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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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  #1  
Old 10-28-2009, 10:23 PM
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Just bought a nice M66-1 4-inch at alocal gun store. Young man behind the counter said he didn't think they had any. I happened to look in the Taurus showcase and there sat this S&W surrounded by two Taurus M66's. All tagged at $285.00. Quickly completed the transaction and beat feet before anyone decided the S&W was mis-marked. Has stainless front & rear sight and target grips and in about 80-85% condition. Smooth action, carrys up fine, locks up tight, accuracy on par with other similar S&W's I own. Ser# 65k14*7. Can anay one help with a dob? Thanks in advance.
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Old 10-28-2009, 10:27 PM
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If I am not mistaken the 66 came out in 1972 and only the first and possibly the second year guns had a stainless rear sight. If it is a -1 I would say it is toward the end of that era
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Old 10-28-2009, 10:27 PM
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Hi, 1980. Nice find!
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Old 10-28-2009, 10:34 PM
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I think Alan is right on the DOB, but that means the rear is sight has been replaced by an early one.
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Old 10-28-2009, 10:58 PM
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You did what I would have done.
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Old 10-28-2009, 11:02 PM
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Alan & Curtis thanks for the info. I remember that early in my LEO career we switched from the M19 to the M66. (approx. 1973) and they were no dash with sights in the white. Dept. traded again when 66-1 with modified gas ring came out (approx. 1976) and they came with the black rear sight and red ramp front. I guess I could have some type of transition version (no insert in front sight), but I am not complaining. Is a nice revolver.
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Old 10-29-2009, 03:29 PM
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Even with the sight replaced you got a great deal. If it bothers you I bet you could find an original sight.
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Old 10-29-2009, 04:08 PM
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excellent find...a very nice revolver
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Old 10-29-2009, 10:43 PM
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I have a 66 no-dash with stainless front and rear sights. it was made in 1971 or '72.

My understanding of the history of the stainless and blued sights on the 66 is as follows. The very earliest no-dashes, made back in ' 71 and '72, had all stainless sights. At some point in the production run, Smith switched to a blued rear sight and then, to all blued sights. I think that, by the time the -1 came out, Smith was using blued sights front and rear.

The fact that your -1 has stainless sights does not mean, however, that someone switched stainless sights for blued ones. Smith is pretty notorious for producing examples of guns that vary from the norm. It evidently has always been a frugal company and if parts -- albeit older ones -- are available to fit a gun, then Smith often uses them. The explanation for your gun's stainless sights may simply be that Smith had some of them still unused when your gun was manufactured and it added them to your gun simply in order to work off older inventory.

In any event, I'm positive that your 66 will become a favorite. Mine is one of those "never will be sold" guns that I've come across from time to time. It has the best trigger, hands down, of any revolver I own and is deadly accurate.

Last edited by stevieboy; 10-29-2009 at 10:46 PM.
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Old 10-30-2009, 06:50 PM
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Nice score!!!!! You did REAL good on that deal and then some.

I've got 5 more months of "No More Guns" probation before my wife takes off the ankle monitor.

Anyone have a shooter 58 that they would like to sell me then?
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Old 10-30-2009, 09:23 PM
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Here's another Model 66-1 (every thread needs a picture, right?). This one shipped in 1978. It's wearing Craig Spegel's target grips. This one of the last revolvers I would let go as it's such a perfectly balanced shooter.

Congratulations on your find. $285 is an absolute steal for that gun. I hope you enjoy it.

Jerry

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Old 10-30-2009, 09:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stevieboy
I think that, by the time the -1 came out, Smith was using blued sights front and rear.

I bought a brand new 66-3 in 1989, and it came with stainless front sight, blued rear. I always liked the looks of the stainless sight much better on a stainless gun.
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Old 10-30-2009, 10:37 PM
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The Wyoming Highway Patrol issued Model 66's right after they came out. They had all stainless sights with WO and Red inserts in the front sight.
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Old 10-31-2009, 07:24 AM
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a sharp eye, great purchase, and quick feet out of there
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Old 11-02-2009, 02:31 AM
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I have never seen a Model 66 with front blued sights. I believe the front has and was always stainless steel. I have a -2 and a -3 and they have SS fronts sights with a red/orange ramp.
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m19, m66, model 19, model 66, rrwo, spegel, taurus, transition

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