Need to decide between a S&W M66 and a Springfield 1911

[TheOtherOne]

Due to funds and commitments, I'll probably only be able to buy one more gun this year and I'm torn between a Springfield 1911 Mil-Spec and a S&W 66. They are both similar in price. I want the Springfield because I don't own a 1911 or even a 45. I want the S&W because I don't currently have any revolver.

Right now I'm leaning towards the 1911 because I think I like it a little better. However the fact that I've already got plenty of autoloaders, and even a BHP in .40, but own no revolvers makes me think the .357 would be a better choice.

Dang, I hate decisions!

 

[MikeJ]

You certainly will get whichever gun "speaks" to you the loudest but I personally like the variety that having revolvers and pistols affords me when I go shooting. Lately I have really been enjoying revolvers although I always bring an auto or two along for the ride as well. At other times my focus is on pistols and revolvers are secondary but the great thing is that I always have a choice. I wonder how much shooting you've done with revolvers? If you haven't had much of an opportunity I strongly suggest you try and get together with someone that can let you shoot theirs or go to a range where you can rent one. I think that would help you along with your decision making process or else present even more confusion and indecision. Whatever you do I'm sure you will enjoy it and the gun, they are both fine choices. Mike

 

[ACP]

Wow! No 1911, no revolver? What do you shoot?

What's it for? For self-defense, the 1911 is easier to hide, the .45 ACP is easier to shoot, and is easier to reload. But is it reliable? The revo. is stone reliable, and a real killer with full-power 110-gr. and 125-gr. Magnum bullets. But it's tougher to hide, and slower to reload. Always take reliability over anything else, but you've got to be able to hide it, too.

If it's for plinking, I'd get the revo. Ammo is cheaper and more varied, and the sights are adjustable.

 

[Roadkill]

My ratio of semi autos to wheel guns is about fifteen to three but I take my Colt Trooper shooting every time I go. Some of the others I can't remember when I fired them.

rk

 

[Preacherman]

You have multiple pistols, but no revolver???

Well, at least that makes the choice pretty self-evident, doesn't it?

Get the 66!

 

[Josey]

Smith & Wesson. The 66 is just great. Springfield Armory 1911s of late have been problematic. When you get ready for a 1911, get another S&W.

 

[Black Majik]

Everyone needs a 1911 in their collection. A revolver also, but that can come next year

IMO, I love 1911's, shooting 1911's give me a lot more satisfaction than any other type of handgun out there. The SA mil-spec is a great 1911 to have fun with.

But, knowing me you should have guessed this was coming. Save up slightly more and get a NRM Colt 1911 instead.


Revolvers are kinda fun, I jus' bought my first one a week ago, a 686... but its still not nearly as fun to shoot as my 1911's.



Psst... and the revolver came way later than the 1911's.

 

[Majic]

Give your back the needed break from chasing brass.

 

[TheOtherOne]

What's it for?

Just to have. I've already got my self defense guns. A shotgun for home and a Glock that I use for carry -- I'm use to it, shoot it well, hardly know it's on me, and it fits great so I'll stick with it.

Thanks for all the feedback, it is helping but I'm still torn between the two. I want BOTH! Maybe I'll have to sale a kidney.

 

[rbert0005]

One choice gives you a, kind of, "top of the line revolver", and the other choice gives you a "bottom of the line auto"

Take your pick.

Bob

 

[Radagast]

S&W gives you more boom for your buck, at least with full house magnum loads.

I would buy a Smith and then wait until I could afford a top of the line 1911, such as an STI Trojan.

If you are just buying it to have, then buy the best so you can enjoy the possession of it more. IMNSHO the model 66 is the revolver. The Springfield is just another base model auto pistol. Try a Trojan and feel the difference.

Just my two cents, choose what works for you.

Disclosure: My 1911 is a Bul M5 IPSC model in .38 super. I don't currently have a model 66, but will purchase a new one soon, just to have.

Ken

 

[fastbolt]

THE foundation of handgun skills starts with mastery of the revolver ...

The K-frame S&W revolver is probably about as state-of-the-art as it can get for a handgun that's "comfortable" for more people, across the board, than almost any other handgun design ... and has excellent ergonomics for the average hand. The choice of square or round butt can really fine tune the selection, too.

Caliber-wise? For a medium caliber handgun, the .357/.38 combination offers simply great versatility.

While I consider the .44 Magnum/Special to be the BEST all-around, "common" revolver caliber ... the .357/.38 is the best place to start, and is one of those caliber/handgun combinations that deserves a place in just about anyone's battery that considers themselves a handgunner ... in my humble opinion, anyway.

Mastering a DA revolver will make most folks better pistol shooters, and a SA trigger stroke in a DA revolver will provide for some very enjoyable "target" results on the range ...

You can always get a 1911 ... and you already own pistols, right?

The K-frame revolver allows for more enjoyable and productive range time, with less potential ammunition "fussiness", than a stock 1911 ...

The K-frame revolver is a great firearm ... which in no way detracts for the greatness of the venerable 1911 ... but the K-frame is simply a great firearm.

 

[ruger357]

Both are fine weapons. The 66 is timeless have one with a 2.5 inch barrel. I also own a Springfield GI 1911 and it has been flawless. My shooting buddy also has a GI 1911 with absolutly no problems. You just have to sit down and think of which one will suite you best for what you need it for. Whichever one you choose you can't go wrong. Good luck and enjoy.

 

[ACP]

Well, since you've got the CCW covered, go with the Model 66. I'd prefer a pre-MIM hammer and trigger version, and a pre-key lock version, but those might be hard to find NIB, and more expensive. Then you can save up for the New Roll Mark Colt 1911-A1. Then, after that, the Colt Single Action Army.

 

[valnar]

One gentleman above said it best. Buy a top of the line Smith 66. Save up for a better 1911.

If you don't need it for self defense, a revolver is a great plinking gun. I have more fun with my revolvers.

Robert

 

[Mossyrock]

Food for thought:

You can usually purchase a used 4" 66 for about HALF of what a new quality 1911 would cost you. The 66 has the potential to be more powerful. Plinking ammo (cheapo .38 Special) is cheaper. A revolver is usually more accurate than an autoloader. Having said that, I own 5 or 6 1911-platform pistols and ONE 4" model 66? Sound a little lopsided? Not at all...the 66 does it all pretty well. Don't overlook the L or N frame Smiths either. They can be more comfortable to shoot. Especially if this is a plinking and range gun rather than a carry gun.

 

[ducktapehero]

Get the wheelgun, it's more idiot proof, if you pull the trigger and it doesn't go bang, pull trigger again. From personal experience that is much better than pulling back the slide and hoping the crappy round ejects. More reliable with different power loads. Will not FTF or FTE. Does not spit brass on the 6'6'' 280lb linebacker who knows karate that is shooting to the right of you at the range . Plus, John Wayne and Joe Friday carried sixguns.

 

[CB900F]

TheOtherOne;

You started this in 2002. Here it is 2004 & you're still getting replies. Isn't it about time you told us what you picked? Either that, or it's taking you an awful long time to decide - - - - - - - - isn't it?

900F

 

[TheOtherOne]

Actually it's been less than a week since I started the thread. I won't be able to get it for a while. I did lie though because I've already bought another gun. It was a cheap Mosin Nagant that costs less than an average trip to Wal-Mart... so that doesn't count! I'm still eyeing both of these handguns. Still not positive on which one, but alot of the posts have me thinking the S&W would be better for now.

 

[CB900F]

TheOtherOne;

Sorry I mis-read that. T'were me, & it was, I'd go for the mil-spec Springfield now. Finding good used 66's isn't all that hard & is certainly cheaper. Springfield isn't gonna hold that price too long on the .45, not with what the price of steel's been doing lately!

If you aren't aware of it, the price of steel has more than doubled in the last 6 weeks or so.

900F

 

[pierrebazukhov]

Guess I'll pile on with the 66 guys. Find a used one, preferably p+r, and you can't go wrong. You can get one for a little less than half the price of a new Springfield where I am, and you've got quality very few new guns can match IMO. The older S&W revos have quality and class, and you have a choice of any ammo from cheapie .38 Special wadcutters up to full house .357 Mag loads in the same gun. You might even find one that's a police trade-in, which is good if you like a gun with "history," like I do. The Springfield is alright, don't get me wrong, but once you've gotten it home and used it a little it's just another gun- not so with the 66 IMHO.

Congratulations on the M/N, by the way.

 

[Ala Dan]

As I have stated before, I still love a good quality
wheel gun; including the Smith & Wesson model 66.
My personal inventory of weapons will never be w/o
a .38 Special snubby (old model 60), a target sighted
.357 (6" model 686), and a target sighted "big bore"
hand cannon (5" model 629) .44 magnum.

OTOH, I still cherish the feel of a good self loader as
well. With that said, I'm still very fond on my two
West German SIG SAUERS; a .45 caliber P220A, and
a high capacity 9m/m P228.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Hal]

If I may, allow me to offer a suggestion of an alternative.

It's tax "crunch time". I've noticed over the last few years, that as it gets closer to tax time, the selection of quality used revolvers goes up. My pet "theory" on this is that the revolvers aren't the latest "wonder guns", and as such are the first to go when someone is strapped for cash.

One partiular gun that usually stands out is the Smith and Wesson Model 19. The 19 is the blued version of the 66. Prices on a 19 @ this time of year, on a very, very cherry one can be extremely reasonable.

Carefull looking and using the excellent "Check out" can net you a real nice 19,,,, and still leave you enough left over to almost cover a basic reloading setup.

 

[Eskimo Jim]

The Other One-

I'm biased in favor of the S&W 66 because that's what I shoot the most.

No chasing brass.
I can get many more speed loaders for the cost of one high quality magazine for a 1911A1 style bottom feeder.
Reloading your brass is much more cost effective because you don't have to chase brass.
Simple operation
Can easily go from low power 38 special target rounds to high power magnum rounds in a pinch.

The K frame is a little lighter than the 686 or 586 L frame so that makes it more enjoyable to carry in the field. Also, the lighter weight to the gun will make it easier to carry an extra couple of boxes of ammo. You'll need the extra ammunition because the revolver will be very fun to shoot!!!

Good luck

-Jim

 

[sturmruger]

I feel for you that is a tough decision. I have two revolvers and no 1911, but hopefully that is going to change soon.