[JackStraw]

Today, I purchased an early Model 66 with stainless sights. I had previously seen some information regarding the alloy used in earlier production of this model being different than later editions.
Unfortunately, I’m a bit fuzzy on the details, and I can’t seem to locate the original source of the, possibly erroneous, claim.
Does anyone have any facts to validate this? And am I correct in my assumption that I can shoot .38 Specials through this gun with reckless abandon, and enough .357’s to give me a sore wrist?

 

[Uncle Bob]

Very nice, two PD buddies of mine carried 66s.

 

[Eisenfeur]

Well done!
The early ones w as rear sights are worth a premium like $1200!
Yours is pristine and boxed plus has nice grain strokes on grips!
Yep shoot .38 with abandon and 158g .357 so as to not overdo it as with 125g

 

[G26S239]

Nice find, congratulations.

 

[Maddogkiller]

Wow. I am not the sort that is given to envy. But that shooter is testing my character. Congrats on making a fine score.

 

[JackStraw]

Well done!
The early ones w as rear sights are worth a premium like $1200!
Yours is pristine and boxed plus has nice grain strokes on grips!
Yep shoot .38 with abandon and 158g .357 so as to not overdo it as with 125g

Thanks. That’s good to know. I’m in it for a grand. It wasn‘t a “steal”, but I thought it was a fair price for both parties.

 

[TJC357]

Thanks. That’s good to know. I’m in it for a grand. It wasn‘t a “steal”, but I thought it was a fair price for both parties.

You did good at that price, that one is in great shape. I'd have to by a another used one that showed some wear and put that one up, but that's just me. Good find enjoy it let us know how it shoots.

 

[Au Jus in Bello]

Concerning alloy variations, I'm not aware of any significant (declared) changes in the Model 66. You may be thinking of the Model 60, S&W's first foray into production stainless revolvers, which hit the shelves around '65. The hammer and trigger were stainless, too, and galling issues soon emerged. The fix was switching back to carbon steel hammers and triggers and flash chroming them to better match the stainless finish, which became standard for all S&W stainless models until the mid'90s.

The Model 66 came to fore early '70s, when this was already hashed out.

It's the stainless sibling to the Model 19, which was created so that law enforcement officers could have a .357-capable sidearm that wasn't as much a boat anchor to lug around all day as the S&W N-frames. It was intended to be a .38 Special mostly and .357 occasionally shooter. I'd stick with that plan.

Congrats on your new revolver.

 

[Old Sea Dragon]

My 2.5” has been a faithful companion for over 30 years. You just scored a magnificent revolver and it begs to be shot, regularly.

 

[wheelyfun44]

Sweet 66! Firing 357 mag is fine, but avoid 125 gr.... steady diet of 158 gr won't hurt.

 

[SPEEDYCQB3G]

Today, I purchased an early Model 66 with stainless sights. I had previously seen some information regarding the alloy used in earlier production of this model being different than later editions.
Unfortunately, I’m a bit fuzzy on the details, and I can’t seem to locate the original source of the, possibly erroneous, claim.
Does anyone have any facts to validate this? And am I correct in my assumption that I can shoot .38 Specials through this gun with reckless abandon, and enough .357’s to give me a sore wrist?

View attachment 1053985 View attachment 1053986 View attachment 1053987

Early 70’s ,, Stainless sights,, M66 no dash. Beautiful Combat Magnum. I have the M66-2.. black sights ,red insert front. I shoot 38 +p+ ,, some 125gr 357. Excellent very accurate pistol. M66 and 686 are the best ones from S&W…IMO

 

[JackStraw]

Concerning alloy variations, I'm not aware of any significant (declared) changes in the Model 66. You may be thinking of the Model 60, S&W's first foray into production stainless revolvers, which hit the shelves around '65. The hammer and trigger were stainless, too, and galling issues soon emerged. The fix was switching back to carbon steel hammers and triggers and flash chroming them to better match the stainless finish, which became standard for all S&W stainless models until the mid'90s.

The Model 66 came to fore early '70s, when this was already hashed out.

It's the stainless sibling to the Model 19, which was created so that law enforcement officers could have a .357-capable sidearm that wasn't as much a boat anchor to lug around all day as the S&W N-frames. It was intended to be a .38 Special mostly and .357 occasionally shooter. I'd stick with that plan.

Congrats on your new revolver.

That was exactly the information I was searching for. Many, many thanks!

 

[bw210]

Looks great. Nice with the box...

The factory sure put some pretty grips on the 66's. I also have an early no dash 4" w/SS rear sight.

I regularly shoot 158gr 38spl as it is an enjoyable soft shooting round.

 

[Tom_R]

That is an early model 66 if the sights are stainless. They stopped doing that early in the run, so you have as rare of a 66 as there is.

If you got it for grand, that is absolutely a steal. Believe me.

They only made pinned and recessed 66’s for 10-11 years.

The 66 had a mystique to it when it came out, and it still does today.
It is the one S&W I have always wanted, but have not been able to get.

In terms of ammo, you can shoot any .38spcl load through it all day long.

For .357, shoot 158 grain or higher and make sure that the forcing cone area is very clean.

Don‘t put 125 grain Magnums through it. Especially if you have shot lead rounds through it previously. That was the recipe for cracking the forcing cone on K Frames.

 

[Razer]

That is an early model 66 if the sights are stainless. They stopped doing that early in the run, so you have as rare of a 66 as there is.

If you got it for grand, that is absolutely a steal. Believe me.

They only made pinned and recessed 66’s for 10-11 years.

The 66 had a mystique to it when it came out, and it still does today.
It is the one S&W I have always wanted, but have not been able to get.

In terms of ammo, you can shoot any .38spcl load through it all day long.

For .357, shoot 158 grain or higher and make sure that the forcing cone area is very clean.

Don‘t put 125 grain Magnums through it. Especially if you have shot lead rounds through it previously. That was the recipe for cracking the forcing cone on K Frames.

 

[41 Charlie]

Today, I purchased an early Model 66 with stainless sights. I had previously seen some information regarding the alloy used in earlier production of this model being different than later editions.
Unfortunately, I’m a bit fuzzy on the details, and I can’t seem to locate the original source of the, possibly erroneous, claim.
Does anyone have any facts to validate this? And am I correct in my assumption that I can shoot .38 Specials through this gun with reckless abandon, and enough .357’s to give me a sore wrist?

View attachment 1053985 View attachment 1053986 View attachment 1053987

Awesome pick up! Yes & Yes!

Shoot the old gal regularly! Congratulations!!

 

[dnuggett]

I'd have to by a another used one that showed some wear and put that one up, but that's just me. Good find enjoy it let us know how it shoots.

This! 66s are plentiful, easy to find one you can run the hell out of.

 

[Illinois Sucks]

Nothing like a pre-1980 66 or 19. A cylinder full of 125 357's every few months or so should be fine. 38 Special and +P you can shoot till the cows come home. 158's maybe a cylinder or two a month, so long as they're not Underwood or Buffalo Bore stuff. I don't think any of that ammo would be good for an old K frame.

 

[JackStraw]

This! 66s are plentiful, easy to find one you can run the hell out of.

Yeah. I hear ya’. But I plan on shooting it, cleaning it, and not worrying about it.

If I ever feel that a possession is too “collectible” to serve its’ intended purpose, I sell it.

 

[Zonamo]

Very nice pickup. I hate cleaning carbon rings so I load my 66-2 with 158 gr in .357 brass downloaded to .38sp +P level, about 850-900 fps. My favorite revolver of the few I have owned.