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10-14-2010, 07:53 PM
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My old Smtih M66 Combat Magnum
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
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Deaf
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10-14-2010, 08:14 PM
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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.
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10-14-2010, 08:43 PM
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Hi,
I love the old model 66 series and you have the first series. Please share some pictures on your great revolver.
Thanks,
Howard
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10-14-2010, 09:46 PM
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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!
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Deaf
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10-15-2010, 12:34 AM
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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.
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10-15-2010, 05:51 AM
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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.
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10-15-2010, 02:48 PM
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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
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10-15-2010, 02:57 PM
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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
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10-15-2010, 03:35 PM
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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
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Last edited by PALADIN85020; 10-16-2010 at 01:14 PM.
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10-15-2010, 04:17 PM
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Like those grips
What make are those grips John.
Pete
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10-15-2010, 07:20 PM
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Sure some fine looking 66s!!!
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10-15-2010, 07:53 PM
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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.
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Deaf
Last edited by DeafSmith; 10-18-2010 at 06:47 PM.
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10-15-2010, 08:29 PM
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66 4" to 66 2.5"
Quote:
Originally Posted by roaddog28
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
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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
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10-15-2010, 11:08 PM
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10-15-2010, 11:56 PM
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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
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10-16-2010, 10:46 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeM19
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
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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
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10-16-2010, 01:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by beagleye
What make are those grips John.
Pete
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Ahrends retro target smooth goncalo alves. I use Ahrends grips on most of my "serious business" revolvers.
John
http://ahrendsgripsusa.com/retro.htm
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Last edited by PALADIN85020; 10-16-2010 at 01:13 PM.
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10-16-2010, 02:19 PM
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...jealous...
Quote:
Originally Posted by roaddog28
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
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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.
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Semper Fidelis
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10-16-2010, 03:27 PM
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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.
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10-16-2010, 04:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeM19
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.
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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
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10-16-2010, 08:48 PM
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Just had to show off a 19-3.
As you can see, it is not a safe gun. Close as I can come to a 66. - 'ole joe
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Last edited by JoeM19; 10-16-2010 at 08:52 PM.
Reason: To explain a 19-3 in 66 thread. :)
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10-17-2010, 09:36 AM
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Real pretty guns --- This is my -2 that I've posted about before.
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10-17-2010, 01:37 PM
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I stopped by the Tigard Oregon Gun Broker yesterday and picked up my new to me Mod. 66-1 Chicago Police Department Commemorative. On the left side between the cylinder and the trigger is stamped CPD 1383 and the S/N is 72K40**, the right side plate has the Chicago Police Department badge with 1855-1980, the right side of the barrel is stamped Chicago Police Department 125 Years Of Service. No case no tools no paperwork. It's a shooter and appears to have been carried as a duty weapon. The right side of the presentation grips has what can best be described as a LARGE (larger then I'd like to see ) scratch through the finish but does not look like the wood was damaged. The trailing lower inside corner of the right grip has what can best be described as a LARGE ( larger then I'd like to see ) chip out of the grip. And if you rock it just right and get the light to reflect off of the right side between the cylinder and the hammer you can see the out line of the duty holster. Outside of where the duty holster covered and protected the SS finish the SS has a fussy duller appearance in the outline of a duty holster like a shadow. I have not fired it yet but I'm going to. I don't own any safe queens. And you're all going to have to just trust me on this because I have yet to figure out how to post pictures on here with my Droid.
Last edited by Scary Gary; 10-17-2010 at 01:55 PM.
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10-17-2010, 02:02 PM
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mdl.66
Here`s mine,I showed them before.
Dick
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10-17-2010, 08:16 PM
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..hmmm...ummm....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry from Bend
Real pretty guns --- This is my -2 that I've posted about before.
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Man, that is a looker!! This thread has almost made me want to go back to work. - 'ole joe
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Last edited by JoeM19; 10-17-2010 at 08:20 PM.
Reason: Clarification on why I'm still hanging around this thread. - j.
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10-17-2010, 11:58 PM
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Ran across this one a while ago. I haven't had it out yet, don't know if I will.
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10-18-2010, 01:21 PM
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Beautiful guns!
All the revolvers posted here are beautiful. I just happened across a Model 66 4" myself a few days back and had to take it home with me. Mine is a Model 66 that is pinned, recessed, has target grips and has the stainless steel rear sight. The S/N is 7K17XXX. Can anyone here tell me when this may have been manufactured?
My digital camera is not working at this time. I will borrow one and post pictures as soon as I can.
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10-18-2010, 01:52 PM
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Here are a couple of pics of my 66-2 4".
586L-Frame
DLC’s S&W Mdl 66-2.
x
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10-18-2010, 03:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by canucksvt
All the revolvers posted here are beautiful. I just happened across a Model 66 4" myself a few days back and had to take it home with me. Mine is a Model 66 that is pinned, recessed, has target grips and has the stainless steel rear sight. The S/N is 7K17XXX. Can anyone here tell me when this may have been manufactured?
My digital camera is not working at this time. I will borrow one and post pictures as soon as I can.
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7K1---7K26043 (1974 ) so looks like 1974
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10-18-2010, 03:34 PM
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I've got a pair of 66 snubbies, a -1 and a -2.
The -2 has a set of Grashorn stags on it.
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10-18-2010, 03:52 PM
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Another 66 with stainless sights...
... people are posting better pictures on the ol' forum these days.
You guys have some nice revos.
GF
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10-19-2010, 05:06 PM
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Here are pictures of some of mine...
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10-20-2010, 01:19 AM
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My 66 (don't mind the 67 on top):
On review of this posting, I realized how scratched the 66 looked. The gun is super tight and works great. But what's great about stainless is that no matter how "bunged" up the gun is a bead-blast would make it look like new.
I used to not like stainless because it wasn't blued steel. BUT I had a scratched 65 that I applied a fine ScotchBrite and a little Mothers Mag polish to and darn if it didn't look new. Didn't take long to clean up the worst scratches (not gouges!). I've seen some stainless guns that people have polished to a bright, chrome-like finish and maybe that has it's place. But for me "less is more"!
Last edited by big50_1; 11-07-2010 at 11:23 AM.
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10-20-2010, 07:56 AM
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66
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeafSmith
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
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Here is mine, most accurate revolver I own
Last edited by DUNTOV; 10-20-2010 at 07:59 AM.
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10-20-2010, 03:35 PM
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I have a no-dash with the all stainless sights, made in '71 or '72. I love the gun but hate the sights, the front sight will disappear on a bright day, shooting outdoors. I have no doubt that's why Smith changed over to blued sights shortly after the gun was introduced.
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10-20-2010, 05:52 PM
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M66 sites
Quote:
Originally Posted by stevieboy
I have a no-dash with the all stainless sights, made in '71 or '72. I love the gun but hate the sights, the front sight will disappear on a bright day, shooting outdoors. I have no doubt that's why Smith changed over to blued sights shortly after the gun was introduced.
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If it really bothers you I can send you a blued rear site for your stainless ....I prefer that all stainless look.... ; )
My early M67 with Stainless site and 66-1 without...
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Tags
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327, 650, ahrends, commemorative, goncalo, grooved, k frame, m13, m19, m66, model 10, model 19, model 66, presentation, recessed, ruger, scotchbrite, smith-wessonforum.com, spegel |
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