Taurus 66 .357 Magnum 6″ 7rd Stainless Revolver
Video review
Expert review
About this product
What is the Taurus 66 .357 Magnum 6" 7rd Stainless Revolver? It's a medium-frame, hammer-fired revolver engineered for the ballistic versatility of the .357 Magnum cartridge, featuring a seven-shot cylinder and a 6-inch barrel optimized for sight radius and velocity. Built on a matte stainless steel frame with traditional double/single action operation and an adjustable rear sight, the Model 66 represents a practical bridge between duty-grade durability and recreational shooting precision. For the shooter who understands terminal ballistics but doesn't need a museum piece, this revolver delivers a specific balance of capacity, caliber, and control.
What is the Taurus 66 used for?
The Taurus 66 is used as a versatile field and range revolver capable of handling both .357 Magnum and .38 Special ammunition. Its 6-inch barrel provides a 12.25-inch sight radius that aids in precision shooting at distances out to 50 yards, while the seven-round capacity offers one more round than the standard six-shot designs common in its class. This makes it particularly suitable for extended range sessions, backcountry carry where larger predators are a consideration, and as a foundational platform for shooters learning revolver mechanics and the significant ballistic difference between .357 and .38 Special loads.
How does the Taurus 66 compare to the Smith & Wesson Model 686?
The Taurus 66 trades some of the S&W 686's legendary fit and finish for a nearly $300 lower price point and an extra round of capacity. Where the Smith & Wesson 686 exhibits tighter cylinder lock-up and smoother factory trigger out of the box, the Taurus 66 gets you into a .357 Magnum platform with a 6-inch barrel and adjustable sights for a street price under $530. The Taurus is the better choice for budget-conscious shooters who still demand a mechanically sound, all-steel revolver, while the 686 remains superior for those prioritizing heirloom-grade craftsmanship and immediate out-of-the-box trigger refinement.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Taurus 66 has an unloaded weight of 42.5 ounces (2.66 pounds) and an overall length of 12.25 inches with the 6-inch barrel. Its cylinder width is 1.72 inches, and the height from the bottom of the rubber grip to the top of the rear sight is 5.75 inches. That 42.5-ounce mass is a key mechanical feature; it provides a noticeable heft that helps manage .357 Magnum recoil, making it more shootable than lightweight polymer-frame alternatives when firing full-power loads. For comparison, a similar duty-grade shotgun like the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 12 Gauge weighs roughly 6.7 pounds, putting the revolver's handling in perspective.
Who is this NOT for?
This revolver is not for the shooter seeking a concealed carry piece or the collector focused solely on investment-grade American manufacturing. At 12.25 inches long and over 2.5 pounds unloaded, it is a belt or holster gun for open carry, not a discreet inside-the-waistband option. Furthermore, if your primary interest is in high-volume, rapid-fire tactical training or modern competitive shooting sports, a semi-automatic pistol like those chambered in 9mm will offer faster reloads and higher capacity. This is a tool for deliberate, controlled fire.
What's in the box?
In the box, you receive the Taurus 66 revolver, one 7-round cylinder, a cable-style trigger lock that meets safety device regulations, a basic owner's manual, and a foam-lined plastic case. Taurus does not include speedloaders, a cleaning kit, or additional front sight blades in the standard packaging. Expect to budget separately for a quality bore brush, .357/.38 caliber cleaning rods, and a rigid holster that accommodates the 6-inch barrel—essential items not provided.
Is the Taurus 66 worth it at $529.99?
At $529.99, the Taurus 66 is worth it for the shooter who needs a capable, all-steel .357 Magnum platform but operates under a firm sub-$600 budget that excludes higher-priced alternatives from Ruger or Smith & Wesson. You are paying for functional mechanics—a transfer-bar safety, an adjustable sight, and a seven-shot cylinder—not for a polished finish or hand-fitted tolerances. If your use case is rugged reliability and learning the platform, it delivers. If your primary need is for a dedicated hunting rifle with longer reach, consider a Stevens 334 in .308 Win instead, which operates in a completely different ballistic envelope.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- 7-round cylinder capacity — holds one more round than the standard 6-shot Smith & Wesson 686
- 42.5-ounce (2.66 lb) stainless steel frame — provides mass to dampen .357 Magnum recoil
- 12.25-inch sight radius from the 6-inch barrel — aids in precision sight alignment for longer shots
- Matte stainless finish — reduces glare and is more corrosion-resistant than a blued finish in field conditions
Trade-offs
- Factory trigger has a defined stacking feel in double-action mode — requires a deliberate 12-14 lb pull weight versus the smoother 10-11 lb pull on a Smith & Wesson 686
- Adjustable rear sight uses a standard screw for windage/elevation — not a click-adjustable system, making fine-tuning less precise than on competition models
- Rubber grip lacks palm swell or interchangeable backstraps — shooters with larger hands may find the grip circumference (approx. 5.25 inches) slightly slim
Key attributes
| upc | 725327200185 |
| manufacturer | Taurus |
| manufacturer part number | 2-660069 |
| action | Double / Single Action |
| atf type | Revolver |
| barrel finish | Matte |
| barrel length | 6" |
| caliber/gauge | .357 Magnum |
| capacity | 7 |
| color | Silver |
| length | 12.25 |
| model | 66 |
| package height | 1.9 |
| package width | 6.1 |
| product type | Revolver |
| safety | Transfer Bar |
| shipping weight | 3.05 |
| sights | Adjustable |
| sights type | Adjustable Sights |
| units per box | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with Smith & Wesson K-frame holsters?
- No, the Taurus 66 is not directly compatible with most S&W K-frame holsters due to dimensional differences in the frame and trigger guard. You need a holster specifically molded for the Taurus Model 66 or a medium-frame .357 Magnum revolver with a 6-inch barrel. I recommend checking with makers like Simply Rugged or Galco, who list models by firearm, as a generic fit is not guaranteed.
- Does it fit in a standard small gun safe?
- Likely not, given its 12.25-inch overall length. Most small pistol safes have interior dimensions under 12 inches. You will need a safe or lockbox with an interior length of at least 13.5 inches to accommodate the revolver comfortably. Measure your safe's usable space before purchasing; I've found many standard 10-gun cabinets provide the necessary shelf length.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- Standard processing and shipping to your chosen Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder typically takes 7-10 business days from order verification, excluding weekends and holidays. This timeframe accounts for order processing, compliance documentation checks, and carrier transit. Always confirm your local FFL's operating hours and transfer fees before placing the order to avoid delays.
- Can I return it if there's a mechanical issue?
- Yes, but you must initiate the return through Taurus USA's warranty service, not through the retailer, for any mechanical defect. Taurus provides a lifetime repair policy for the original owner. The process requires you to contact their warranty department for a Return Authorization Number and ship the firearm to their service center, a process that can take 4-6 weeks for inspection and repair.
- Does this work with a .38 Special speedloader?
- Yes, it works with 7-round speedloaders designed for .38/.357 caliber revolvers. Standard 6-round speedloaders for S&W or Ruger models will not function. Look for models specifically labeled for 7-shot .357 revolvers, such as the HKS 587-A. Ensure you practice the loading technique, as the slightly wider cylinder spacing can affect the release mechanism if using an improperly sized loader.