66-1 found at the gun show.

[Bent-Twig]

Last weekend at the gun show I found this 66 that i have been looking for for a while. I sold a man a couple guns and he asked me if he had anything I wanted to get some of his money back. I told him the only thing I was looking for was a 66 S&W and that if he had one of those hid under the table I would have a good look at it. He did not show it to me right away and after we talked a while he said let me dig in this box! He dug under the table and pulled out of a larger box a newer S&W box. I was dissapointed to see a newer box being held out to me. He said it is either a 66 or a 686! He was'nt sure but I was sure it was a 686 looking at the new box. I opened it up and to my suprise there was the gun I was looking for. I asked how bad it would hurt me to own it and he said $525 would take it. I did not argue his price and paid the man. I have been looking for this one for a while and am glad to have found it. Should make for a nice carry gun. It is a 66-1 with serial #329XX not sure what year that puts it in but I believe a dash one is somewhere in the late 70's. It is pinned and recessed. One thing I was wondering is about the grips. Are they the grips that would have come on this gun? They are S&W but I did not know if they came original on this gun. I cant wait to get out and shoot it.

Twig.

 

[Jason68]

I can't say if the grips are original, but I would like to show you the grips on my 66-1 from Badger Grips in South Carolina. This is the one and only case where I bought the grips before the gun. I was looking for a model 19 but this fell in my lap, and I love it.
The 66-1 is a wonderful gun, all the charms of the 19, and they are many, but moisture resistant! Cheers!
P.S. No, I am not connected to them, but they are sweeet grips; check their website (google Badger Custom Grips) they also come in Rosewood Red and Walnut Brown if you prefer. Now click on the link below to see my 66-1.

Edit: I had posted that Mr. Badger was in WI, but he is in SC.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/124135-my-66-1-marked-iowa-hwy-patrol.html

 

[FlYFiShErMaN]

Nice find - that is the exact gun I am looking for myself.

 

[goldenlight]

That is a very nice looking Model 66! [drool...]

 

[649 Bodyguard]

Good Story, Good Gun.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

Welcome to the forum. I love snubs and yours is great. Don

 

[jughed440]

very nice!!! congrats on your catch

 

[kkupec02]

Gun was born between 1977 and 1982 according to SCSW but should have the S&W target grips unless it was a special order. I have 2 myself. One a 4" and the other a 6". Nice pieces.

 

[Camster]

Gun was born between 1977 and 1982 according to SCSW but should have the S&W target grips unless it was a special order. I have 2 myself. One a 4" and the other a 6". Nice pieces.

I would be surprised if a 2 or 2.5 incher with a RB came with target grips.

 

[Srigs]

You found a perfect carry Magnum. I have one just like it 66-1 2.5" but with Hogue Monogrips. I'm deadly accurate with the gun and one I love to carry.

 

[BUFF]

The 2-1/2 inch Models 19 and 66 came with round butt Magna grips, checkered walnut, as standard. The finger grooved, Goncalo Alves "Combat" grips yours is sporting are kinda pricey extras! I rarely see them for sale for under $100 and often for more.

 

[4-Screw]

A 19 2.5" was my dad's off-duty weapon in the 70's....then he switched to a 60...but he was so good with it, that he often used it in competition. He would either use a 6" K-38 or a 2.5" 19. So they can be very accurate....nice purchase.

 

[ENGINE18]

You scored a very nice gun with gteat grips.

 

[Bent-Twig]

Thanks everyone for the nice comments on the 66. I did'nt think that the grips were original but it makes no difference i suppose. The grips feel great and I think will work out better for carry anyway. I got out yesterday and put a box of ammo down the pipe. This gun shoots great!! Actually my wife did most of the shooting. She was busy telling me how this little gun would be terribly inacurate because of the short barrel. When I started shooting she was right behind me watching. As soon as she saw how well it shot she quickly stepped in and shot most of the box up before she was willing to hand it back. I believe she has a new opinion on snubbies now.

Twig.

 

[Nevadadvx]

Looks like I learned something today. I am new to these revolvers and picked up a nice 4" 66-1 a few weeks ago. It is a square butt, I never knew they were also made with round butts.

 

[The Proffesor]

I believe that S&W made a "MISTAKE" when they sopped making the 66s.

I carry a 66 4" most of the time ( CC for over 20 years.) I realize that "some" feel the K frame is not good for .357 mag, Perhaps with "hot" rounds, but factory loads = no problem. ( note I "practice mainly with .38 spl.s ) I have sent it into S&W 1X to be re-timed as well as 1X for my 45+ year 19 "Duty" gun. Both came back with a note "gun is up to "spec"

You got a GREAT FIND.

The Proffesor

 

[SaberOne]

Hmm, I just snagged a 66-2 on Friday and I was very happy. It's not pinned or recessed but the action feels perfect with that old familiar lock-up of the seventies. I know, this one was made around 1983 so it's simply a pre-lock. In my view, its in above average condition. Still, I may have S&W apply a factory polish, refinish the rear sight assembly and tune it. You clearly snagged a better copy at a better price. Now that the bug hit me, I'm on the lookout for a dash-1. If you should ever want to horse trade, I'll have something in a box underneath my table as well...

 

[TACC1]

Bent-twig,
I'm pretty new here myself, but welcome aboard.
That's a fine looking piece, and from the response you've drawn, it must be high on the list of other shooters as well. I'm glad you posted w/pics.
Thanks to the forum members, I've found out what my grail guns are, and am well on the way to acquiring them.
( Leasing for awhile is more accurate)
TACC1

 

[kennyb]

a very nice gun...i carry mine quite often...i purcheased it from a friend of mine about six months ago with the standard grips,pach presentation grips,fingergroove combats,box and docs for $300.00...needless to say a great deal....you will enjoy!

 

[TheHobbyist]

Cool story; what do you suppose the odds of that are?

I agree with Buff, those grips are priiiiicey. Have a friend with a similar set and they are very functional, excellent fit.

Always goes to show, it never hurts to ask ;-)