Hello All,

I recently acquired a beautiful model 66-2 3” from a fellow member and couldn’t be happier with it. I know the grips are not original to the gun, but couldn’t resist adding a nice set of combat grips to it. I’m reaching out in hopes to confirm and gain some knowledge on this particular revolver. The following is what I have so far. According to the product code information I received, it states “ 3” FL RR Special 1988 and 1996 and 1999 for RSR” per the 4th edition standard catalog. I have heard of companies such as Lew Horton and Ashland, but until today I had never heard of RSR. That being said I may request a LOA from S&W. I’ve tried searching the ALA prefix on a model 66, but haven’t been able to locate much. Is the ALA prefix an uncommon one and would this be considered a full lug? I would greatly appreciate any additional information on this model 66. I’ve attached a few pictures for reference.

Model: 66-2
Barrel: 3”
S\N: ALA97XX (ALA-ALC Jan. 1986 ???)
Product Code: 102712
Spec. Order: 6113

__________________
Justin
S&WCA #3623 S&WHF #814

I too sold the 3" 66-2 I owned to a forum member.

Attached Images

IMG_20170311_095107.jpg (151.9 KB, 28 views)

__________________
NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

May I ask what the prefix was?

__________________
Justin
S&WCA #3623 S&WHF #814

It was AHL34xx

__________________
NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

The Special Order code indicates it was boxed and ready to ship April 23, (edit to read) 1986.

It has the "half-lug" in S & W terminology.

The first run of 3" model 66-2s were ordered by Ashland but they probably didn't sell all of them (5000+ by report). As far as the three-letter prefix these guns have several different ones; any RB frame could be used to build them and S & W probably used whatever they had in stock.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Since it is a K frame, it is a partial lug. The full lug is characteristic of L frame guns. A full lug is flush with the muzzle and squared instead of tapered. The short barrel on yours makes the lug look full. 3" barreled guns have a full length extractor rod, 2-1/2" barrels have a shorter rod, and the lug is also shorter. 2-1/2 and 3" barrels were available on the round butt frame.
Here's a M66-1 with the 2-1/2", note the even shorter lug. My gun is from 1980.

The 3 letter prefixes started in 1980 on some models and by 1983 all S&W's had changed to them. There's no real rhyme or reason how they progress; seems like some letter combinations were skipped altogether and some come way out of sequence. Dating a gun with them is not really accurate within 2-3 years. A letter will give you a specific ship date.

Attached Images

M66-1.jpg (130.7 KB, 16 views)

Thank you for the information! I believe the product code and special order numbers are correct as I was provided that information today for a custom printed label for the box.

__________________
Justin
S&WCA #3623 S&WHF #814

"The Special Order code indicates it was boxed and ready to ship April 23, 1996."
1996 was a leap year so if it was 1996 it would be April 22nd
But
I believe it was ready to ship in 1986 a non leap year so April 23rd,1986 is Spec Ord Code 6113 on the 66-2

__________________
NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

The information I was given may not be 100% accurate then. I plan to send off a request for a LOA to S&W sometime next week.

__________________
Justin
S&WCA #3623 S&WHF #814

The problem with special order codes based on the Julian system is determining which decade the 1st number represents.
The 66-2 is from the mid 1980s so the "6" means 1986
The next 3 numbers are for the day of that year starting with 1 being January 1st and 113 being Wednesday April 23rd
So SO Code 6113 is 04/23/1986

__________________
NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

I really appreciate the information!

__________________
Justin
S&WCA #3623 S&WHF #814

Yes, my mistake, it was 1986.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220