I "need" a 3" 66 to keep my 66-1 2.5" company.

A couple on the auction site, one shows some wear is around $1K with a couple days to go. Another one is newer with the funky looking green hi viz front site, buy it now option at $2K.

Got an offer for a 66-4 that is probably as near perfect as you could want, but it's $1,625.



I really need some opinions on this. If I'm spending over a grand on a gun, I want a killer nice one. I know the 3" K's are off the hook, but man this is getting expensive.

Opinion - It is a waste of money, but if you want it and can afford it, have at it. I am not a buyer but if I were I wouldn't pay much more than $1200 for a decent older gun (-2 or -3 versions) that looks like an S&W. I wouldn't be too interested in the more modern ones. JMHO.

Edit to add the 66-4 you linked to is a nice looking gun. I guess I would include it in my "decent older gun" description, FWIW.

A 3" 66-4 with Spegel Boot Grips is my most carried revolver ............might LOL be buried with it......

The issue on price is they are great guns ... and are better IMO than either the 2 1/2 and 4 inch for concealed carry..... add to that only about 5,000 - 2s,-3s and -4s were made...... about the same number as Registered Magnums.

I bought two 3 inch 66-3s in the late 80s....... they literally couldn't give them away; as everyone wanted a gun with 15 rounds up their butts. IIRC with their actions polished they cost me about $275 OTD. FWIW...... I stumbled over my -4 in a LGS about 10 years ago with a tag reading "S&W, Model 66 .357 $325" ...... the shop had no idea ....in fact IIRC the paperwork lists it as 2 1/2". Picked it up and never set it down ...... till we started the paperwork......

If you want to save $500..... or more, go with a 3" 65..... basically the same gun with fixed sights.

I would not spend that much on a 66...unless you just have to have it. You already have a 2.5" do you really want to spend all that money just for half an inch of barrel length?

I have a near perfect 65-5 LS. Just sold another one to a forum member this week.

I had a list of guns on my have to have list, stuff I had back in the day and sold for a fraction of what their going for now.

The only 2 left on my have to have list is a pre lock 3" 63, and a 3" 64.

Now that I think about it, I could save up another $500 and probably get both of them! Those 3" 63's are bringing some crazy money too.

I like those choices. A 3" 64 is one of my most carried revolvers. For my purposes it's just as good as a 3" 66, since I don't need adjustable sights or .357 magnum in a carry gun.

I have a 3" mod 66-2 and a 3" mod 65-3. Both are great shooters and would not sell either. I would give a "slight" nod to the 66 but would never pay $500 difference for the adjustable sights especially for a carry gun.

I'd go with a 3" 66 before a 3" 64.... ya 3X the $$$s...... but would be will worth it IMO........

That's the million dollar question.

I want one, but obviously by this thread I don't know if it means that much to me. I know I can get one cheaper, but I like stuff nice. Ones in this condition probably don't come along very often.

I have a fun/gun stash of cash put back. It's not like I'd have to get into my saving, but still...

Don't forget the full length extractor rod!

I found a LNIB 3" 66-2 in a LGS for $865, but they thought it was just a 2.5". After I bought it I told the owner I had never seen a 3" 66 in real life before and he looked like he had just swallowed his tongue. All that is to say I was lucky. I wasn't even looking for one because I had already pre-ordered a new 2.75" 66-8 on a first refusal basis (I paid the store owner $20 to be able to buy it or turn it down before any other customer).

Well after already buying a 3" 66-2 when that 66-8 arrived I was fully prepared to decline buying it, but when I saw it and looked it over I bought it. I think it's just as good as the 66-2 -- maybe even better with its new detent lock-up on the yoke and more robust forcing cone.

As other posters have noted there are options that don't break the bank. Think 66-8, a 3" 65, a 3" GP100 -- and then wait until a good deal comes along.

Of course, if you can afford it -- it's only money. And, BTW, if guns were a good investments people who didn't like guns would buy them

I disagree....... folks buy investments they understand.

Silver isn't a great investment if you bought it 7-8 years ago at $40 or Gold at $1700

All guns are not great "investments" .... that said I'm hard pressed to think of any other 'sporting equipment" that comes close to holding it's value like guns.
As I stated above there are only about 5000 of the classic pre-lock/pre MIM 3 inch 66s out there ...... about the same a Registered Magnums made from 1935-40..... so they have a better shot at remaining a collectible investment than most.....

OP has an "opportunity" that may not present itself again or for a long while........ luck like yours and mine ( see post# 3 ) are few and far between and closing with the spread of Internet knowledge.

OP Good Luck and happy hunting!

My advice is to wait a bit longer, if you can. (This advice comes to you from someone who is very impatient when it comes to gunbuying. Well, not impatient, more like "impulsive". )

I think the right gun will come along for you. I fell under the spell of the 3" barrel K-frames a few months ago myself, and the one I initially bought was one of the 66-5 models with the red ramp front sight. Not long after, a 66-2 in really good shape, only without the box and goodies, appeared, and I picked it up and sold the 66-5 because it was more what I wanted.

Just stay attentive to your normal sources of sales, and be ready to hit a buy it now if the right opportunity comes along. I think you'll be able to find a really good example of a -2, -3, or -4 for what you'd prefer to be spending. Good luck!

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

The person selling this gun said there were less -4's made than any of the other models. Is this true? Would a -4 ever be more collectible than any of the other ones?

IIRC the most common was the -2 run for Ashland which accounts of "most " of the 5000 or so made and referenced in any S&W letter........................... the -3 are referenced in the SCS&W 4th as a special run in 1988 ......... the -4 ?????????

I obtained two of the 66-4's, from a friend in the pawn shop business.

I had helped him out, getting started in business. He graciously let me order THREE of them at well under $ 300 per gun. All had cased trigger, and hammer.

I let a dear friend have one, with the stipulation, that if he ever sold it, to sell it to me.

Well, he didn't do that, but I still have the two. They have been shot a little bit, and like an above poster, I may have them buried with me.

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NRA Instructor

I paid $370 for my first new in box 6" Colt Python.

How about the old flip of the coin??? I end up with 2 out of 3 and 3 out of 4!
I have a couple of 2.5"66's and I have my 3" 64-3 on me right now!
I agree, if you have that 3" 66 itch scratch it! I say wait awhile and let that special 66 find its way to your home. I'm sure you will find one, remember it's all about the hunt!
SEMPER PARATUS

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NRA Life Member
CPO

I have a 66-5, three inch that is a Lew Horton gun. I have a letter on it and it was one of 300. This one has a different profile on the front sight and the base does not go all the way to the frame like the earlier guns. It shipped with white faux ivory magna grips. It looks like a stainless version of the Unicorn Model 19 three inch guns. I would think this is the smallest run of the three inch '66's.

Here's a photo of it with different grips that shows the front sight profile.



Here is a 66-2 Ashland gun with the more common front sight base. It has the grips that came of the "-5."

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Bill

Love the site on the Lew Horton.

It is my humble opinion that one cannot pay too much for a 3 inch 66. But when the rubber meets the road one cannot beat a 3 inch 65 or a 64. Adjustable sights are a waste on a concealed carry gun. Because when the situation is critical there is no aiming and lining up sights. Investment wise both the 66 and 65 will only appreciate over time. I know because I have more than doubled my money several times on the two. Now if you are looking for one of if not the best CCW get a 65 Ladysmith. JM2CW

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SSG Ret.
TN & TX ARNG 66-06

Bought a 65-5 LS a few weeks ago from a forum member, then just last week I found another one local that I posted in the forum for sale. My ad lasted a total of 7 minutes before someone grabbed it.

I kept this one, it flawless. I have the original grips too.

I killed my WTB ad for a 66, and going to put one for a regular 3" 65. The LS is just to nice to carry. I'd love to find a LNIB 3" 65 that's not a police trade in.

You only live once so make the most of it-buy it! That be my motto.

Actually, "when the situation is critical" one will revert to his or her training. From actual police shoot outs, many officers said that they didn't start to get hits until they saw the front sight.

You CAN'T have mine. M66-2 bought new in 1986.

From my cold dead hands.

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

The 2.75" new M66 might just be the most efficient way to get a "3 inch" 66. I can't imagine the 1/4" making any real difference.

All the new ones I've seen have a weird hole drilled in the frame by the cylinder release thing.

Indeed they do. However, I manufacture a small stainless steel plug that makes that hole go away. I have an infinite supply.

WCCPHD, you taught me something.

The sight base on both of mine, go all the way to the barrel.

Never thought there were different types.

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NRA Instructor

Doesn't the 66-5 have the firing pin mounted in the frame vs on the hammer?

WCCPHD are the hammer and trigger MIM?

Not saying it's a bad gun ...... just not the classic k-frame

My "-5" has the MIM hammer/trigger and has the frame mounted firing pin. It also has the newer style cylinder stop.

My"-2" has flash chromed hammer/trigger and hammer mounted firing pin and the original style cylinder stop.

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Bill

The link below shows/explains the various types of sights and sight bases better than I can. It also goes into the 3.2 inch guns with Hi Viz sights.

Bill

Question about Model 66-5 with "3 inch" barrel **PHOTOS ADDED**

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Bill

FYI..in the other 3" 66 Thread going right now 18DAI notes that "only around 481 of those [-4s] were made......."

Great; I use to shoot my PC SD-9 until someone around here told me only 179 were built...... now you guys tell me there are only 481 of the .357 revolver I carry (hiking in Penn's Woods) most!!!!!!!!

It (the -4) while bought used when it was at least 15 years old, will still pass the "TTSH (Beauty) Test"...... but my -3s ..... one is still nib and the other has maybe 100 rounds through it as I tended to carry and shoot (and qualify with) my (1986) 3" 65 a lot more often.....................

Next thing someone will come up with a reason for me not to shoot my K22 Combat Masterpiece.

Yeah, I "need" one too, or at least "want" one pretty bad. Problem is, current pricing has pretty much relegated them all - to Collector Only status.

Another issue is that in my view, the high prices currently commanded by these "gotta have" revolvers, is pretty much internet trend driven. If our ability to arrange interstate transfers, is ever "interrupted" - by an anti-gun administration, or (God forbid) our favorite gun forums are shut down, those $1600 - $2000 six shot revolvers, could easily experience a 60% reduction in value, AKA market correction.

Doubt I could sell a pre-lock, 3", m66, or M686 locally, for anywhere near current value.

I can't help but think of all the people who bought $5000+ "pre-ban" black rifles, during the Clinton ban years. When the bill was allowed to sunset in 2004, the manufacturers immediately began producing AR's w/ ALL the evil features, & selling them for $800 to $1100 - thereby reducing the "previous" value of "pre-bans" by 80% -/+...

Don't want to spoil the party. Just something to keep in mind.

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Regards - GCF

I just watched a nice 66-2 3" slip away from me for $1,075. It was sad watching the ending time click away.

I would have bid on it, but the person who claimed my 65-5 LS I had for sale left me hanging, and I didn't want to get into my savings to buy it.

Wish I would have now, but I think I'm going to polish the LS up and have me a revolver that will kinda look like a fixed site 3" 66.

I've got 2 of the LS's, and if I polish it, I'll never sale it to worry about devaluing it.

I saw the auction & believe it or not I only live about 5 miles away from that pawn shop. I had thought about going by to look at it in person but I didn't get around to it. I feel bad now because I know you're looking for one I could have put my opinion of the gun on here. I already have a 3" -4 which probably contributed to my laziness.