66-1

[Harry Callihan]

My LGS came through again. I picked this up yesterday. It was on consignment. I can't find a mark on this gun. It's like new. Timing, lock up and bore are unbelievable. Old pinned and recessed. Original box, cleaning tools, sight adjuster tool and documents came with it. Production late 70s. This is a keeper..

 

[saemetric]

The 6” is my favorite of the model 66s. Greatest balance and feel IMHO. Bought it new in 1978.


And rides nicely in a classic Safariland holster.

 

[boykinlp]

My LGS came through again. I picked this up yesterday. It was on consignment. I can't find a mark on this gun. It's like new. Timing, lock up and bore are unbelievable. Old pinned and recessed. Original box, cleaning tools, sight adjuster tool and documents came with it. Production late 70s. This is a keeper..

Looks super nice to me. I have a transitional 66-2 where the “-1” is over stamped by a “-2”. It is pinned, but not recessed. It was the first gun I bought when I turned 21, and I still love it. What box came with yours? Here is mine:
Larry

 

[Harry Callihan]

My box is the older Bangor Punta blue box.

 

[LEO918]

Here's my 66-1 with original box.

 

[PALADIN85020]

It's hard to beat a 66-1 - the last of the elegant pinned and recessed 66s. This one shipped in May 1978.

John

 

[RKmesa]

All:

Love the 66's. One of S&W's finest.

John:

That is a beautiful gun and a great photo!

Thanks for sharing,

 

[dsk]

I already caught the Model 19 bug. You guys are making it hard for me to resist letting the disease spread to collecting Model 66s as well.

 

[Dvus]

I already caught the Model 19 bug. You guys are making it hard for me to resist letting the disease spread to collecting Model 66s as well.

They are just model 19s with better corrosion resistance.

 

[TheTinMan]

Beautiful find OP!

I have 3” Model 66-2, -3 and -4 plus a no-dash with a 4” barrel. What barrel lengths were available for the 66-1? How long was the production run?

 

[Green Frog]

At my age and time of life, I’m trying to consciously stop buying additional firearms, concentrating on finishing some of my many projects and finding good homes for some of my “children”. One of the few guns that would still tempt me to purchase or trade for is this specific Model and variation. I personally consider the Model 66-1 to be the climax of its production era and the best of all of the 66s. Congratulations on a wonderful find!
Froggie

 

[rubiranch]

Here's my 6" M66-1 shipped 9/5/80

 

[Coyote56]

Model 66 no dash. Pinned and recessed. Don’t think it was ever fired. I rectified that situation quicksmart.

 

[LPD256]

My 66-1 has a short Mag-na-Port barrel. My 66-2 is the 6 inch version and also by a quirk of fate has my badge number in the serial number. Great ones. Enjoy.

 

[Rock185]

Yours looks like new Callihan. My 66 from 1972 is just the opposite. It was my favorite, on and off duty, for several years, got shot a lot. I pretty much wore it out. Had S&W overhaul it in '80, about the time I started carrying the L-Frame. Still have the old 66, but it has had an easy life since the overhaul. Great little revolvers.

 

[Art66]

Wow, you were very lucky to find that perfect 6" Model 66-1.
Lots of other beautiful Model 66's were also presented! I found it interesting that the stainless-steel hammer and trigger were used on the 66-1 and 66-2. I had previously thought they were used only on early model 66 no-dash production.
My son lost interest in his Model 66 no-dash and I could not resist. I soon found out it had been used a lot. I re-furbished it, now I am very happy with it. Someone had replaced the stainless-steel trigger with a case-hardened target trigger. The trigger action is very smooth and light.

 

[Green Frog]

Art66, what looks like a stainless hammer or trigger may be flash chromed carbon steel. This type of parts was used during the time frame in question, and actual stainless parts are identifiable by a stamped letter S.

Froggie

 

[Hair Trigger]

Looks super nice to me. I have a transitional 66-2 where the “-1” is over stamped by a “-2”. It is pinned, but not recessed. It was the first gun I bought when I turned 21, and I still love it. What box came with yours? Here is mine:
Larry

Would that make it a M66-1-1/2?

Beautiful find OP!

I have 3” Model 66-2, -3 and -4 plus a no-dash with a 4” barrel. What barrel lengths were available for the 66-1? How long was the production run?

Standard "catalogued" barrels for the M66-1 were 2-1/2, 4, and 6". I suppose you could still special order other lengths back then, though.

I'd like to have another 4" M66 or 66-1. I had a 4" M66 for many years and stupidly sold it around 2005. I found an ANIB M66-1 round butt 2-1/2" three years ago. The price tag shown in the picture was the price when it was new, I believe. Sure ain't what I paid for it. It's become a favorite CC gun.

 

[Art66]

Art66, what looks like a stainless hammer or trigger may be flash chromed carbon steel. This type of parts was used during the time frame in question, and actual stainless parts are identifiable by a stamped letter S.

Froggie

Interesting. I inspected the 66 no-dash's hammer and can't see an S. Do you know if the S is visible without disassembling the gun?

Several years ago, Wikipedia stated stainless hammers and triggers were used initially, but were changed in later production due to wear issues. However, that statement does not exist in the current Model 19 and variants page.

 

[kaaskop49]

Model 66 no dash. Pinned and recessed. Don’t think it was ever fired. I rectified that situation quicksmart.

Oh my gosh! He actually fired a new gun! "They're gonna get you." (Sorry, couldn't help myself. )

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103