Just prior to Christmas, I’d wrapped-up a range session and was leaving the establishment, passing through its retail section and, specifically, the used-gun counter. There sat a stainless S&W that caught my eye. Pinned and apparently recessed, I was intrigued enough to ask to see the gun, even though I had absolutely no business doing so.

It was a Model 66 no-dash, complete with stainless sights. No box and no papers, it was on consignment for what I felt was a reasonable price. A little dirty but by no means abused from its appearance.

I have a soft spot for such guns, having cut my handgun teeth on an assortment of Model 19s and 66s once upon a time. None of them had been quite as fetching as this particular gun, though. And that price? Again, it was not bad…

Recalling Wyatt’s insistence to Doc that he was “an oak,” I steeled my resolve and handed the gun back to the attendant, thanking them and departing henceforth.

Yeah, those no-dash 66s were interesting. I’d noticed that a prior owner had, somewhere along the line, attempted to blacken the sights. How did I know that had been a “thing?” Because I Googled it about 30 minutes after leaving the store, researching a bit on this particular Combat Magnum variant.

Oak, indeed.

“Don’t do it. Don’t go back there. Don’t.” Such was my inner monologue the remainder of the day. And as I found myself back on that side of town. Parking in the store lot. And walking in.

I’d hoped someone had grabbed the 66.

No. It was still there. And there I was. “The Oak” and the no-dash 66.

Since, it’s proven to be a EXCELLENT shooter, and feels almost svelte to me compared to the 27-2s I also shoot. Gunleather from Barranti is now on-order. A fellow S&W fan on another Forum (I suspect he might be a member here, too) even gifted me a period-correct factory box and sight adjustment tool!

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You didn't waste your time or money; that's a nice gun!

Very nice gun and nice writing too I must add! I enjoyed reading your post and wish I would come across something like that M66 you have. Congratulations on a fine revolver!

Hello fellow steadfast oak.

Very nice 66. Congrats.

Thank you!

Hey, thank you so much!

Haha - it takes one to know one, eh? Haha!

Congratulations, those are very nice revolvers.

Something similar happened to me a year and a half ago. After a shooting competition a friend had to go to the nearby gun shop to pick up an order and I went along. I had no plans to purchase a gun, but then there was this pair in a cabinet



A 1970 19-3 6” and a 1972 66 no dash 4”, both p&r



I haggled a bit and bought both

I love this revolver and it’s my favourite for double action fast shooting drills at close distance with .38 special







I am actually surprised you left the store without it the first time.

One of my favorites also,, Good catch!


This one had sights painted too. It was a common practice in my area in the 1970's.

I resemble that remark!

Thank Bog you got it, being a pessimist, I'd got about two thirds the way thru, convinced that you had walked away from that little gem, and was ciphering on if I had the discretionary funds to make the trip to go slap you....😉 You saved me time and money....

Those look great - congratulations!

Thanks again, all!

Congrats on a beautiful pistol! A 66 like yours is becoming very scarce. Glad you did a return trip and it was still there!

C'mon man...you truly HOPED that it was STILL there!

You got lucky, we've all made that change of heart on a certain gun and went back to find out it was already gone! I hate it when that happens...

Enjoy shooting it and thanks for the great story.

Great choice.... I still have a no dash that I bought new in the 70's....

I have a weakness for K frames, 66s more than any. I confess

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LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

My brides 1974 vintage model 66 no dash.
When we qualify for our annual LEOSA the new
coppers look at it likes it's an antique.

I had to pay $130.20 when I bought mine in '73 but I still don't regret it. I replaced the rear sight with a W/O rear and the trigger and hammer with case hardened ones to make it easier to shoot.

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I think I paid $260 for my no dash.

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Oaks of a feather flock together, right?

Great gun, and good story!

Here's mine, wearing Fuzzy Farrant's masters creation stocks. Smooth, with a symmetrical double swell, and no frame cut.

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On the Oak Savannah

I seriously believe I saw the same 66 not two years ago, in the same venue, depending on geography. I passed on it because of the stainless back sight. It was better than fairly priced then, but woe is me I passed in favor of being responsible. I wish I had been that guy who would have beat yo to it. I will not make same mistake again. But alas, I just passed on a nearly unfired pre 10 with box. Who needs tires?

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"Don't Give Up the Ship"

I got a surplus CPD marked 66 no dash 4”. Very good condition but missing correct grips. I also have a 66-3 3”. I let my model 15’s go, I prefer these two.

Picked up my no dash at the show couple years ago. 1975 vintage as I recall, think I paid $600 or thereabouts. Metal is excellent, the grips so some use. Pairs nicely with my no dash 67.

My 66 no dash’s barrel is a bit shorter but I still love her just the same.

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I had to check the safe to make sure my 66 no dash was still there. Still in the box just as it left the factory in 1974. Yeah. I am not sure I would have walked away the first time. Good score!!

Very nice find, you certainly did good on that one.

A beautiful revolver, I'm glad you backtracked and bought it.

I found a one owner, unfired 66 ND a few years ago. Deal was I had to take a Mod 60 ND (also undfired) with it as a 'package' - no argument!

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Beautiful find sir. I remember going to the police range as part of a citizens police academy and one of the other students had brought a 66- 4" for test firing. Don't know the dash number, but I asked the young police sergeant at the range table if I could shoot it. He said sure. Only I would have to load it as he did not no how to... Go figure.

Can't go wrong with the 66. Nice.

I wish I could find one in that condition for sale. A very nice piece.

The Model 66, 4", no dash, was my first duty weapon. Was very practical as I worked at a beach PD. At the time, I did put a little dab of orange paint on the the front sight. A little further down the road, and at a different agency, I got a black rear sight with white outline and that combination served me well until the agency transitioned to pistols. Once you could no longer keep a wheel gun "grandfathered " as a personal weapon, the orange paint came off and the black rear sight was replaced with the original stainless one. Great shooter and one of the smoothest triggers I ever shot. It's back in its original box, safely wrapped in the brown paper between range days. Enjoy!!

EVERY S&W collection needs a M66 or M19....Just a great one to carry !

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

You now need to look for a S&W Model 66-1 with the 6 & 1/8" barrel to go with it.

I love my 2 model 66-2s 4 in and 21/2 in and 2 model 66s with Hillary holes. I put all stainless .400 trigger and .500 target hammer with lock groove, and stainless side plate screws on my new 66-8. It looks like the earlier 66s as it should have been made.

Many is the time when I went into a shop as an Oak, just to look around, and was turned into a Weeping Willow by something just like that.

The only thing I ever regretted was not grabbing it right then, after going back, just to check on it, and it was gone.

Laid one on the counter once and walked away to think about it. Fellow walked up, spied it, picked it up, liked it and was talking price to the counter guy. I'm back in the store watching this kicking myself. He farts around awhile and decides to leave it. I didn't give anyone else the chance to buy it.

I've got one too...

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Send lawyers, guns & money...

SixgunFife, you surely made the correct decision. Great revolver, and the grips on it look fantastic too. As far as an oak goes, you could call me "poison ivy" if I could find gems like you did.
Larry

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

Mine is a 4” from 1973 complete w/the box, magna & combat grips. I did put a dollop of red paint on the front sight to help my 75 y/o eyes. It was a lucky purchase from a retired cop who is selling his collection (only to retired cops he knows) as he approaches his 85th birthday.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

When my brother died I inherited 5 each 66-4" no dash pistols. Ended up selling 4 of them (at auction). I kept a (with box and tools). rear sight is stainless (supposedly that is a higher value). No red insert in front sight. The other four brought roughly $650 at auction.

SixgunFife, you have picked up a very beautiful revolver. The grips are especially good-looking. Congratulations. I just bought a 66 no-dash, p&r with Pachmayrs. It was the duty gun of a California Kern County deputy sheriff and has a great trigger. My house gun with .38+Ps.

I picked up a CPD marked 4" 66, myself, a few years ago, at a pawn shop. It was wearing smooth N-frame targets.
Here it is, shown with a 4 screw M18.

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George