Hi. I have had a SW Mod 66-2 for 10+ years now and I know nothing about it.

It is stainless (I think) w/ a 6" barrel. The model number is stamped on the frame. It says 66-2, but the 2 is stamped over a 1. Serial number 127K729

Any info is greatly appreciated!!

Hmm - methinks you have an oddity there. Both of my 66-2s have a three-alpha, four-numeric serial number like all S&Ws now do.

I think you have a 66-1 frame that had the 66-2 engineering changes performed to it after being serial numbered. The SCoSW indicates that the older serial number style ended in 1980 and the 66-2 was released in 1982, so I guess you have a -1 that was factory-converted to a -2. But that's just my guess.

Your gun was likely made in 1978 or 1979, as the 6" barrel did not enter Model 66 production until 1978 and the serial number change took place in 1980.

Ed

UPDATE - Now that I took a moment to think about this, you probably have a 66-2 that was initially mistakenly marked as a -1. I say that because -1s had pinned barrels and recessed cylinder chambers. I know yours doesn't have a pinned barrel and it does not appear to have a recessed cylinder. You might have a one-of-a-kind piece there - a gun model made during the new serial number period but with an older serial number - and a letter from Smith & Wesson about the gun might be a good investment.

Welcome to the Forum. You will learn a lot here, including non-S&W "stuff".

The M66-2 is the model produced that eliminated the pinned barrel and recessed chambers. No big deal, you have one of the finest .357 revolvers ever made.

Open up the cylinder and look at the rear of the barrel at the bottom. You will see the barrel has been "chamfered" to allow the cylinder to close. This minor issue has caused some of the K-Frame .357 Magnums to crack in this forcing cone area. Here is the "scoop".

Light .357 bullets below 140 grains supposedly caused this problem when incorporated into "heavy" velocity loads. As well as using the more metal displacing ball powders like H110 and W296. These burn hot and can erode SOME metal. But after a while the erosion stops.

Also, cracked forcing cones have supposedly occurred in a variety of handguns with thin forcing cone due to no keeping the forcing cone clean. A Lewis Lead Remover tool works for this.

The K-Frame .357 Magnums were intended to be shot mostly with .38 Special practice rounds or .357 Magnum cases loaded to .38 Special velocities. Supposedly a steady diet of full-house .357 Magnum loads of ANY bullet weight can, over time, shake the gun apart.

You have a very handy range and back woods gun which can be a joy to shoot with .38 Special loads and even the occassional .357 Magnum loads. It's 5 inch barrel hangs well in the hand and points well too.

Congratulations.

__________________
Have guns...will shoot'em.

Interesting...

Maybe I will try to get some paperwork from SW. How would I go about doing something like that. I would guess that is at least semi-rare to have a model number stamped over another one?

If you go to S&W's website, I think there is a link to the information regarding obtaining a factory letter.

The model overstamping is not all that rare but the serial numbering for a 66-2 might be. Value-wise, none of that matters unless the gun is in like-new condition and a serious collector is interested in it.

Ed

Well...it has definately been used. Not a safe queen. Could make for an interesting story though. Thanks for all the good info!!!!

It also has some numbers on the part of the frame that flips out and covers the model number and the serial number (hope that makes sense) it has C15 68298

Don't know if that helps or not...

CORRECTION: It is a 5" barrel, my apologies

Also on the SW form, it asks:

"Target (or Special) Trigger, Hammer, Front Sight?"

What do I put?

It asks grip shape: Square or Round?

Which do I have?

You do not have a target trigger and hammer and it is a square-butt. Front sight is a red ramp.

Measure that barrel again, this time from the face of the cylinder. I think you'll find it is a 6" barrel.

Ed