RIP S&W Mod 19/66

Kohai999

Kohai999

Second Degree Cutter
Joined
Jul 15, 2003
Messages
12,554
Just found out via American Handgunner that the venerable and much loved Smith & Wesson .357 Magnums Mod. 19 (Blued Carbon Steel) and 66 (Stainless) were discontinued. The Mod. 19 in 1999, the 66 last year.

This upsets me as these were my first and second carry handguns, respectively. I sold the 19 because I found out first hand that blued carry guns can rust badly, and I was sick of the upkeep. I sold the 66 because even in a 2.5" barrel config, it was still too big. I needed a true pocket pistol, which I found in the Colt Mustang .380.

Just thought that those of you not so informed would like to know.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Personally, I like the L-frames much better. Yes, the 19/66 is a classic but, the L-frame doesn't bite the hand that feeds it either. Hot loads in 19/66 are hard on the pistol, my hand, and my wrist. My 686 just laughs it off.
 
I got an M19 for my 16th BD back in '73. I've put a few thou thru it. Love that piece. An extension of me. It's now bead blasted and blued. I upped the original blue values by takin one off the market...LOL

RIP my friend. Your legacy lives on.... :cool:
 
I had a 27 4 inch that I foolishly parted with a few years back. Now there is a pistol that should never have been discontinued. The Smith PC shop made a new 8 inch one. Didn't like it though.... :(
 
My first "duty" weapon (besides the POS Model 10 the department issued me) was a beautiful M27, the deluxe job with the deep blue and the checkering. 5" barrell. Wonderful gun, superbly accurate. But a bit inconvenient to carry, with the weight and the 5" tube. I had to go to a snap-swivel type holster to sit in the car.
Finally traded it for an M19 (long before stainless...) which I carried through the rest of my "regular" police career. Had the Herretts "Jordan Trooper" grips on it, absolutely wonderful.

Now I carry an ugly but effective Glock M23.
 
They are replacing the 66 with a new model, but it has a shrouded barrel. IIRC, the 620?

The 19/66 is/was the best carry/duty gun S&W had the foresight to manufacture.

I'm still mourning over the "internal lock" and the MIM parts....

Best,
JB
 
I had the only stealth 66 ever made. I was in D.C. in the early 80's for firearms instructor recertification and was flying back out of Baltimore for some reason. I had the firearms form in my hand and waved it at the girl on the screening belt to see if she wanted me to bother putting the carryon through the machine since I was the only one in line. She didn't understand and motioned me to put the bag on the belt. It went through without comment and when I handed her the form she blurted, "there's a gun in there?" Now I about had a heart attack thinking I had lost my gun. A quick check of the bag showed the 66 sitting there, unloaded, in its holster. So much for security back then. Shortly thereafter we went to autos.
 
Mwerner how could you all an old work horse like the Md10 a POS. I have alwayed enjoyed shooting my M10 and even found it easy to carry.

Though I will say that I sold it once I got a M19. Now that I have been advised that the M19/66 have been discontinued, I guess I will look for a 66 round butt with a 2 3/4" barrel.

On a side note, when I first joined Savannah PD, I was the only officer at the time with a revolver. I had to wait 6 months before Glock Transition. If I am correct, I believe that I was also the last officer to carry a revolver while on duty. The new recruits now are already certified to carry autos.

Thanks for the heads up.
 
Nothing wrong with the M10, a durable and reliable pistol. It was this particular weapon I was issued that was a bit of a dog. I don't know how many officers had it before I did, but it was kinda ratty-looking.

This was back in '68, and the department I worked for was a little "loose" in regards to weaponry. You had the Colt fans (Python, of course) and the Smith fans. Never the two would agree...
One of the guys I rode with had a 1955 Target model in .45 ACP. He carried Auto Rim rounds in the cylinder, and had ACP rounds in half-moon clips for a quick reload.
A couple of guys had .44 or .41 Magnums, of course. Quite a lot of the guys carried all manner of backup weaponry, ranging from little .25 autos to various sorts of derringers.
Autopistols were unheard-of in police work then, of course.
 
Bob,

The gun store where my son works bought a bunch of Cobb County Sheriff's dept (marked as such) Model 66's. -1's and -2's, a little worn on the outside, but lock up nicely. Many still have the factory stocks, all are 4" square butts.

Best,
JB
 
JB, what part of South Carolina are you from, I am from Georgetown SC. As for the Smiths you are talking about, I am a big fan of round buts, both on guns and women(FIRM, not flabby) :). I would also want it in a 2 3/4" barrel, for conceal carry. Thanks for the heads up though.

mwerner, my M10 had Royal Hong Kong Police Dept on the butt under the grips. This would also explain why it had a lanyard loop on the but. I would also agree with you that Colt and Smith are world apart and never the two shall meet. I just will not tell which side of the tracks I am on. :)
 
Greenville/Anderson area for the last ten years or so, before that fifteen in the Rock Hill/Fort Mill area. I'm a Georgia native, but have lived in SC since 1978.

One of my college roomates was from Georgetown, I think he is now an architect in the Low Country. Great food, too many skeeters :)

I haven't seen any short barreled 66's lately. The three inch is a good compromise (full length ejector), but they seem to bring higher prices.
 
Hell, your life is like mine, I am a USC fan banished to Ga. Your from Ga banished to SC. There is one smith I like, the M696. It's a 44 spl with 3" barrel and ported. Sweet looking.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top