NIB model 66 no lock

[curt1950]

Ventura gun show last weekend I found a new never fired S&W model 66. It has all the original stuff with it, paper work, tools still in the sealed bag wrapping paper ect. I get to pick it up on tues. The problem I'm having is do I shoot this never fired 1973 revolver or just look at it? I'm not a collector I'm a shooter and now I'm having second thoughts.

I went to the show just sorta, kinda looking for a .357 with a 5 or 6 " barrel and this thing just kinda jumped out at me. I like nice things, maybe I should shoot it.

http://s1164.photobucket.com/user/wcfsr1/media/IMG_0804_zpsa424aa0f.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

http://s1164.photobucket.com/user/wcfsr1/media/IMG_0795_zpsdefbe478.jpg.html?sort=3&o=6

http://s1164.photobucket.com/user/wcfsr1/media/IMG_0798_zps05b399f4.jpg.html?sort=3&o=4

http://s1164.photobucket.com/user/wcfsr1/media/IMG_0799_zpsf3da8f7a.jpg.html?sort=3&o=3

http://s1164.photobucket.com/user/wcfsr1/media/IMG_0807_zps02ba0d30.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

I don't know how to put up links. But if you want to look at it here it is.

[OUTLAWZ]

Congratulations! Not sure? Buy another revolver and shoot that to think things over.

[ontmark]

I would shoot it.

I am not the expert here put I fell there very few handguns that I would collect and never shoot.

Again this is just my opinion.

[bsg]

i'd keep this one in the safe and pick up another that could be a shooter. although the Model 66 is not a rare revolver, having an example that is lnib is far and in-between.

what is the barrel length?

[rm1911]

What the hell good is a gun you won't shoot? If you're going to spend that much money on a gun like that to NOT shoot it...take the money to Vegas instead. Either blow it on the tables or a few hookers. Either way you'll have more fun losing the money.

I never buy a gun I won't shoot. I've got so many I haven't time to shoot but a fraction of them. Don't mean I don't shoot them all. Just not all the time. Oh, and none of that "investment" crap. It's a piece of metal with a singular purpose. Those older smiths are great shooters.

[curt1950]

Its a 4" barrel, for shooters I have a model 13 or my 629 or even my old BH 3 screw. we also have plenty of semi-autos to keep us amused but this thing I gotta think about.

[The Mad Mule]

Seriously, just shoot with the damn thing because that's what it was made for. I met a guy in a gunshop once who told me that most (if not all) of the rifles that he bought he never intends to shoot. Just have them hanging on the wall as expensive displays. I just can't fathom seeing a wall of AR-15s, Tavors, SCARs, and whatnot just being "trophies" to eyebang.

[SLO1911Fan]

I love my model 66, but I'm not sure I would shoot an unfired one with all the original goodies. You can pick up a shooter next year for ~$500 or so. That being said, I used to own a no dash 66 with the stainless on stainless sights and I shot that every time I went to the range.

[I Swan]

If you didn't pay too much sell it for a profit and buy a GP100. K frame magnums are nice but are a bit fragile for shooting a lot with magnum loads.

[Baer1911]

[Oceanbob]

Curt...shoot it. It's not a Bren 10 , HK P7 or a Colt Python with box..

I had 1974 Model 66. It was clean and I sold it recently for $700.

Have fun....!

[MrElectric03]

I'd definately shoot it. It's a nice find but not hugely collectable. The only gun I have that I don't shoot is an unfired Colt Delta Gold Cup I bought from my father in law...and it's tough not shooting it. Gives me a reason to buy an RIA 10mm to shoot

[Kurgan]

I would shoot it. Guns to me are tools/toys.

[scotchblade]

If you didn't pay too much sell it for a profit and buy a GP100. K frame magnums are nice but are a bit fragile for shooting a lot with magnum loads.

Agreed, but I'd hang on to that 66 until you are sure. You can get a GP100 anytime. Not so with your pinned and recessed Smith.

But I'm a big fan of any older Smith. I don't even know what a VP9 looks like. You may not share my passion for them, so do what's right for you.

[highpower]

Did you pay a NIB premium for it? What a lot of the people here may not know is that Model 66 no dash revolvers are becoming quite collectable. I can see both sides of the argument about shooting vs. not shooting guns, but once you fire it, it is no longer NIB. If it was a late model S&W, I would have no trouble shooting the snot out of it.

I have a M19-2 that is NIB and I have no desire to shoot it as I have a bunch of other guns that I can take out. Come to think about it, I have several older guns that are steadily increasing in value and are new or like new. They were paid for the day I bought them and cost me nothing to keep around, so I have no trouble at all keeping them in pristine condition by not shooting them.

Oh, and to those that insist that each and every gun has to be shot. I paid $650 OTD for the M19 earlier this year and have already been offered an even grand for it, largely due to the fact that it is unfired since it left the factory.

+1 on not knowing what a VP9 looks like, nor do I care what they look like. I have absolutely zero interest in 99% of the modern guns out there. I do have a G***k 17 for a under my truck seat gun, but that is because I could care less what happens to it.