66-2 rare find

hogblue · #1 02-08-2020, 10:03 PM

I’m retired from the U S Marshals Service. I began that journey in late 1984. In January of 1985 I was issued a 2 1/2 “ round butt 66 SN AER8323. Before retiring I turned in the 66 and per agency policy it was destroyed as we were issued Glock 22’s.

In my tenure I fired several distinguished expert scores with that revolver. Was sad to see it go but it’s the government way.

Last week I found one as close to it as I could ever have. Model 66-2 SN AER8366. Those two guns were more than likely built on the same day put together by the same fitters with parts from the same lot.

Needless to say it now sits in my vault. A search of over thirty years has come to a happy ending.

Kuglespritz · #2 02-09-2020, 12:01 AM

Congratulations of finding the model 66 close to your original serial number. I've been searching for my old CS1 (BAC0456) for 27 years.

robertrwalsh · #3 02-09-2020, 04:27 AM

Congrats. I love happy endings.

triaxle · #4 02-09-2020, 08:12 AM

Thats a great story, and that one would work for me .

Benton Quest · #5 02-09-2020, 09:51 AM

Thank God the first 66 was destroyed. The world is now much safer because of it. I mean, the 2 1/2 66 is the preferred weapon of gang bangers on the street. I can't even begin to tell you how many I have seen seized over the years.

On a side note, there is now a movement afoot (that I expect to fail) that will allow 1811's to purchase their weapons. The original, government-wide order for destruction was ordered by Clinton. It could be technically reversed. Of course, I am sure many agencies would have internal policies that would negate that. I am not holding my breath.

Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk

jtcarm · #6 02-10-2020, 01:12 AM

Well if anyone was issued ACV57xx, I might be willing to arrange a reunion.

charlie sherrill · #7 02-12-2020, 12:33 AM

I had something similar happen to me with a department issued 686 4". I didn't get mine 35 years ago but a couple of years ago I found one of the old department issues just a few numbers away from mine and for a very good price also. It is a good feeling. Enjoy your find.

bananaman · #8 02-12-2020, 11:42 AM

Congratulations on your kinda reunion! I picked up a 66-2, 2.5" at a local gun show. Just had to have it. Not too far from yours. AEK8327. Regardless, it is a fun gun to shoot! Enjoy your find! Bob

bobcat · #9 02-12-2020, 12:51 PM

I bought my 66-2 in 1983 from J&G Sales in AZ., as a young border patrol agent I didn't care for the .38 air weights we had for plain clothes carry. It still resides in my safe with the El Paso Saddlery Tortilla holster I bought to carry it in, and yes it wears pacs, altho I have the original grips tucked away in the box with everything else. Mine isn't going anywhere as long as I'm alive. Glad to hear you were able to reacquire one, they're great guns.

colt_saa · #10 02-12-2020, 12:54 PM

Congratulations

It is amazing that you could come across a Model 66 whose number is so close

hogblue · #11 02-13-2020, 12:09 AM

Only remnants I still have of the original 66 are my copies of my course of fire qualification forms. They contain the make, model and serial number

demkofour · #12 02-13-2020, 05:55 PM

Outstanding stories here guys!

Back in 1982 in the Academy, I was issued a 4" M64-3. Upon assignment to our Firearms Section, I traded the 64 for a M67, thinking the adjustable sights would serve me better in that assignment.
Thereafter the department transitioned to GLOCK and I regretted getting rid of my original 64 (which I had taken personally to the factory for a red ramp insert and action tune...)
Thanks to ladder13 (Mike), a few years ago, I was able to obtain a duplicate 64-3 with a S/N not only in the very same 30D series, BUT actually around 20 or 30 numbers away. That 64-3 is a cherished keeper.

rubiranch · #13 07-16-2020, 08:29 PM

Thank you for your service and congratulations on a GREAT find.

VictorLouis · #14 07-16-2020, 09:35 PM

I almost began to weep, seriously. Congrats on your sweet find.

Ranger514 · #15 07-17-2020, 12:35 AM

Congratulatios! That's a great story with a happy ending. I bought a 2-1/2" Mod. 66-3 for backcountry duty carry and off duty concealed carry in 1990, and carried it until 1996, when my agency required all LEOs transition to Sigs. Long story short, it passed from my hands to close friends for about ten years, but came back to me permanently in excellent shape. It's still a great shooter, and just looking at it gives me a good feeling because of its history.

SuperMan · #16 07-17-2020, 06:58 AM

Congratulations on a great career and finding the gun of your dreams...

I worked for US Customs in Houston as a student intern in 1972. Just a year before they had gone to the 2.5" Model 66 as standard issue and made all the agents turn in the confiscated guns that they had been carrying and destroyed them... The guns I was told about that were destroyed would make you sick... The one I still recall was a consecutive serial numbered set of engraved 1911s taken from a drug dealer...gone...easily worth tens of thousands of dollars today...

Truly sad...what a waste...

Bob

rubiranch · #17 07-17-2020, 08:02 AM

I gave a couple of guns to a good friend for helping me out a couple of years ago.

A triple-lock, a 1954 4" M28 and a 2.5" M66.

He's a retired LEO and re-qualifies every year on the range. This year he used his Ed Brown 1911, his EDC and the M66.

He out shot the majority of qualifiers shooting their plastic guns with the M66.

I was talking to him the other night and he was loading rounds for the triple-lock. He says its a great shooter.

rubiranch · #18 07-17-2020, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benton Quest

Thank God the first 66 was destroyed. The world is now much safer because of it. I mean, the 2 1/2 66 is the preferred weapon of gang bangers on the street. I can't even begin to tell you how many I have seen seized over the years.

So if we destroyed all of the 2.5" M66 the gang bangers wouldn't have any guns????

LPD256 · #19 07-17-2020, 05:29 PM

I have a 6inch 66-2 that has a serial number including 00256, my badge number. I also have a 2 1/2 inch 66-2 that I shot at the range on Monday. Great guns. Hog blue and I have spoken since this February post. Seems he was on the PD where I live before the USMS and we have mutual friends and interests. That is one reason I enjoy our Forum and memberships.

hogblue · #20 07-17-2020, 06:51 PM

Evening LPD. How goes it

Bill In Texas · #21 07-17-2020, 07:16 PM

Great story with a happy ending. I also have a 66-2 with the 2.5" barrel. It's a wonderful gun that shoots well. I hope that you enjoy having one again.

rubiranch · #22 07-17-2020, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LPD256

I have a 6inch 66-2 that has a serial number including 00256, my badge number. I also have a 2 1/2 inch 66-2 that I shot at the range on Monday. Great guns. Hog blue and I have spoken since this February post. Seems he was on the PD where I live before the USMS and we have mutual friends and interests. That is one reason I enjoy our Forum and memberships.

This is AWESOME!!!!!!

I have only met one forum member in person.

edit: make that two, my brother.

LPD256 · #23 07-17-2020, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hogblue

Evening LPD. How goes it

97 here. Sorry we couldn’t make a meetup work when you were at the family farm. Maybe next time. Have a great weekend.

Hugh WW · #24 07-17-2020, 08:34 PM

I've posted before that after a long search and a lot of luck I was able to obtain my issued CS1. It was re-assigned to a special agent instead of being turned in in 1993. Found it on an internet auction site about a year ago.
BTW model 66-2 serial range AER6275 is a 3 inch.

Jcon72 · #25 07-17-2020, 09:16 PM

Great story, OP! I picked up a 2.5" 66-3 a few years ago for a very respectable price. The only 66-2 that I own is a 4-inch square-butt that I traded from my dad a couple years ago. Fine guns!