Joining the Revolver Club

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bdickens

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Been thinking of adding a wheelgun to my paltry arsenal. Just because. Everyone should have one, no?

Checked out some videos on revolver checkouts &c. Spied this Taurus M66 at the local small town pawn shop.
IMG_20200417_144027.jpg 20200417_145145.jpg

Kinda rough on the outside, but it checked out OK mechanically. A little loose, but almost no endshake and the timing is good. Action feels pretty smooth, at least to me. I'm not really a connoisseur or anything. Looks to be an older model; made in Brazil and no internal lock.

So, how does it shoot? Took some getting used to, for sure. Shooting a DA revolver is definitely different than a semiauto.

7 yards, from the bench. POA is the drawn X.
IMG_20200417_144933.jpg

IMG_20200417_144918.jpg

And now for some more "realistic" shooting:

20200417_153358.jpg



Yeah. I really need to work on my trigger control. At least I called those fliers. That's some consolation.

I think it shoots OK.
 
I would agree. :thumbup:

Welcome to your new addiction. :D
Revolvers are a lot of fun. I love shooting them just as I do my other guns. There is just something about revolvers, both single and double action.

I haven’t owned a Taurus revolver. Some folks like them and some don’t. Don’t let the ones that don’t ruin your fun with your revolver. Yours appears to have seen some use. I would take that as a sign that it’s probably a good and reliable shooter. Someone trusted and liked enough to carry it, that’s for sure. :)

Enjoy your revolver.
 
My first handgun, purchased in 1987 (the year in which I turned 21, the day after my birthday), is a Model 66. Mine has the wood stocks but is otherwise the same. It's always been a good and solid shooter; I even carried it as a sidearm on the job for a short while when I was sworn in later that year.

My only issue is an extractor rod sleeve that would sometimes work loose, locking the cylinder shut. A little Loc-Tite fixes that.

Those Taurus revolvers, particularly the older ones with the round cylinder release tabs, can be very good values. Three of my four currently-owned Taurus revolvers, including that original 66, hail from that era, the Taurus "golden age."
 
Nice find, OP.

I bought a used Model 66 in 1988. It was my first "real" handgun.

Your shooting looks decent already.

Keep up the good work! :)
 
Welcome to the insanity . Learning to shoot a DA revolver is akin to being able to drive a manual transmission. Once you learn you can shoot anything. The Taurus is a near perfect copy of a Smith and Wesson. There are a few differences but not many.
 
All that I own are revolvers. Love holding them, shooting them and even cleaning them. I once said I had no interest in owning semi-autos pistol. Then recently while looking at Kimber Micros with my wife a G43X winked at me. Oh my.. be still my heart. I might be joining that other club.
 
You will be spoiled! For the equivalent price point, revolvers by quality makers are more accurate than semi autos. Semi autos have really improved due to manufacturing technology, but even then, they cost more. Revolvers have these sweet triggers that would cause function problems in semi autos. Now I have buds with target 1911's that cost thousands, they are as accurate as any $250 Taurus, or $600 S&W revolver. This is a recent acquisition of a revolver, the trigger is great!

GKPvF84.jpg

a S&W 586 did this in my hands, so I am optimistic the M686 will do as well

fK6twKS.jpg

and this is typical of what you can expect with a good revolver.

Let me recommend a load I have used in all my 357 Magnums, a 158 L (LSWC, LRN) and 13.5 grains 2400 in a 357 Magnum case. It has been accurate and consistent in all of them. Skeeter Skelton used this load in a 38 Special case, in a 357 Magnum, but I think the pressures would be higher than I want in a 38 Special case. Skeeter used 38 Special cases because there was a time when ranges were littered with once fired 38 Special brass. Now I find 9mm all around, it is rare to find a 38 Special case or a 357 case.
 
bdickens said:
Been thinking of adding a wheelgun to my paltry arsenal. Just because. Everyone should have one, no?

Checked out some videos on revolver checkouts &c. Spied this Taurus M66 at the local small town pawn shop.
View attachment 909096 View attachment 909098

Kinda rough on the outside, but it checked out OK mechanically. A little loose, but almost no endshake and the timing is good. Action feels pretty smooth, at least to me. I'm not really a connoisseur or anything. Looks to be an older model; made in Brazil and no internal lock.

So, how does it shoot? Took some getting used to, for sure. Shooting a DA revolver is definitely different than a semiauto.

7 yards, from the bench. POA is the drawn X.
View attachment 909102

View attachment 909103

And now for some more "realistic" shooting:

View attachment 909110



Yeah. I really need to work on my trigger control. At least I called those fliers. That's some consolation.

I think it shoots OK.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the addiction... erm… club.

Looks like a sweet gun. I'm sure you're going to enjoy it.
 
Welcome, bdickens...

I’d say that’s mighty fine shootin’...!

Now work your way out to 25+ yards... you will be surprised at what you can do.

Have fun...!
 
A lot of good thoughts and advice. I'm a Taurus owner with a couple of snubbies. My latest acquisition is a Charter Arms Bulldog 45 Colt snubby. Probably the sweetest meanest revolver I own. 2.5 inches of "don't mess with this".
My semi's haven't been to the range in quite awhile. Revolvers are just plain fun to shoot.
If you're not into reloading...now is the time. This will complete the addiction.
 
nevadabob said:
If you're not into reloading...now is the time. This will complete the addiction.
Click to expand...
Revolvers deserve proper care and feeding. Factory ammo is like McDonald's for firearms, not ideal and maybe not what you want but it will technically work. Handloads are like a fine meal prepared by your guns personal chef (you). You know what it likes and what weight, velocity and bullet construction matches what you're doing.feed them yummy bullets and get yummy results .
 
Barry loyd said:
Welcome to the insanity . Learning to shoot a DA revolver is akin to being able to drive a manual transmission. Once you learn you can shoot anything. The Taurus is a near perfect copy of a Smith and Wesson. There are a few differences but not many.
Click to expand...

Yep, a certain pride comes mastering the Revolver DA. And yes, learn to shoot one and the rest are so easy. And the DA is such a wonderful trigger for EDC. A good DA is very addicting.
 
Slamfire--- I believe that load that Skeeter Skelton used loaded in 38 special cases had the bullet seated out further than 38 special specs giving more room for powder
in the case. Only to be used in 357 mag revolvers.
 
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