Possible problem with new S&W 66-8 2.75" barrel...

Prosecutor

Prosecutor

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This afternoon I took a Marlin 1894cs (.38/.357) and the new Model 66 to the range. All went well with the Marlin, but the Model 66 spit lead back in my face, a lot. Hmmmm. Not liking this at all. It did not happen with .38 Special the other day. This was after 35 rounds of semi-jacketed PMC 158 grain .357 target ammo. If I look angry, well...might be a little. It was tagging my right hand too.





It did not happen with Armscor 125 grain jacketed .357 ammo. Still, need to get to the bottom of this because I carry 158 grain LSWCHPs.

Lever gun mentioned for @Tailhunter
 
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Have to say I've never seen that before.
 
No. That's what's odd. Everything looks good.


EDIT: Yup. Looks like a little. Just got into better light.
 
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1. A revolver that is out of time will create lead or jacketing shaving and will cause some fragments to be projected from the cylinder to barrel gap. It may have ricocheted off the side of the booth and into your face, but….

2. ….since no damage was observed to the gun, it was tagging your hand as well, and it only did it with one brand of ammo, I would ID the ammo as the prime suspect at this point. Try a different brand of 158gr semi-jacketed and see if there is any improvement.

3. The other possibility is that the projectile hit the impact area and a piece of jacketing splashed back up range to rendezvous with your face. But how likely is that to happen so often in one session (unless that ammo is prone to do such a thing more often than another brand)?

Ammo or timing. My money is it’s gotta be one or t’other. Best of luck, it’s a sweet looking gat you got there.
 
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Wahoo95 said:
Timing issue? I had a 22 mag S&W that would do that.

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Maybe. That would really frustrate me. Going to squeeze off a few more with LSWCHPs to see if it happens again. If so, back to S&W.
 
I'm sure that you've already looked around the forcing cone for any indication of shaving lead.
 
Geezer said:
I'm sure that you've already looked around the forcing cone for any indication of shaving lead.
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Nope. Nothing around the forcing cone. Apparently, all the lead is in my left cheek.

Seriously though, I only shot semi-jacketed and jacketed rounds. Maybe some plain old lead SWCs would have left more around the cone. Was going to try some other ammo, but am now more inclined to ship it back for a look.
 
That's very strange. Are you certain it's coming from your gun? Usually a revolver spitting will get the person beside the shooter, not the shooter. Any chance of lead or powder splash from the target, bench, table, etc?
 
Catfish said:
What did the primer strikes look like?
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You know, I keep coming back to this. Good question. It makes a whole lot more sense that the problem would be on that end. Because, mechanically, It's hard to visualize lead shavings hitting me in the face and hand like that off of the forcing cone, which is arms length directly in front of me and blocked by the cylinder. Something blasting between the recoil shield and back of the cylinder makes more sense. That said, primer strikes looked good to me.


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Okay....so, I also started a thread about this on another forum. Somebody else is experiencing the same thing, but a bit worse. Caused me to look again. I can now see some leading above the forcing cone. Could be coming back at me over the cylinder and beneath the top strap. It is hard to photograph.


 
Does the cyl stop catch and lock before the hammer sets? Try each chamber. I would also rod each cyl to make sure it's actually in line with the forcing cone. You'll also want to check lock up as too much play can allow a properly timed cyl to turn away from the forcing cone just enough to shave lead. Either way, sounds like S&W needs to look this one over.
 
Take a blank piece of copy paper and loop it around the gun as you hold it in your hand and so it is covering the flash gap. Fire a couple of shots to see where the lead is escaping. With that info you should be able to tell if it's coming from the sides or top.
Either way, it will probably need to go home for a check up. I'm a certified S&W armorer but I won't mess with the pawl or ratchet, everything else, but not timing....
 
What is that between the bottom of the top strap and the top of the barrel? Carbon or lead? (Carbon particles could potentially cut you as well.)
 
fuelpiper said:
Does the cyl stop catch and lock before the hammer sets? Try each chamber. I would also rod each cyl to make sure it's actually in line with the forcing cone. You'll also want to check lock up as too much play can allow a properly timed cyl to turn away from the forcing cone just enough to shave lead. Either way, sounds like S&W needs to look this one over.
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This^

Empty the gun and let your finger drag the cylinder lightly while you stage the trigger. If the hammer falls before the cam locks up there's your problem.
It also looks like the forcing cone has some peening on it's face too. Are you a leftie?
 
trcubed said:
What is that between the bottom of the top strap and the top of the barrel? Carbon or lead? (Carbon particles could potentially cut you as well.)
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I am starting to think that it was just carbon because it's gone now, after 50 more rounds of .357 and 20 of .38+P. I tried another ammo and had no problems.

This afternoon, I put 50 rounds of dirty, filty, semi-jacketed Magtech 158 grain .357 down range with no issues. Really starting to think that this had somethign to do with the PMC ammo. I am less inclined to send this gun back. Still thinking about it.
 
Could be something with the PMC ammo.

The only ammo I've had to fail on me (other than rimfire.22) was one round of PMC .300 Win. Mag. Poof...delayed ignition but it did fire.

I've shot lots of other PMC in 9mm and 5.56 with no problems.

Hope you get it figured out!
 
The right side of the forcing cone from about 12:00 on down to 6:00 does look to be peened on as a poster above mentioned.
 
Prosecutor doesn't look old enough to practice law, drive Corvettes, or buy guns!
 
I'm guessing he spends much more time driving Vettes and buying nice revolvers than he does Lawyering and buying semi-autos.
 
Cocked & Locked said:
I'm guessing he spends much more time driving Vettes and buying nice revolvers than he does Lawyering and buying semi-autos.
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Well, spending way too much time lawyering lately. Sold the Vette for a "Dad Mobile" Jeep Grand Cherokee. Baby Prosecutor is due next week or so. :) Hoping to keep up with the revolvers.
 
Cocked & Locked said:
The right side of the forcing cone from about 12:00 on down to 6:00 does look to be peened on as a poster above mentioned.
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I just took some more photos. The appearance of "peening" was just an illusion. Looks normal. [It's hard to photograph a forcing cone. Odd lighting situation.]

 
I often have illusions these days.

Congrats on the forthcoming baby prosecutor!
 
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I think it's terrible that someone would prosecute babies!!

But congratulations anyway, and glad your face has survived... to ... face another day!
 
I have heard of this very problem from others re: the new 2.75" m66. The problem has been on the first run of them and is caused by a "too shallow forcing cone" S&W is aware of the problem after a gun writer informed them of it on a new 2.75" 66 he was writing an article about. Get in contact w/ S&W, let them know all the particulars (including the ser #) and they'll send you a shipping label ASAP. Turn around should 3 wks or so (on avg).
 
Bailey Boat said:
@Prosecutor if you want to meet up one day I'll be happy to have a look and tell you what the issue is before you go to the trouble of shipping.. contact me via PM...
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Thanks very much. Really appreciate that. Shelving the concern for right now. I think the forcing cone is a bit flat.


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