing cone into a K-Frame? Because I know the new model 66 does not have that cut.

If you look at one of the modern model 19s or 66s you will see that it is not a full diameter barrel shank. Instead of a flat cut at the bottom to create the clearance for the yoke. the barrel has a step down to the diameter but it goes completely around the barrel

Unfortunately I do not own one or I would provide an image of the barrel shank

Remember almost 70 years have passed since that revolver was introduced. During that time, machining processes have improved as well as metallurgy. Smith and Wesson does learn and adapt as time goes by. Today's barrels are much stronger than the barrels of 1955

quote:

Instead of a flat cut at the bottom to create the clearance for the yoke. the barrel has a step down to the diameter but it goes completely around the barrel

Interesting. Next time I see one in person I'll have to look closer and see how they did that.

Great read. Thanks for all the responses. I have a M66, 1974 year of production, 4" barrel. Is it a Combat Magnum?

Yes Sir .
It is a Combat Magnum.

quote:

Originally posted by raggedhole:
Yes Sir .
It is a Combat Magnum.

Thanks for the reply. I will send you a picture for confirmation.

Got photo
Yes
Combat Magnum
Pinned and Recessed

quote:

Originally posted by raggedhole:
Got photo
Yes
Combat Magnum
Pinned and Recessed

Thanks again!!!

I suspect that the reason why the new model 66 can have a fully round barrel is in part due to the detent lock replacing the underlug lock. This would allow some changes to the ejector rod and the gas seal at the front of the cylinder. BTW it's that gas seal that drove the need for that flat on the older K frames. Shave 1/32 inch off the gas seal and then reduce the OD of the barrel by 0.01-0.015 inch and you then have clearance for the gas seal with a fully round barrel.

BTW, I have the model 620 which was the first L Frame with a 2 piece barrel and chose it over the 686 because I just don't like full lug barrels and always wanted a Dan Wesson revolver for the accuracy achieved with a tensioned barrel. BTW, ALL of the S&W 2 piece barrels are tensioned barrel guns and surpass the accuracy of a solid barrel by a factor of 2 or more. Out of curiosity I once mounted a Nikon 1.75 power handgun scope on my 620 and took it do a local 50 yard indoor range. There I proceeded to produce 3/4 inch groups at 50 yards shooting off a sandbag on a slightly shaky suspended bench. BTW, I quickly learned shooting for long range accuracy requires lots of practice and trigger technique is critical. Spent 4 weeks practicing before getting to the point where I was under an inch at 50 yards and I expect a pro shooting from a good solid rest could have been at 1/2 inch or a bit less. Basically the tensioned barrel Smiths are 1 MOA handguns.