Hi! Looking to get a first pistol. Leaning toward polymer but I was offered a S&W in a part trade from another hobby. Here are the specs:

Model 66-2 .357
Serial: ACN2xxx
Stainless - 6" barrel.

Looking to see about general values, when the gun was made, what features sets it apart etc.

Thanks
Casey

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Hello and welcome to the forum,

Kind of a conundrum...the Model 66-2 is the first to delete the pinned barrel and recessed cylinder which are the desirable feature to collectors.

Another consideration is that the 6" barrel is probably the least desirable length with the 3" being #1, the 2.5" # 2 and the 4" # 3.

The rubber aftermarket grips also reduce value by around $100.

While a six inch SS S&W revolver is a neat gun it really depends on the deal and what price point you are at in cash or trade.

That should be a really great shooting gun, powerful but also very versatile and cheap with the 38spl option, but not an easy gun to lug around. But for a woods gun and a really accurate range gun, top notch!

Probably $450-$550 value around here. The shorter barrels go for a little more $.

I stopped reading right there. Go buy you some Tupperware.

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'Merica!

I bought a new model 66 p&r 6” in the late ‘70’s. Terrific gun, I sold it about 6 years ago—-big mistake

With no box and wearing aftermarket rubber grips, I'd give it a retail value of $549, give or take. With the original S&W wood grips in good shape and with its original factory box, I'd say more like $699.

You are not a collector, so disregard the advice about pinned barrel and recessed cylinder. You'll never care about those small features in a practical sidearm, and if those Hogue grips don't fit your hand, you can easily buy some that do.

Frankly, I prefer rubber grips on most "using" sidearms. They fit my hand better than S&W wooden target stocks and give less perceived recoil effect and are bump/scar proof and weatherproof.

Never mind which barrel lengths some collectors or re-sellers think are preferable. Will this barrel length fit YOUR perceived needs for this gun? As a target arm or for backpacking/trail gun, it's ideal, and many cops have carried six-inch barrels by preference; they're easier to shoot well than shorter guns.

I've owned this basic model in 2.5, four, and six-inch barrels, and each was best for a specific need. A six-inch gun is fine for home defense or hunting small game. Some use the .357 for deer at reasonable range. You should become a master shooter before doing that, however.

Assuming that this gun is in proper condition, as with buying ANY used gun, I'd be on that deal like sweet on honey!

With aftermarket grips and no box, figure on maybe $450 trade value. I doubt you'd get it for less, if the seller realizes what he has. If he's some young jerk raised on Glocks, you may slip one past him and get a deal...

Now, if you live somewhere like the south side of Chicago or in Miami, and your concern is a gun to deal with a gang, yeah, get polymer or a nicer SIG, Beretta, or CZ pistol in 9mm and some spare magazines.

But if you're a sportsman or average guy homeowner concerned about burglars or a snake or cougar in the outdoors, that .357 that will also fire all .38 Special ammo is an ideal all-round handgun.

You'll want something smaller if licensed to carry concealed, but this M-66-2 would remain your basic gun for practice and outdoor use.

If you wear openly in a high-riding holster, the longer barrel won't likely be an issue. You can sit on a log or in a car with a gun that size and not feel discomfort. This assumes that you aren't a short guy, though.

No kidding: If you can lay hands on that gun and it's as it should be, no cracked forcing cone, bad cylinder timing, etc., go after it. Never mind a factory box. You'll probably buy a nice zippered gun case for it, anyway.

The only real caveat is that this size of .357 isn't intended for full time use with full Magnum loads. The very man who conceived the gun told me that he thought it should be relegated to firing .357 ammo maybe 10-15% of the time, when the added power is needed. The .357 Magnum is not "range ammo." It is KILLING ammo, for when you need to stop something evil needing that power. And avoid hot loads with bullets of 125 grains or less: they're very abusive to the gun. Use 140-158 grain bullets, jacketed. Plain lead .357 bullets lead the bore badly. You should be satisfied with a 158 grain bullet at 1200-1300 feet per second in a .357. That's a savage killer on a human-sized target. If you feel that you need more, buy a .44 Magnum. But it and the ammo will cost more and kick a whole lot more. The gun will be bigger and heavier. Short of bears, don't bother.

I'd say $450-$500 in decent shape. If in really nice shape maybe pushing $600 at best with the original grips. deduct some for the rubbers ( $50 or so ).

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1st smiles,lies.Last,gunfire.

It depends on why you are buying a handgun. This would be a fine hunting/range/target gun but may not be a good choice for concealed carry (that is where plastic reigns ). It would be hard to beat it for general shooting purposes outside of that role, however.

I would see $400-450 as a really good deal, and $500-550 average. Good luck in your decision.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Every shooter has to have a 357. That 66 is one cool revolver

What Texas Star said, except the dealing with a gang part.

For that I’d opt for an AR-15.

Or moving if you live in one of those places.

True with the additional exception on the 44. A 6" 629 is a pleasure to shoot, hot or downloaded and if you roll your own the 44 is, IMHO, the easiest thing there is to load.

I differ with a few of the others on barrel desirability and price.

Of all the Smiths I have including 6 model 66s, I take out a 6-inch 66-2 that happens to have a target hammer and target trigger more than any other one I have for informal shooting.

I handload anything from 125 grain cast bunny fart loads to 158 grain hot .38 shells to feed it. I never shoot full house .357 factory loads, but might run some .357 shells through it that are loaded more like factory .38s in power.

Marshmellows at 20 yards are no match for this 6-inch sweetie. Have rolled over coke cans at 50 yards regularly. Love the way the K frame with 6-inch barrel feels.

Two of the 66s are 6-inchers. The one shot most I have had a few years. More recently, I paid $700 for a second one, also with TT and TH and in orig. box, carefully fired by previous owner, and I would do it all over again.

Like my 66-1 in 6”. Lighter than my 4” 586 and handles better, especially with the VZ grips.

I have a 6" model 19. For a while now I feel like it's front heavy. But it's starting to grow on me. It is one of the best shooting guns I've ever fired. In double action I can almost shoot it as good as I did one of my 1911's that I could shoot really well.

To me it's kind of gangly and I wouldn't really want to carry it other than for hunting. Like Deer. I think if I was hunting small game I'd prefer something smaller and lighter.

But it does shoot really well. And it feels really good 2 handed. It also makes .38's feel like .22's. And .357's aren't all that bad. Although I've only shot a little bit of .357 through it. And that was when my Dad still owned it. He passed away and that's why I have it.

I'm not overly crazy about where the finger grooves are on the hogue grips. But they fit well enough and I like rubber grips when shooting. It just helps keep the gun put during recoil. Although like I say, recoil is pretty nil with anything other than .357's.

IMHO, there is nothing more fun than shooting double action revolvers. And I also think they are a good way to go for defense guns. But that obviously is controversial. Since they carry so much less ammo than an auto.

I agree with having a 357. I just can't pull myself away from M28's

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

Bear in mind that the OP isn't into handguns a lot. I seriously doubt he's about to rush into handloading.

If he's going to have just one revolver for awhile, I think a .357 is a better choice than a .44 Magnum.

I do admire the M-629 and wish I had one. I have owned both a M-29 and a Ruger Super Blackhawk and they fit nicely into the niches where they should. I just don't think this guy is ready for a big, hard kicking .44 Magnum yet, especially if he doesn't reload. And especially, if he might have to conceal it at times.

And how are you going to walk around with an AR-15, ready to go? Should he have that or a Galil, FAL, or whatever at home? Sure. But we're talking about him buying his first revolver.

And, very specifically, this particular nickel M-66.

You can't answer the door at night with an AR-15 in hand. Nor can you carry it on hikes in most places. People tend to panic and call the police.

When checking out a noise at night, I like to have a gun in one hand and a flashlight in the other. That's hard to manage with a rifle, and overpenetration and noise are factors with indoor rifles, too.

Note the pre 27. 5 inch, 686 4 inch, former 66 3 inch

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