Combat Magnums?
- Thread starter bamabiker
- Start date
My earliest is K26002X, shipped to the West Coast sales rep for S&W in June of 1956. The second is non-model marked, shipped March of 1958, K31720X. To the OP's initial point, they don't show up often...usually sold within the community of collectors.
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Here's one more for good measure. Shipped April of 1956.
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Fond memories----and not so fond----------
My first Combat Magnum was bought new in the mid 1950's---a regular, everyday version. It was also my introduction to Model numbers. The end of the box said COMBAT MAGNUM----and then, in smaller type underneath, it said Model 19. I recall wondering what that was all about. That got traded off for something or other along the way, and along came the stainless guns; and I had to have one of those---the snub nose.
Next came qualifying for my carry permit (issued by the various counties' Sheriff's offices back then). I'm down at the Sherrif's office, flab-gabbing with the Sheriff, waiting for a Deputy to take me to their range. He arrives.
The Sheriff asks him what's going on---he says he's going to take me to the range to shoot for my permit. The Sheriff stifles a laugh, and asks "Haven't you ever seen Ralph shoot?" The Deputy says, "No."; and the Sheriff just waves him on---with no further comment. Then's when things started to go, not really wrong; but sort of complicated. The range has been flooded out, and we can't shoot there. I say we can shoot at my place---and that's fine with the Deputy. Now my place already has target stands set up, and the Deputy parks WELL BEHIND the firing line (for 25 yard targets----the qualifying targets), and says, "This'll be okay.". He goes up and puts 1 target on each of two stands---and returns. As an aside, you have to qualify with each gun you might be carrying, and I have to qualify with a Model 39----and my new Model 66(??)---which I've never fired---never set the sights on---and never anything else. And now I'm going to be shooting at, at least 40+ yards---because he'd said "This'll be okay."---and I'm not inclined to argue with him. Away we go! I shoot the Model 39 first. I don't see ANY holes in the white part of the target---and figure I just might be in BIG TROUBLE!! He goes up to the target, and I'm getting the Model 66 out.
The really GOOD news is he's coming back, shaking his head, and says "You don't have to shoot no more!" (They're all in the black!!)
"God's in his Heaven, and all's right with the world!"
Ralph Tremaine
The next sad tale came along later. The Model 66 was sighted in at FIFTY Yards! Don't ask why, 'cause I don't remember---seemed like a good idea at the time. I'm coming down the driveway, and here's this big fat Groundhog---also known as a target----any time---any where!! I get the Magnum out of the glovebox---and take aim---at maybe 15 feet. The Groundhog doesn't move a muscle---just sits there. I try it again---three times altogether---expecting a different result. The Groundhog doesn't move a muscle! By this time, I've remembered the ridiculous sight setting, and try some "Kentucky windage". The Groundhog takes off at full tilt boogie---not a scratch on him---but at least I tried.
My first Combat Magnum was bought new in the mid 1950's---a regular, everyday version. It was also my introduction to Model numbers. The end of the box said COMBAT MAGNUM----and then, in smaller type underneath, it said Model 19. I recall wondering what that was all about. That got traded off for something or other along the way, and along came the stainless guns; and I had to have one of those---the snub nose.
Next came qualifying for my carry permit (issued by the various counties' Sheriff's offices back then). I'm down at the Sherrif's office, flab-gabbing with the Sheriff, waiting for a Deputy to take me to their range. He arrives.
The Sheriff asks him what's going on---he says he's going to take me to the range to shoot for my permit. The Sheriff stifles a laugh, and asks "Haven't you ever seen Ralph shoot?" The Deputy says, "No."; and the Sheriff just waves him on---with no further comment. Then's when things started to go, not really wrong; but sort of complicated. The range has been flooded out, and we can't shoot there. I say we can shoot at my place---and that's fine with the Deputy. Now my place already has target stands set up, and the Deputy parks WELL BEHIND the firing line (for 25 yard targets----the qualifying targets), and says, "This'll be okay.". He goes up and puts 1 target on each of two stands---and returns. As an aside, you have to qualify with each gun you might be carrying, and I have to qualify with a Model 39----and my new Model 66(??)---which I've never fired---never set the sights on---and never anything else. And now I'm going to be shooting at, at least 40+ yards---because he'd said "This'll be okay."---and I'm not inclined to argue with him. Away we go! I shoot the Model 39 first. I don't see ANY holes in the white part of the target---and figure I just might be in BIG TROUBLE!! He goes up to the target, and I'm getting the Model 66 out.
The really GOOD news is he's coming back, shaking his head, and says "You don't have to shoot no more!" (They're all in the black!!)
"God's in his Heaven, and all's right with the world!"
Ralph Tremaine
The next sad tale came along later. The Model 66 was sighted in at FIFTY Yards! Don't ask why, 'cause I don't remember---seemed like a good idea at the time. I'm coming down the driveway, and here's this big fat Groundhog---also known as a target----any time---any where!! I get the Magnum out of the glovebox---and take aim---at maybe 15 feet. The Groundhog doesn't move a muscle---just sits there. I try it again---three times altogether---expecting a different result. The Groundhog doesn't move a muscle! By this time, I've remembered the ridiculous sight setting, and try some "Kentucky windage". The Groundhog takes off at full tilt boogie---not a scratch on him---but at least I tried.
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.357 Combat Magnum Stainless, Model 66, K949140. One of the magnums made in May 1970 to test the tooling for the stainless steel version. These guns are listed from time to time, but I have only seen three in the fifty plus years I have been collecting S&W handguns. These revolvers were fitted with a target hammer and shipped in a silver box. Click on the photos for a better look.
Bill
Bill
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153
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My old "Duty Gun" - the box is dated Feb. 14, 1979.
I received it a month later. It's endured a lot in the time
I've owned it. I added the target hammer and smooth
Trigger as soon as they became available.
Recently changed out the red ramp front sight for blued.
The Farrant grips fit my hand as well as any ever have,
but had to have the frame clipped to accommodate them.
Aside from its sentimental value, IMO the 66 is probably the
most practical revolver anyone can own…
I received it a month later. It's endured a lot in the time
I've owned it. I added the target hammer and smooth
Trigger as soon as they became available.
Recently changed out the red ramp front sight for blued.
The Farrant grips fit my hand as well as any ever have,
but had to have the frame clipped to accommodate them.
Aside from its sentimental value, IMO the 66 is probably the
most practical revolver anyone can own…
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Model19man
Member
Me too. I've owned a couple of the 357 N frames and they are not my cup of tea. Far too heavy for the caliber. The K frame is perfect.
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