I got to musing lately that if I could keep just ONE S&W revolver that would be extremely versatile, durable, accurate and practical, it would be my 4-inch Model 66-1, shipped in 1978. I won it at an on-line auction - paid too much for it back in 2006 - unfired and in the box with all the papers. I gave it a primo action job from Nelson Ford, fired a couple of cylinders of ammo from it, and tucked it away. Today it's one of my "most prized" firearms. The "dash 1" was the very last of the elegant pinned and recessed Model 66s. Later, I also acquired a 66-1 snubby as a companion piece.

In my opinion, the Model 66 had the nicest combination of features - everything you needed and nothing you didn't. Sad to say, quality took a hit after the dash one, and the modern iteration with its politically correct hole, screwed up frame, floating firing pin in the frame and sleeved barrel is the poorest representation of the breed. It's a camel that was designed by a committee.

I took some pics of this great revolver recently, and am showing them here.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I had one for a while, stupidly sold it. I'm looking for a snubby version for my EDC. There is something just "right" about the Kframe .357s.....

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Even older, even crankier....

Yup, I would have to agree. It is likely the best Smith and the last one to get rid of. Mine is a -2 I picked up two months ago for $550. Dates around 1983 without P&R, but still one of my favorites. It is a shame that they are still in production. . .wouldn't even consider buying a new one.

Attached Images

M66-2 1983 Pic 2.jpg (98.4 KB, 125 views)

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Dr. B

No argument here. Agree with your opinion on if you had to have only one handgun. Don't currently have one, but have owned a couple in the past. Carried one on-duty in the late 1980's, early 1990's stoked with Winchester 145 grain Silvertips. Congrats on a beautiful revolver!

John:

My two 66s are of the no dash configuration, and were issued to me as a police officer back in the 70s...the 4" when I joined up in October 1975, and the 2 1/2" when I was assigned to plainclothes duties a couple of years later. Both were brand new when issued to me. I carried them until we switched to the Glock in the early 1990s, and we were permitted to purchase them for what Glock was offering on trade in. Naturally I bought both of mine...by some folks opinion, they were well worn, and should probably at least be refurbished, but to me they are priceless, and will go to my boys when I pass. I always used a Tyler T Grip when I was carrying these, but they are on loan to a couple of othe K frames right now, and some day I'll reunite them for a photo shoot.

Here's my 4"...I put those model 10 stocks on when I first was issued the gun, and still have the target stocks which came with it, and they have never been on it since... I preferred the feel of the magna with a grip adaptor:



And here's the snubby. Both of these guns are still in perfect mechanical shape, and are fantastic shooters:



I agree with your assessment that if one were limited to only one handgun, that the 66 would make an excellent choice. By the way, although the -1 was supposed to cure some of the alleged faults of the no dash, we never had any malfunctions or problems with any of our plain 66s. Eventually we switched, as that was what Smith and Wesson were making at the time, but never had any issues with any of the iterations of the 66. I served as armorer and I assure you that most of the time I felt like the famous Maytag repairman from the old TV commercial, as there was very little to do!!

By the way...that is an absolutely spectacular model 66-1 that you have there!!! Don't be afraid to shoot it though, even though it is georgeous...shooting will never hurt that beauty, especially if you adhere to the philosophy that the 19 and 66s were designed around: train with 38 specials, and carry the .357 magnum, with a few fired from time to time for familiarization.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

I got my 66-1 in 1979, and carried it as an LEO. While a nice revolver, I never really warmed up to it. I guess that I am not a fan of stainless firearms. They don't show wear as nicely as an old blued gun. If I had it to do over, I would have bought a Model 15. We never carried anything other than +P. Back then "magnum" had a cache.

Still wouldn't sell it ...

I'll have to confess, this is my favorite K-frame. Still looking for one.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

John, 15 or 20 years ago there was a large number of 66's on the market that were stamped LASD for Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. I bought a snub from the LGS and it had a great trigger. I did not keep it and can't remember why. I now have a nickel 19 snub and will hang on to it. A very nice 66 you have there.

I would have SOOOO much trouble if I had to keep just one gun. I'm a huge K frame snub fan and my EDC is generally one of those - A Model 10 or a customized Model 64. I'm partial to blued guns so my Model 19 2.5 inch would be screaming "KEEP ME KEEP ME!!!" but my Model 19 4" would likely have to be the one solely because its sole drawback is difficulty of concealment. So I understand your fondness for the similar 66 indeed I do!!!

Attached Images

Model 19-3 4 inch.jpg (126.4 KB, 87 views)

I own a 6" 66-1. It is one of the revolvers that I can shoot the best, literally making pistol marksmanship look easy.

My 4" 66-1 was my first S&W stainless revolver purchase. It has been hiking, canoeing, kayaking and out to sea with me. I love it for its size, versatility, reliability and general overall cool factor. When not in use it wears the targets it came with, otherwise it wears a set of Pachy grippers. It would definitely be the last revolver I would part with come the time..."Pinned barrel with bullet bedrooms". Gotta love it!

My 66 is a bedroom gun with a 6" bbl.
The barrel is a beat down baton if needed, while the long barrel gives excellent longer range accuracy outside the home on my property.
The grip is a HOGUE, and the wood is "Tulip wood"which lists at 250 Dollars for the grips.The mounting screw is on the bottom of the grip.

I like the fact that the Mod 66 has been getting some Page 1 time as of late!

I have a pic of one back when I took pictures of all my revolvers. Cocked & Locked and Dryheat always had the best shots on the forum and I tried to be "artistic" too.

66-1


Stainless & wood makes for a good photographic subject!

GF

Good fortune smiled on me when this 66-1 Combat Magnum engraved with the emblem of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol showed up on Armslist last year. I wasn't even in the market for a revolver, much less a .357 magnum, but something about owning one from my home state's agency spoke to me. It's become one of the never-to-be-sold ones in my small collection, and it gets regular range time for the pure fun of the shooting.

Having learned more about the Model 66 in general and the two pinned-and-recessed versions in particular, I'm grateful for that whatever-it-was that made me buy this one.

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

My 4" M66-1 was my duty gun... so I am attached to it... still wears the duty nylon Hogues. I never liked rubber grips... but there's something sophisticated about the Hogue shape, most noticeable with stiff service loads. The Comp loaders still carry the Silvertips it did before I went to the M645.
I bought a 3" M13 which I gave to then GF/financee... just felt right in the hand & were FBI issue at the time. When we split, she declined to sell it back to me.
I consoled myself by buying a 3" M66-2 which became my OD & trail gun. If I could keep just one, It would be the 3".
My gun when I drew desk duty, was a 3" blue M36-1 in a Bianchi IWB.

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

I once had the three gun set - 2 1/2", 4" and 6", all 66 no dash.
I'm down to the 4" now and like seems to be the consensus it would be the last handgun to go.

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Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

I own a 2 1/2" and 4" 66 ND, My 2 1/2" is my EDC.
For everything but IWB carry nothing beats a 6" 686.

I too have owned several 66's over the years, including a couple of "no dash" models.

I've only got one now, a -4, "Lady Smith" that I gather isn't real common.

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John 3:16 .

I just had a heart attack opening this thread! I'm soon to be on the hunt for a 1978 66-1!!! That example is amazing. It'll probably be the last revolver I'll buy. Thanks to you all for these photos, can't wait to add one.

Great revolver, John. My first gun purchase, when I became of age, was a 66-2 with 6 inch barrel. It, too, would be one of the last to go. Your grips look amazing!

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Miss Buddies crsides & fat tom

I've had a bout a 1/2 doz 66-1 snubs over the years and only own one 66-1 right now.
Bought this on the forum, as equipped.



Have 2 more 66-3's.

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I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

When I moved to Florida in the 1st week of 1980, 4" 66-1's were unobtanium. Every local cop shop used them. So I went 6" and still have it. More than 25 years later I got a 66-5 with the Model 65 barrel profile that balances exactly like the 6." Best guns S&W made in my opinion. Folks loading to "thermonuclear" levels helped them fall out of favor (OK, steady diet of the "magical" 125 gr Federal JHP's didn't help. Joe

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Behavior Creates Destiny

Great posts and photos. This thread reminds me that I need to get out my Model 66ers and take a few photos. The Combat Magnums were my first S&W love (then I discovered those huge 357 N-Frames and I have been hopelessly addicted every since...)

John - I have to agree that Nelson's action jobs make any S&W better. I always seem to have at least one S&W in his shop, usually "smoothing up" an already nice action... ... making it just "that much" nicer.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

You certainly do Richard.

One of these days I'll learn how to take pictures.

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I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

I too like the size, balance and beauty of the early K frame 66-1's and -2's.
Since this thread is about -1 I won't hi jack it w/ pics of the two no dashes I have. Nor the -2.
The photo was taken indoors w/ fluorescent lighting. Therefore the yellow cast.

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IMG_0609.JPG (174.3 KB, 54 views)

Last year, I picked up a 66-1 2.5" stamped "La. State Fire Marshal" very neatly on the left side of the frame. It came in the plain brown cardboard box with S&W brown paper. Looks to be unfired. So, about a month ago, I picked up a 66-3 2.5", in very good shape, that I carry and shoot on occasion.

I've got a 66 no dash, 4" barrel, shipped 1977. I bought it used, in really good condition. I hardly ever fire it. The odd thing is, though, that the gun is very shiny (it looks like nickel). But the gun does not look "polished-by-some-guy-with-Flitz." It looks factory finished. Odd, huh? Legend has it that it was owned by a Nebraska highway patrolman. It already had an action job and target hammer/target trigger when I bought it. I paid maybe $400 for it circa 1985. I doubt I'll ever sell it, unless someone offers me an obscene amount of money for it, and even then...


-------------------

Picked up a 66-1 several years ago. Mine is the only one I have seen without the Smith logo on the side plate. I think it looks far better there.
The Hogue grips in the pic are now on my 686 and the 66-1 has the original target stocks.

Attached Images

Smith 66.jpg (214.4 KB, 61 views)

Love mine. As you do I have everything as far as box, docs... A very fine pistol indeed!

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	IMG_0821.jpg (64.0 KB, 36 views)
	IMG_0823.jpg (59.9 KB, 26 views)
	IMG_0825.jpg (82.5 KB, 30 views)
	IMG_0822.jpg (62.5 KB, 31 views)

This is my recent purchase - a 66 and 60 both no dash. The 66 replaces a 19 I ONCE had but stupidly sold! The 60 was part of the deal (they had to go as a pair) but that was OK as I had been looking for a 36 but have no complaints. Both are excellent shooters and had been known to be UNFIRED by the previous owners son who is a friend of mine.

I picked up this little gem 66-1 at a auction last year, probably over paid a bit for it but just could not resist

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Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda

I picked up a 66-1, 2.5" just a few weeks ago. It is the companion to my late father's 66-0 4" that was his service weapon. I don't think I'd get rid of either. However I did sell a 66-1, 6" a year ago and have kicked myself ever since.

This 66 belonged to Officer Larry P. Childress, Memphis Police Dept. killed in the line of duty January 14, 1982. I have the honor of owning it now.

Attached Images

S W model 66 in police rig..jpg (52.5 KB, 49 views)

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LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

By way of information, an article I wrote on the Model 66 will appear as the centerpiece in the next issue of Dillon's Blue Press catalog/magazine - which will be the "JUNE 2017" issue. If you do not already have a free subscription, you can get one by calling 1-800-223-4570 and asking for it.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

John:

Maybe Dillon's printer erred, as I just received the May 2017 issue yesterday, and it has your article on the Winchester Model 64 Rifle. A very nice article, by the way, I save these "centerfolds", and store them in my copy of your "101 Classic Firearms".

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Oops. The article will be in the JUNE issue - these always appear a month before the cover date. I'll change the post.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Looking forward to reading your essay.
Will have my -1 alongside for good karma.
Interesting that it came with TT and TH.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

How do you identify a target trigger and hammer?

The spur on a target hammer is .500" wide.
A target trigger is either .400" or .500" wide and may be smooth or grooved, though most (all?) of the smooth ones are .400".

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Carried one for years as LEO, old steady!

Well, you've got precisely what I think are the two best handguns for someone with just two. I prefer different grips, but that's a personal thing.


I'm glad that those two found a good home.


Oh: I just called the 800 Dillon number that Paladin listed and they said a subscription is good for six months and if you order, for a year.

What wood and who made those grips on the snub? Ahrends?

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I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

All very nice revolvers but I guess I'm a little weird. I like the blued far better and don't own a stainless or nickel. They just look odd to me for some reason

You are correct that they are Ahrends.

The wood is maple. They came to me as red stained maple but I didn't like it as much as I thought I would on the gun.

I soaked the grips in acetone to remove the finish and the stain. Then, I sanded and re-stained with Colonial Maple from Minwax and finished with Brownells Stock Saver.

Yep - and it's beginning to seem like I only HAVE these two - the rest are beginning to collect dust!
So do I and the 60 now wears Diamond Pro (fantastic grips) and I have a set of Grippers on the 66 but they are a little thin for me.

Thanks for the clarification. Why is it measured as .500" instead of .5"?

For standardization with other measurements such as the .312" triggers.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Les, great post!

Your sons will be very lucky to have them!

Might I suggest that you print this out (and any other information about those revolvers) and keep copies with them, for future generations, along with some pictures of you, with those revolvers!

They say you should never covet another man's wife, fair enough.

But I have some heavy covet going on with the 66's in this thread.