New To Me! Model 66-4 4"

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MattJames

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So my lgs has a model 66-4 4" stainless - on hold for me to check out after work. I've been wanting a 4" revolver as many here praise that barrel length. Any comments or advice (other than BUY IT!)?
Thanks in advance!
 
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Matt, the Model 66 is the stainless steel version of the venerated Model 19, which is one of the BEST all around handguns Smith and Wesson ever produced. I've owned assorted Model 19/66 revolvers for 40 + years, and carried a 4" to work daily for 27 years. Today a 2 2/2" and a 4" are my ready guns. Can't give any higher Praise than that.

Now BUY IT !!
 
The 66-4 was the last from the old frame design, forged internals and no lock period; that alone recommends the one on hold for you, provided it checks out mechanically.

If it does (presume you know how to check), they're superb revolvers in an excellent configuration.

Beyond that, run a search; the 66 is one of the most discussed revolvers on the site and there have been many, many "tell me about the..." threads regarding it -- lots of good reading. ;)
 
Thanks, guys...the afternoon couldn't go by fast enough!
My first revolver that is not full lug :cool:
15822245777_d4467ef3f7_z.jpg


Does anyone know when this was built? Serial CBJ4XXX.
 
MattJames said:
...Does anyone know when this was built? Serial CBJ4XXX.
Click to expand...
SCSW gets a little spotty on dates after 1980, but your serial appears to approximate 1996.

Congrats on the purchase. Hope it's a fine shooter. ;)
 
My 4" 66 has been my go-to .357 for 31 years. Still shoots like the day I bought it. Went through Basic Training with it in 1984, carried as a South Louisiana Deouty Sheriff for years until we went to autos. I still carry it a lot, and always when in the wild (which I am a lot)!
 
I prefer color case hardening on the trigger and hammer of a stainless revolver. I took a glance in the Catalog to see if it said anything about it. Nothing in print but all the pics of the 66's in it were also stainless.

OP: I like it as is.
 
GunarSailors said:
Why does it have a color case hardened hammer and trigger? Shouldn't a 66 have a stainless hammer and trigger?
Click to expand...
True stainless steel hammers and triggers were used only briefly in the mid '60s with the introduction of the the Model 60, the first stainless steel revolver.

The stainless hammer and trigger didn't work well (durability issues, if I recall), and were quickly replaced with carbon steel versions that were flash chromed to approximate the stainless look.

Everything since then has been carbon steel, either flash chromed for stainless revolvers, or color case hardened for blue and nickel.

In the mid '90s, S&W moved over to color case hardened carbon steel for all revolvers, shortly before the jump to MIM.

Given the 1996 vintage, I believe OP's hammer and trigger are factory correct.
 
My 66-4 has color-casehardened parts while my two 66-2s came with flash-chromed. Likewise, I have 629s and 686s of differing engineering changes that came with either type. I like the color-casehardened parts better - they lend a richer, more "old school" look - but both look nice.

Ed
 
Thanks, Bob. I agree...wood is good. I love Kurac stocks - and not just for looks (though they are nice looking). I can shoot all day with them with no problem..very comfortable and natural feeling.

And yes, I think it a good find. It wouldn't have lasted the day on the lgs shelf. It was either kept ridiculously clean or was hardly/never shot...it is that clean.

Side note: There was a really, really nice used two-tone Sig P220 (.45acp) there for the same price. I was very tempted to buy it as I love the one that I already own. But... :p
 
She cleaned up real nice Matt. I knew when you showed the first pic it would just be a matter of time before you put a nice spit shine on it!:D You work fast! I'm a bit slower. I just bought a 686 that I need to dirty up at the range before I clean it and post it.
 
Thanks, Vette. I gave it a once over with Mothers Mag Polish/Ren Wax while I was watching hockey last night. :)
I won't be able to get to the range any time soon - how I hate this time of year with it getting dark so early...:(
 
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