My old Smtih M66 Combat Magnum

DeafSmith · Oct 14, 2010

Guys,

I've read the first M66, with no dash, pinned barrels, and recessed chambers were made about 1970 or so. If this is correct then any idea when mine was made?

SN 30K0xxx

I've had it for many years and it's still zero-zero tight. Wears Secret Service stocks to!

Thanks

snw19_357 · Oct 14, 2010

You are correct. The Model 66 Combat Magnum Stainless was introduced in 1970 with the -1 change being announced in 1977. They continued to be made with the pinned barrels and recessed cylinders until 1982.

A Model 66-1 in the 30K0xxx range should be from 1978.

roaddog28 · Oct 14, 2010

Hi,

I love the old model 66 series and you have the first series. Please share some pictures on your great revolver.

Thanks,
Howard

DeafSmith · Oct 14, 2010

Ok here is what I'll do.

Tomorrow I'll drag it out of the safe and photo it!

Now I shoot alot, mostly Glocks and Smith J .38s (my two carry guns) but this M66 I got I just fell in love with it. Secret Service stocks and in excellent condition.

And if Glocks had not been invented then Smith K frame shorties would be what I'd use!

Thanks for the date of 'Birth'. I have a 5 screw M10, rounded paddle front sight, made in '53 (was was 'made' in '54!)

I was hopeing the 66 was in '73, my graduation date from high school. I have a Ruger 'low back' 2 3/4 inch Security Six made in '73, and it would have been nice if it had been in that year to!

mag318 · Oct 15, 2010

Here's my early 66 no dash, nearly 40 years old and still a great revolver. As you can see, the early examples sported stainless rear sights. S&W changed to blued sights after complaints, but collectors seek them out.

edw794 · Oct 15, 2010

i remember looking for a 4" model 66 in the early 70's to use for a duty gun. there were none around locally. i did find one across the bay in a large gun store and paid a premium over retail for it. they were that rare then.

Doc44 · Oct 15, 2010

This Model 66 was manufactured in May 1970 (serial number for this model started at K949100...the revolver pictured is serial numbered K949140) and is one of the approximately one hundred revolvers made to test the new tooling. The Model 66 was announced to the shooting public in July 1971 and S&W concurrently made its first shipments of the stainless Combat Magnum. I have seen two of the early guns dating to 1970 and they both have a target hammer and a standard trigger.

The model is one of my favorite S&Ws.

Bill

doc44-albums-early-model-66-picture1022-k949140-model-66-1970.jpg

roaddog28 · Oct 15, 2010

Great pictures guys. I have a later 66-4 4 inch with the Uncle Mikes grips. The 66 is a great looking package and of course one of the best all around revolvers every made.
Howard

PALADIN85020 · Oct 15, 2010

Nice revolver, for sure.

Aside from collector's value, I do prefer the slightly-improved Model 66-1. This was the last 66 to be pinned and recessed, had the black rear sight assembly, and on this one, the gas shield was relocated from the yoke to the cylinder. This helped to prevent a problem with the "no-dash" where it could seize up from overheating in extended firing.

This 66-1 was obtained by me in 2006 in factory new condition. I treated it to an action job by Nelson Ford, and a set of Ahrends Retro Target smooth goncalo alves stocks. Of course I kept the original stocks, box, papers, etc. It left the factory in May, 1978. It's pretty close to the perfect .357 holster revolver, in my opinion. The only thing I would change would be a smooth trigger instead of grooved. The smooth triggers were introduced on the 66-2s.

John

beagleye · Oct 15, 2010

Like those grips

What make are those grips John.

Pete

gunlovingirl · Oct 15, 2010

Sure some fine looking 66s!!!

DeafSmith · Oct 15, 2010

Ok, it turns out it was a 66-1 2 1/2 inch.

Here is a photo of it with my Security Six 2 3/4 I had turned into a RB. Both are graced with Secret Service stocks.

28745d1287186747-my-old-smith-m66-combat-magnum-pair-.357s-2.jpg

JoeM19 · Oct 15, 2010

66 4" to 66 2.5"

roaddog28 said:
Great pictures guys. I have a later 66-4 4 inch with the Uncle Mikes grips. The 66 is a great looking package and of course one of the best all around revolvers every made.
Howard

I carried a 66 4", by choice, with Uncle Mikes or Pachmayrs from about 1978 to 1982. It was holstered in a pancake of unknown make. In about 1982, they made us turn in all of the 4" and I got a 66 2.5 instead. I hated to give it up. - 'ole joe

bigun · Oct 15, 2010

I have three 66(no dash)revolvers. In the pictures below the one with the black rear sight was shipped this way from the factory!:

j38 · Oct 15, 2010

Here's another 66-1 with grips by Craig Spegel. I saw my first Model 66 on Multnomah County Sheriff Deputies back in the '70's when they were the cat's meow for duty guns.

Jerry

roaddog28 · Oct 16, 2010

JoeM19 said:
I carried a 66 4", by choice, with Uncle Mikes or Pachmayrs from about 1978 to 1982. It was holstered in a pancake of unknown make. In about 1982, they made us turn in all of the 4" and I got a 66 2.5 instead. I hated to give it up. - 'ole joe

Hi JoeM19,

The combat magnum is just a great package. Easy to carry, very accurate, shoots all kinds of ammo and to me handles the best of the S&W 357 magnums. Besides my 66-4 I own a M13-2 4 inch and a M19 6 inch.
As you can see the K frames are my favorites.

Happy shooting,
Howard

PALADIN85020 · Oct 16, 2010

beagleye said:
What make are those grips John.

Pete

Ahrends retro target smooth goncalo alves. I use Ahrends grips on most of my "serious business" revolvers.

John

http://ahrendsgripsusa.com/retro.htm

JoeM19 · Oct 16, 2010

...jealous...

roaddog28 said:
Hi JoeM19,

The combat magnum is just a great package. Easy to carry, very accurate, shoots all kinds of ammo and to me handles the best of the S&W 357 magnums. Besides my 66-4 I own a M13-2 4 inch and a M19 6 inch.
As you can see the K frames are my favorites. Happy shooting, Howard

Howard: In 1974, my wife helped me buy a M19 2.5 for my birthday. It was about $130 out the door. I was able to carry it on the job for a while. It is still a tack driver. I'd LOVE to have a '70 vintage 4" or 2.5" 66. K frames are cool and you have some nice ones. I remember seeing used 14s, 15s and K38s in Potomac Arms in Alexandria, VA. I never thought I'd not have access to as many as I wanted. They....GONE.. now. - 'ole joe.

hunterfisher808 · Oct 16, 2010

These are Nice guns! 4" K Frames feel just perfect for me, with regards to size, weight, balance, etc. I gotta admit that I've gone through several 19s and 66s in my life and sorely regret not having them. One of my grail guns is a 66 no dash and if I did not have one dialed in, I surely would be green with envy looking at all these beauts! And Those Ahrends look real sweet, bet they feel as good as they look.

roaddog28 · Oct 16, 2010

JoeM19 said:
Howard: In 1974, my wife helped me buy a M19 2.5 for my birthday. It was about $130 out the door. I was able to carry it on the job for a while. It is still a tack driver. I'd LOVE to have a '70 vintage 4" or 2.5" 66. K frames are cool and you have some nice ones. I remember seeing used 14s, 15s and K38s in Potomac Arms in Alexandria, VA. I never thought I'd not have access to as many as I wanted. They....GONE.. now. - 'ole joe.

Thanks Joe,

I love mine and still looking for a 4 inch model 19 pin and recessed. They are getting harder to find and when a person does they are very expense. In my area $650 for a shooter grade.
Thanks for your kind words,
Howard

My old Smtih M66 Combat Magnum

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