Model 66-how common is trigger stop option?

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Art66

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I've had a Model 66 no dash P&R since last summer but just learned it has a trigger stop in addition to the target trigger and yellow front sight insert. I was not aware of the trigger stop option until I browsed an online ad selling a 66 no dash.
What percentage of guns had this option, especially during the pinned and recessed era like my 1973 model? Would it increase the resale value significantly and roughly how much?
I'm in California, if that makes any difference.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
 
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I can't speak for actual numbers, but I've seen a good amount of no dash 66's over the years and all have had the adjustable trigger stop, unless it was removed after the fact. On the early versions such as yours, the target trigger and yellow insert front ramp are pretty uncommon in my experience. I have seen a few with the target trigger/hammer option though. The model 66 would have come with flash chromed target hammer and trigger from the factory if it was original. Folks will sometimes replace them with case hardened target triggers/hammers, mainly because they are much more attainable then the flash chromed variety were. If yours is from '73, it should have the stainless rear sight, correct? In the 2K or 4K serial number range? Here is a couple no dashes from '71 and '74 all original, with standard hammer/trigger and stainless front and rear sights.
 

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I want to say that I recall hearing that the trigger stop had been discontinued by S&W, due to the possibility of an object getting lodged between the rear of the trigger and the face of the trigger stop. It was said that this would prevent the trigger from completing its cycle, stopping the hammer from firing the cartridge.
 
Rear sight and trigger

Dkrueger17 said:
I can't speak for actual numbers, but I've seen a good amount of no dash 66's over the years and all have had the adjustable trigger stop, unless it was removed after the fact. On the early versions such as yours, the target trigger and yellow insert front ramp are pretty uncommon in my experience. I have seen a few with the target trigger/hammer option though. The model 66 would have come with flash chromed target hammer and trigger from the factory if it was original. Folks will sometimes replace them with case hardened target triggers/hammers, mainly because they are much more attainable then the flash chromed variety were. If yours is from '73, it should have the stainless rear sight, correct? In the 2K or 4K serial number range? Here is a couple no dashes from '71 and '74 all original, with standard hammer/trigger and stainless front and rear sights.
Click to expand...

Very interesting. The serial number is 4K16xxx. The rear sight is black, not stainless. The target trigger is the dark case hardened color. I guess someone changed out the trigger-not surprising or rare as you explained. I don't know why someone would change the rear sight- but maybe the original got damaged or they just preferred the white outline black rear sight.

OK, so it's not original but I like the setup. The trigger has great double action. Single action is very light. Similar to my model 19 but with the nice smooth target trigger.

I guess bottom line is the trigger stop was common to the 66 no dash series so would not put the value of this gun any higher, even if it was all original.
 
Discontinue trigger stop?

Beachcomber said:
I want to say that I recall hearing that the trigger stop had been discontinued by S&W, due to the possibility of an object getting lodged between the rear of the trigger and the face of the trigger stop. It was said that this would prevent the trigger from completing its cycle, stopping the hammer from firing the cartridge.
Click to expand...

That sounds like a good reason to discontinue it. The online ad for a 1974 model 66 showed paperwork that stated the trigger stop was an option for models 15, 19, 66 & 67. I think it might be of interest for single action target shooting. Probably not good for a duty firearm!
 
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Your all original 66's

Dkrueger17 I forgot to mention your two all original 66's in their boxes are fantastic! I am envious, but on the other hand I probably would be unwilling to shoot them!
 
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the trigger stop may have been considered an option on model 15, 19, 66 and 67 but during the '70s I personally don't remember seeing one without the stop. I handled and sold a large number of those models during that decade.
I do recommend removing the adjustable stop on any gun for serious use as they can come loose and tie up the action.
 
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Art66 said:
That sounds like a good reason to discontinue it. The online ad for a 1973 model 66 showed paperwork that stated the trigger stop was an option for models 15, 19, 66 & 67. I think it might be of interest for single action target shooting. Probably not good for a duty firearm!
Click to expand...

FWIW, both my 4 and 6 inch 17-6s have trigger stops.
 

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Beachcomber said:
I want to say that I recall hearing that the trigger stop had been discontinued by S&W, due to the possibility of an object getting lodged between the rear of the trigger and the face of the trigger stop. It was said that this would prevent the trigger from completing its cycle, stopping the hammer from firing the cartridge.
Click to expand...

Correct. As a LEO armorer and factory armorer’s school grad, I received a letter from S&W instructing that all trigger stops be removed from LEO revolvers for that reason.
 
Art66 said:
Very interesting. The serial number is 4K16xxx. The rear sight is black, not stainless. The target trigger is the dark case hardened color. I guess someone changed out the trigger-not surprising or rare as you explained. I don't know why someone would change the rear sight- but maybe the original got damaged or they just preferred the white outline black rear sight.

OK, so it's not original but I like the setup. The trigger has great double action. Single action is very light. Similar to my model 19 but with the nice smooth target trigger.

I guess bottom line is the trigger stop was common to the 66 no dash series so would not put the value of this gun any higher, even if it was all original.
Click to expand...


The all stainless rear sight was not favored by many; it would cause a glare with the light in combination with the ramp front sight, so people would replace them with the all common black rear sight. The stainless rear sight is much less common; it was only around from 1970 to about '75, and can bring a $100 premium according to the SCSW4. For this reason, a lot of collectors will search out and pay up for a nice, original no dash with the stainless sight.

Most of my S&W's have the trigger stop where it was an option, with the exception of a few. I've ran into a few collectors that really prefer the trigger stop as well from a collectors stand point, even though with extended use the can cause a lockup. I have not had any issues of this kind, personally.

Sounds like your no dash is quite a nice piece as well! Have any pics? The beauty of using and shooting 66's is that they are one of the most accurate .357's IMO, and they hardly ever show wear if you take care of them. Stainless is the easiest to clean up without worry about finish damage. I'm very partial to these 66's...
 

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The adjustable trigger stop is secured by a screw sitting just behind it.

66s.jpg

I need to re-shoot this image​

The fear was that if the screw came loose, the adjustable trigger stop would move into some strange position (it was a cam shaped object) and prevent the trigger from coming to it's full rearward position thus allowing the cartridge to be fired

You will see Many, MANY frames that have the cutout for the adjustable trigger stop, but no stop actually in place
 
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At one time, all K frames with target sights were cut for the trigger stop. I too pulled the TS from a number of cop guns. Our department didn't issue side arms, so these were privately owned. I used to have a small pill bottle full of TSs. The good thing is that the screw for the TS was the same as the one that holds the rear sight to the frame.
 
Dkrueger17 said:
The all stainless rear sight was not favored by many; it would cause a glare with the light in combination with the ramp front sight, so people would replace them with the all common black rear sight. The stainless rear sight is much less common; it was only around from 1970 to about '75, and can bring a $100 premium according to the SCSW4. For this reason, a lot of collectors will search out and pay up for a nice, original no dash with the stainless sight.

Most of my S&W's have the trigger stop where it was an option, with the exception of a few. I've ran into a few collectors that really prefer the trigger stop as well from a collectors stand point, even though with extended use the can cause a lockup. I have not had any issues of this kind, personally.

Sounds like your no dash is quite a nice piece as well! Have any pics? The beauty of using and shooting 66's is that they are one of the most accurate .357's IMO, and they hardly ever show wear if you take care of them. Stainless is the easiest to clean up without worry about finish damage. I'm very partial to these 66's...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the added information! I will leave the trigger stop installed. I'm curious if the black rear sight and case hardened target trigger were available as a factory installed option in 1973.
The gun did have some handling marks, which cleaned up nicely with some Flitz metal polish. Love that stainless steel. This one is a shooter since it has a lot of rounds through it. I need to correct the end shake and barrel to cylinder gap. It is still accurate enough for my needs, but it gets dirty quickly. I'm not sure if I want to spend $300 or more on this. I could pick up a LNIB for the money I would have into it. BUT this is California and it's not easy buying private party guns, so maybe it would be a good investment to have it repaired.
I have some photos taken before polishing, but I have to become a donating member and figure out the photo posting process. I'll do that soon!
 
Beachcomber said:
I want to say that I recall hearing that the trigger stop had been discontinued by S&W, due to the possibility of an object getting lodged between the rear of the trigger and the face of the trigger stop. It was said that this would prevent the trigger from completing its cycle, stopping the hammer from firing the cartridge.
Click to expand...

If you think about it an object lodged behind the trigger would be an issue with or without a trigger stop.

My experience (as a 'smith) was the stop screw would loosen up and that would cause the jams. Some people used thread locker to keep this from happening, others (like me) just removed them to be sure, especially on a duty gun.
 
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