Taurus M66: My First Revolver in 18 Years!

[@LionquestFitness]

Very good breakdown of the 66. You know, I've noticed a trend. A lot of us older guys tend to gravitate toward what guns we began with, whether it was a 1911 or a Beretta 92 in the military or a revolver or Glock in law enforcement.

[@shootinitstraight4162]

@LionquestFitness I certainly agree with you regarding that trend. Can't say that I know WHY that's happening, but it does seem to be happening. I don't see that as being anything bad, either! Thanks for watching, friend 👌

[@garageguy879]

Greg,I find myself going in that same direction.I just recently bought a 4" 66 and it's built like a tank.

[@hardball107]

I love my 38 Specials but they don't carry a lot of confidence in bear country. I bought a 3" Taurus 856 Defender and was so impressed with it I went out and bought a 4" M44 in 44 Magnum and yes it is the model with the ported barrel and yes, it's a handful and you better have two forms of hearing protection on with full power loads. Taurus and S&W were once owned by the same company and it shows, the M44 is almost a clone of my 6.5" 629 Classic only at less than half the price. I do shoot a lot of 44 Specials out of it and reload a 200gr FP Lee cast and powder coated bullet at around 900+ fps and it's a ton of fun. Mine came with a factory tuned trigger that was just smooth as butter, it has the same sights and is very accurate and a joy to shoot, even my 265gr FP loads with a big charge of H110 for bear are no problem. The ported barrel keeps the muzzle under control and really cuts felt recoil, it's also good at clearing out the indoor range at my local Sportsman's club. After the first few rounds of the big stuff with the flash and blast everyone on the line takes a break for a coffee or Pepsi. All in all it's a fine revolver and IMHO Taurus excels at producing them. My 3" 856 is 3 years old now and has over 2500 rounds thru it, at least half +P loads without a hiccup and it keeps my Dillon SDB busy. I have maybe 400 rounds thru my M44 but it has proven to be a great revolver and I fully expect it to serve as well as the 856, I believe your's is a 7 shot also and with 357's in the M66 it should last forever. I've steered many people to Taurus without a complaint.

[@GunSam]

If someone asked what is the do it all gun out there. I would immediately say about a 4" .357 Magnum revolver.

[@shootinitstraight4162]

@GunSam Thank you sir! Yes, I agree with you 👌

[@GB-od6ee]

Glad to see @GunSam at the table! We are graced with revolver royalty!

[@batio58]

Are you planning on making a follow up video to the Tisas 1911? I've been looking at their 1911s but dont know if their reliable enough to trust my life to and CCW with. Would appreciate your expertise on the subject.

[@shootinitstraight4162]

@batio58 Yes, I do plan to do a short follow up once I get 1,000 rounds put thru it. So far, I personally have no reservations about carrying it loaded with 230 grain Remington Golden Sabers.

[@batio58]

@@shootinitstraight4162 sounds good, thank you!

[@batio58]

@@shootinitstraight4162 Sounds good. Thanks!

[@scottweisz]

I forgot to say how much I love the channel. Subscribed. You know your stuff. God be with you..........

[@shootinitstraight4162]

@scottweisz Thank you, my good Sir 👌

[@isaiah3127]

I've been trying to find this channel for two weeks. I remember watching videos you did about grip and kydex holsters last year.

[@gregwright392]

My S&W. 19 and 36 Have a special place in my heart as they were my duty guns when I started my LE career in1980! Nice looking Taurus.

[@shootinitstraight4162]

@gregwright392 Thank you sir. Ahhhh yes, the beautiful S&W model 19 😍

[@charlesh1735]

I use PPU 158 grain Flat point Jacket in my model 66. With over 910 feet pounds per square inch,and traveling 1600 feet per second these full metal flat nose bullets pack a punch! With plenty penetration.

[@richross9975]

This should be a blueprint for all overviews of firearms. Very informative, keep up the good work sir 🫡

[@123karismith]

Great video, I just ordered a Taurus 66 based on your observations and opinion. Thanks....oh, I ordered the SS 6" model for 348.00....insane price!!

[@shootinitstraight4162]

@@123karismith Excellent!! 👌👌

[@Paladin1873]

The 686 is an L frame. I have an early model blued 6" 586 that is a joy to shoot thanks to its very slick and light DA pull and surprisingly comfortable finger-groove wood grips (something I usually detest). Last year I acquired one of the new 7-shot 4" 686 revolvers for my daughter. The grips are some sort of soft plastic or rubber and the DA pull is rather heavy. I'm debating whether to replace the springs or just give it a chance to loosen up.

[@shootinitstraight4162]

@Paladin1863 I feel certain that the DA pull will start to smooth out soon with use. My Taurus 66 is already lightening up.

[@josethesmurf8053]

Great vid I’m getting one next week

[@shootinitstraight4162]

@@josethesmurf8053 I think you'll be pleased with it. Thanks for watching! 👌

[@Paladin1873]

I think the eight round version is the 608, built on the Taurus version of an N frame. I've never used one, so now you have me curious.

[@shootinitstraight4162]

@Paladin1873 Yeah, the 608 is on Taurus' "Large" frame. I've never held one, but it would probably be too large for me, since my hands are on the medium/small scale.

[@sidneyhunter8672]

Awesome 👍🏾

[@astrumdeus7098]

Can you do a video on how to adjust those sights for sighting it in?..... Thanks in advance

[@shootinitstraight4162]

@astrumdeus7098 I'll include that in my next "FAQ's" video 👍

[@TARandFEATHERS]

Enjoyed the video. Would you say theM66 is more of an K frame or L ?? I want to get a Taurus .357. I want at least a 4" and at least a 7 shot. Been looking at the Tracker and the 66 and I think it was the 608. I don't want one too lightweight or small. RockOn.StayFree.

[@shootinitstraight4162]

@TARandFEATHERS Thank you sir. From all of the info I have seen, the M66 7 shot is more of a K frame size, closer to the S&W model 66. The 8 shot version is a larger frame.

[@davidrichmond1657]

I have a 4inch 686 -3 and a new taurus model 66 they both fit the same holster the 66 seems to be closer to a L frame

[@TARandFEATHERS]

@@davidrichmond1657 Thx for the info.

[@jesse_campbell]

I missed wildly shooting 38 out of a 357 mag also. Yours is the third video I have encountered telling that same story. Don't know why it is happening, but I wouldn't trust 38 out of a 357 mag unless the target was within 10 feet.

[@shootinitstraight4162]

@jesse_campbell I'm thinking it may be due to the large velocity differences between the two cartridges, and different bullet weights (if any) could also contribute to that.

[@garycombs9435]

Install a set of Wolff springs. It'll reduce your trigger pull.

[@shootinitstraight4162]

@garycombs9435 Good idea 👍👌

[@scottweisz]

Now I have a question for you good sir. On my 66 on the left side of the hammer, there's a slight amount of wear (shiny metal) from use. Would a tiny amount of oil at that precise spot have prevented it? Can it be done now? Your advice means a lot to me as I consider you the expert. Good day.

[@shootinitstraight4162]

@scottweisz I think that may simply be common "wear" (I can't be certain since I can't see it), but no, oil does not prevent wear, it simply prevents corrosion. 👍

[@mrsunshine63755]

Nice

[@scottweisz]

I have that exact revolver. I love it so much that I got a companion for it in Black. They make a nice pair. Pythons are out of reach. Too much money for a gun that fires only six bullets.

[@observo-escucho-analizo6750]

The only problem is that it doesn't have the precision of a S&W and could it be that in order to find the point of impact... you have to experience a change to a revolver of higher price and quality ?

[@shootinitstraight4162]

@observo-escucho-analizo6750 That could very well be. I'm thinking it's most likely just ME 😆

[@CyborgZeta]

I'm not a fan of the .357 Magnum; too much felt recoil for me. The last one I tried was a S&W 586, and I was left very disappointed. I've since migrated to .32 and 10mm revolvers, but I'd be willing to give the Taurus 66 a try. At least if I'm disappointed, it won't be as much money wasted.

[@shootinitstraight4162]

@@CyborgZeta I can certainly appreciate your sentiment toward .357 Magnum loads. There are some very good .38 Spl +p loads you could use in the Taurus that are much less punishing but still decent man stoppers. Thanks for watching! 👌

[@Gerry-w7q]

Hello I'm looking for the Taurus 66 -6 barrel in blued for deer hunting

[@shootinitstraight4162]

@Gerry-w7q excellent choice. I got mine from Buds Gun Shop, but there are other sites as well. 👌

[@danielgreen6547]

I'd like a revolver also, but as you've said, they are overpriced. Even a current production Smith Model 10 is somewhere around 850 bucks or so (yikes!) Price aside, do you have an opinion about who makes (or, made in the past) the most *durable* .357 magnum revolvers for shooting heavy loads? I've heard Ruger's were amongst the strongest frame wise, but I don't know how true that is (or was).

[@shootinitstraight4162]

@danielgreen6547 Ruger makes great, solid revolvers. They're usually a bit heavier and thicker than the Smiths and Colts, simply because Ruger frames are cast steel instead of forged. Still extremely durable, tho. I think any modern Smith or Colt (or Dan Wesson or Taurus) made for heavy .357 will hold up just fine.

[@DylanParker-dn2ps]

Do you answer fans

[@DylanParker-dn2ps]

?

[@shootinitstraight4162]

@DylanParker-dn2ps I try to, whenever my notifications are working properly. Sometimes I don't get the notification.

[@DylanParker-dn2ps]

@shootinitstraight4162 sweet I was wondering if you can do another video of the tarus 357 mag 4inch barrel again I just got the same one

[@shootinitstraight4162]

@@DylanParker-dn2ps I plan on doing a particular cleaning method on the model 66 very shortly.

[@DylanParker-dn2ps]

And can you shoot hard cast

[@nonyabiz9487]

Your attitude is a bit flawed. Yea I get it 50 years ago you could get a high quality revolver for well under $1000 but times change and there is something called inflation. Gonna have to pay the piper if you want high quality that means paying over $1000 for any firearm worth a flip and the saying still goes as it did 50 years ago you get what you pay for.

[@Harley_Is_Jealous_Of_LeMond]

Porting results in louder report and less velocity compared to a revolver with the same length barrel and caliber. I won't get a firearm with porting.

[@randyreynolds1045]

Nice