Looking for Model 66 2 1/2" barrel

[Cop4Life]

I have a 4" Model 66 purchased in 1973. I am looking to convert it to a snubby, can I simply replace the barrel with a 2 1/2" one?

If so, does anyone know where I might purchase one?

Your help is appreciated.

[colt_saa]

Welcome to the Forum

When doing the conversion from a 4" to a 2 1/2" K-frame, you will need the barrel, center pin, spring and ejector rod

You can see in the above image how short the ejector is on the snubby

Barrels often come up on the various auction sights

This is not a home/hobby job. It requires a special wrench to prevent the frame from being sprung when you remove and re-torque a barrel.

[gmborkovic]

No, No. Just buy a snub and leave the 4" original.

[BAM-BAM]

Wouldn't the 73 year barrel still be pinned??????.

Easier to just get yourself a second gun.... or trade.

[rwt1405]

Please do not do that to a 4" Md 66!

[local_dirt]

I would definitely not cut the 4"! You can trade the 4" for one, find a 2.5", or sell the 4" and buy a 2.5".

[Double-O-Dave]

Hi Cop4life:

Welcome to the Forum. Well, as an owner of a Model 66 with the 2.5 inch barrel (my first S&W revolver, as well as my first center fire revolver, as well as my first snubbie), I can tell you that it's an iconic handgun. As the owner of 3, 3.0 inch barreled K-frame revolvers, I can tell you that in my opinion, the 3.0 inch barreled K-frame revolvers (Model 64-3, Model 13-3, Model 65-3, yes, I know how lucky I am), are more practical and better handling than the 2.5 inch barreled Model 66. But, the heart wants what the heart wants. That being said, it's your money, and if you want to move forward with a barrel shortening, I'd suggest considering making yours a 3.0 inch barreled Model 66, rather than the 2.5 inch barreled version.

Good luck,

Dave

[Dieseltech56]

I would not switch the barrel or cut the existing barrel unless you are trying to make something that either the factory didn't make or is very scarce. A 2.5" 66 is not extremely scarce so it would almost always be cheaper to find one and trade off the 4" or just get both.

Now if you wanted a 3" 66 and you had a line on a barrel that isn't too costly you might want to go for the swap. The only issue is the 2.5" and 3" guns had a round butt and your old 4" has a square.

[Nightowl]

You will also note in the picture above that the rear sight tang extend all the way to the barrel rib. The 4 inch version is not that long, and it will not look right.

I always like the idea of having another gun, instead of installing a shorter barrel! :-)

[GeoJelly]

I continue to save my funny money hoping to find a Model 19 or 66 snub. Then, reality hits me in the face with the fact that a person is looking at around 800 bucks for a nice one. My small brain immediately says, well that’s $400 + $400. I could take that first $400 and find a nice 3-inch Model 64… Granted, it will take another hundred dollars or so but they are out there. Then, I could take the second $400 and find a nice Model 10 snub. I have two of those and they were both around $450. At this rate – I guess I never will have a 19 or 66 snubby ...

[Coaltminer]

One of the better gunsmiths I found wanted $150 to change an existing NIB barrel I had for a Colt Police Posive from a 4" to a 3". Gave up on that idea.