S&W 66 Whats it worth
- Thread starter BBBS
- Start date
- Status
Since it doesn't have a great finish I would say it's too much, but I don't know where you are located. Barrel length would be another factor. The 3 inchers will rate a little higher price tag. The one you are looking at sounds like it could be one of the 4 inch police trade-ins which have holster wear, but usually are mechanically sound.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
I agree, sounds a bit much for a used S&W model 66. 
But, then
again we just sold a well used 6" S&W model 586 for $299; so the
price may not be out of line. One thing for sure, Smith N' Wesson is set
to discontinue production on all model 66's; as per S&W rep Robbie
Robbins.
But, thenagain we just sold a well used 6" S&W model 586 for $299; so the
price may not be out of line. One thing for sure, Smith N' Wesson is set
to discontinue production on all model 66's; as per S&W rep Robbie
Robbins.
71Commander
Member
It all depends on where you're located. I have a 2-1/2"er that's P&R'ed. I paid 389.00. It was a high price compared to some parts of the country and low in others.
Regardless of $$$, They will dry up shortly. How bad do you want it?
Regardless of $$$, They will dry up shortly. How bad do you want it?
lanceman193
Member
If not, buy it for $325 and polish it up.It will always be worth more than you paid for it,as long as it is 66 or 66-1.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Nice Pic's!
You did real well my friend. BTW, your gun was made in 1972.
The model 66's I have seen all came with a black, white out-lined
rear sight, and a red ramp front sight. Don't know 'bout stainless
rear sights?
You did real well my friend. BTW, your gun was made in 1972.
The model 66's I have seen all came with a black, white out-lined
rear sight, and a red ramp front sight. Don't know 'bout stainless
rear sights?
lanceman193
Member
I think it look very,very nice.Early production according to Supica were stainless instead of black,the serial number puts it in 1972 according to his book.I think you found one to keep,at least for a while.Congrats!!!
71Commander
Member
STOP. THIEF.
You stole it. Good job. Mine has the sights that Dan described.
Mine's a 2-1/2"er.
You stole it. Good job. Mine has the sights that Dan described.
Mine's a 2-1/2"er.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
S&W model 66's are built on K-frames, my friend!
71Commander
Member
Yours is a square butt. Mine's a round butt.
You have a true collectors piece.++++
You've got the first production series model 66's. The rear sight assembly is made entirely of stainless steel....and from what I recall so are/were the trigger's and hammers on some model 66's. If you'll notice the red insert is not in the front sight blade. The red insert was a later modification, the next modification was the rear sight assembly was changed to the Blue style.
During these early models there was a tempering flaw in the stainless and the contact points of the trigger and hammer would wear out rapidly.
Here's what I'd do if I were you: check out the side plate screws and see if they are marr'd; if so try locating a S&W gunsmith in your area or send me pictures; have him take off the side plate and examine contact points of the trigger and hammer; get a magnifying glass and examine the grip frame above the cylinder and forcing cone of the barrel. Flame cutting happens to all revolvers, then it 'stops' if there is significant cutting -no big deal- but then I'd be sure to have the trigger and hammer checked.
There was one other point about these older models...I just can recall right now. but contact me and I will help you all I can. I can take your model apart and reassemble it with my eyes closed...
Buy stainless steel, steel wool to buff the outside...NOTHING ELSE...
I WOULD NOT SHOOT 357 loads in this 66...it's too nice for one of this vintage....but it's your gun.
Do not shoot 38 loads in 38 brass either, the gap between the end of the 38 special case vs the bored out chamber length for a 357 case will soon fill up with burnt powder residue causing stuck 357-cases and ignition will flame cut the inside of the cylinder and could eventually erode the that area.
When these first came out MSRP was about $225-$250....you paid $300....not bad...the wood grips alone are worth a chunk of change...
You've got the first production series model 66's. The rear sight assembly is made entirely of stainless steel....and from what I recall so are/were the trigger's and hammers on some model 66's. If you'll notice the red insert is not in the front sight blade. The red insert was a later modification, the next modification was the rear sight assembly was changed to the Blue style.
During these early models there was a tempering flaw in the stainless and the contact points of the trigger and hammer would wear out rapidly.
Here's what I'd do if I were you: check out the side plate screws and see if they are marr'd; if so try locating a S&W gunsmith in your area or send me pictures; have him take off the side plate and examine contact points of the trigger and hammer; get a magnifying glass and examine the grip frame above the cylinder and forcing cone of the barrel. Flame cutting happens to all revolvers, then it 'stops' if there is significant cutting -no big deal- but then I'd be sure to have the trigger and hammer checked.
There was one other point about these older models...I just can recall right now. but contact me and I will help you all I can. I can take your model apart and reassemble it with my eyes closed...
Buy stainless steel, steel wool to buff the outside...NOTHING ELSE...
I WOULD NOT SHOOT 357 loads in this 66...it's too nice for one of this vintage....but it's your gun.
Do not shoot 38 loads in 38 brass either, the gap between the end of the 38 special case vs the bored out chamber length for a 357 case will soon fill up with burnt powder residue causing stuck 357-cases and ignition will flame cut the inside of the cylinder and could eventually erode the that area.
When these first came out MSRP was about $225-$250....you paid $300....not bad...the wood grips alone are worth a chunk of change...
Another early 66. I got it new right after S&W released them. Traded a satin nickle Colt Combat Commander (.45ACP) even for it. At the time that was a good trade as the Cmdrs were new at less than $150 and Mod 66 were bringing $400+ since they'd just come out. The Cmdr wouldn't feed anything reliably except FMJ even after a trip back to Colt. Just wasn't dependable enough to carry for duty.
Note the stainless rear sight and no insert in the front. Actually it looks almost nickle but just a shade duller. The pix is of it laying on a flatbed scanner which doesn't show the true shine to it. The scanner made the stainless finish come out dull and uneven.
MikeSr is correct on the soft contact points. Mine went bad within the 1st 200 rds. Sent it back to S&W and they said they'd fixed it with an upgrade. Haven't had a bit of problems since. Can't remember what was done. Too many years ago. It's a great shooter. Carried it for several years as an off duty and back up. Now it's usually my walk about gun.
I also had one of the first three 2.5" Mod 66 to leave S&W. Had a factory contact back then. Got a call from S&W that 3 were coming my direction. I got one. An FBI agent got another. And a local city cop got the 3rd. At the time I was also carrying a blued 2.5" Mod 19 which had a trigger job by the FBI smiths at Quantico and was a real shooter. Much better trigger than the Mod 66 could ever hope to have. I had the 2.5" Mod 66 for a couple of months when my Dad pulled a job and was needing a backup. I loaned him the 2.5" Mod 66 which he still has neglected to return almost 30 yrs later.
Note the stainless rear sight and no insert in the front. Actually it looks almost nickle but just a shade duller. The pix is of it laying on a flatbed scanner which doesn't show the true shine to it. The scanner made the stainless finish come out dull and uneven.
MikeSr is correct on the soft contact points. Mine went bad within the 1st 200 rds. Sent it back to S&W and they said they'd fixed it with an upgrade. Haven't had a bit of problems since. Can't remember what was done. Too many years ago. It's a great shooter. Carried it for several years as an off duty and back up. Now it's usually my walk about gun.
I also had one of the first three 2.5" Mod 66 to leave S&W. Had a factory contact back then. Got a call from S&W that 3 were coming my direction. I got one. An FBI agent got another. And a local city cop got the 3rd. At the time I was also carrying a blued 2.5" Mod 19 which had a trigger job by the FBI smiths at Quantico and was a real shooter. Much better trigger than the Mod 66 could ever hope to have. I had the 2.5" Mod 66 for a couple of months when my Dad pulled a job and was needing a backup. I loaned him the 2.5" Mod 66 which he still has neglected to return almost 30 yrs later.
Attachments
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Ooooooh isp2605 my friend-
A satin nickel Colt Combat Commander straight up for a S&W
model 66? I know, back then that probably was one
heck'eva deal; but knowing what we know now, would you
have made the same deal?
A satin nickel Colt Combat Commander straight up for a S&W
model 66?
I know, back then that probably was oneheck'eva deal; but knowing what we know now, would you
have made the same deal?
71Commander
Member
In addition to my 2-1/2" 66, I have a vintage 71, Colt Combat Commander in Satin Nickel.
Last edited:
I was sitting around last night fiddling with it, you know , pulling the trigger and such. And I have to tell you. It has one of the sweetest triggers of all my guns, even my Python. I'm thinking maybe it's had somethink done to it. Double action is smooth as butter and single is just a little scarey. Broke a couple times way before I thought it would. Think I'll keep it.
"Ooooooh isp2605 my friend-
A satin nickel Colt Combat Commander straight up for a S&W
model 66? I know, back then that probably was one
heck'eva deal; but knowing what we know now, would you
have made the same deal? "
Don't rub it in.
At the time it was a great deal. Dealer prices on both were about the same. Difference was the satin nickle Cmdrs were around and could be found. The 66 was new, couldn't be found, and was bringing scalper prices. I really didn't like the Cmdr since it was so picky about ammo. But it was still a satin Cmdr. Haven't seen any lately where anyone has offerred me an even swap for my 66.
If I only knew then what prices would be today. Oh well, wasn't the first, and won't be the last, gun deal where I've lost money.
A satin nickel Colt Combat Commander straight up for a S&W
model 66? I know, back then that probably was one
heck'eva deal; but knowing what we know now, would you
have made the same deal? "
Don't rub it in.
At the time it was a great deal. Dealer prices on both were about the same. Difference was the satin nickle Cmdrs were around and could be found. The 66 was new, couldn't be found, and was bringing scalper prices. I really didn't like the Cmdr since it was so picky about ammo. But it was still a satin Cmdr. Haven't seen any lately where anyone has offerred me an even swap for my 66.
If I only knew then what prices would be today. Oh well, wasn't the first, and won't be the last, gun deal where I've lost money.
bubbaturbo
Member
Why would this happen any more when shooting a 38 special than it would when shooting a 357 magnum?
- Status