Early S/W M66 no dash .357 snubnose

[majspud]

Picked this up today; well sort of. The FBI background check system was down, so I'll have to pick it up Tuesday.

As a Federal LE half a lifetime ago I carried a M66 no dash 4" with Pachmyr grips. I got the snubbie so I could carry it; I'll use Remington +P 125gr SJHP. Back in the day we used +P+ Treasury rounds (115gr SJHP) as "Magnum" had become a dirty word by then.

I think this piece is very early - I think a "R" prefix is 1972. Has pinned barrel. This one is "J"; so 1970?

t

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Very nice! I carry a Model 19 snub nose. I'd like to find a Model 66 like yours.

 

[viceunit]

That and the 19 snub are my favorite S&W revolvers. There should only be a "K" in the serial number, no "R" or "J".

 

[Dkrueger17]

That should make a fine carry piece, nice pickup. The 2.5" model 66 wasn't introduced until around 1974 or '75. The serial should be a K prefix, most likely 5K-9K something if it is indeed an early no dash. BTW, I believe the hammer and trigger may have swapped out at some point as they appear to be case colored, instead of flash chromed; as they would have came from the factory. Just thought I'd share. All things considered, it should be a sweet shooting snub! Enjoy.

 

[majspud]

It is "K"; 8K46127. So '74?
T

 

[Shark Bait]

Looks to be 1975.

 

[majspud]

So 7 years to C&R.
T

 

[majspud]

Quick stop on the way home; 18 rounds of the +P carry ammo. First shots were the low right, then right on. Very manageable recoil. Will be smooth with the Pachmyrs. Cold, wet, drizzle and I had only a polo and fleece vest. Paced it off at 37 feet. Double action was silky smooth and light; better than my Colt Detective.

t

 

[old bear]

majspud, congrats, you've picked up one of the best all around revolvers Smith and Wesson has produced. I prefer the the Model 19's but my 2 1/2" model 66 would be one of the last guns I'd ever give up.

Enjoy that guy..

 

[majspud]

I had a 1950 Pre-M10 that was just too bulky.

t

 

[majspud]

I guess I picked up a good one; tons of likes.

Dilly Dilly

t

 

[Bullseye 2620]

1975 was a very good year. . .

 

[BAM-BAM]

Sweeeet........only thing better is a 3" 66 but you'd have had to wait another 10 years..........

Wish they had made some/more 4" factory round butt 66s...

 

[dawgkiller]

I guess I picked up a good one; tons of likes.

Dilly Dilly

t

Dilly Dilly

LOL

 

[CH4]

Congrats!
The 7th was a great day for snagging 2.5" 66s. I fell into to this one on the same day. Not many revolvers sexier or more practical for carry.

 

[ispcapt]

This one is 6K65XXX. One of the early ones. I can't find my paperwork now but I remember the movie The Exorcist had just been released. That was around Christmas 1973. I remember that date because a guy we were looking for was suppose to be going to see the movie and I got this, quickly qualified, and was carrying it. So I got it end of Dec 1973 or Jan 1974.
This was 1 of 3 that hit the police supply business which sold a lot of equipment statewide. These 3 were the first they had gotten in. I got one, a Springfield IL PD range officer got one, and an FBI SA got the 3rd one.

 

[majspud]

I got the wrong Pachmyr grips - square butt. Round ones will be here Monday.

ispcapt; what are those grip 'extenders' called? How do they feel?

t

 

[ispcapt]

That one is a Pachmyer grip adapter. Actually it is for a J frame. I like it a bit better than the one made for a K frame. I get a bit more of my little finger around the grip.
I've got a K frame size Pachmyer on my 2.5" Model 19. As you can see the K frame model extends to the bottom of the grip.

 

[cndrdk]

It is "K"; 8K46127. So '74?
T

I ordered and received my 66 no dash, 2.5", early 1976 and my serial number is 6K79984. Still have the receipt, cost me a whole $149.00 and was shipped USPS directly to my door. As a side note, I guess I ordered at the right time. Immediately after mine came in, my Sgt. looked at it and ordered one for himself. His didn't come in until a year later.

 

[majspud]

Here it is with the Pachmyr grips. Tried 24 rounds of Fiochi magnum. All I can say is that I'm glad I had them. I haven't shot magnum in 7 years. I'll stick to +P for carry loads. I'm color blind, and the combination of orange front sight and orange made it hard to see and caused the stringing.

t