Taurus 66

About the Taurus 66

The Taurus 66 is a medium-frame, seven-shot, double-action/single-action revolver chambered in .357 Magnum that also accepts .38 Special and .38 Special +P ammunition. Originally introduced alongside the Model 65 in the late 1970s as a six-shot revolver, the Model 66 was updated to a seven-shot configuration, distinguishing it as one of the higher-capacity medium-frame .357 Magnum revolvers on the market. The standard 4-inch barrel model weighs 38 ounces (1077g) with an overall length of 10.5 inches (267mm) and a height of 5.7 inches (145mm). The fully adjustable rear sight for windage and elevation, paired with a fixed front sight, makes the 66 well-suited for both target shooting and defensive applications where precise shot placement is desired. The stainless steel construction throughout the frame, cylinder, and barrel provides durability and corrosion resistance. The soft rubber grip helps manage recoil during extended shooting sessions. Safety features include the transfer bar mechanism and the Taurus Security System (TSS) integral key-lock. With 158-grain .357 Magnum loads from the 4-inch barrel, muzzle velocity is approximately 1,350 fps (412 m/s), producing around 870 joules of muzzle energy.

The Model 66 carries forward the lineage of the classic medium-frame .357 Magnum duty revolver, a category pioneered by the S&W Model 19 that Taurus has made more affordable.

Taurus 66 specifications

The Taurus 66 is the adjustable-sight companion to the fixed-sight Model 65, competing directly with the Smith & Wesson Model 66 and the Ruger GP100 at a substantially lower price point. The upgrade to seven-shot capacity in the current production model was achieved by re-engineering the cylinder geometry to fit an additional chamber while maintaining adequate cylinder wall thickness for the 35,000 PSI operating pressure of the .357 Magnum cartridge. The adjustable rear sight adds approximately 0.2 inches to the overall height compared to the fixed-sight Model 65. The rifling twist rate is 1:18.75 inches (476mm) right-hand twist. Loaded weight estimate includes seven .357 Magnum cartridges at approximately 13g each. The 66 is also available with a 6-inch barrel for improved velocity and sight radius, weighing approximately 44 ounces (1247g) with an overall length of 12 inches (305mm). The 66 Combat variant, introduced in 2025, features a 3-inch barrel with an optics-ready frame for mounting micro red-dot sights. Muzzle velocity and energy figures are based on 158-grain JHP .357 Magnum loads from the 4-inch barrel. The seven-shot capacity provides a meaningful advantage over six-shot competitors in both defensive and competition contexts. MSRP is approximately $500.