3 inch 66-2 rarer than 2/12 inch?

[bruce381]

got a nice 66-2 is a 3 inch are they same or more common or rarer than a 2 1/2?

 

[Jeep 1]

In the pre-lock model 66 in general, the 3 inch is much rare than the 2 1/2 inch

 

[TheTinMan]

In the pre-lock model 66 in general, the 3 inch is much rare than the 2 1/2 inch

3" also has the advantage of a full length ejector rod. I only have 3" Model 66-2, 66-3 and 66-4. There were 3" 66-5s and possibly in the original Model 66 as well.

 

[snw19_357]

and 66-6's but no 3" 66 or 66-1.

 

[Ameshawki]

Something of a holy grail for 66 collectors. With the 66-8 they went 2 3/4 inch, which still gives a full length guide rod.

 

[stansdds]

Something of a holy grail for 66 collectors. With the 66-8 they went 2 3/4 inch, which still gives a full length guide rod.

Yep, and the redesign got rid of the lock on the ejector rod tip, moving that lock to the crane, and they changed the frame and barrel design and eliminated the thin spot at the bottom of the barrel shank/forcing cone area.

 

[bobsguns]

I have a 66 no-dash 2-1/2" & a 65-3 3". Also a 36-1 3".

I read 6-7 years ago (maybe more?) that 3" frames of any size (J, K, L, N) would be where the value growth would be. By golly, he was correct.

I love shooting wadcutters in these 3" models. Recoil isn't much more than a .22 & is easy on the gun. Ferris Bueller: If you have the means to acquire one, I highly recommend it.

 

[F224]

I've always wondered if S&W did the 2.75" 66's to comply with the NRA PPC rules on short barreled revolvers in PPC competitions?

 

[stansdds]

I've always wondered if S&W did the 2.75" 66's to comply with the NRA PPC rules on short barreled revolvers in PPC competitions?

Maybe, but I think with moving the front lock to the crane, a 2 3/4" barrel not only retained a full length ejector rod, but also perfectly split the difference between the 2 1/2" and 3" barrels of previous versions, thus reducing the need to produce two barrel lengths for the concealed carry market.

 

[snw19_357]

I like the 2.75# (sic) barrel on the new M66's.
Just don't get why the only options on the new M19's are 2.5" or 3" ported...

 

[CALREB]

I doubt that the 2.75 had anything to do with the off duty match. That rule has been in effect for many years and for years now most shoot some sort of semi-auto in the off duty match anyway. Would have liked to have had a 2.75 all the years I shot it with a 2.5 inch 19 and had to deal with extraction. I even shot it with a shorty 9 the last 5 years or so before 2017 when I retired.

 

[F224]

I doubt that the 2.75 had anything to do with the off duty match. That rule has been in effect for many years and for years now most shoot some sort of semi-auto in the off duty match anyway. Would have liked to have had a 2.75 all the years I shot it with a 2.5 inch 19 and had to deal with extraction. I even shot it with a shorty 9 the last 5 years or so before 2017 when I retired.

I knew there was a dust up between Ruger (2.75") revolvers and S&W (2.5") revolvers when S&W came out with the 3" K frames and they were not allowed.

 

[CALREB]

I always thought the rules kind of followed the donations. For years you had to have a 4" or less semi auto for stock auto match. Then suddenly the Glock 34/35 were approved. Not like they didn't make a 4" gun.?? Took a while but had to allow full size 1911s and Berettas. At least it gave me a reason to buy a 5" 5906 DPA gun when they came out.

 

[Dwaine]

Something of a holy grail for 66 collectors. With the 66-8 they went 2 3/4 inch, which still gives a full length guide rod.

I have two. A -2 and -3

 

[S&W 10]

If I recall correctly, in 1985 there were 5000 3" -2s produced for Ashland, I couldn't even venture a guess in how many 2 3/4s were produced as a standard line item.

My last remaining 66s…already sold the longer and shorter ones.

 

[Dwaine]

I'm down to four....no dash 4", -2 3". -3 3", -1 2.5"

 

[Palmetto Sharpshooter]

Calreb, I haven't shot PPC in 25 years. Are the new S&W M19s with the 4.25 inch barrels permitted in the service revolver match, and the DPA5906 for the stock auto match?