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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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Old 06-14-2017, 03:17 PM
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'78 66-1 grail is here! new pics in last post  
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Default '78 66-1 grail is here! new pics in last post

Picked it up just short time ago, it's great! Action/timing excellent, heading to the range this evening, can't wait!! Some quickie cell pics:







I've been looking for a 1978 4" 66-1 for quite a while. I've had a few offered to me but were either polished (I'm not a fan of polished stainless guns) or more than I felt they were worth. I finally found one and should have it either Thursday if it arrives before I have to go to work or Saturday morning.

In the original box, original grips (excellent condition), most of the papers and even the cleaning rod, mop and screwdriver. Very excited, I'll definitely post photos when I get it. As nice as it is this gun will definitely get shot and even see some time as my hiking/camping gun. Might be time to retire my late dad's no dash 686 (Sept. 1981) until it goes off to my older son.

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Old 06-14-2017, 03:45 PM
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'78 66-1 grail is here! new pics in last post '78 66-1 grail is here! new pics in last post '78 66-1 grail is here! new pics in last post '78 66-1 grail is here! new pics in last post '78 66-1 grail is here! new pics in last post  
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Sounds like a nice one! Isn't it nice when you can cross a grail gun off your list?
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Old 06-14-2017, 10:08 PM
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'78 66-1 grail is here! new pics in last post '78 66-1 grail is here! new pics in last post '78 66-1 grail is here! new pics in last post '78 66-1 grail is here! new pics in last post '78 66-1 grail is here! new pics in last post  
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Great find, I had one and traded it off awhile ago. What size barrel ? Transition gun ? Pinned and Recessed ? I know some were transitional, some pinned, some recessed.

Great find !! I know you can't wait till she delivered.


Brian
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Old 06-14-2017, 11:46 PM
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4", pinned and recessed with the large trademark on the sideplate. 39k serial prefix so perhaps mid to late '78? The original owner bought it in November of 1978, I can't imagine back then it sitting in the case long-very hard to get at the time.
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Old 06-15-2017, 01:07 AM
jimdvan jimdvan is offline
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'78 66-1 grail is here! new pics in last post '78 66-1 grail is here! new pics in last post '78 66-1 grail is here! new pics in last post '78 66-1 grail is here! new pics in last post '78 66-1 grail is here! new pics in last post  
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Glad you finally found what you wanted. I have a 66-1 4" that was my first issued handgun when I became a deputy sheriff in 1985. The gun was used as it had been previously issued. When we went to Glocks I was able to buy it. I'll never sell it and it has been retired as a family keepsake. It's stamped, "SD Sheriff" under the cylinder on the left side. Below that is a county property number.

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Old 06-17-2017, 01:16 PM
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Just brought it home, exhibits a little honest holster wear-consistent with being a working gun (original owner was leo). Pics added to first post. I have some modified (rounded off) later target grips I bought here for my 686 that will be going on this, those original grips are in beautiful condition, residing the box now.

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Old 06-17-2017, 01:36 PM
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S&W Fan:

Very nice!! I still have my 66 no dash, that I was first issued when I became a LEO in 1975. Like jimdvan, I was able to buy both it and my 66 2 1/2" 66 when we went to Glocks. We paid whatever Glock was offering on trade in, so the agency didn't lose any money.

Mine are hardly pristine, though, even though they were issued to me brand new. I carried and shot them a lot over the years.

I'll never let either of them go, and they will go to my sons on my passing.

Best of luck to you on a wonderful revolver. I know that you will be happy with it!!

Best Regards, Les
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Old 06-17-2017, 03:43 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S&W Fan View Post
Picked it up just short time ago, it's great! Action/timing excellent, heading to the range this evening, can't wait!! Some quickie cell pics:


I've been looking for a 1978 4" 66-1 for quite a while. I've had a few offered to me but were either polished (I'm not a fan of polished stainless guns) or more than I felt they were worth. I finally found one and should have it either Thursday if it arrives before I have to go to work or Saturday morning.

In the original box, original grips (excellent condition), most of the papers and even the cleaning rod, mop and screwdriver. Very excited, I'll definitely post photos when I get it. As nice as it is this gun will definitely get shot and even see some time as my hiking/camping gun. Might be time to retire my late dad's no dash 686 (Sept. 1981) until it goes off to my older son.
It sure is nice! Aren't glad you did not settle for something less? Bob

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Old 06-17-2017, 05:07 PM
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Les, thanks very much. Yes, the list is made of up for how the guns will be split up between my sons-glad they're both shooters! LOL

Bob, you read my mind. After I unpacked it I thought exactly the same thing about not settling for another. Three hours until range time woohoo!
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Old 06-17-2017, 05:12 PM
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Very nice 66-1 which IMO was probably the high water mark in its evolution.

Need a side by side shot with the 686 ;0
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Old 06-17-2017, 10:20 PM
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Very nice to have the complete package.
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Old 06-18-2017, 09:45 AM
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Very nice 66-1 which IMO was probably the high water mark in its evolution.

Need a side by side shot with the 686 ;0
Ok The 66 is now wearing the modified targets I bought here on the forum. They really feel great when shooting the gun-which I did yesterday. The action truly is wonderful and the gun is as accurate as I could hope for. SWWheelgun, the rear sight is the black version, apologies if it looked otherwise in the photos. That changed I believe in the last of no-dash guns.



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Old 06-18-2017, 10:02 AM
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Couple of 66 no-dashes in the safe but it's a "nice but not too nice" 4 inch 66-1 for carry. If you can score a set of Spegel extended Boot Grips for your 66 it doesn't get much better IMHO

W/ standard Boot Grips and a Spark's Summer Special holster a 4" 66 is a good concealed carry option!!!!!
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Old 07-03-2017, 07:55 PM
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Bump for restored photos from new hosting site, Postimage
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Old 10-13-2017, 11:05 AM
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Added the Grashorn stags and t-grip. Fits my hand perfectly and is a real joy at the range.


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Old 10-13-2017, 12:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boykinlp View Post
Sounds like a nice one! Isn't it nice when you can cross a grail gun off your list?
I agree 100% but it seems like every time I cross one off, two more appear! While I have all the guns I "need" several times over, I can't stay out of Pawn and Gun Shops no matter how hard I try
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Old 10-13-2017, 01:33 PM
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You know, we all have a grail gun list. But it evolves into more of the same gun. One 66-1 is great, but two or three is better. There is no harm, wearing a big smile.
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Old 10-13-2017, 03:25 PM
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My 66 ND 4" is relatively new (to me) but has quickly become one of my favorites to shoot. I too took the beautiful original target grips off and added some Culina combats. Wowzer!
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Old 10-14-2017, 11:37 AM
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'78 66-1 grail is here! new pics in last post '78 66-1 grail is here! new pics in last post '78 66-1 grail is here! new pics in last post '78 66-1 grail is here! new pics in last post '78 66-1 grail is here! new pics in last post  
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I want one just like that.
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Old 10-15-2017, 09:31 AM
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I want one just like that.
It took me 2 years to find the right one, don’t give up the search!
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Old 10-15-2017, 10:08 AM
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It took me 2 years to find the right one, don’t give up the search!
There was a time they were everywhere.....................

About the turn of the Century....I realized I'd sold or traded off most of my K-frame .357s...... cus the 3" 66-3 (and a back up) I had served my K-frame needs (L-frames had taken over for the 'heavy lifting" when shooting .357).

Decided I'd like to have 4" and 2 1/2 inch 66s and 19s again.........figured I'd just run to the nearest LGS and buy one......but the shelves were bare....a gunshop staple of the 80s and 90s were nowhere to be found!!!!!

Took me 5 or 6 years to find 4 "nice" P&R 19/66s in LGSs in W. Pa.

About the same time I finished my search for the 19/66s I decided to pick up a 3" 65.......... that search took over a decade!!!!!!!

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