66-2 2.5"

[usfcc ceo]

Hey guys this is my first post and I'm sure that this has more than likely been asked so please forgive "any" redundancies.

I have the pleasure of picking up a model 66-2 2.5" from my brother-In law for $250.00 and I think it's about as good as I can get. My question is I was thinking about converting it to a 3" as I know where I can get a barrel for it. Should I do this or am I just wasting my money? It seems like everyone wants the 3" but I'm not a gunsmith and don't know if I would need more than just a barrel or if I need additonal pieces to do it right. I Preciate any feed back and thanks.

 

[OFT II]

You'll also need a longer ejector rod.

 

[jmoln]

2.5" 66

first of all that price is a steal - congratulations - and that is what family is for. After you first post some pictures for us, then go out and shoot the thing. Another option you may want to consider is sending it to S&W for a Master Revolver Package that will slick it up and leave it very well tuned (if it isn't already). I had that done to my -3 and is slick.

 

[usfcc ceo]

is a longer ejector rod hard to find for a model 66 or are there other rods which are identical that can be used in place of?

 

[NFrameFred]

Just my opinion, of course, but my advice is to keep it as is and enjoy it, or sell it for what it's worth and start saving your pennies to add to that and buy a 3" factory made gun.

You'll never have a gun worth what the 3" specimens go for if it's not original as far as selling it and getting your money back. And at the price you got that one you probably wouldn't go in the hole too bad changing it over, but it would be much easier and more satisfying money-wise to just follow my advice in the first paragraph . . . I know if I paid the going rate for a 3" 66-2 ( and I do have one and am the original owner - ordered from Ashland Supply) and found out it was a converted gun by letter or other evidence, I would be upset to say the least. Some would say 'caveat emptor' and place the blame on the buyer for not doing due diligence, but we see that sort of scenario here quite often where someone snatches up a "collectable" only to discover they bought a parts gun forgery.

YMMV

 

[usfcc ceo]

Thanks NFRAME!
I never really looked at it like that and you are 100% right in my opion. I will keep it the way it is and not worry about it. After all I got a great gun at a great price plus, I'd never want to mislead anyone as I would prolly be upset myself.
But just to make clear I never had the intent to "pull the wool" on someone I was just wondering if a 2.5 to 3" modification could be done and if so, would it be any different in terms of asthetics or functionality.

 

[old bear]

I was just wondering if a 2.5 to 3" modification could be done and if so, would it be any different in terms of asthetics or functionality.

Yes. Anything can be done if you are willing to throw enough money at your project.

 

[NFrameFred]

Thanks NFRAME!
I never really looked at it like that and you are 100% right in my opion. I will keep it the way it is and not worry about it. After all I got a great gun at a great price plus, I'd never want to mislead anyone as I would prolly be upset myself.
But just to make clear I never had the intent to "pull the wool" on someone I was just wondering if a 2.5 to 3" modification could be done and if so, would it be any different in terms of asthetics or functionality.

We didn't think you were out to deceive anyone (at least I didn't) and took it that as a newbie you were asking a question from an innocent perspective.

The allure and benefit of the 3" gun is the full length ejector that positively and completely ejects the cases. That is only an issue if you choose to use the gun for competition (which is why I bought mine) or you plan on seriously carrying it for self defense. Having said that, thousands carry and have carried 2 & 1/2" K frames with no problem in that department. It could happen in a "fire fight", that a case might slip back in the chamber or hang up, but in reality it is a scenario that shows up in competiton and qualification firing under time (same thing, basically) more than anything else and falls under the heading of eliminating as many potential problems as possible in a self defense carry gun. If one worried that much about a problem like that they would probably carry a 17 shot wonder-nine anyway and have a whole other set of problems to worry about

 

[dores585]

Shot the one you have and start saving and searching for a S&W 66 with a 3 inch barrel! You can check the gun selling websites to see what the current prices are for a 3 inch. Good luck and enjoy your new revolver.

 

[GerSan69]

Even though I'm currently getting a 64 converted from 4" to 3, I agree with the other guys. The extra 1/2" is hard to justify, especially on a fine gun like the 66.
(This'll be my second revolver barrel conversion... had a 65 cut down years ago; this one gets a new barrel. Won't be selling it this time!!)

 

[686Magnum]

I just bought a replacement SS ejector rod for my 686 6". Your 66 takes the same one if you decide to go with a 3" barrel. Here is the link.

EXTRACTOR ROD, OVER 2-1/2" BARREL, SS - Brownells

 

[weyerbacher]

There are places us men would like another half inch. This is not one of them.

 

[Jeb21]

You have picked up an excellent revolver. I am glad that you decided to keep it as is. Shoot it a lot and enjoy!

 

[NE450No2]

Waste of money IMHO.

In fact I like the 2 1/2" gun better. I like the way the look and the way they handle.

 

[Old Fashioned Six Shooter]

Waste of money IMHO.

In fact I like the 2 1/2" gun better. I like the way the look and the way they handle.

I completely agree!!! I once had a 2.5" 66 and a 3" 66. I now only have the 2.5". I bought the 3" after reading all of the hype about it being the ultimate barrel length. I never liked the way it looked, felt, shot, carried, etc. The 2.5" is built for concealed carry. The 4" is built for open carry. The 3" is nothing but a compromise. Does not conceal as good as a 2.5" and does not shoot as good as a 4".

 

[wyatte]

I would leave this 2.5" as is. That's the one that I would like to have. Changing it to a 3" is - as the saying goes - "a long run for a short slide." Having said that, I do like the 3" barrel length very much. I have two revolvers with 3" barrels. I would, however, leave this one a 2.5" er. wyatte

 

[C Islander]

I want to know if you've taken your mask off yet? You have to be a thief, you stole your 66! Way to go!

 

[ladder13]

I'm in the 2.5 inch is better than the 3 inch camp as far as the 66 goes, and I own both of them. In fact, I would look for a 3 inch 65, a better gun, imo.

 

[mc5aw]

+1 --> 2.5" 66 ... 3" 65.

 

[M3Stuart]

Welcome to the forum! Great gun!

I have a 2.5" 66-4. Personally, I really like it and would not worry myself about a 3".

What you're doing is called 'attention focusing'. People do it all the time. They get some really neat thing (great price by the way) and start to find stuff 'wrong' with it. When, truth be told, the thing they have is just fine.

My first S&W was a 6" 686. I took the advice I got on this forum and shot it - a lot. After getting a few others I decided I liked the 686 but not the 6" barrel. So I traded it for a great 686-4 4". I really like the 4" better. But that's just me. Personally, IMHO, etc. I doubt you would notice much difference between a 2.5" and a 3". The stuff you're hearing on these boards is from people who have been shooting these guns (in IDPA, steel plates, etc) for a very long time.

Enjoy! And, again, welcome.