Revolver

Careful don't feed 'em after midnight, they'll multiply.

On top of normal barrel and cylendar cleaning don't forget to clean in the corners of the backstrap.

 

Nice! Barrel length?

Cleaning is pretty easy. Remove the screw from in front of the trigger, GENTLY swing out the cylinder and remove the cylinder assembly. That should be all the stripping you need to do.

Get a Lewis Lead Remover for the bore.

 

I've had a 66-2 with the 6" barrel since I bought it new in 80's. Treat it right and it will last you forever.

 

4" bbl... Stainless.

Lewis Lead Remover... Never heard of them. Thanks for the tip -- will look them up!

Does removing the screw enable you to remove the cylinder (rather than just swing it out)?

Corners of backstrap -- got it. Thanks!

 

Does removing the screw enable you to remove the cylinder (rather than just swing it out)?

Yes sir. Avoid the temptation to remove the side plate until you've done a bunch of reading on the subject.

 

Yes sir. Avoid the temptation to remove the side plate until you've done a bunch of reading on the subject.

This ^^^

And I highly recommend this: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/47...ly-and-reassembly-smith-and-wesson-k-l-n-frame-revolvers-with-jerry-miculek-dvd

Enjoy and welcome to the wonderful world of wheel guns! It won't be your last, I will bet.

 

And I highly recommend this: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/47...ly-and-reassembly-smith-and-wesson-k-l-n-frame-revolvers-with-jerry-miculek-dvd

I hadn't seen Miculek's DVD; got to have a copy of that!

 

Avoid the temptation to remove the side plate until you've done a bunch of reading on the subject.

Good to know. I shall not be touching the side plate for a while.

 

(BTW, what's a "CSF PF Member"?)

 

I had a great Smith wesson 66 -6inch barrel, wish I had not sold it, bought it from a WVa state trooper, smoothest trigger I have ever had. Great revolvers.

 

Congrats! be sure to post pics when you get it! I love my Model 66!

 

Ed...what grips are those? Ahrends?

 

Ed...what grips are those? Ahrends?

Yes....I really like them.

 

Not a Model 66, but a S&W nonetheless. My Model 10.

Once you go S&W, you never go back!

 

Man, those pictures are sweet... Can't wait to get mine, now. Should be gettin' it Thursday morning!

 

Remove the screw from in front of the trigger, GENTLY swing out the cylinder and remove the cylinder assembly. That should be all the stripping you need to do.

Get a Lewis Lead Remover for the bore.

There's no good reason to remove the cylinder assembly for routine cleaning - leave it and the sideplate alone.

As to the Lewis Lead Remover - if you're not shooting lead bullets, there's no need for it. Even if you are shooting lead, unless you're having a problem with leading, you ought not need more than occasional use.

IMO, people spend way too much time cleaning their wheelgun, trying to get it looking new. At best, it's unnecessary. At worst, you can end up damaging or adding wear to the gun. The front face of the cylinder, in particular, seems to bring out peoples' obsessive side. Just wipe the heavy stuff off, then let the rest be. It'll just come back, and getting it like "factory new" is a losing battle.

After shooting, wipe the gun down with solvent. Get the stuff between the forcing cone and the top strap. Then run a solvent soaked patch through the bore (preferable from the breech end) and chambers, followed by a dry one. If you shoot .38spls through a .357mag, occasionally run a brush through the chambers. Even here, it doesn't need to be done every time you shoot .38spls.

Every so often, I'll use a brass brush & solvent on the front of the forcing cone (and in the space under the top strap) as well as on the front of the cylinder, the cylinder flutes, the cylinder stop slots, and on the ejector star on the back of the cylinder.

Anything else to be aware of?

I'm surprised no one mentioned this: When shooting .357mags through any k-frame .357, stick with 158gr, and avoid 125gr ammo.

 

There's no good reason...

All good to know -- thanks!

I'm surprised no one mentioned this: When shooting .357mags through any k-frame .357, stick with 158gr, and avoid 125gr ammo.

Really? Wow... Why's that? (Not doubting -- just surprised.)

 

Really? Wow... Why's that? (Not doubting -- just surprised.)

Damage to the forcing cone, and hot gas cutting the top strap.

The 125s seem to really impact the forcing cone particularly hard, while simultaneously spewing some seriously hot gas through the cylinder gap, and up into the top strap area. Compared to the larger L-frame, both of these areas on the K-frame are thinner and more susceptible. Even with 158gr .357mag ammo, it's best to not feed a steady diet of mag ammo through your 66 if you're going to shoot it a lot.

 

Damage to the forcing cone, and hot gas cutting the top strap.

The 125s seem to really impact the forcing cone particularly hard, while simultaneously spewing some seriously hot gas through the cylinder gap, and up into the top strap area. Compared to the larger L-frame, both of these areas on the K-frame are thinner and more susceptible. Even with 158gr .357mag ammo, it's best to not feed a steady diet of mag ammo through your 66 if you're going to shoot it a lot.

Good to know -- thanks!

My plan was to shoot 38 spl 95% of the time... Just shoot enough 357 to be comfortable with it, so that I can have it loaded with 357 when on the night stand (for example).

 

Clean the revolver when it starts to tighten up otherwise shoot it and enjoy it, don't have to overthink a revolver, it's your friend.

 

As requested, a pic!

(BTW, do I need to keep chamber under the hammer empty? Been reading some, and it's not entirely obvious what the right answer is.)

 

Nice! Just added it to my "wanted" list for 2012

 

As requested, a pic!

(BTW, do I need to keep chamber under the hammer empty? Been reading some, and it's not entirely obvious what the right answer is.)

Short answer no, you do not need to keep the chamber under the hammer empty. Congratulations that is one nice piece, I've got a model 65 that would love to hang out some time.

 

I'm excited -- it's my first revolver.

What do I need to know? Anything else to be aware of?

Be very careful where and how you store them. S&W revolvers have been
known to multiply without cause. Don't ask how I know........

 

Be very careful where and how you store them. S&W revolvers have been
known to multiply without cause. Don't ask how I know........

Nice!!!!