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Combat Magnum?


Photo From: Mark Freburg - Album: Handguns--Modern

Description: This is one of Smith & Wesson's modern renditions of their classic revolver, the Combat Magnum--this one the new M69, a five shot .44 Magnum, but the "original" Model 66 is also being released.  Originally the Combat Magnum was the Model 19, followed by the Combat Magnum in stainless, the Model 66.  These however feature a tube for a barrel with an outer sleeve to give it its shape and to contain the ejector rod housing and a place to mount the front sight.  You'll read this described as a two piece barrel--it most certainly is not--it's a tube with a shroud.  These also have the internal lock now in use by S&W, as seen by the lock's external scar-like appearance on the left side just above the cylinder release.  Finally, some sort of synthetic, normally a type of rubber, stocks, are all you'll see on the vast majority of revolvers in 2014.  I shouldn't complain--at least Smith & Wesson still makes round guns other than the ubiquitous J-frames.  But to one who grew up with the mid-frame revolvers as the go-to combat handgun, today's models leave this guy positively underwhelmed.  Comments welcomed on the forum's message board.

Uploaded: 11/22/2014 by Mark Freburg
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(4/18/2020) Mark Freburg wrote: This came up on the forum's home page. I reread what I wrote about it in December 2014. I still think the same. It was ridiculous then and it's ridiculous now. I love older Smith & Wesson revolvers. I wouldn't spend money on a new one. I would, definitely, spend money on a new Ruger--although not one of their plastic jobs--but a Redhawk, GP100, or, if needed, SP101, yes. I would consider spending money on a new Colt, if I found one with the features I wanted. But a new Smith & Wesson? They can go rust.