6 in.mdl.66
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NFrameFred
Member
Maybe not to the majority, but I've had one for 20 years that has a Patridge front site and a trigger job that was an excellent PPC gun for stock class. A real sniping piece.
When I was younger the longer barrels where more popular but the trend towards more portability has relegated the 6" and 8 & 3/8's tubes more to those of us who are moss backs . . .
When I was younger the longer barrels where more popular but the trend towards more portability has relegated the 6" and 8 & 3/8's tubes more to those of us who are moss backs . . .
6" model 66?
One of my "needs". Still looking for one locally. You are so right,only see 4" at the shows and shops, as most of the 2 1/2" ones are snapped up quickly . An 8 3/8" would exist only in my dreams. One of the "wished they made that one" on my list. Ditto same in model 19. Yours is a peach,love those smooth targets.
Ischia
One of my "needs". Still looking for one locally. You are so right,only see 4" at the shows and shops, as most of the 2 1/2" ones are snapped up quickly . An 8 3/8" would exist only in my dreams. One of the "wished they made that one" on my list. Ditto same in model 19. Yours is a peach,love those smooth targets.
Ischia
44wheelman
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Not many looking for the 6" bbl. Picked one up at a gun show 1 1/2 years ago- in it's box and non-relieved smooth rosewood targets (and pachmayers) for $375.
This at a time when 4"ers were $425+ and 2 1/2 were almost $500.
This at a time when 4"ers were $425+ and 2 1/2 were almost $500.
When I was younger the longer barrels where more popular but the trend towards more portability has relegated the 6" and 8 & 3/8's tubes more to those of us who are moss backs . . .
Another "mossback" checking in.
I have a tale of two 6-inch Model 66s. I was on the hunt for one for years but rarely saw one in Indiana. Despairing of that, I found one in a periodical and ordered it from a college professor-seller down south. The gun came in and was in nice condition but had been polished a bit. That was a minor problem - nothing was harmed. I sent a note telling him all was well, but then when I fired it, it would not stay on a B33 target paper at 15-yards. I couldn't believe my eyes.I called the fellow and he very graciously offered to give my money back, so the gun returned to Georgia. The search continued, and finally another one was located at a dealer in northern Indiana. Leery of it from previous experience, I was anxious to test it. This one was the opposite number from a parallel universe. The first six rounds out of the gun at 15-yards made the proverbial "ragged hole." The next six, at 25-yards, went in a group small enough that I will not mention the actual size, but I did keep the target (for my own amusement). Federal American Eagle 158gr. JSP cartridges.
Since then, that gun has never failed to amaze. It shoots way better than I can. It will be one of my last .357s to go.
I take it that gun shown is an original Model 66... ? Very nice. I don't think I have ever seen one of those. My gun is a -3 version. Seeing your gun does make one wonder how many of the early 66s were made with the long barrel.
Editing in a note to my already long-winded reply: In the course of looking for a 6-inch 66, I did come across a couple of commemorative Indiana State Police guns (don't recall the vintage, but probably newer than your original 66). I always try to stay away from specially marked guns anyway, but found this particularly odd because I have lived here all my life and don't recall ever seeing a state trooper carrying a 6-inch revolver. I always wondered how that deal came to pass... ?
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Mule88
Member
Its true the 21/2 and 4 inchers seem to be the most popular, but a 6 inch is a great target and hunting gun and relatively compact for what it is.
BUFF
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I bought a new 6 inch Model 66 a few days before entering the police academy in 1981 I bought another a few months later. I sent them back to S&W one at a time for white outline rear sight blades, wide, smooth "combat target" triggers and action jobs. I carried them in a Safariland high ride, thumb break holster on my duty belt for ten years, until we went to semiautomatics.
I liked the reduced maintainence of the stainless steel, the reduced muzzle flash and rise of the extra 2 inches of barrel and the portable size and weight of the K frame over my larger, heavier N frame .357's. I tried out and qualified with a large number of other .357's but always returned to the Model 66 for uniform use.
I always felt they were a wonderful .357 choice.
I liked the reduced maintainence of the stainless steel, the reduced muzzle flash and rise of the extra 2 inches of barrel and the portable size and weight of the K frame over my larger, heavier N frame .357's. I tried out and qualified with a large number of other .357's but always returned to the Model 66 for uniform use.
I always felt they were a wonderful .357 choice.
It was the first handgun I bought. It may still be my favorite.
Not my first but longest in my possession. Joe
S. Hammer
Member
Paid $275 for this one brand new when I was in the police academy in 1986. My first duty gun as a city cop. Shot master with it. Still in my safe.
dkees
Member
Reply to M29since14
The M66 6in you refer to commemorated the Indiana State Police's 50 Anniversary (1933-1983).
The 6 in. was never issued for carry.
I think I'm attaching pictures of mine for which I paid $415.00 which included the LEO discount March 31, 1983.
The M66 6in you refer to commemorated the Indiana State Police's 50 Anniversary (1933-1983).
The 6 in. was never issued for carry.
I think I'm attaching pictures of mine for which I paid $415.00 which included the LEO discount March 31, 1983.
Attachments
GF
Member
You really don't see them for sale at gunshows or shops very often.
I wanted one just to go with a 4 & 2 & 1/2 inch set of 66's I had...
.. and like M29since14, I found it to be VERY accurate. This one set at 450 at a little gunshop for a month before I found it a home.
GF
I wanted one just to go with a 4 & 2 & 1/2 inch set of 66's I had...
.. and like M29since14, I found it to be VERY accurate. This one set at 450 at a little gunshop for a month before I found it a home.
GF
Snobal
Member
I found a "no dash" Model 66 last week and have since put over 200 rounds of my favorite .357 cast bullet target load through it.
Shooting from sandbags, my target load with BBWC wheel-weight bullets from my old RCBS mold is averaging 6-shot groups of less that 2" from sandbags at 25 yards.
From the looks of the gun, it may have had one box of lead .38 bullets through it since it was made in the late 1970's.
I have no intention of ever shooting an actual .357 mag with this gun. I wanted it for our local Bullseye matches and believe it is going to work quite nicely.
Shooting from sandbags, my target load with BBWC wheel-weight bullets from my old RCBS mold is averaging 6-shot groups of less that 2" from sandbags at 25 yards.
From the looks of the gun, it may have had one box of lead .38 bullets through it since it was made in the late 1970's.
I have no intention of ever shooting an actual .357 mag with this gun. I wanted it for our local Bullseye matches and believe it is going to work quite nicely.
Thanks for the info. I don't pay much attention to commemorative guns but appreciate the background info. I did not know they came with a wood case. All I saw was a gun lying in a showcase here and there, and that was a while before I had a copy of the SCSW.
I still don't get the 6-inch barrel choice for the commemorative as the ISP always carried 4-inch revolvers. Maybe the officer making the deal was a target shooter?
When I was a lad, the ISP encouraged pistol competition and awarded some pretty nice prizes to winners. The prizes were usually contributed by donations from local businesses. I know a couple troopers who received S&W Model 41s for their efforts.
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