Model 66-1 6 inch

justakyguy

justakyguy

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Lgs has this nice looking Model 66 going to go check it out but wanted to see what you all think. I love blued but stainless due to living in a humid climate is much easier. This one is pinned so must be a very late model. Comes with box, looks in great shape. Should I grab it.

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You failed to mention if it has recessed cylinder.
That can effect the price. Also, does box match gun serial # ?
Should you buy it? You didn't say how much it will cost, so how can we offer an opinion on purchase?
If price is no object, and you give it a good inspection and all seems right, then consider buying it.
 
On gunbroker they are $650 to $1200, depending on condition and paperwork and box. I am currently watching half a dozen 66's, best cash price was $559 from one seller, but it is scratched up badly and the grips are less than perfect.

I have yet to see a 66-1 without recessed cylinders, but I am sure they are out there.
 
The Model 66 no dash began in 1970. Dash 1 began in 1977 and the 6 inch barrel was first made then, rounding out the line of 4 and 2-1/2 inchers. Dash 2 began in 1982 which ended the P & R They went up to dash 6 in 2002 and were discontinued for a while in 2005. Dash 8 is the recent reintroduction with 2 piece barrel.

. I bought a Model 66-1 with 6 inch barrel a couple of days before I began the police academy. I bought it's twin a bit later so I'd always have a clean one for work. I carried them from 1981 until 1991 when the department went to semiautomatic pistols.

I liked how the extra 2 inches of barrel managed muzzle flash and blast. I wore it in a Safariland thumb break that rode fairly high and the extra barrel length was never a problem.

I hadn't shot either of them since 1991. My doctor shoots and has a 2-1/2 and 4 inch and had been searching for a nice 6 incher, so I sold him one of mine last month.

All 66-1's should be both P and R. My first one had the trademark seal on the sideplate while the newer one had it on the left side of the frame below the cylinder release. Other than that, there was no difference between them.

Great sixguns.
 
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It says it is test fired only with factory cocobolo target grips with the pinned barrel that it is an early version of the model 66. Looks to have only some minor scratches on side of cylinder from handling. Not sure how those could have gotten there. Says the box is numbered to the gun. Does not have the paperwork or cleaning tools just the box I'll have to check it out in person but looks nice I was only able to post the one picture. This one must be from the very late 70s or early 80s? I haven't seen if the cylinder is recessed yet but if it is pinned which it is I'm sure it is. They're asking close to 800 for it. On the box from what I can make out under serial number it says 36K6726
 
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Here are a couple more pics of the 66. There is a small scratch on one side of the cylinder but the gun looks nice overall the guy says it is as-new and has only been test fired. What about the cylinder scratch should that deter me or is that something superficial and should I give it some thought. Opinions?

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epj said:
The scratch can probably be carefully removed. $800 is pretty steep for a 6" that isn't exactly NIB. Just my **.
Click to expand...

We got it, we got it, we got it.

Should have a 6 1/8" barrel too, I think...........
 
justakyguy said:
It says it is test fired only with factory cocobolo target grips with the pinned barrel that it is an early version of the model 66. ...
Click to expand...
I would have guessed they are Goncalo Alves, but being able to distinguish between woods just from pictures is not my forte.

I agree the price seems steep. Even if he came down $100, it would still be steep. The six inch barrel usually brings the price down a little (people like the four inch better). But if it's really fired very little, that is worth a premium. It's up to you. I wouldn't worry at all about the small scratches.
 
That looks to be a pretty nice 66-1 with little/minor wear. $800 might be a bit steep for a standard 6" P&R 66-1, however it does have the matching box and correct grips. In my area, the price would be pretty spot on. If you want it, go for it, I say.

I must add that there are in fact, 66-1's that are considered "transitional models" that were either pinned and not recessed, or recessed, but not pinned; around 1982-83. These were produced during the engineering change from 66-1 to 66-2. There were also a few select 66-2 transitional models, but I've seen more of the dash 1's. I have seen a handful of these transitional models in the past few years in all barrel lengths, particularly on GB.

I also must add that there are a select grouping of 6" 66-1's from around 1978-79 that have 6 1/8" barrels. The standard 6" 66 barrel was actually closer to 5 7/8". SCSW states that these are worth a 20% premium. If you can, take a tape measure when you go look at it, and measure from the cylinder face to the end of the barrel.

36K serial number would put it at 1978-79 production date, so it very well could fall into this special category. I have one of the 6 1/8" barrels, a 4", and a 2 1/2". Love each of them. Good luck and keep us posted!
 
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I actually like the 6-inch barrel. They're asking 795 which is steep. I agree I think a hundred less would still be steep, although it does appear to be a nice example. If I check it out in person and it looks nice, I would definitely haggle and try and bring them down a good bit on it. They say it has only been test fired and that they are the original grips. Still not sure if it is recessed too.
 
Dkrueger17 said:
That looks to be a pretty nice 66-1 with little/minor wear. $800 might be a bit steep for a standard 6" P&R 66-1, however it does have the matching box and correct grips. In my area, the price would be pretty spot on. If you want it, go for it, I say.

I must add that there are in fact, 66-1's that are considered "transitional models" that were either pinned and not recessed, or recessed, but not pinned; around 1982-83. These were produced during the engineering change from 66-1 to 66-2. There were also a few select 66-2 transitional models, but I've seen more of the dash 1's. I have seen a handful of these transitional models in the past few years in all barrel lengths, particularly on GB.

I also must add that there are a select grouping of 6" 66-1's from around 1978-79 that have 6 1/8" barrels. The standard 6" 66 barrel was actually closer to 5 7/8". SCSW states that these are worth a 20% premium. If you can, take a tape measure when you go look at it, and measure from the cylinder face to the end of the barrel.

36K serial number would put it at 1978-79 production date, so it very well could fall into this special category. I have one of the 6 1/8" barrels, a 4", and a 2 1/2". Love each of them. Good luck and keep us posted!
Click to expand...

==========================

Now that I did not know, so I checked my -1 and it has the 6 1/8" barrel. Cool info and thanks
 
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Thanks for the great info! I will try and use the ruler to check the length of the barrel. So how would you guys rate the condition of it by the pics, they say it's only been test fired and is in as-new condition. Was debating whether to put it on layaway or not. I'll have to check the lockup and all that, what would you do.
 
Do not let the minor scratches on the cylinder deter you from the purchase. They are easily, inexpensively ($5), and fairly quickly (5 minutes) removed (see below).

I think the $795 is a bit steep. More often than not I've found LGS's are willing to drop the price, sometimes significantly. The SCSW 4th edition cites $800 for ANIB (as new in box) and $575 in excellent condition. Assuming all information presented is correct and without more pictures, I'd opine the condition of this particular model 66 is somewhere between ANIB and excellent and, a price closer to $700 might be more reasonable. JimBianchi posts the price range on Gun Broker and the lower range of one in decent shape looks to be about $650. The other factors are time and effort - how long are you going to look for a better price? In 2 or 3 years which will you miss more - the really nice model 66 or $50-100?

In case you end up getting the Model 66 here are some tips for fixing the scratch:

Scotch Brite pads work well to touch up a BRUSHED or SATIN stainless steel finish which is what the Model 66 has that you are considering.

Scotch Brite pads come in different levels of coarseness.
Light Grey, called Ultra Fine Hand Pad - 800 grit.
Green, called Light Duty Hand Pad - (600) 600 grit

Study your revolver finish and follow the direction of the pattern you see from the factory. STROKE IN ONE DIRECTION ONLY.

Stroke in one direction only following the linear polishing direction from the factory. Go slow, literally pushing the pad fairly slowly, and use a light hand. Start with about a pound of pressure. It doesn't take much. Generally the green pad can be used for all applications varying the pressure dependent upon the degree of the scratch you attempting to fix. I think it looks best to finish off with the light grey pad. You might consider viewing You Tube for examples of how to do it.
 
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BUFF said:
All 66-1's should be both P and R. My first one had the trademark seal on the sideplate while the newer one had it on the left side of the frame below the cylinder release. Other than that, there was no difference between them.

Great sixguns.
Click to expand...

They are great guns! My 2 1/2" 66-1 has a recessed cylinder but the barrel is not pinned. I figured it must have been made close to the the transition into -2 models.
 
$100 wouldn't make a bit of difference to me on a gun like that. Some people will pay $100 for dinner, or a bottle of wine.

If I wanted the gun, I'd buy it. You have already spent $100 in effort trying to make up your mind.
 
Nice looking revolver. It's not every day that one in this good of condition comes up for sale. It's a little pricey in this neck of the woods, but the value will do nothing but increase over the years.
 
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