I bought one new in 1987 for $200. My first handgun (4" bbl), purchased the day after I turned 21. I learned real quickly that a .357 Magnum does not make an ideal learning piece, and went back a week or so later for a Ruger MK-II. But the Taurus has been great, and I even carried it "front-line" for a bit when I became a LEO later that year. I only stopped because I liked the idea of letting the city's gun rot in the evidence lockup instead of mine, should any bad guys catch one of my bullets.
My 66 got stolen from my truck in 1990, and recovered 18 months later. A little more wear on the finish, but still smooth action, and places well. For the price (back then, at least!), it is/was a great firearm for general sport shooting and home/personal defense.
BTW, I also acquired a Taurus 94 (nine-shot revolver) in 1990, to teach my then-wife to shoot. That was a well-functioning workhorse, too. I let it go with her when we split up.
