Model 66 snubbies and pics

[ontargetagain]

Well I have a nice 686-3 and a nice 625JM and would like to add a nice snubby to my line up and the model 66 keeps catching my eye for the pleasing proportions and adjustable rear sight set up.
Can anyone share any do's and dont's on this model. I prefer a pre-lock model or pre-MIM model.

Any pics to share on yours with factory or after market grips would be appreciated. Please share brand of grips or specify factory if so since I get a little bedazzled with all the choices and which ones are factory or not

Let's keep these at 3in or under please to share

I am not against another suggested Smith model either that I may be unaware of in the snubbies with hammer and adjustable rear sights
Thanks for sharing
Karl

 

[BE Mike]

I had a 2 1/2" model 66. It had some provenance. I gave it to one of my grown kids. I have kept this 3". I like the full length extractor rod. There is just something about a 3" revolver that makes it just right. I think Goldie Locks said it.

 

[loveaffair#686]

My 66-2, 3".

I was slightly surprised by the low recoil. Very nice to shoot.

 

[BE Mike]

You did say model 66, but I really like my model 60-10. It is easy to carry, handles well in my small to medium sized hand and I shoot it very well. It is my favorite all around centerfire revolver.

 

[AveragEd]

My 2-1/2" Model 66 with its kinfolk.

The snubbie is a -4 and the other two are -2s.

Ed

 

[Texas Star]

My 66-2, 3".

I was slightly surprised by the low recoil. Very nice to shoot.

What ammo were you shooting? I had a snub M19 and with service stocks like on your gun, it was NOT nice to shoot.

In fact, recoil left the outline of the checkering banged into the palm of my hand for a few minutes. I usually shot Remington 158 grain SP or HP ammo or Speer's 140 grain .357 because those were the .357 loads that I could find. I did try Remington's 125 grain hot smoker but for only a box before I decided that it was too hot for both the 2.5-inch gun and my four- inch one.

I thereafter restricted use of that 125 grain load to N-frame .357's, although I'd use it in a Ruger GP-100 if I felt any real need. But I don't. Winchester's 145 grain Silvertip will mess up a man or a coyote enough that I don't think I need to abuse my guns with very hot 125 grain ammo.

That was in the 1970's and I sold that snub M-19 and never replaced it with a gun having a barrel that short, in .357 Magnum.

I would like a three-inch M-66 like yours to accompany my four-inch one, but I'd use smooth grips, prob. factory rosewood service models with a Tyler adaptor, or a Pachmayr rubber grip.

I was not a fantastic shot with that snub M-19. I could cover the 25 yard groups with the palm of my hand, but longer guns are far easier to shoot well. My six-inch M27 would put all six shots into a small ragged hole on a good day. I do find three-inch guns quite a bit easier to shoot well than true snubs.

Of course, most buying those snubs expect to use them at close range. Anything over ten yards is long range for some.

 

[koz5614]

66-4 F Comp with factory grips. I have no idea who manufactured them.

 

[raylan007]

My M66-4

A Model 66-4 2.5", my first M66 snubbie and hopefully not my last but due to the popularity after looking the past few months I'm now not so sure. I seldom see these especially in the no dash or -1 due to the P+R factor for under $700 and up on GB, GA, GI. I got this one for a song, $500 on GA from a pawn shop when not especially looking for it. I guess I should consider my luck used up for awhile. I installed a pair of Ahrends Retro Grips and applied a coat of Ren wax to pay it the proper respect. The feel of this gun in your hand is oh so special.

I also added a M66 No Dash that got left behind on GB for $475, cleaned up and ready to go, it was a police carry

 

[Frank237]

Fell into a slightly beat up 3" 66 a few years back at a local show, marked as a 2 1/2" gun for $450.

Carefully took a small file to the dings and scratches, then bead blasted. It's gown to be my favorite carry gun for the woods or when the snakes are out.

 

[bvd1]

Here is a three inch 66-4 along with a 2 1/2" model 19-4, both with aftermarket grips from Jaruwan who sells on ebay. These grips fit my hands great.

 

[ontargetagain]

I had a 2 1/2" model 66. It had some provenance. I gave it to one of my grown kids. I have kept this 3". I like the full length extractor rod. There is just something about a 3" revolver that makes it just right. I think Goldie Locks said it.

A nice piece you have here and thanks for showing it! Here I was thinking maybe I just wanted a 2 1/2 and now I might want also a 3 in
Karl

 

[ontargetagain]

My 2-1/2" Model 66 with its kinfolk.

The snubbie is a -4 and the other two are -2s.

Ed

Kinfolk make for good company! I still find these snubbies attractive, yours is a real eye catcher
Thanks for sharing the 'family'!
Karl

 

[ontargetagain]

66-4 F Comp with factory grips. I have no idea who manufactured them.

Oh my that is a beauty! Help me 'F-Comp'? Meaning factory competition model or???? What designates it to be an 'F-Comp'?

Maybe I shouldn't have started this post, likely to raise the values on the buy sell board LOL
Thanks
Karl

 

[MTKTM]

My 66, mfg in 1980:

 

[ontargetagain]

A Model 66-4 2.5", my first M66 snubbie and hopefully not my last but due to the popularity after looking the past few months I'm now not so sure. I seldom see these especially in the no dash or -1 due to the P+R factor for under $700 and up on GB, GA, GI. I got this one for a song, $500 on GA from a pawn shop when not especially looking for it. I guess I should consider my luck used up for awhile. I installed a pair of Ahrends Retro Grips and applied a coat of Ren wax to pay it the proper respect. The feel of this gun in your hand is oh so special.

I also added a M66 No Dash that got left behind on GB for $475, cleaned up and ready to go, it was a police carry

This one even looks good naked Wow, nice way to show it all, thanks. The Ahrends are sure wonderful looking grips and I will have my eye on those as a go to source to dress one up.
Thanks
Karl

 

[ontargetagain]

Fell into a slightly beat up 3" 66 a few years back at a local show, marked as a 2 1/2" gun for $450.

Carefully took a small file to the dings and scratches, then bead blasted. It's gown to be my favorite carry gun for the woods or when the snakes are out.

You did a nice job on the restoration. I'm not against a possible project gun at the right price. Nice of you to breathe some new life into this classic!
Thanks
Karl

 

[307-Niner]

66-4 F Comp with factory grips. I have no idea who manufactured them.

Those are Badger Custom Grips. Very nice!

 

[koz5614]

Oh my that is a beauty! Help me 'F-Comp'? Meaning factory competition model or???? What designates it to be an 'F-Comp'?

Maybe I shouldn't have started this post, likely to raise the values on the buy sell board LOL
Thanks
Karl

The "Comp" guns have a single port compensator in front of the front sight.

 

[JCS&W]

I searched for quite some time for a M66 2.5". Just could not find one that I liked at the price I could afford. Then, I found the M66-1, 2.5", the M66-2, 3", and the M66-6 F-Comp all within a matter of a few months. I no longer have the M66-6 F-Comp, but I still have the other two

 

[Florida Guy]

66-1 snubbie

I will probably be listing this one on the forum in a few days.
It is a 66-1 with 2.5" barrel, pinned an recessed with red ramp.
Magna grips are like new - I just bought them from a fellow forum member
that took them off his model 66 when new. The gun also comes with a set of rubber grips.
Reason for sale: duplicate from my collection

Now listed in for sale forum.