A new friend followed me home from the pawn shop. They had a well worn, but lightly fired M66, SB, with 4"bbl, that I just couldn't resist, after I saw the "CPD 259", stamped on the frame. They were asking $599, and I got it for $450. I'm still new at this; so, bear with me.
1) Did I get a good deal? I think (hope) that I did.
2) There are numbers on the frame (above the model number): 4K57160 (I think). Any ideas?
3) Serial # 21379. There is also an "s" on the yoke. When, and to where was it shipped?
4) The grips fit horribly. Are they original?
5) The barrel is a little over-clocked. I guess that's what makes it a Smith!?
6) There is an "R" stamped between two of the chambers. Why?
7) Last and most importantly, is it OK to dry fire this gun?
Thanks a lot for any responses.

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My guess is you need to take a nap, then start this thread all over. I have no idea what the number you say is the serial, but its not. The longer number with the "K" is the serial. It also will appear on the butt of the gun after you take the grips off. If they fit that horribly, they're probably smooth N frame grips and worth some money.

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Dick Burg

As noted, the K number is the serial number, the other number is an assembly number that is irrelevant, those grips did not come on it, you can dry fire it - how do you know it was lightly fired? Being a PD gun, I would expect it to be fired maybe 200 times a year while in service... the 66 would get endshake and timing issues after many firings and heavy magnum ammo would decrease the lifespan of a PD gun. The 66's cost departments about $150 each and usually traded out about the same price. A 66 that was PD carried and shot for a few years would be worth (to me) much less then you paid. Others will disagree but as a past dept armorer, I had enough stress keeping them in service. We would shoot our carry magnum ammo once yearly and shoot 38's once yearly.

Thank you for the honest feedback. It turns out the smooth target grips fit my 29-10 perfectly. I got lucky. Time for a nap. Thanks, guys.

4K57160 dates the gun to 1974.

I tend to agree that 6 bills was a bit much for this gun as you describe it, however, when you factor in the N frame presentation stocks, I think you did okay.

Here's a rather poor photo of what the stocks should look like on your gun.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Since gfors got this revolver for $450 rather than the asking price of $599, and since it came with a fairly valuable set of smooth presentation grips, I'd say the ultimate price for an old pinned barrel Model 66 was pretty reasonable. If it were mine I'd put a set of Finger Groove Smooth Combats on it and never look back. The only thing that confuses me is the description that the "barrel is over-clocked" since that problem generally didn't appear very frequently until after the pinned barrel feature was eliminated... you've got a pinned barrel there. Just how far "over-clocked" does the barrel appear to be?? Is this a Model 66 or a 66-1? From the SN it should be the latter, made in about 1974. That information, along with the assembly and serial numbers will be on the frame and yoke region. Until BP and recessed chambers were eliminated during the 66-2 era, the other manufacturing changes were really pretty minor, IMHO. As stated, the "official" serial number (the only thing that really matters) is the one on the bottom of the grip frame, probably the 4K57160 you mention. The S is for stainless and will likely appear in several places and the R on the rear face of the cylinder is a normal occurrence. Finding where it was originally shipped will require a factory letter and then will probably be the name of one of the major distributors who had contracts to supply various police departments.

All in all, I'd say you did pretty well on this gfors, assuming that it isn't worn out mechanically. As you observed, many LEO guns of that era were carried quite a bit more than fired, and will frequently be in surprisingly good mechanical condition. Enjoy your new-to-you S&W.

Froggie

Considering the N-frame presentation stocks, I think you probably have no more than $325 in a good P&R Mod. 66. If I could find that deal, I would buy them by the 6-pack. Did you look around for any $500 Triple-Locks while you were there?

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Jeb

Doesn't mean that it didn't happen, but I've never seen an over clocked pinned barrel. Maybe the OP doesn't know what it means.

Agreed! Somehow, I missed that he only paid $450. That is actually a very good deal, especially considering the stocks.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Thanks for all the responses. I say overclocked because as I look down the barrel from the muzzle, the top of the barrel looks to be about a minute past 12. Probably not a big deal at all. I never would have noticed, except that I've been reading about under and over clocked barrels on the other (later) models forum. Again, I am very new to the world of Smith Wesson, and revolvers in general.

66 no dash... P&Red..... $150 bonus stocks......... $450.......... seems like a good deal....except for......

the "over clocked" issue...... on a pinned barrel it has me confused also....."one minute" would be about 6 degrees off ......OP is the sight vertical or canted ????

The sight is ever so slightly canted, and a "minute" is probably an exaggeration. I can't get it to show in a photo.

I have no idea what would be "in spec"........ I guess only shooting it will tell if you have an issue or not......

Good luck..... those early no dash and -1s are nice guns IMO.... my 'carry" 4" 66 is a -1.