The ultimate Model 19/66 Combat Magnum thread

[TheTinMan]

How did I miss this thread?
66 (no dash) 4” with stainless rear sight
66-4 3” (I have the original Magna stocks)
66-3 3”
66-2 3”

[rubiranch]

I only have one, this 1980 M66-1 that my brother carried the first 10
years that he was a Deputy Sheriff.














I'll be keeping this one for a long time.




I sold my 1963 4" M19-2.




And sold my 1967 6" M19-2.

[spin132]

Great string here! Posted here earlier, but have since acquired this Combat Magnum that shipped April of 1956.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

[Art66]

rubiranch- Beautiful 1980 66-1 you have and with a family history! Great holster and ammo holders too.

spin132- Beautiful 1956 Combat Magnum!

Art

[boykinlp]

Originally Posted by rubiranch

I'll be keeping this one for a long time.

Is that where your brother served, Oregon City, OR? Or did it get to him in some strange way? Thanks for sharing.
Larry

[CH4]

Here are my most recent 66/19 finds:

4” 66
2.5” 66-2
2.5” 19-5

I have a soft spot for the 2.5 inchers. I buy every reasonably priced one I find.

[IrishFritz]

I've carried one or another 2 1/2 66 since the late 1970's. My current carry is a new to me -1. My favorite holster is a Kramer horse hide belt scabbard and my now favorite load is a Berry's hollow base 148 wadcutter loaded backwards with a stiff load of Unique. For me, the 2 1/2 66 is a trusted old friend.

[rubiranch]

Originally Posted by boykinlp

Is that where your brother served, Oregon City, OR? Or did it get to him in some strange way? Thanks for sharing.
Larry

My brother served with the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Department and later they changed to Unified Police.

[got2hav1]

Classic thread. Recent one to add. 66-2

[PALADIN85020]

Here are two of my favorite snubbies - a 19 and a 66. Both meet my criteria of good looks and usefulness.

John


(Click for larger image)

[S&WshooterFIN]

My 66-2 2,5"

Original


Rubberboots


Thaigrips


I bought it middle 1990

[AveragEd]

My first S&W was a 4" Model 19-3 with target hammer and trigger. I no longer have it but I do have three Model 66s - a 4" -2, a 6" -2 and a 2-1/2" -4.

The forward rear sight screw relocation has been mentioned. I was told by an S&W-trained gunsmith that a federal law enforcement agency was shipped some Model 66s for evaluation and they wanted that screw moved from directly above the barrel-cylinder gap.

Ed

[snw19_357]

Originally Posted by AveragEd

The forward rear sight screw relocation has been mentioned.

Are you talking about the Model 19 dash 3 change that moved the rear sight leaf screw forward of the gap or the new style rear sight assembly?

Originally Posted by AveragEd

I was told by an S&W-trained gunsmith that a federal law enforcement agency was shipped some Model 66s for evaluation and they wanted that screw moved from directly above the barrel-cylinder gap.

If the 19-3 change, the Model 66 (even the prototypes) came out after the screw had already been moved forward.

[Art66]

Well, looking at a photo of my Model 66 no dash, the rear sight screw appears to be only slightly forward of the B/C gap.

[snw19_357]

Well, I didn't write an engineering change to move the screw half of its width forward but S&W did (but they did not when moving the gas ring TO the yoke..).

-2


-3 (Model 66 no dash)

[Art66]

I looked at my M66 no dash. The sight leaf screw is above the forcing cone, which is just forward of the B/C gap.
I then looked at my M19-4 and the screw is in the exact same location as on the M66 no dash.
In fact the rear sight leaf is the same on both models.

[SWFan27]

I do not own the vintage ones, but I am a proud and happy owner of a 19-9 and a 66-8. And I am very glad that Smith & Wesson reissued these redesigns on their K frame classics. Both of mine shoot great and they are fantastic revolvers which will last a lifetime.

My dad does not have a 66, but he does have plenty of the S&W revolvers from back in the day. I have shot his minty 19-3 plenty, I have probably shot it more than him in recent years. He estimates he has less than 500 rounds through it. It is not something he used to take to the range a lot. I look forward to comparing my new 19-9 to it. I don't know that his -3 will be any more accurate than my new one.

[schutz5]

Shot my 66-1 today.. just like rubiranch's

25yds free hand and very accurate!

[AveragEd]

In response to the corrected information regarding the sight screw position change, my gunsmith might have been lumping all K-frames into his statement. Before I was aware of the differences, I bought a K-frame rear sight assembly only to find the holes didn't line up with the ones in my gun so I have sights of both patterns and have posted a photo of them some years ago for others who may not know about that change. At that time, I knew exactly which models and dash numbers were involved.

Ed

[Dwaine]

I have four....66's...

[garddogg56]

She's my shooter 6"

[Engine49guy]

On the subject of the rear sight screw kinda went like this, in 1946-47 the post war K22, K32, K38 are introduced with the new post war style micrometer rear sight, that sight was standard when the Combat Magnum was introduced 10 years later in 1956.
In order to fit the longer .357 cylinder they had to shorten the forcing cone protrusion into the frame window, this unfortunately meant the fwd screw was now right under the barrel cylinder gap where the blast occurs only on the Pre 19's but they have the stronger Magnum blast compounding the issue.
10 years later 1966 they finally did something about it and moved the front screw location, since a new part now was introduced that was different the revision advanced to 19-3.
It wouldn't have made sense to just do the Model 19 or they'd have to produce different rear sights so they used the new rear site on all K target guns and the 17-2 etc becomes the 17-3 etc.
The Model 66 and 67 were introduced during the 19-3 , 15-3 revision so a Model 66 /67 is equal in revision so was introduced with the new rear site screw location.

[ColumbusJBR]

I’ve got a 19-4 4”, my 1st S&W revolver. That one that started my obsession. I’ve since removed the pictured Altamonts and put the factory targets back on.

And a 66-4 2.5”. I would LOVE to add a 19 snubbie but don’t want to pay the current asking prices. I can live without one (for now!)

[Model29-26.5]

My 19-3 4 inchers…

[got2hav1]

I can finally add a pristine M19 to this thread. 1972 year and just a couple of small flaws. Apparently it's led a charmed life.

[SWFan27]

Originally Posted by got2hav1

I can finally add a pristine M19 to this thread. 1972 year and just a couple of small flaws. Apparently it's led a charmed life.

That is a beautiful revolver. My dad's 19-3 is from 1972. It is nickel with target trigger, hammer and grips. His looks pretty much like new also. He still has the box.

[Warren Sear]

Here are pictures of my Model 66-1. I have owned it for about 10 years.

I have the original box, but there is no end label. I understand these were shipped in a wooden presentation box, and the whole package was shipped in a larger box which bore the label. Unfortunately, all I have is the gun and cardboard box and accessories shown.

Any additional information that forum members might be able to provide would be appreciated.

[Warren Sear]

...a few more pictures...

[snw19_357]

Originally Posted by Warren Sear

I have the original box, but there is no end label. I understand these were shipped in a wooden presentation box, and the whole package was shipped in a larger box which bore the label. Unfortunately, all I have is the gun and cardboard box and accessories shown.

Yes, they were shipped with a wooden presentation case and the label was placed on the outside shipping container and the ones I have seen with confirmed ship dates were from May, 1981

[Warren Sear]

Originally Posted by snw19_357

Yes, they were shipped with a wooden presentation case and the label was placed on the outside shipping container and the ones I have seen with confirmed ship dates were from May, 1981

Thank you for the pictures and information.

[ColumbusJBR]

Originally Posted by Model29-26.5

My 19-3 4 inchers…

The G.A. stock on the blued 19 are beautiful. Why can't they all be like that? I've got some factory S&W stock that look like they were made out of pressed pencil shavings lol

[mr.jbk79]

The 4" and 2.5" are no dash 66s. The 3" is a -4, and my most recent. The 2.5" was my 1st S&W revolver.

[45NUTT]

I have 2 19-4's, one 4" blue and a 6" nickel w/ 3T's. I have a 19-5 nickel 2 1/2" and a 66 no dash with SS rear sight. I love them all! I am currently browsing for a 19-3 and hope to add it soon!
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28189-beautiful-christmas-tree.jpg

IMG_20250111_172216181_AE.jpg

[SingleFaceKing]

You know a lot about k frames except how to fix a trigger reset issue before selling one LOL

Originally Posted by snw19_357

Yes, they were shipped with a wooden presentation case and the label was placed on the outside shipping container and the ones I have seen with confirmed ship dates were from May, 1981

[got2hav1]

Added some RB Culinas to my old 66. Dressed for sucess now!

[Mattand27]

I realized, not only has it been too long since I contributed to this forum, but I never contributed to this thread. Here is my attempt at recreating a photo my dad took in 1981 with the exact same guns.

Featuring a M66-1 from 1980 and a M63 from 1978.

They've both had hundreds of rounds through them, if not thousands in the case of the M63, since the original photo.

[BKLooney]

My 19-3 circa 1968

[RMS272829]

My 4" 66 ND is dated to 1974 per the S&W Std Cat. Many years ago 357 mag loads were shot through it and the cylinder loosed up - too much movement axially. The local gunsmith, was a retired S&W armorer, stated the 66's were too light weight to handle the 357 mag loads and to only use 38 special or 38 special + loads. He install shims, i believe, around the cylinder and reworked the trigger - actually installed a target trigger. Has anyone had issues with their 66 showing loosen?

[Curt Blunt]

Back in the 80s I shot a lot of heavy handloads in my 66-2 to the point where I sent it back to S&W to be tightened up. Can't remember the exact details, unfortunately.

[Art66]

I bought a Model 66 no dash (1973) used, history unknown. It had excessive barrel to cylinder clearance and too much rotational play. I replaced the cylinder stop to solve the rotational play. I put shims at the front of the cylinder to fix end play. I sent it out to have the barrel set back to achieve the correct barrel to cylinder clearance. I adjusted the mainspring to correct a dangerously light single action trigger force. I put in a lighter trigger rebound spring to keep the double action trigger force reasonable.
It was a learning experience that turned a $600 junker into a very nice revolver. I haven't had time to try it at the range, but dry firing it is very smooth. When I do get to the range, I won't shoot many .357 magnums through it, if any at all!

[Art66]

I read somewhere that the stainless-steel frames were heat treated to make them suitable for magnum loads.

[S&WshooterFIN]

Where did serial number go from my 66-2 "the safe queen"?
Why and is it common?
I bought this revolver from a Finnish gun shop in the 1990s.


S/N found bottom of frame AWW10xx

[snw19_357]

Originally Posted by S&WshooterFIN

Where did serial number go from my 66-2 "the safe queen"?
Why and is it common?

S/N found bottom of frame AWW10xx

Since the round butt Models 66 & 19 shipped with magna stocks that did not cover the butt serial number, it was not stamped in the yoke cut.
This changed about 1993 when they shipped with Uncle Mike grips which did cover the butt serial number.

[S&WshooterFIN]

Originally Posted by snw19_357

Since the round butt Models 66 & 19 shipped with magna stocks that did not cover the butt serial number, it was not stamped in the yoke cut.
This changed about 1993 when they shipped with Uncle Mike grips which did cover the butt serial number.

Thanks!
My 66-2 is AWWxxxx = 1987
Again I can learn more of S&W

[S&W Fan]

Probable 1979. It came with some ugly Pachs, put these on that I got here.

[got2hav1]

My 1978 19-4 Target Hammer and Trigger.

[Art66]

I noticed your 1979 19-4 target version has a different front sight than my 1978 19-3 with standard trigger and hammer. Mine has a ramp sight with no insert. Does anyone have any information on the target front sight?

[snw19_357]

Patridge front sight was standard on the 6" Model 19, even with the TT/TH.
RR/WO only was not offered for the 6". It was offered with all the bells; TT/TH/RR/WO but not just RR/WO.

...except for the City of Los Angeles 200th Anniversary commemorative...

Would like to see your 6" with ramp front sight and no insert.
The 6" barrel on the Model 19 did have the ramp pinned to the base well past when it was on the 4".

[Art66]

Thanks for the information. I'm sorry, I did not mention my 19-4 has a 4-inch barrel. The patridge front sight would make sense on a 6-inch barrel.
Question- what does RR/WO stand for?

[snw19_357]

Red Ramp (insert in ramp front sight) / White Outline rear sight slide