Model 66. Now what?

[AK357]

I have a Model 66 stamped AK961 72 in near mint condition. I really enjoy looking at and and handling this gun. Should I put it away for my grandkids or should I shoot and carry it? It may sound silly to have a gun that I don't want to shoot but I'm really hooked on this revolver and don't want to damage it. Thanks for the advice and I appreciate this forum.

[colt_saa]

If I only have one of a firearms, I shoot it if I like it.

If I have more than one of a particular variation, usually only one gets fired.

I would shoot the one you like and start looking for a second to put away as a spare.

[MN2944]

I don't think a 66 is unique enough to save. Who knows if your grandchildren would even care? I'd shoot it.

[Hapworth]

Either you have to commit to it falling from "mint" grace and you shoot and carry it, or in the safe it goes. Half-measures will probably eat at you.

Are you certain this is the configuration for you? If so, and if it is truly a mint example, put it in the safe and find a well-preserved shooter grade sibling and make that your heavy lifting piece.

[AK357]

I appreciate the advice. I have an excuse to buy a newer model 66!

[GWK4667]

When you are looking if you run across a model 66-1 Serial # 9K5090 I will gladly pay a reward for it's return and I will try my best to get the thief 3 hots and a cot.

[Retired W4]

I really like what Hapworth said here about your gun. The stamp you mentioned has me wondering though. Where is that mark and are you sure that is what it is? Does it have a - after the MOD 66 on the frame under the barrel? Does it have stainless sights or blue steel? Round butt or square and barrel length? We love pictures here! Regardless, I would load it up, sight it in and carry it with pride and use it as needed.

Your grandkids can do the same.

[THE PILGRIM]

Shoot it and later on, then pass it down.

[Sconnie]

"Grandkids" makes the decision simple...you must keep buying until you have one to pass down to each. Which one to shoot? Well, I am not one to put away guns in "mint" condition. I prefer to shoot what I buy. Which is why I marvel at the guys who post pics of endless rows of revolvers that they have. Lucky dogs!

Actually, don't forget to try to go shooting somewhere with the kids that are interested. THAT will make any of grandpa's guns special.

Hmmm, and if they are too young or you worry about starting them out with .38 loads in the model 66 I am thinking a fine .22LR might be a good choice too. Hey, as long as I am spending your money....

Wow, I just noticed your location AK357. Yea, you have some open areas to shoot I imagine.

[BAM-BAM]

"Now what...."

Might I suggest ........

a 2 1/2" 66 or a couple of Model 19s.........

[snubbyfan]

Shoot it, clean it, fondle it, get a nice holster and carry it.
Most of all, enjoy it.

[629shooter]

Putting a few rounds through it isn't going to "hurt" it.

[MN2944]

Originally Posted by Sconnie

Actually, don't forget to try to go shooting somewhere with the kids that are interested. THAT will make any of grandpa's guns special.

Good point. When my dad died, I inherited his guns. Among them was a pristine Browning BL22. Possibly never fired. Also, there was his well cared for, but well used Marlin 30-30 that he carried deer hunting every year. There was not a speck of rust on the rifle, but the bluing on the bottom of the receiver is worn down to smooth, shiny metal from decades of use.

Guess which one means more to me vs to a collector.

[JP@AK]

Originally Posted by AK357

I have a Model 66 stamped AK961 72 in near mint condition.

Hello from the MatSu! I was in Fairbanks for a meeting two weeks ago. It still wasn't very cold, but it has not been cold here, either. Over 30 again today and very little snow. Weird winter so far.

Are you seeing the AK961 72 in the yoke area? If so, it isn't the serial number. Look on the bottom of the grip frame with the stocks off. I'll bet there is a different number there. That one is the serial number on your Model 66.

[AK357]

You folks are awesome! I appreciate your comments. This forum is making me into a Smith and Wesson guy as I've never really cared about brands in the past. For those who asked, the gun is stamped:
AK961 72
MOD 66
It has a stainless rear and front sight. I recently bought a M&P so I'll just shoot that or maybe buy a modern 66. It's S&W from now on!

[Jack Flash]

I disagree that there is no middle ground. Taking it to the range for a shooting session on a nice day will not lower its value much. Yes, it will no longer be mint, but it will be close enough for the grandkids.

If you carry it, at a minimum it will get banged around some. Worse case, if you have to use it for self-defense, the police may take it and never give it back, even if you are in the right.

[Hapworth]

Originally Posted by AK357

...It has a stainless rear and front sight...

That squares it for me -- put it in a safe. The stainless front and rear sight were early models and quickly changed to black rear sight assemblies. All stainless sight 66s, while not rare, are uncommon approaching scarce.

If yours is in collectible condition, I'd keep it that way. True you could shoot it some without diminishing value if you're careful, but making it a working gun is unnecessary when so many quality shooter 66s can still be had at decent prices.

[kennyb]

S&W made a LOT of 66's...they aren't rare...or even scarce..they are NICE however!shoot it and have fun...then clean it well

[Hapworth]

Originally Posted by kennyb

S&W made a LOT of 66's...they aren't rare...or even scarce..they are NICE however!shoot it and have fun...then clean it well

Note I used those two words -- and only the latter as a descriptive -- in regard to the stainless front and rear sight iterations, not 66s in general. S&W did NOT make a LOT of the all stainless models.

[BAM-BAM]

Early 66 w/ stainless sights........ candidate for a Safe Queen.......

find a shooter grade 66-1....... still P&R ....... some say the "best of" the 66 line......

that's what I did

[jtcarm]

In the words of Troy Landry "Choot em!"

[MN2944]

Who eventually gets to shoot this gun if you don't? Your grandchildren? The person they sell it to after you're gone?

If you were planning to keep it for a while and then sell it to make a profit, obviously it's best to leave it unfired, but that's not the scenario you presented in the OP.

[Arik]

My view is that if I'm hooked on it and enjoy it I'll shoot the snot out of it. If I like it but save it I'm not enjoying it so therefore it don't need it. I can not enjoy it by not touching it or by selling it, same difference. In fact I'll probably get more enjoyment out of it buy selling it and using the money to buy something else. So i say shoot it, that's what it was ment for

[rwsmith]

You can shoot it and then hand it down to your kids.

[BobR1]

I have a 98% Model 15 Combat Masterpiece SNUB. I believe it was unfired or very close to unfired when I traded for it. I put 50 rounds through it in a snub match a while back. It had a turn line already from being handled, so I doubt I hurt the value any at all. I plan to sell this one myself, and get another toy to play with, like an SP101 Snub 22LR. OR a Steel J Snub in 22LR

I have one kid who will keep what he gets, and one who will sell them. I probably should make a list of who get which ones myself. Make sure the one who will keep them gets the good stuff.

Your Stainless Steel rear sight 66 would qualify for the Good Stuff List.

Bob

[Bajadoc]

I would rather have a gun my grandpa shot a lot than one he never shot.

[SLT223]

Fuego!!!! It you absolutely must keep it as a queen, then buy another one to shoot.

[Harkrader]

"Should I put it away for my grandkids or should I shoot and carry it?"

Shoot it like you stole it. You'll appreciate it, your children and grandchildren will learn to SEE you appreciating it and yearn for it "some day."
Or, if they turn out to be like our Charming Children, (one professional military, 'nother a LEO) they'll steal them from you anyway. ;-)
66-1 rt side 30.jpg
This 66-1 with 4" barrel came with the box, all papers and original sales receipt, as well as a great story.
S&W 66-1 left side 30.jpg
This one came from a West Bend WI PD LEO. I carried it regularly until I got a 386NG.

[rxbrew]

My father passed away a few years ago and me being his only son I got the responsibility to do what I saw fit with his guns. It was my dad who gave me my love for guns. He bought me my first 22 at the age of 6. I gave each of his grandsons a gun to remember their grandfather. I kept the guns that have special memory's for me. It won't hurt to hand down a used gun because the guns I kept were mostly well used and when I shoot them ,clean them,or handle them I think of the times we had and the fun we had shooting them. So I say shoot them and find time to shoot them with your children and grandchildren.

[Jack Flash]

I worked with a guy ("Gary") who inherited some nice guns from his father. Rather than have is own two adult sons wait till he died, Gary decided to give each of them one of their grandfather's best guns. IIRC, one got a Browning Over/Under and the other got a Winchester rifle. Both guns were old but near-perfect.

Within a month, each son had sold his gift gun to pay bills.

[Twiki357]

Only you can decide which path to take, but you can shoot it and shoot it and shoot it and it will still be a good gun for the grandkids.

As far as I’m concerned, if I can’t shoot it, I don’t want it.

[vrichard]

Sir,AK 961 72 is not a ser.# for a mdl.66,the ser.# is on the grip frame
like JP@AK said.
Dick

[Lobster Picnic]

If it's in 98% condition, you could shoot and enjoy it for many years yet still keep it at 95% or better. I doubt the grandkids will care about the 3% difference. Preserving the box, papers, and original grips may have more to do with the ultimate value as the years go by.

[Engine49guy]

Originally Posted by vrichard

Sir,AK 961 72 is not a ser.# for a mdl.66,the ser.# is on the grip frame
like JP@AK said.
Dick

As the guys have stated thats not a correct serial for any Model 66,

The earliest had a K then a serial like K-999999
Early and mid 70's era guns had serials like 1K12345, 2K12345

In the early 80s S&W started using a 3 letter prefix like AAA 0001, AAB 0001, AAC 0001 etc

Double check your serial and if there is a -1, -2, -3 after the MOD 66 stamp...?

IIRC some commemoratives with engraving on the right sideplate had unique serials....is this a comemorative version ?

[M3Stuart]

If'n it were mine, I'd shoot it!