|
|
12-26-2010, 01:22 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 744
Likes: 578
Liked 646 Times in 211 Posts
|
|
Which model 66 is most desirable, dash ? or no dash?
I am mostly a semi-auto fan but would like to acquire a k frame 2 1/2 or 3 inch for concealed carry. I have a 686-4 with six inch barrel for hotter 357 rounds. I am seeking the shorter lighter model 66. I will probably use 38+P most of the time, so which version of the model 66 would be the most desireable and why? Thanks
|
12-26-2010, 01:30 PM
|
Moderator
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Suburban Chicago
Posts: 5,199
Likes: 1,040
Liked 6,601 Times in 1,533 Posts
|
|
From a collectors stand point the no-dash with the stainless sights. The 3" model is very hot right now with crazy prices being asked and apparently realised.
__________________
John. SWCA #1586
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
12-26-2010, 01:45 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Due south of Orlando
Posts: 7,202
Likes: 597
Liked 3,451 Times in 1,412 Posts
|
|
What he said ^^^^^^^ and the -1s still have the recessed cylinders and pinned barrels. From a collectors standpoint I personally wouldn't go any higher in dash numbers.
__________________
Dick
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
12-26-2010, 03:20 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 3,007
Liked 2,125 Times in 891 Posts
|
|
I've always liked the earliest versions (with stainless or black rear sights) as they were still pinned/recessed and the trademark stamping was still on the side plate.
|
12-26-2010, 04:12 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: WV
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
|
Is the 66-3 2 1/2", hard to come by?
|
12-26-2010, 04:37 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Due south of Orlando
Posts: 7,202
Likes: 597
Liked 3,451 Times in 1,412 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by joeysplace
Is the 66-3 2 1/2", hard to come by?
|
Not really, the -3s are not pinned and recessed and though the 2 1/2"ers are nice, the 3" is the really hot gun right now.
__________________
Dick
|
12-26-2010, 04:46 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NC
Posts: 30,640
Likes: 57,364
Liked 52,668 Times in 16,426 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by joeysplace
Is the 66-3 2 1/2", hard to come by?
|
Not if I have one
__________________
GOA/SAF
|
12-26-2010, 05:00 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 392
Likes: 7
Liked 25 Times in 13 Posts
|
|
I have been watchng some 66s on gunbroker, from what I have seen 66-1 2.5" sell around $550, 66-2 2.5" around $475, and there is 66-3 3" on there now at 875.00 with 7 days left. The 3 inchers seem to bring the money, and I know why, they are my favorite to..
|
12-27-2010, 12:06 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
|
|
Not that it helps the direct question at hand, but I can share my 66 no-dash, stainless rear sight experience. Walked into my local gunshop and was handed it by the clerk. I looked it over, checked the normal checks and asked "may I try the trigger?" She said "sure." The next words out of my mouth was, "I'll take it!" I can't speak for the -1 models, etc, but my 66 no dash is superb. Excellent feel, balance, lock-up, trigger and accuracy (probably due to the excellent trigger).
|
12-27-2010, 11:38 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 744
Likes: 578
Liked 646 Times in 211 Posts
|
|
The main reason for the post was to determine the dash versions with the features that are desireable or to avoid such as the "floating hand", MIM parts, frame mounted firing pin, etc. I know these features have been discussed in various other threads, but is there one dash version that has the most of the desirable features?
|
12-27-2010, 12:06 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Due south of Orlando
Posts: 7,202
Likes: 597
Liked 3,451 Times in 1,412 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RedCardinal
I know these features have been discussed in various other threads, but is there one dash version that has the most of the desirable features?
|
I think we've already answered your question on most desirable features, the no dash and the dash one.
__________________
Dick
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
12-27-2010, 12:58 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: AZ
Posts: 2,335
Likes: 52
Liked 4,609 Times in 861 Posts
|
|
I'm not sure if you'll want a P&R model. Getting the rounds to drop flush into the cylinder recess on a speed reload could be a little more difficult than on a non-recessed cylinder (something I've experienced).
And unless your just completely against the new guns, you may want to look at the 315 NG or even a no lock 340. Weight plays a factor in all day carry. And the J frame only gives up one round in a much lighter and smaller package.
__________________
Watch & Pray
Last edited by Dump1567; 12-27-2010 at 01:00 PM.
|
12-27-2010, 06:57 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Posts: 1,450
Likes: 0
Liked 40 Times in 25 Posts
|
|
I lucked into a no-dash a couple of years ago. Mine is the standard 4" model with all stainless sights. It's a wonderful gun and the all stainless sights are a distinctive feature that sets the gun apart from almost anything that Smith made (I believe the early 67s also had stainless sights but I could be wrong about that). I'll never sell mine. BUT, be aware, those stainless sights can be a problem in certain types of light. Strong backlighting will often reflect off the front sight and it will tend to wash out to the point of becoming almost invisible. So, the gun is totally cool, but not as practical as are those with blued or blackened sights.
Smith changed the sights from all stainless to blued shortly after they began selling the 66 and I wouldn't be surprised if they did so due to customer complaints about poor sight pictures in certain lighting.
|
12-27-2010, 07:51 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: New England
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 3,543
Liked 3,996 Times in 1,627 Posts
|
|
I would not go higher than a -2. It's P&R w/ hammer mounted firing pin.
__________________
'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.
|
12-27-2010, 08:26 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Due south of Orlando
Posts: 7,202
Likes: 597
Liked 3,451 Times in 1,412 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by one eye joe
I would not go higher than a -2. It's P&R w/ hammer mounted firing pin.
|
The -2 was not pinned and recessed. That's what the -2 changed.
__________________
Dick
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
12-27-2010, 08:46 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 744
Likes: 578
Liked 646 Times in 211 Posts
|
|
Well, I am using the 627 PC UDR as a sort of standard because it has a frame mounted firing pin and it is not pinned and recessed. So why not the 66-5 which is similar? Are the MIM parts that undesireable? The 66-3 has the floating hand but ones with 3 inch barrels are fetching aroung $1,000 on GunBroker. I gather from this that the 3 inch barrel is the driving factor on the price. Does the same logic hold true for the 627 PC UDR with the frame mounted firing pin? The only feature on current production that I just cannot tolerate is the internal lock. All of the others, I have divided into traditional and technological. For my purposes, the forged hammer and trigger, the pinned barrel and recessed cylinder, and the firing pin on the hammer are traditional. The MIM parts and frame mounted firing pin are technological. Therefore, any of these without the internal lock will serve my purpose, and the only thing I will have to deal with is the price.
|
12-27-2010, 10:09 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Escondido, CA
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 185
Liked 214 Times in 72 Posts
|
|
Hi,
I agree that the early dash series are the most desired and worth more. But I acquired a 66-4 4 inch for $300 and is one of my best revolvers. The revolver is a pre-lock and has the firing pin on the hammer. The trigger is very good and is close to my older pinned and recessed revolvers. With prices climbing on K frame magnums you can still get a good shooter for a reasonable price.
Howard
|
12-28-2010, 12:53 PM
|
|
Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: GSO NC
Posts: 6,106
Likes: 23,604
Liked 13,182 Times in 2,860 Posts
|
|
I'll second the 66-4. Last of the everything you need and nothing you don't 66's. Regards 18DAI
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
12-28-2010, 05:45 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Retired to South Carolina
Posts: 868
Likes: 2,548
Liked 231 Times in 119 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RedCardinal
::: which version of the model 66 would be the most desireable and why? Thanks
|
For carry? I'd say probably anyone that puts rounds on target for you. I picked up a used & tuned 66-2 a while back, and put new grips on it. Here is a pic of it with a sidekick J frame. Both are great snubbys.
__________________
July 4, 1776 not Jan 30, 1909
Last edited by Poohgyrr; 12-28-2010 at 06:06 PM.
|
07-14-2013, 11:13 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Oregon desert
Posts: 293
Likes: 419
Liked 310 Times in 132 Posts
|
|
66-4 mostly traditional but as your eyes change you have the option of going with a red dot w/o needing a trip to the gunsmith. Then there are those Hogue grips, like blood type you are either Hogue positive or Hogue negative, I am Hogue positive.
JMHO/YMMV
|
07-15-2013, 12:48 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Georgetown, TX
Posts: 258
Likes: 4
Liked 73 Times in 49 Posts
|
|
I have a friend who bought a Model 686 (no dash) last week. He was very excited about it because it had been owned by a competitive shooter who had done a trigger job on it. We decided to go to the range to try it out and I took my Model 66 (no dash) with me. As we shot side-by-side, we traded guns. When he handed my gun back to me, he said that my trigger was much better on my Model 66 than on his new gun that had had the trigger work. I really can't speak to the M66-1, but all I know is that I love my 4" M66 (no dash)!!
|
07-15-2013, 02:20 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: N GA
Posts: 4,466
Likes: 204
Liked 3,613 Times in 1,498 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RedCardinal
I am mostly a semi-auto fan but would like to acquire a k frame 2 1/2 or 3 inch for concealed carry. I have a 686-4 with six inch barrel for hotter 357 rounds. I am seeking the shorter lighter model 66. I will probably use 38+P most of the time, so which version of the model 66 would be the most desireable and why? Thanks
|
Why limit yourself? The Model 66 is quite capable of handling .357 magnum loads without excessive recoil. Back in the day I carried it a lot concealed. Very comfortable & comforting knowing I had plenty of gun.
By the way, I used to stoke it with Winchester 145 grain Silvertips. Still my all time favorite carry load for the 357 mag.
Last edited by KEN L; 07-15-2013 at 02:27 PM.
|
07-16-2013, 09:59 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: North Texas
Posts: 426
Likes: 11
Liked 392 Times in 90 Posts
|
|
The early Model 66's came with stainless steel hammers and triggers that had some galling problems. I think they started using flash-chromed forged and color case hardened hammers and triggers with the 66-2's. For that reason alone, I would prefer the 66-2's among the earlier guns.
|
07-16-2013, 10:32 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NC
Posts: 30,640
Likes: 57,364
Liked 52,668 Times in 16,426 Posts
|
|
Pinned and Recessed, every time.
__________________
GOA/SAF
Last edited by ladder13; 07-16-2013 at 10:34 AM.
|
07-16-2013, 01:12 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: yonder
Posts: 2,213
Likes: 4,140
Liked 3,529 Times in 947 Posts
|
|
I agree with prvious replies, the early models and the 3" are the valuable 66s...but the 3" prices are getting so ridiculous that it's becoming nearly too valuable to carry , IMHO.
My 66s..the top 2 are -4s, the 4" is a round butt and has the best factory trigger of any Smith i have ever shot,and it's the most accurate. The 3" had a sweet triger job done to it. Wish i knew who did it. The snub is a -2 and makes a great carry piece.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|