S&W Model 66 - Need opinions

[JohnnyBangBang]

What's a decent price for one of these. I spoted a nice used one in great shape, pre lock, 6" barrel, SST, 6 shot, with the box and manual.
I was looking for a 686 but this seemed quite nice.
Any opinions on one being better than the other would be welcome as well. Thanks.

[bohoki]

What's a decent price for one of these. I spoted a nice used one in great shape, pre lock, 6" barrel, SST, 6 shot, with the box and manual.
I was looking for a 686 but this seemed quite nice.
Any opinions on one being better than the other would be welcome as well. Thanks.

watch for cylnder galling on the locking knotches

[kurac]

$550-$600 would be a nice price, more if it was in NIB condition

[trashman]

The 66 is a classic, I mean Classic revolver. The 686 would be beefier, but you can buy one of those anytime in the next few years. The 66 was dropped from the S&W line a few years ago. It was one of the original stainless revolvers (along with the Model 60) that Smith ever made.

If the timing and lockup seemed good to you, I'd buy it unless the price were way over $500. I have a no-dash that I bought from a Forum member a couple years ago and it is one of my favorites. As much as I like N-frames, the K-frame magnum really is "everything you need in a revolver and nothing you don't".

--Neill

[JTROKS]

$500 would be a good price, $450 and below for a nice specimen will be excellent. The 686/586 are built on the bigger L frame, the 66 is a K frame. I have a 66-2 with a 2.5" barrel and man if you find one of those especially with the fancy finger grooved wood grips it's a bargain at $600. The 66 is a very good revolver, but it can't stand steady diet of full 357 magnum loads. That is why the 686 came into creation, you can also get the 686Plus, a seven shot. The 66 w/ a 6" barrel is probably the most balanced and smoothest revolver I've ever shot. I have a 19-4 w/ a 6" and it's awesome, but I'm afraid of using full power loads through it often, just wanna baby it for now. Get it while you still can, 2 years from now it will have a higher price if not impossible to find.

I have read a few malfunctions with the new lock S&W rendering the gun useless. That is probably why pre-lock models are fetching higher prices.

[rivviepop]

I love my 4" 66-1, it is probably my most favorite shooter of the whole entire bunch. I had a fresh set of modern sights installed (red ramp front, black wide notch rear w/ white outline) and have been using it in a few matches recently; she draws, balances and nails groups like you wouldn't believe and the recessed chambers make it easy to know if your rounds are fully seated while running. I just put a new pair of Craig Spegel Butler Creek's on it (yay for eBay) and it's even *better* that it was before now - firm grip, strong draw. If I see another one around of the 66-1 to 66-3 vintage at the right price, I'd snatch it up in a heartbeat.

[djp7558]

My dad gave me his old 66 (no dash) 4" he bought with "uniform allowance" about thirty years ago..I guess?
It shoots BRILLIANTLY!

"GUNS AINT GETTIN NO CHEEPER!!!"

"YOU CAN'T LOOSE MONEY BUYING PROPERTY OR GUNS IN CALIFORNIA!!!"
(quote: my dad )

Dan

[JohnnyBangBang]

Well damn, I did it again. The S&W M66-3 6" will be in my hands the 15th of July. Have to wait for the consignments 30 days to finish and then DROS it.
AAaaahhhhhhh!!!!! This is worse than the 10 day wait!
This will be my first wheel gun. I read and re-read a post someone put up here a couple months back on a check list for buying a revolver. Checking the timing, cylinder play, alignment... Everything checked out.
I got the feeling I'll still keep an eye open for a 686 4"...
I'll post a pic next month when I pick it up.
Thanks for the responces.

[mike100]

I bought a 66-2 a year ago for $485 from a forum member ppt. My favorite revolver by far. It's a trade off with the weight for speed on the draw. It is a natural pointer.

Mine is a 4" bbl, 1982 non-pinned/recessed model with the wide target trigger and hammer (common on these from what I've seen). I actually like the wide trigger- it doesn't slow my action shooting down at all,

[djp7558]

By-the-way...If It has the stock checkered wood grips on It, replace them with HOGUE or PACHMAYER rubber grips !
You can thank me later.

Dan

[JTROKS]

If in excellent condition, you can send me the wood grips if you like. I'll even pay shipping. You can't go wrong with a S&W 66.

BTW, the property is not much of a gain right now. In fact so many buyers are losing 10-20% of home values if bought 3 years ago. I suppose if you buy now or a foreclosed property it will be a great investment.

G/L on your quest for a 4" 686. I'm thinking you'll be looking for a pre-lock, non MIM.

[eaglemike]

I have a 4" 66 in excellent condition with department markings. It's really a sweet shooter. Even the 2.5" (P&R) 19 is really accurate.

Good luck with the 66. I used to think (years ago) S&W wheelguns were over-rated. Needless to say, that's changed. Not much in the way of wheelguns are as easy to shoot as a K frame.

I'm a fan of Hogue wood grips. Find your favorite shape, and you'll find everything else unsat.

all the best,

Mike

[trashman]

By-the-way...If It has the stock checkered wood grips on It, replace them with HOGUE or PACHMAYER rubber grips !
You can thank me later.

Eesh, I'm with Jtroks on this one -- if you happen to have a shoebox with a bunch of unused wood S&W grips, *please* send me a PM and I'll take 'em off your hands....

Worth checking out Eagle grips if you want something more utilitarian but still made of wood....their SS Boot grips are fantastic on J-K-N frames...

--Neill

[bill.l.johnson]

66-2 4"

You will love the 66. I have a set of Trausch on mine and they are really great to hold.

[maxicon]

Yeah, I'm a big fan of Hogues on S&W .357s. A lot more control and comfort, especially with the medium and small frame guns. It doesn't matter as much on a 686, but I still prefer them. I find I like the Hogues much better than Pachmayrs (never tried the Trausch, but they look great), but YMMV.

Yes, I've got a box full of wood S&W grips of all sizes and shapes, and no, I'm not sending them to anyone! That's part of my retirement!