It's funny, I was watching a Bond movie last night, Live and Let Die, and just about every gun other than Bond's was what appeared to be a three inch Smith, I guess whatever the blued version of the 3" 66 would be, if there is such a gun. They even referred to it directly as a "three inch Smith & Wesson".
4" Model 65 or 3" Model 66
- Thread starter Storm
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Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
Good choice on the 3".
I really like 3" guns.
I really like 3" guns.
This morning I went to pick up the Model 66-5 out of layaway. I knew that it wouldn't last on layaway for long, but I like to have a little breathing room to adjust the budget, especially these days.
As it turns out the gun is a three inch barrel, three inches right on the nose, including the forcing cone. The grips are the same ones as those on my 686 Plus. They aren't my favorite aesthetically, but they fit my hand like a glove. They will stay. The confusing part about this gun can be seen in the second photo, the fact that the ramp doesn't extend all the way back to the frame as I have seen with every other 3" 66. I see zero evidence that there has been any alteration with the exception of the front sight, a sighting system which I really like.
As to the Model 65 that I originally swapped this gun for on layaway, the one with the super sweet trigger, well, it was still there, and is now back on layaway
As it turns out the gun is a three inch barrel, three inches right on the nose, including the forcing cone. The grips are the same ones as those on my 686 Plus. They aren't my favorite aesthetically, but they fit my hand like a glove. They will stay. The confusing part about this gun can be seen in the second photo, the fact that the ramp doesn't extend all the way back to the frame as I have seen with every other 3" 66. I see zero evidence that there has been any alteration with the exception of the front sight, a sighting system which I really like.
As to the Model 65 that I originally swapped this gun for on layaway, the one with the super sweet trigger, well, it was still there, and is now back on layaway
FullEffect1911
Member
I've been after a 66 for some time now and whenever i find one it is beaten beyond belief. Some people have all the luck...
Nice revolver.
Nice revolver.
35Rem
Member
Man, I like that front sight. I think you will be happy with the 66. And the 64 you alrady have...and the 65 on lay-awake.
I'd love to have a 3" 66 like that. Congrats!
I'd love to have a 3" 66 like that. Congrats!
I do also. I've seen them with a V notch rear sight and I didn't like it as much, but this rear sight is a square notch which really does it for me.
I'm still wondering why that ramp doesn't go all the way back to the frame as I have seen with all other 3" 66's. (not that it really matters).
BTW, totally unrelated, but the shop where I picked up the 66 had no lock 442's in.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Lock or not, the 3" S&W model 66 would be MY choice~! While I like
4" barrel weapons for toting; the 3" S&W model 66 is quite a rare
find. It would be cool sitting next to my 3" heavy barrel S&W model
60-4 .38 Special with adjustable sights~!
4" barrel weapons for toting; the 3" S&W model 66 is quite a rare
find. It would be cool sitting next to my 3" heavy barrel S&W model
60-4 .38 Special with adjustable sights~!
Baba Louie
Member
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Model 19 perhaps? A 3" 19/66 = just about the perfect wheelgun for carry.
Very nice Storm. And aren't you a bad boy for putting that 65 back on layaway
Yup, I am incorrigible
The thing was that I couldn't get the 65's trigger out of my mind. I've shot some older Smiths with incredible double action, and this gun is right there with them. I'll give a trigger a good bit of leeway as I have always felt that you need to work with a gun bringing yourself to it, but not this one. No, the lock doesn't thrill me, and neither does the sleeved barrel, but I still think that the gun could be superb. Plus, I like to have a gun on layaway. It gives me something to dream about that is safe from being bought out from under me, and controls any tendencies towards impulse buys with one already in the net. I've got 60 days on it, so we'll see hjow long that lasts.BTW, Oro mentioned the possibility that the front sight was a factory special order. Is it also possible that the short ramp (not going all the way to the frame) was a special order as well. As I've said, the product information strip is missing off the box, so I have zero info. Would a letter from Smith clear that up?
Yesterday I got to shoot the 66. As I only had a relatively short time working with five guns I was only able to spin fifty rounds. I thought I had taken both .38 Special and .357 Magnum loads, but the fact that the 125 grain rounds and 158 grain rounds were so different in length mistakenly lead me to believe that I had both specials and magnums. I first shot the Blazer Brass 125 grain (not a usual brand or bullet for me) and was amazed at how light the recoil was. When I went to the 158 grain S&B it seemed way too light for waht I thought to be a magnum load. It wasn't until I had left the range that I realized that both rounds were .38 Special :banghead:
In any event, I found the gun to be a darn fine shooter. I shot at 15 and 25 yards with accuracy impressive at both ranges for a first go with the gun. The white circle/brass dot sight was great for me making target aquisition quick and definite in less than optimal light conditions. Those sights stay. Next range trip I'll be shooting some magnum loads and will have a 4" and 6" barreled Smiths there for comparison.
The gun is most definitely a keeper and I can see it becoming a go-to piece.
In any event, I found the gun to be a darn fine shooter. I shot at 15 and 25 yards with accuracy impressive at both ranges for a first go with the gun. The white circle/brass dot sight was great for me making target aquisition quick and definite in less than optimal light conditions. Those sights stay. Next range trip I'll be shooting some magnum loads and will have a 4" and 6" barreled Smiths there for comparison.
The gun is most definitely a keeper and I can see it becoming a go-to piece.
Well......I scored today at the gunshow
I went to the Greensboro gunshow this morning. The lines going in took 40 minutes to work through. $7 to park, and $5 to get in. I'm very glad I decided to go.
Once inside the door, I turned left, and at the first table was a 3" 66-2 in 98% condition, with no box or docs...........for $375. I practice what I preach (novel idea on the internet) and almost sprained my wrist drawing my wallet. I happily paid the full asking price, and will shoot it tommorow.
This one appears to be from the 2500 Ashland Shooters Supply order. Serial ANA76XX. I've used up all my gunshow luck for the year. TJ
I went to the Greensboro gunshow this morning. The lines going in took 40 minutes to work through. $7 to park, and $5 to get in. I'm very glad I decided to go.
Once inside the door, I turned left, and at the first table was a 3" 66-2 in 98% condition, with no box or docs...........for $375. I practice what I preach (novel idea on the internet
) and almost sprained my wrist drawing my wallet. I happily paid the full asking price, and will shoot it tommorow.This one appears to be from the 2500 Ashland Shooters Supply order. Serial ANA76XX. I've used up all my gunshow luck for the year. TJ
sidheshooter
Member
That's what I'm talkin' about! Someone has their thinking cap on...
S&W fan:
I too have an 80's 65-3; just primo, IMHO.
I'm curious as to what load you used on pins with it. I used to shoot this now-discontinued corbon 158 LSWHP +P+ .38spec load that went 1050 fps out of 4... probably just shy of a thousand from the 3-inch. If I made the hits, the pins went down. Folow up was faster than, say, 145 silvertips, or any other heavy .357 (lessons learned on pins may apply to the street?).
At any rate, just curious... 3-inch 65s are just great.
sidheshooter
Member
To quote the other fellow, you would have heard my hand move to my wallet...
Thanks Storm!
While going through my 3" 66 research materials today, I came across information on your 3" 66-5.
Yours was done by Lew Horton in 1999, and is one of 300 !!
I had never seen a 3" 66 with the same barrel profile as yours, and recognized it in the old Lew Horten flyer. It originally came with white faux ivory grips.
It predates the 3.25 High viz, and is worth quite a bit more than you have in it. Congrats again! TJ
While going through my 3" 66 research materials today, I came across information on your 3" 66-5.
Yours was done by Lew Horton in 1999, and is one of 300 !!
I had never seen a 3" 66 with the same barrel profile as yours, and recognized it in the old Lew Horten flyer. It originally came with white faux ivory grips.
It predates the 3.25 High viz, and is worth quite a bit more than you have in it. Congrats again! TJ
I have a model 65-2 that I would not trade for anything. It is a superb revolver. It was a duty weapon for several years and I bought it when it was recalled. It has the counterbored chambers and it is highly accurate. I have never thought of having any work done on it. It has always been ideal in performance for real life functions.
I am curious as to why you would want DA only on such a revolver?
I am curious as to why you would want DA only on such a revolver?
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