I have a model 66-2 in 4" that has a pinned barrel but not recessed cylinder. I cannot find another -2 online that has a pinned barrel.

Was this a transition piece that got the pinned barrel but no recessed cylinder, or am I missing something?

Thank you in advance for any information

I was under the impression that the two characteristics went together. It is of course not beyond reason that a small number got put together that way at the factory. It is also possible the cylinder has been replaced at some time. Or I could be wrong and this is a common situation, but I somehow doubt that very much.

If original, it is likely a very early -2 that has the counterbored -1 cylinder from the leftover parts bin. It is more common to see a late P/R series gun (like a 66-1, or a 19-4) have one feature or the other missing.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I owned two S&W 66-2 revolvers that were neither pinned or recessed.


I have a neighbor that owns a 66-2 that is not pinned but does have a recessed cylinder.

I thought the same thing about the cylinder possibly being replaced. Still doesn't explain the pinned barrel on the -2. I'm curious if anyone else here has a -2 pinned with either cylinder.

I saw a 4 inch nickel 19-4 that was recessed but not pinned at a local shop a couple weeks ago. Interesting piece.

I've been under the idea that pinned ceased in 1982 and recessed earlier. Could be a matter of months rather than years when things changed

Maybe Mark has the answer, the serial number falls into 1981 production. Maybe they had changed the cylinders and not the pinned barrels, could be one of the first -2. I could try to get get Colby Bruce neighbor to trade cylinders with me.

I have a 4" 66-2 with pinned barrel but no recessed cylinder.

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S&W 27-2 3 1/2" Nickel

While not stainless or a K frame I have a 29-2 that is recessed but not pinned.

As they say, "anything is possible with S&W"

If it is a 1981 gun, it is very possible it could have one of the features as they were transitioning.

Pretty cool actually.

Put some pics up when you have a chance.

Here is a picture of my 66-2 with pinned barrel and without recessed cylinder. I bought it new in early 1982. It is a transitional gun. I was told that the 6" transitional ones had the small S&W logo on the left side, but the 4" did not.

Attached Images

Kurac English Walnut with Black Line Figure made by John Culina K Square.JPG (184.7 KB, 25 views)

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

S&W had a policy of using up all parts in the bins. So when changes like this started, you would see guns with one feature and not the other. As has been stated, the guns with this sort of configuration were released, it is more common to see this "mixed parts" situation with the newer dash number than with the older dash number, but both situations did occur.
I think it is much more likely that you have a very late -1 with a partial dash 2 configuration than that the gun has had a change of cylinders. But, of course, no one can say for certain.
In any case, it is not a big deal. The gun will function just fine the way it is.
And by the way, the dropping of the pinned barrels and counterbored charge holes came at the same time on all the K and N frame revolvers. The official change order was issued for both at the same time. But this occurred after the L frames (which never had either pinned barrels or counterbored charge holes) were already in production. Those were introduced in 1980.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I am currently looking at a (supposedly) 66-2 6" that has recessed chambers but no barrel pin. My 19-3 6" does have both features, so I'm a little confused and hesitant to buy the 66. Thoughts? Advice?

Thanks!

Hal

Boykinlp - those grips are spectacular! Maker please.

As stated before, Smith used up what was made, so during the change over phase, they made some with guns with either pinned barrels, and non recessed cylinders or recessed cylinders and non pinned barrels. Not a big deal to the average purchaser, right?

When the old parts were used up, then all the new guns were made with the new parts. The pinned/recessed transition was around 1980-1982 period most commonly found with the model 27, 29 and 629, 19 & 66, it seems, or at least most commonly seen here on the forum.

As stated, the L frame guns began production without either pinned barrels or recessed cylinders.

So, no need to be hesitant about buying the gun. Appearance and functioning are more important factors.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

The 66-2 cylinder is 1.62" in length while the recessed 66-1 cylinder is 1.67" in length.

The gap between the barrel and cylinder should be about .004"

I'd be curious to know the gaps on 66-2 models with pinned barrels and cylinders that are not recessed.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

Thanks! They are made by John Culina. He goes by Kurac on the forum. Do a forum search and you will find out a lot of info on his grips with pictures.

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

Those are some nice looking stocks! Bob

The grips don't appear to be factory?

Keith Brown?

Culina?

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

See post #18 above

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I have a 29-2 that is recessed but not pinned. It was manufactured in the early 80's and is what I believe to be a transitional gun.


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THX,completely missed that one.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

S&W Rule #1 NEVER throw or waste anything.............use it !!!!!

Rule #2 We stamp guns with Model numbers.......... what's your point!

Rule #3 dash#s..... signify a change in design..... there "is" a change on that gun.... get over it!

Rule#4 Remember some guns are built on Monday morning, some on Friday afternoon.... we are coming off of or looking forward to the weekend ........ when.......37 years later some guy who's the umpteenth owner of our product is confused about how we built/stamped one of a million guns we built in 1981..........."what difference-at this point, what difference does it make!"



just funnin

The difference in length is at the rear face, cut farther forward exposing the cartridge rims.

Front face to ratchet is no different from one to the other. Fitting either at the factory would be the same, I wouldn't expect any difference in cylinder gaps.

The only time it would matter is if the cylinder needed to be replaced later, but that applies to any cylinder swap. Properly fitted, a replacement cylinder should be same as new.

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Where do we go from here?

Has anyone here ever seen a Model 10 with a recessed cylinder? I know of one with a pinned barrel but can't tell about the cylinder.

Thanks!

Only magnum cartridges and rimfires got a recessed cylinder.


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Thanks. younggun22. I was not aware of this. Learning every day.

My 2 1/2" 66-1 is the opposite; recessed but not pinned.