Correct target grip for M66-1 4"SB

[andyo5]

I have a M66-1 that I bought used. It came with football thumbrest grips. I am wondering which style of grip it originally had...football, or speedloader relief.
Does anybody know?
The years of production would have been 1977 to 1982.

 

[VM]

You'd have to pin down date a little better.
I always thought speedloader cutout started approximately '81

 

[andyo5]

You'd have to pin down date a little better.
I always thought speedloader cutout started approximately '81

That would be OK. I'm just trying to figure out whether at least some of the 66-1s would have had the football grips, or whether the speedloader grip would be the only period correct variant.

 

[VM]

That would be OK. I'm just trying to figure out whether at least some of the 66-1s would have had the football grips, or whether the speedloader grip would be the only period correct variant.

I misunderstood.....IMO, both style grips would have been used from '77 to '82

 

[rbmac52]

In my experience, the 66-1 was fitted with football recess target stocks. The 66-2 iteration came with the speedloader cutout version. I am sure there was some crossover, but the larger percentage came with the grips I've mentioned.

 

[andyo5]

In my experience, the 66-1 was fitted with football recess target stocks. The 66-2 iteration came with the speedloader cutout version. I am sure there was some crossover, but the larger percentage came with the grips I've mentioned.

That would be consistent with VMs postulation that 1981 was the switchover year.

 

[andyo5]

Here they are. They were a little rough so I refinished them. Color match is a bit off, and they were not quite a good fit on the gun and had to be trimmed a little in the back. Which made me think they were not original to the gun.

 

[VM]

Here's a picture I robbed from EBay with the inside factory date stamp 12-80 on a set of speedloader K/L target stocks

 

[Doc44]

I think the stocks you have are original to your 66-1. The fit of the stocks to the frame and the mismatched stock panels are not that unusual for S&W stocks.

Bill

 

[pharmer]

I bought this 66-1 new in March, 1980. The grip is "speedloader cutout." Ser # begins with 67K. HTH. Joe

 

[JP@AK]

I bought this 66-1 new in March, 1980.

Ser # begins with 67K.

Here's a note to all the prognosticators who think they can put dates, down to the month, on target sight K frame revolvers in the postwar period. Usually, that is predicated on how far into a particular K range the gun's serial number is.

In 1980, all the K serial numbers from 57K to 68K, as well as a bunch of numbers from 78K and above, were assigned to revolvers. These were not used in order! If they had been, it would have been awfully tough for a 67K gun to have been purchased at retail in March, 1980.

So, the next time you or someone else posts a K prefix number, and someone says, "June or July, 1977," or something like that. Just ignore it. Unless it is Don or Roy (who have direct access to the records), the person simply does not know what he's talking about. He's guessing.

 

[JP@AK]

That would be consistent with VMs postulation that 1981 was the switchover year.

Well, I guess it depends on what you want to define as a "switchover year."

The fact is K frame target stocks with the speedloader relief were available as early as 1978. I have a K-38 that left the factory in July, 1980, with Walnut target stocks that have the speedloader cut. I bought it brand new and those stocks have always been on it.

There were several years during which both types of target stocks were shipping. However, by about 1982, you stop seeing the football variety, the supply having dried up.

 

[andyo5]

There were several years during which both types of target stocks were shipping. However, by about 1982, you stop seeing the football variety, the supply having dried up.

This means that either type would be "correct" on my gun. That is all I really wanted to know. My SN begins with 56K.

 

[JP@AK]

This means that either type would be "correct" on my gun.

My SN begins with 56K.

56K numbers were issued in 1979. Your gun could have shipped the next year, no doubt about that. But, on a '79 gun, I'd expect footballs would be most likely. As you stated, it could be either type.

One thing that is nearly certain, however, is that they would be made of Goncalo Alves, not walnut.

 

[pharmer]

Here's a note to all the prognosticators who think they can put dates, down to the month, on target sight K frame revolvers in the postwar period. Usually, that is predicated on how far into a particular K range the gun's serial number is.

In 1980, all the K serial numbers from 57K to 68K, as well as a bunch of numbers from 78K and above, were assigned to revolvers. These were not used in order! If they had been, it would have been awfully tough for a 67K gun to have been purchased at retail in March, 1980.

So, the next time you or someone else posts a K prefix number, and someone says, "June or July, 1977," or something like that. Just ignore it. Unless it is Don or Roy (who have direct access to the records), the person simply does not know what he's talking about. He's guessing.

Most humble apologies to the members in this thread, especially JP@AK for "talking without checking." I actually have the handwritten paper receipt from Roberson's Sporting Goods (took some digging) dated 3-3-81. I briefly considered "dummying up" but when I am stupid, might as well be public. I'll head back to the lounge now where my "limited mental acuity" doesn't impede the flow of solid information. Joe

 

[snw19_357]

So, the next time you or someone else posts a K prefix number, and someone says, "June or July, 1977," or something like that. Just ignore it. Unless it is Don or Roy (who have direct access to the records), the person simply does not know what he's talking about. He's guessing.

In 1980, all the K serial numbers from 57K to 68K, as well as a bunch of numbers from 78K and above, were assigned to revolvers.

56K numbers were issued in 1979.

So which are you; Don or Roy?

Roy posted M19-4 s/n 57K20xx (don't have permission to post whole serial number) shipped in December, 1979 and 57K5625 is a US Customs Patrol commemorative Model 19 that also shipped in December, 1979.

 

[JP@AK]

So which are you; Don or Roy?

Hi Chris
I'm not sure what it is you are taking issue with in my post.

First, my complaint was with people who think they can look at a K prefix serial number and tell you what month it shipped. I certainly did not do that or anything like it.

Second, my comment about the 57K through 68K numbers in 1980 was that they were all used during that year but not in numerical order. A 60K number might be used, the gun assembled and even shipped before a revolver bearing a 58K number. I did not say, nor did I imply, that a 57K numbered gun could not have slipped out of the factory in December of 1979. Obviously, a few did. But that is utterly unrelated to what I stated earlier in this thread.

I would note that the placement of the word "all" in the sentence you quoted could be construed the way you seem to have taken it. But I would ask that you consider the context before you accuse me of some sort of hypocrisy.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I always confused Don and Phil.
Was thinking either might be correct, didn't actually try to look it up.
But if they don't fit, they don't fit!
That has nothing to do with changing grip types.

 

[flagman1776]

My purchased 4" M66-1 came with football targets, purchased new 9/1981. The PD was issuing them to full time officers and they were in high demand... so it didn't linger in the case. The date is on the original bill of sale. 74K38XX

 

[schutz5]

My 6 inch 66-1 from 1978/79 came with the original target stocks. Speed loader cut out on one side. 55K94XX