Hey everyone, this is Shooting Illustrated bringing you another episode of “I Carry.” In today’s feature, we’re looking at the new Taurus 66 Combat .357 Magnum revolver and some related gear. Let’s take a closer look at this setup:
Firearm: Taurus 66 Combat (MSRP: $972.99)
If it seems like the revolver renaissance just keeps rolling along, well, the new 66 Combat from Taurus does nothing to dispel that idea. With a seven-shot cylinder, bobbed hammer for double-action-only operation and one of the smoothest triggers going, it’s hard to imagine a revolver better suited for defensive work. Add to this traditional Hogue rubber grips, a 3-inch barrel and a highly visible fiber-optic pipe front sight, and this may just be the platonic ideal of the fighting revolver pressed into steel.
Speaking of steel, that does bring up a point: weight. The 66 Combat features all-steel construction, and while that does help tame recoil—even more significant given the .357 Magnum chambering—it does yield a revolver with a weight of 36½ ounces. That’s traditional Government Model 1911 territory, although the capacities are nearly identical, and .45 ACP compared to .357 Magnum is pretty much a ballistic wash given modern ammunition. Sizewise, the 66 Combat has an overall length of 8.4 inches, height of 5.7 inches and width of 1.5 inches. It’s on the larger side, but not too daunting given proper gear.
Setting the 66 Combat apart from most other revolvers is the presence of two small screw holes on the topstrap. These are specifically engineered to work with an RMSc-footprint plate available separately, should you wish to add a red-dot sight to your revolver. If you’re not a red-dot fan, the fiber-optic front sight on the 66 Combat does an excellent job providing a visible focal point for the eye, settled into the notch in the topstrap. Serrations on the top of the barrel help reduce glare, while other visual features include an unfluted cylinder and a full underlug that houses an ejector rod capable of robustly removing cases all testify to the 66 Combat’s dedication to purpose.
For the revolver fan who wants a robust defensive handgun, it’s hard to envision how the 66 Combat could be improved. An excellent trigger, highly visible front sight, medium frame and purchase-enhancing grip make this a great gun to shoot, meaning you’re more likely to practice with it. Whether you prefer the oomph of the .357 Magnum or stick with the .38 Special, it’s certainly up to the task at hand.
Holster: Galco Summer Comfort (MSRP: $116)
To carry the 66 Combat, we’ve gone relatively old-school with a Galco Summer Comfort leather inside-the-waistband holster. With simple, rugged steerhide construction, metal-reinforced mouth and twin belt loops, the Summer Comfort is easy to put on, easy to draw from and easy to reholster. Designed to stay open even inside-the-waistband, the Summer Comfort uses custom molding to hold the firearm tight, with a slight butt-forward cant to help with a rapid drawstroke.
Available for a wide variety of revolvers and semi-automatic pistols, the Summer Comfort can be ordered for right- or left-handed shooters, but is only available in black. A molded sight track allows for oversize front sights, while the snap-closure belt loops allow the holster to be put on or taken off the belt without having to remove the belt. The Summer Comfort is a natural match for a fighting revolver like the 66 Combat.
Accessory: Cold Steel Karve (MSRP: $149.99)
Rounding out today’s kit is the Karve pocketknife from Cold Steel. With a 3.75-inch, AUS 10A steel, reverse-tanto blade, the Karve is designed for edge retention and corrosion resistance—this is a knife you can use, and use hard. Opening with a thumbstud and closing via Cold Steel’s proprietary Atlas lock locking mechanism, the Karve can easily be opened and closed with one hand. A steel pocket clip can be swapped to either side of the knife, with attachment points on either side of the G10 scales.
There’s a lot to like about the Karve. The ergonomics are excellent—it really sits well in the hand for a multitude of cutting purposes. The reverse-tanto blade excels at the types of cutting tasks for which we most often employ our knives: opening packages and breaking down cardboard; at the same time, it’s useful as a defensive tool as well. And, lastly, the Atlas locking mechanism means you don’t have to to put your fingers in the way of a closing blade, a definite plus. It’s a working knife that fits in well with the vibe of the 66 Combat revolver and Summer Comfort holster.
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