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02-14-2017, 12:43 PM
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Snubby 66-4
Dear all,
an advice...... I would like to buy a SW 66-4 2.5 inch, 357 mg, good conditions, serial number BUD69xx (I think year 1995).... starting price 450 euros. In general, is it a valid snubby?? The dash 4 is ok?
Thanks!!
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02-14-2017, 01:36 PM
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The 66 is the backbone of the modern K frame S&W revolvers in my eyes..lots of law enforcements used them for years, and a 2 1/2" barrel would be a great carry sidearm. Price is right as long as it's in good shape. Post some photos.
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02-14-2017, 01:44 PM
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The 66-4 is a great revolver. It is the one with the most endurance features, still has the frame lug, no MIM parts, and a hammer mounted firing pin. I love the snubby version, over all a great choice. As far as the price, I don't know your economy or the exchange rate, so I can't advise you on that aspect. Around here in Arizona that would be a $600-$700 revolver. You will never be sorry you bought that 66-4.
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02-14-2017, 01:47 PM
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In my opinion if you want to shoot as opposed to collect, the -4 guns are the cream of the crop. The usually carry a slight premium for being the last generation with forged internals, yet has all the engineering upgrades like drilled tapped top strap.
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02-14-2017, 01:50 PM
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I would recommend buying it! I love my 66-2, and they aren't making them anymore. So long as the gun is in good shape, I don't see how you could go wrong!
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02-14-2017, 02:17 PM
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My 66-4 carries well and shoots great. Euro450 is a great price if the gun is in sound mechanical condition. I paid somewhat more last year for my lightly used 1997 production example.
As Apollo99 alluded, the endurance features and physical aesthetics (at the top strap area) of the -4 revision make this model truly unique to the Model 66 lineup.
Don't let this one get past you!
Last edited by MetalMan; 02-14-2017 at 02:56 PM.
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02-14-2017, 02:41 PM
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66-4
1994 Change rear sight leaf, drill and tap frame, Introduce Hogue grips, change extractor
1995-96 Delete square butt Features/ Begin shipments in foam filled blue plastic cases
1997 Change thumbpiece / ship w/ Master trigger locks/ change to MIM trigger
Supica, Jim; Nahas, Richard (2016-11-14). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson) (Kindle Locations 9082-9084). F+W Media. Kindle Edition.
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02-14-2017, 03:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by italian magus
...a SW 66-4 2.5 inch, 357 mg, good conditions, serial number BUD69xx (I think year 1995).... ..
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That is correct. The ship date would of been in...... August of 1995.
450 Euro is 475 USD. That would be a smoking hot price in the States.
("Smoking hot" means "good" in 'muricin ).
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02-14-2017, 03:56 PM
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02-14-2017, 05:03 PM
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Italian Magus,
Having spent eight years living in Europe, I find it interesting that an Italian is interested in a revolver. Almost as interesting as a European interested in an American pick-up truck automobile. I hope you buy your revolver at a good price and have the joys of owning a fine precision revolver--if you don't already know those joys.
God bless,
Birdgun
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02-15-2017, 05:01 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kernel Crittenden
That is correct. The ship date would of been in...... August of 1995.
450 Euro is 475 USD. That would be a smoking hot price in the States.
("Smoking hot" means "good" in 'muricin ).
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Yes, the price is very interesting!!!
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02-15-2017, 06:26 AM
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I not only would buy one, I did, not too long ago. I assure you, I paid a lot more than $475.00 american for it. ($650.00 actually) I understand mine is a seldom seen "Lady Smith" version. Or at least I've only heard from one other person who says he has one.
As far as I can tell, the only difference between the standard and the "Lady Smith" is the laser etched name on the sideplate, and maybe the stocks, but that wasn't a factor in the purchase anyway. I don't even know if they're the original stocks.
I can't tell you how it shoots. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but it sure feels good.
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02-15-2017, 11:54 AM
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I agree with the others who've stated that the 66-4 is a great revolver.
IMHO it's the last of the good Model 66s, given the lack of MIM parts and lock.
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03-03-2017, 04:48 AM
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Dear all,
a brief updating..... at the end I have bought it (66-4, 2.5 inch, year 1995)!! For the starting price (450 euros)..... but with a black Vega holster as a present......
I will take it the next week, then I will post some photos as soon as possible......
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03-03-2017, 10:01 AM
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You made the right decision!
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03-03-2017, 05:48 PM
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I don't know how your revolver prices compare to those in Austria and in the Netherlands and in Belgium. Members from those countries have bought S&W revolvers for much less than you paid, but not that model.
In Texas, the gun would probably sell for $600- $700, as an average price. A collector might pay more, with box and accessories.
My M-66-3 has a four-inch barrel and I think that length I s better for a general purpose revolver. But for concealed carry (is that even legal in Italy?) your gun would be an effective item. It also has enough power and range to kill some game animals, if you can shoot well enough. But I suspect that Italy bans hunting with a handgun?
I read a article in which the author killed several alligators with his M-66 snub and 125 grain hollowpoint bullets.
I had a snub M-19, the blued version of this gun. It was harder to shoot to shoot well than the four-inch version, but was capable of placing six shots into an area that I could cover with the palm of my hand at 25 yards, from the standing, one- handed firing position. The gun is mainly meant to shoot men at a range of maybe 4-7 yards, in fast double-action defense shooting. It was quite popular with detectives here and earlier dash marks were very popular with Federal agents before they went to autoloading pistols.
Can you use deadly force to protect yourself in Italy? I've read that this is uncommon in Europe. If so, this gun is excellent if a burglar tries to kill you. It is not meant for target shooting.
Be aware that K-frame .357 Magnum guns are meant to be shot only about 10-15% of the time wth full .357 loads. I was told this by the late Wiliam H. Jordan, a US Border Patrol inspector who convinced S&W to make a medium framed .357 back in the 1950's. Also, use of hot 125 grain Magnum loads erodes the barrel throat more rapidly than with heavier bullets and may crack the thinner flat portion of the forcing cone/barrel breech. Buildup of lead there will increase pressures and make this more likely. Keep the gun clean and it's much less likely. That's not common, but occasionally happens.
I don't like that the topstrap is drilled for a telescopic sight base, but if you clean the holes from beneath, it probably isn't a problem. Just another place to clean...
You have the ultimate gun of the entire M-19/M-66 series. You may be surprised to know that careful ammo selection will achieve much higher velocity in that short barrel than some think. But muzzle blast and recoil are heavy. The gun will be much more pleasant to fire with .38 Special ammo. I presume that you know that any .357 can also shoot .38 cartridges?
I think you got a fine gun at a very favorable price. If the design suits your shooting needs, you'll be well satisfied. But it'll be harder to shoot well than a 9mm automatic.
Last edited by Texas Star; 03-03-2017 at 05:57 PM.
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03-06-2017, 10:33 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Texas Star
I don't know how your revolver prices compare to those in Austria and in the Netherlands and in Belgium. Members from those countries have bought S&W revolvers for much less than you paid, but not that model.
In Texas, the gun would probably sell for $600- $700, as an average price. A collector might pay more, with box and accessories.
My M-66-3 has a four-inch barrel and I think that length I s better for a general purpose revolver. But for concealed carry (is that even legal in Italy?) your gun would be an effective item. It also has enough power and range to kill some game animals, if you can shoot well enough. But I suspect that Italy bans hunting with a handgun?
I read a article in which the author killed several alligators with his M-66 snub and 125 grain hollowpoint bullets.
I had a snub M-19, the blued version of this gun. It was harder to shoot to shoot well than the four-inch version, but was capable of placing six shots into an area that I could cover with the palm of my hand at 25 yards, from the standing, one- handed firing position. The gun is mainly meant to shoot men at a range of maybe 4-7 yards, in fast double-action defense shooting. It was quite popular with detectives here and earlier dash marks were very popular with Federal agents before they went to autoloading pistols.
Can you use deadly force to protect yourself in Italy? I've read that this is uncommon in Europe. If so, this gun is excellent if a burglar tries to kill you. It is not meant for target shooting.
Be aware that K-frame .357 Magnum guns are meant to be shot only about 10-15% of the time wth full .357 loads. I was told this by the late Wiliam H. Jordan, a US Border Patrol inspector who convinced S&W to make a medium framed .357 back in the 1950's. Also, use of hot 125 grain Magnum loads erodes the barrel throat more rapidly than with heavier bullets and may crack the thinner flat portion of the forcing cone/barrel breech. Buildup of lead there will increase pressures and make this more likely. Keep the gun clean and it's much less likely. That's not common, but occasionally happens.
I don't like that the topstrap is drilled for a telescopic sight base, but if you clean the holes from beneath, it probably isn't a problem. Just another place to clean...
You have the ultimate gun of the entire M-19/M-66 series. You may be surprised to know that careful ammo selection will achieve much higher velocity in that short barrel than some think. But muzzle blast and recoil are heavy. The gun will be much more pleasant to fire with .38 Special ammo. I presume that you know that any .357 can also shoot .38 cartridges?
I think you got a fine gun at a very favorable price. If the design suits your shooting needs, you'll be well satisfied. But it'll be harder to shoot well than a 9mm automatic.
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Yes, I know everything.....
Anyway, I take the 66 snubby for home defense and collection goals...... but I know that for collection an old version was better......
Last edited by italian magus; 03-06-2017 at 10:45 AM.
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03-06-2017, 11:22 AM
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If you can buy it for $476.50 JUMP ON IT!!!!!!! You won't regret it!
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03-07-2017, 06:38 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dcopper
If you can buy it for $476.50 JUMP ON IT!!!!!!! You won't regret it!
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Yes, I'm jumping on it!!
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03-10-2017, 05:31 AM
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Here I am!! Some photos......
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03-10-2017, 07:57 AM
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Congrats on landing that fine snub at such a low price.
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03-10-2017, 09:30 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jughed440
Congrats on landing that fine snub at such a low price.
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THANKS A LOT!!!
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03-10-2017, 09:33 AM
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I carry a 66-2 pretty regularly and though it is on the heavy side, if I should ever need it, it shoots like a full size gun. Not necessarily comfortable, but rather comforting as Clint Smith would say.
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03-10-2017, 09:44 AM
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Very nice, Congrats!
I sure wish I could find one at that price!
I wish you good luck with her!
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03-14-2017, 01:25 PM
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I have used it...... I'm very satisfied!! Fantastic gun!
The hits in the corners are intentional! Shooting from 8-10-15 meters with 357 mg wad cutter and 38 spcl wad cutter.
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03-27-2017, 04:34 PM
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Oh yes, go for it!
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