Confused on 66-7

[JackSavage]

Serial number prefix CJN. Picked up one of these at my local / little way down the road (Richmond) dealer and look to my favorite book of knowledge, "Std Catalog of S &W" to find that the 66 was discontinued in 2005. I see the 66-6 mfg date of 2002 so I assume the 66-7 was after the date of the 66-6?? Can anyone give me a mfg date for this gun? Nice gun and a few light scratches, tight lockup, and of course I probably paid too much, but for some reason, if I like it, I buy it, if it's reasonable for me .

 

[18DAI]

The 66-7 was the last variant of the model 66. There were not very many made, in comparison to other model 66 versions.

I don't have my SCSW handy, but IIRC, 2004 manufacture date for your serial prefix. Regards 18DAI.

 

[MTKTM]

I don't believe the 66-7 appears in the most recent edition of the SCSW. I picked up a 66-7 in, I believe, the summer of '05. I had heard that they were discontinuing the 66 and I wanted one before that happened. I've not seen any others of the -7 variety. It has the hated lock, and also the two-piece barrel, but it works just fine. Nice gun. Are they rare??

 

[18DAI]

MTKTM I don't think the 66-7's are particularly rare. I'd guess there were probably fewer made than other versions of the 66. Two reasons for this IMO. One, it was not an in demand or popular version of the 66, due to the incorporation of the features you mentioned. And S&W was also wanting to sell the 620 L-frame "replacement", and stop making K-frame magnums.

As to value as a collectible, I don't know. I'm not a collector, just a shooter/accumulator. Perhaps one of the expert collectors will chime in. I would expect it to bring less than a 66-2 thru 66-5 in similar condition.

I do know that one local shop had a 2.5" 66-7 for about three years with no takers. Hope this helps. Regards 18DAI

 

[JackSavage]

66-7

Thanks for the reply's. I bought it to shoot and like the looks of it. After "Flitzing" it, I think it looks right nice. I have a new set of grips coming that should be here tomorrow to get rid of the rubber.

 

[MTKTM]

MTKTM I don't think the 66-7's are particularly rare. I'd guess there were probably fewer made than other versions of the 66. Two reasons for this IMO. One, it was not an in demand or popular version of the 66, due to the incorporation of the features you mentioned. And S&W was also wanting to sell the 620 L-frame "replacement", and stop making K-frame magnums.

As to value as a collectible, I don't know. I'm not a collector, just a shooter/accumulator. Perhaps one of the expert collectors will chime in. I would expect it to bring less than a 66-2 thru 66-5 in similar condition.

I do know that one local shop had a 2.5" 66-7 for about three years with no takers. Hope this helps. Regards 18DAI

My question about rarity was mostly tongue-in-cheek, I didn't really think so and figure that maybe they will be 50 years hence, but I'll be long gone by that time. I like the gun, bought it for IDPA SSR shooting. It has worked out great for that purpose. Since I wasn't planning to use it as a carry gun, the issue of the lock was not relevant to me. It's purely a shooter, not a collector piece.

 

[Ashlander]

Jack: I bought a 66-7 a couple days ago at a gun show in St. Louis. It has the same prefix "CJN." I was told it is one of the Aussie police trade-ins.

If you find out anything more on the history let me know. I cannot find anything on when these things were manufactured.

It's a good shooter, and I don't get all worked up about the lock.

 

[Timber Wolf]

A fellow had several 66-7s of various barrel lengths on his table at the show this past weekend. I thought his prices were VERY high so I did not linger long. I don't remember what he was asking but I bought a 6" 66-1 for $400 earlier this year and thought that was fair so assume he had his priced far above that. I guess it is just my personal price ceiling and I might be "profiling" my socio-economic status, but when things get much above $400 I have to be REALLY interested.

 

[colt_saa]

Serial number prefix CJN. Picked up one of these at my local / little way down the road (Richmond) dealer and look to my favorite book of knowledge, "Std Catalog of S &W" to find that the 66 was discontinued in 2005. I see the 66-6 mfg date of 2002 so I assume the 66-7 was after the date of the 66-6?? Can anyone give me a mfg date for this gun? Nice gun and a few light scratches, tight lockup, and of course I probably paid too much, but for some reason, if I like it, I buy it, if it's reasonable for me .

Did you get the original box with your firearm? If so the Spec Ord number is the date of manufacture. If it came with a fired cartridge that will be in a sealed dated envelope. It will be pretty close to the date of manufacture.

 

[AveragEd]

I purchased three Model 66s over the past four months, all on GunBroker.com and all in like-new condition. One, the 4", came with its box, unopened tool kit and all the assorted papers. I paid $450 for a 4" -2, $432 for a 6" -2 and $416 for a 2.5" -4.

I think they are a steal at those prices as I see them offered for sale for anywhere from $500 to $700 because, I guess, they are no longer made. I actually enjoy target shooting with the 4" and 6" Model 66s more than with my 686s.

I bought the 2.5" strictly because it looked like new (and is) and no one bid on it through two no-reserve auctions, I think because the seller described it as being in "average" condition. He offered a three-day return period, so I finally made the minimum bid ($416) thinking that would start a bidding frenzy with the snub-nose popularity being what it currently is but no one else bid.

Ed

 

[hittman77]

I had one of those recently and sold it. It fetched $500 from a local guy. I was thinking '05 was the born date but also noticed it was not in my SCSW.

Mine wasn't a "bad" gun but I found the features just kinda left me dry on it. Lock, barrel, etc. And frankly, it wasn't NEAR the shooter as is my 2.75" Security Six.