I inherited a S&W revolver with no box no papers etc. Stainless 357 with hivis orange ramp front site and a 3" barrel.

How do you interpret the serial number to discover what you have?

This one is 6K65XXX.

I figure this is a K frame but other than that???

Your gun is a Model 66 K-frame Combat Magnum, just open the cylinder and look at the frame for the number. It was shipped in 1975. 3" 66s are hard to come by. Are you measuring from the front of the cylinder to the muzzle?
The hiviz sights are not original to that year gun. Hiviz sights were not out yet in 1975. Someone has changed it out.

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Dick

Measuring from the cylinder to the end of the barrel it measures 2 1/2". Just measured it. I was just guessing before. I've only had the gun a few days.

The sites being changed out make sense. It belonged to my grandfather and he carried it daily.

Question then. What speed loaders work with this gun? I have some stripper clips but I just can't work those fast enough to rely on them.

Is your front sight a fiber optic or just a red/orange insert? The 2.5" was a standard bbl length for the Model 66. I used HKS M10 speed loaders for my 38/357 K frames. Safrialand makes good speedloaders also but I don't use them. On the stripper clips try loading two rounds at a time instead of one.

CD

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De Oppresso Liber

If it has a ramp front sight with an orange plastic insert, it is original to the gun. HKS and Safariland both make speedloaders, see which type works best for you. The left stock panel may get in the loader's way.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thanks!!!

Yes it has an orange insert. I didn't mean to imply the Hi-Viz as a company or fiber optic type site. And after doing more research it looks like most of the Mod 66's on the net.

Thanks for the speed loaders advice. I am going to pick up some today. Also going to change the grips out on it. Those are just too small.