I sold off my model 66 and bought another 1911. I just didn’t seem to find it as attractive as a blued revolver. I love the looks of my Model 13-2 with its 3 inch barrel. I am looking for other blued revolvers but probably won’t be as lucky as I was with the 13 in near mint condition with box and all the paperwork. I would really love a model 19 4 inch. I would even take one of the new classic series but even they are hard to find

I find nicely polished and finished blued firearms to be more attractive than most stainless firearms, but stainless wins when it comes to corrosion resistance. Stainless is also nice if are into a little DIY gunsmithing that involves rounding edges or reshaping areas. Stainless is the finish, thus eliminating the need for blueing, parkerizing, plating, or spray and bake finishes.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

I lusted after Model 66s back in the day. Any S&W Magnum was almost impossible to find locally at the time.

I hope the 1911 you found was as nice a collectible as the M66, meaning you didn't get rid of a classic revolver to buy a run-of-the-mill clone, no matter how fancy the clone is. When you say 'M66', I assume you're talking about a P&R no-dash?

Don't get me wrong, 1911's are my favorite semiauto, but unless you've found an older pistol with some provenance, they're a dime a dozen, IMO. Everybody and his brother makes 1911's now.

I agree the 13-2 3” is pretty special. I sold one that I have been trying to buy back for a couple years. Still, I couldn’t part with my three 66-2’s, with 2 1/2, 4, and 6” bbls. The finest combat handgun ever made . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I didn’t really sell it just to buy a 1911. Just sold it because I didn’t really value it. I did buy just a run of the mill 1911 but it had all the features I wanted. I would have bought the 1911 even if I’d have kept the 66. So it wasn’t a sell just to buy a different gun

To the OP... Many of us began our affection for Smith and Wesson revolvers with beautiful blueing and handsome, well-grained wood stocks (grips to many) as the standard. And such a magnificent standard.

As time went by, speaking personally, I began to see the subtle understated beauty of stainless steel, sometimes set off with custom grips. So, may your affection for Smith and Wesson revolvers continue to grow, even if you concentrate on what first engaged your attention!

I won’t be getting rid of my Model 66-1 anytime soon. I sent it off to S&W Performance Center to have their Combat Revolver Package completed, and it came back great; nice smooth trigger. Need to change out stocks though

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I've sold off a few guns this year that even I question why I did.
My 66-1 is one of my keepers, too much sentimental value and I think its a beautiful gun. Even though it is SS.

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Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.

I used to carry a Jennings 22 camping, because I didn’t want my 1911 to pick up condensation and rust. Good thing I never needed it!

I really like the bead blasted appearance of the 66

Back in the 70's Colt Pythons (for those of us who had the means) and S&W Model 66s were the ultimate in duty weapons. I wanted a M66 so bad I ached. Wound up with a nickel M19 instead. In fairness it served me well. About a year ago I stumbled onto a Model 66 (no dash) P&R, in like new condition...it was so clean it very well MAY HAVE been new. Got some grips and a quality holster to match my S&W M629. All is well.

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Thanks; so do I compared to the original finish it had when I bought it. I have had two guns worked on by S&W Performance Center, and they did great jobs of both guns. This 66 has a nice butter DA trigger with no slack at the end. Might send in my Model 60-14 for the same service.

In my first academy in 1994 I was given a Model 66 to carry and qualify with. I really learned to shoot with the Model 66, It holds a dear place in my heart

My only 66 (no-dash) came from a fellow FBI agent who wanted a Marlin Camp Carbine .45 I had. Bureau .38 and .357 ammo had dried up, but as a SWAT guy he had access to mountains of .45 ACP. He was one of the founding members of HRT.

We traded straight across, and I’m sure he chortled all the way home.

It was his Bureau-approved, personally owned weapon, but no longer authorized. The gun vault guys gave it a smooth action that will pop primers without fail.

The lower gun is also an Agent’s POW.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

My Model 66-1 won't be going anywhere any time soon.

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I still have my last issued duty revolver, a 66-2. I can't foresee ever parting with it.

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Dave Frost

Beautiful 66 you have there!

I agree 100%.

Mine won't be going anywhere either. They took to look to find, are enjoyed by family(my wife loves her 66-1 4"), and will get passed down eventually.

They're keepers!

My brother never parted with his 66-1 duty revolver (that he purchased new, it was not issued) and I will never sell it either.

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Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.

A model 66 was also my first duty gun. Carried it for about 2 years then switched to a 4" 629. That was the only gun that I could not shoot a perfect score on our qualification course. Just too much recoil for most people including me. I switched to a 1911 for the next 30 years. These days I carry a Glock 17. I still have my 66 and shoot it occasionally. the action is smooth as silk, the gun is in great shape and it will be passed down to one of my kids when I'm gone. I would never entertain the idea of selling that one

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I agree. 6” model 66’s are my favorite. This one’s from 1978.