this is a recent model from S&W. I don't know specifically about the Forcing Cone so I would confirm this with Buds and.or S&W at (Buds) LiveChat (available from 9AM to 9PM 7 days a week), the "Blue Chat Button" at the bottom right of the page, or phoning at (859) 368-0371 (available 9AM to 9PM EST Monday through Friday). Smith and Wesson contact is (USA) 1-800-331-0852 Mon-Fri 8:00AM-6:00PM Eastern Time

The model 66-8 is indeed the newly introduced version with two-piece barrel and shroud. This system places the steel "tube" barrel under tension from both ends and eliminates stresses on the forcing cone that are common with traditional barrels torqued to the frame. Advantages to the new system is greater accuracy, and less potential for the forcing cone to fail by cracking. The "K" designation refers to the frame size, and this a K-frame size handgun, which is a bit smaller than the L-frame which was purpose-built for the .357 magnum.
I currently own the M69 .44 magnum which uses the same, two-piece barrel system and it has been problem free.

George, this is a recent model from S&W. I don't know specifically about the Forcing Cone so I would confirm this with Buds and.or S&W at (Buds) LiveChat (available from 9AM to 9PM 7 days a week), the "Blue Chat Button" at the bottom right of the page, or phoning at (859) 368-0371 (available 9AM to 9PM EST Monday through Friday). Smith and Wesson contact is (USA) 1-800-331-0852 Mon-Fri 8:00AM-6:00PM Eastern Time

George, this is a recent model from S&W. I don't know specifically about the Forcing Cone so I would confirm this with Buds and.or S&W at (Buds) LiveChat (available from 9AM to 9PM 7 days a week), the "Blue Chat Button" at the bottom right of the page, or phoning at (859) 368-0371 (available 9AM to 9PM EST Monday through Friday). Smith and Wesson contact is (USA) 1-800-331-0852 Mon-Fri 8:00AM-6:00PM Eastern Time