I need help on what one to buy. The 66-3 no box just gun is 750.00 and the 66-1 has orig. box no tools is 1095.00. Of course I want both but am limited to one because of unsure employment conditions right now. Any suggestions??

Attached Images

	11329838_01_m66_640 KEVINS GUNS 1095.jpg (37.1 KB, 142 views)
	11154062_01_smith_wesson_66__640 ARMSLIST 750.jpg (76.4 KB, 140 views)

I recently bought a 2.5" 66-3. Timing, lock up and condition were excellent. It came with CT lazergrips but nothing else for $750, same as yours.

I haven't seen a snub 66 for sale in more than a decade, so no question I bought it and haven't regretted it. I changed the springs and put a set of Ahrends on it; the gun shoots great!

Every friend I've shown it to wants to buy it; I quickly learned to start with "this is not for sale but you can check it out...."

Buy the one you like the best, you won't regret it unless you sell it.

It depends on your priorities. The 66-1 is nice but overpriced in the current market; the -3 is a fair deal but if your finances are shaky you will have less trouble getting your money back from the latter gun. Or you could wait for a better deal on a similar gun. Good luck in your decision.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

In Nevada the current market would put the -3 closer to $650 and the -1 closer to $850, maybe less. Market for these two guns is down about $150 to $200.

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213th FBINA

The 66-1 is more the collector piece and will hold value better. Couple years ago they were going for $1300 -1400 on gunbroker, now more in the 900 - 1000 range.

I won a 66-2 on GB a short time ago and paid 620.00. It had no box or tools and grips are like your picture of the 66-3. If you are going to shoot it I would get the 66-3.

According to old dogs in my former club, -3 is the way to go. Unless you are collector.

Apparently, with -3 S&W started using only modern machinery (CNC) and harder steel. Going this way, manufacturing tolerances could be tighter, and less fitting was required. On the end, guns were better and more durable.

We were shooting half scale silhouettes, so our revolvers had seen more than average round count. BTW, good thing about half scale silhouettes is that you do not need full throttle. Most revolvers are 357 magnum, but loads are usually 158gr bullets at 1000-1100 fps. Enough...

Thanks to all for your help in my choice. I went with the -3 as i probably will shoot it a little bit. I already have several P&R 66's just no 2.5 inchers. Got him to take 725.00 out the door, so i guess i did o.k. Thanks Again and Be Safe and Stay Healthy:

Congrats!!

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213th FBINA

Good choice, you will like it.

I agree. You made a good choice. The 66-1 is a nice gun to have, but I’d much rather buy the -3 for a shooter. Congrats on your new Combat Magnum - the original one!

I recently bought a 66-2. Paid 850 however it was just 43 numbers away from the one the government issued me that I had to turn in and later destroyed. Those two were more than likely made on the same day, assembled by the same fitters using parts from the same lot. The one I have now shows little signs of use.

May have paid a little more than value but it is as close to my old issue as I will ever get.

Congrats on the 66-3! Better bang for your buck. That 66-1 is priced damn near top dollar. I was able to get my hands on a 66 no dash 2.5" brand new in the box year or so ago for $1k. I snatched that one right up!

Good choice.