Just picked it up. Beautiful gun. I understand these are rare, but wondering just how rare they really are. I'm also curious on the date of manufacture if anyone might know. I believe the dash 2 puts in the early to mid 80s time frame.

Serial number is AHJ11XX

Here's a few pictures. I found this pretty cool used paddle holster that appears to made EXACTLY for the 3" 66, which is wierd as rare as this gun is suppose to be. Unless it was intended for another 3" revolver of roughly the same size and dimensions. What's left of the tag on the holster says it was made by Alpha Plastics and it's a break front holster. Really, really cool. It was on top of a pile of used junk holsters at a gun show.

Anyway, here's a few pics. I'd be interested in any historical information anyone can point me too on the 3" revolvers and particular the dash 2 series.

I have a 66-4 four inch that got me hooked on this model, but the 3" is just the perfect size for woods carry.

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	66x1.jpg (80.2 KB, 245 views)
	66x2.jpg (82.0 KB, 222 views)
	66x3.jpg (84.0 KB, 391 views)

Hi, great looking revolver. I do not know how rare the 3" barrel 66's are but they are cool as all get out! That holster is pretty cool looking also.

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M.J.Hanna

I'm reading things like only 2500 made, but I'm not sure if that was just for one particular run. Seems like the 3" barrel was made all throughout the 66 series, or at least from the 66-2 through the 66-5, so I assume more than 2500 were made.

One person told me these were not a cataloged item. If true, does that mean it was special order or made for special dealers only?

Also, it appears from what I've read on here that at least the Secret Service and some agency in California had them as issue weapons. Anyone else use them.

Just curious about the history. My gun has no markings on it whatsoever other than from S&W and I have absolutely no idea what the history is on it.

Brian, great find, plus you found an older one with the hammer mounted firing pin and no key lock. I have one just like yours and it is my favorite revolver. I too have heard they were very limited production and as you know they made a lot of the 2 1/2" versions.

Attached Images

DSC06769.jpg (77.9 KB, 170 views)

I was actually looking for a 2.5" figuring I'd never lay eyes on a 3", but the 3" is the one I really wanted.

I'm curious about another thing. There's a slot cut into the frame behind the trigger. Appears to be factory, but it doesn't appear to serve any purpose. My other 66-4 doesn't have this. This one is a 66-2.

Anyone know what it is for?

There's a slot cut into the frame behind the trigger

This would be for a trigger stop.
Mike B.

OK that makes sense, I see the screw hole cut into the frame for it. Apparently not used on all guns..or removed by a previous owner?

Can anyone give me a rough idea of date of birth on this gun?

Serial number is AHJ11XX

S&W quit using them on service guns after some worked loose and jammed the guns. Older ones were probably removed by department armorers.


T-Star

I think there was a 1 to 2 year period of time where the frames that were produced with the trigger stop slot already machined in, were being used up on non-stop guns too IIRC? Though not an armorer, even I saw 3 of the old style stop equipped guns fail from them. Not a loss, trust me!
She's a beauty! I am green with envy!
She's one of my top two S/D revolver picks. 3" 65, or a 3" 66.

Brian ,welcome to the forum. Your gun with the AHJ prefix likely shipped in late 1985 -86. If you have the box the 4 digit code will tell you when it was test fired and final inspected. The code on my 66-2 is 5108 ,that is the 108th. day of 1985. Or April 18th.1985. Get it?

Anyway you found a great one, good luck ,you won't want to stop there.


Regards ,,Allen F.

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NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

To Brian894X4:

What grips are those on your model 66? I would like to get a set like that for my model 66 2 1/2".

I found a 3 inch model 66-4 about a year and a half ago, for sale by the original owner. He claimed it only had 50 rounds through it, since he was mainly a rifle shooter and didn't use handguns much. He asked $500 for it and I quickly bought it without complaint.

Based on what I have seen and read, the 2-1/2 inch barrel model 66 is much more common than the 3 inch version.

Thanks for the info. I took it to the range today and unfortunately they only had .38+P, but it shot beautifully. I had to adjust the sights, but once dialed it, it was tack driver all the way out to the range maximum of 25 yards.

Unfortunately, no box came with the gun, so I don't have any codes to look at, but a rough estimate as given is good enough to at least give me an idea, so I appreciate that.

The grips in the photo actually came on my 66-4, 4 inch round butt, when I bought it used a while ago. Not sure if they are original to that gun, but they are marked inside as Uncle Mikes, model 59014 and they fit this gun perfectly so I swapped them out.

The grips that came on the 66-2, 3" inch, were Uncle Mikes model 59006, which are similar in design to the Uncle Mikes 59014, but are about half an inch longer and cover the bottom of the grip frame and the backstrap.

The Uncle Mikes 59014 leave the backstrap and bottom of the grip frame exposed. They great for small hands for ultimate concealment. The slightly larger Uncle Mikes 59006 would probably be better for medium or larger size hands.

I also have a set of Hogue Bantam grips (model 62000) which are a nice set of compact grips. I normally do not like Hogue grips but these are really compact with a good feel for smaller hands.

In the photo, gun on left is a 66-4 (4"), now with the Uncle Mikes 59006. On left is the 66-2 (3") with Uncle Mikes 59014.

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66x4.jpg (51.6 KB, 198 views)

i will jump on one as soon as i ever see one for sale !

i have a 2.5 in 66 and a 3 in 13 and a 3 in 65LS. which i really dig for the underlug

the 3 inch 66 is so cool. congrats on your find.

Brian;

This is one of the Ashland Arms production run of 5000 in 1985. I have one with the same letter prefix. A factory letter from Roy Jinks would confirm this, as it did for mine. Hope this is helpful, and happy shooting!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I was drooling over your find and said, "Wait a minute!" I went digging thru my junk and found a dash 4 in the original box...Pachmayr grips, ported 3 inch barrel, RR front sight, WO rear sight, bobbed hammer and obviously a professional trigger job...smooth as butter. I paid $350 for it about 12 years ago. I had forgotten that I had it...too many revolvers...maybe I'll start carrying it instead of my 2.5". Nice finds for both of us! Thanks for posting it. My serial is CAU01XX. Can anyone tell me anything about it? Thanks!

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Term limits!

That's awesome information. I've been thinking about a letter for this gun, just for curiosity sake.

Does anyone know what the stock grips would have been on this gun. Just the factory plain wood grips or did they offer aftermarket rubber grips that far back?

Congrats on the 3" 66!

My Ashland run 3" 66-2 came with the wooden Magnas on it. My 3" 66-4 came with Uncle Mikes rubber grips. Enjoy yours! Regards 18DAI.

Ditto to 18DAI's comment. My 3" 66-2 is my all time favorite S&W. It thinks it has an 8" barrel. DON'T SELL IT!!!!

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V/R
Roger / SG

I have a m66-2 four inch that I JUST POSTED ON GUNBROKER.TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION,I PURCHASED IT NEW IN 1982.HOPE THAT HELPS.