66-2 at LGS

[hoc9sw]

There is a 66-2 ~6" barrel with some trigger work by a locally known S&W collector (it is so light that it scares me) and black rubber grips, no box, at my LGS for $499. Is that a deal to take "as-is"??

No push off, finish is ok as I see it, cylinder locks up well, nothing that I know to look for is bad, but I'm a Ruger revolver guy, so ...

I don't need it, but I can afford to buy it ....

Thoughts??

 

[Dennis]

I have one. wonderfully accurate. Buyt it. Damned good deal. When you gonna see another one like it?

 

[SeamasterSig]

If you really are as indifferent as you sound, you should pass on this deal and spend your money on something you'll appreciate more. However, if you are leaning toward owning a S&W, you could do much worse. It is a good deal on an iconic revolver as long as it's in good working condition. I suppose the low price is at least partly due to the barrel length, as the shorter barrels are more popular and accordingly more pricey.

You no doubt already have or will hear much ado about the Achilles Heel of the model 66: the "weak" forcing cone. Don't give it any thought, or at least don't dwell on it. The model 66 was conceived as a compromise between weight and strength, and heavier ammo was par for the course when it was designed. It makes no difference with 38 spl, but if you're shooting magnums, stick to at least 14X grains and preferably at least 158 grain magnums; avoid light, super hot ammo like the plague (in particular 125 grain flame throwers), check your timing regularly and you shouldn't experience the dreaded cracked forcing cone. If you respect its limitations, your hand will likely wear out long before the model 66 will.

On the other hand, if that thought of that sort of compromise bothers you or you fancy 125 grain magnum ammo, then stick with Ruger or look for a model 686 with it's heavier L-frame and more robust forcing cone.

 

[Big Cholla]

Great price. Buy it and put a Wolff spring in the rebound block. Check the strain screw for tightness and make sure it wasn't shortened. Those two items will bring the trigger pull back up to where it should be for everyday use and safety. Put your choice of grips on it and then shoot the heck out of it. Start with 38 special mid range loads to allow you to get use to the sight picture, trigger pull and slightly different grip from what you have been shooting. Go to some 140 grain (+) magnums and then to some 150 grain (+) magnums. Continue to do about half of your shooting with mild 38 Specials. A Model 66 responds very well to a two handed grip with both thumbs tightly clinched. Also, while in the trigger press mode firmly press up with the first finger of the off hand against the trigger guard. That alerts your radial nerve that something is going to happen with some force to your hands.

You will come to really appreciate your Model 66 for the special handgun it is....................

 

[rwt1405]

It sounds like you really don't want it, so let me know where that bad gun is and I'll go buy it and save you from it.

See, all better now!

 

[AveragEd]

The Model 66 is probably my favorite S&W revolver. I have three of them, 66-2s in 6" like the one you are considering and a 4" plus a 2-1/2" 66-4.

I don't think there is a better balanced handgun out there and along with their blued cousin, the Model 19, they have proven themselves to be durable unless punished with loads that also punish the person shooting them.

My 6" is the gun I use for bullseye shooting and has been altered slightly to include a target trigger and hammer plus a Millett rear sight. I would love to have the integral front sight changed to a black Patridge but hate to do anything to these guns that is not reversible.

Ed

 

[Arik]

As stated the price is due to barrel length.

Don't worry too much about the ammo. You don't have to avoid anything. Just no that in that gun 125gr 357 causes faster wear. If you shoot some nothing is going to happen. You'll may start seeing problems if you shoot thousands of rounds. A few boxes here and there is fine

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[iPac]

I would check it again for push off. A trigger so light that it is scary would be very susceptible.

The thing is, you have to almost be scared of checking for push off due to risk of buggering up the sear more. I would only put up to 10lbs pressure when checking push off on a Smith. Sometime I will take a plastic pen and just crack it off the hammer to test it.

The cocking notch is about .005 high, so the trigger sear needs to be perfectly clean and sharp enough to shave your fingernail in order to stay on it. The farther you go with action jobs that lighten the pull, the more perfect the sear needs to be, because less spring pressure keeping it on there. I just had to re-cut the sear in my 629 because an action job exposed the buggered up sear by way of push off.

 

[hoc9sw]

Thanks all. Most have noticed that I don't have a burning desire to buy it, but it has a certain attraction. I originally came to the forum for advice on a Shield and later a 22 Compact, and having a proper S&W revolver seems appropriate.

My revolver life was all around Ruger Security Six models and the Single Six.

Just testing the water, I guess.

 

[lamarw]

It maybe what you are used to causing the feel of a light trigger. A number of my S&W's have great triggers, in my opinion, which some might consider light.

I purchased a 66-2 with a 2 & 3/4" barrel for $450.00 plus a 10% auction premium and 8% sales tax. I think you are onto a good deal. Offer $425.00 and see what happens. Either way, don't leave the store without it.

 

[Aircrewman]

Ya know, I think that I would get it..... Not a bad deal. Fixable if anything is amiss with the "trigger job." Too light a trigger is/could be a problem. Fixable with parts replacement. 6" barrel is ok for accuracy work and fun shooting. Hey, it's a classic Smith and Wesson revolver. Lots of versatility with it. I think that you would have a lot of fun owning it. My advice is get it.

 

[Owen49]

I'd jump on it.

I've got 2 Model 66 revolvers, a 2.5" dash 2 and a 4" dash 1. The 4" is my daily carry gun. They're a great revolver.

 

[SeamasterSig]

The Model 66 is probably my favorite S&W revolver. I have three of them, 66-2s in 6" like the one you are considering and a 4" plus a 2-1/2" 66-4.

That's a great-looking set of model 66s you've got! I've got a 4" 66-2 as well and it's my favorite handgun. For me, the S&W model 66 – especially with a 4-inch barrel – represents the quintessential revolver of the 20th century.

 

[AveragEd]

Thank you - and I agree with your opinion of the 4" Model 66. I felt lucky to find one in near-new condition with a factory target hammer and trigger and was pleasantly surprised to learn from another forum member that its trigger stop is an unusual feature for that model.

Ed

 

[SeamasterSig]

I went in search of one and finally found one in excellent condition. Paid $699 for it around the beginning of 2015 (as a reference point for the OP). My 66-2 came with the slightly-wider-than-standard combo of a .312" smooth combat trigger (no stop) and a .375" semi-target hammer, both of which feel "just right" to me with this revolver. On the other hand, my 629-3 came with the wider .400" serrated target trigger (no stop) and .500" target hammer, and these feel "just right" to me, too, on the N-frame.