Found - S&W 66 .357 4" barrel

old11bravo

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So this model 66 is not pinned or recessed but appears to be pre-lock. Brand new in original box, never fired. I'm trading a Sig M11A1 with an $800 value for the model 66.

Can anyone tell me from the information off of the box in the attached picture, what year was this revolver manufactured and is it worth my M11A1 or am I getting the short end? More information on the gun and year of manufacture as well as opinions on the trade please.

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I'm not one of the experts but I think you got a good deal. I'm not familiar with the Sig I assume there are a lot of them but I know there are not a lot of what you got that are NIB. Your gun was shipped on the 81st day of 1983. I know I would be happy.
 
I think you did great as well. If you are happy with what you got in the trade then no worries. Nice 66!
 
Is $800 the MSRP or what you paid for the Sig 228 (M-11)?

IMHO;

You are not getting a "deal"; but for a NIB 66 you are not getting hurt. For the most part these were "Police Guns".......... so a 30 year old,unfired, new in box example, isn't all that common.

Again in my opinion; 66s are still guns to be used not Safe Queens to be collected..... another 50 years different story. I have a 3" 66-4 which is still my primary concealed carry revolver. LOL

Problem with a "still NIB".... what are you going to do with it ......look at it or shoot it????? That gun,in that condition, will bring a premium in the future...... 10-30 years..........
 
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You're asking about the trade on a S&W site? :) I think most will agree that you did well. Now, on a sig forum, I dunno. I know I'd prefer the 66 but as mentioned and for me, the value of a genuine NIB popular discontinued model poses a problem in that to retain it's NIB value, it needs to remain unfired. Which is hard for me to do as I'm a collector of shooters, not safe queens. But this is a problem I can live around.
Congrats on your acquisition.
 
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I'm not one of the experts but I think you got a good deal. I'm not familiar with the Sig I assume there are a lot of them but I know there are not a lot of what you got that are NIB. Your gun was shipped on the 81st day of 1983. I know I would be happy.

Thank you regalsc for dating the 66, I really appreciate it. Thank you to everyone else for you input.

In response to Bam Bam's question, the Sig M11A1 is used but definitely a little more difficult to find. They are popular right now due to their role in the hands of the US Navy Seals. They can be found new for between $950-$1200.

As for me, I will be making the trade. I have plenty of semi-autos in the safe and won't miss one that I trade for the 66. I'll post better pictures for you all once I make the trade.
 
In response to Bam Bam's question, the Sig M11A1 is used but definitely a little more difficult to find. They are popular right now due to their role in the hands of the US Navy Seals. They can be found new for between $950-$1200.

Not to hijack......

I thought I read that the M11A1 was just a Billboard marked 229? The M11 was the military designation for the 228 it adopted as a compact/concealed carry ...... and made famous by the TV Show NCIS.

I thought the HOT SEAL GUN was the "anchor marked", full size, Sig 226 in 9mm. After hundreds if not thousands of Beretta's blew up in their faces........... so many SEAL handgun stories so little time..........66s, 686s, Glock 17s, 19s, custom built .1911s, Suppressed H&K .45s about the size of a small sub-machine gun LOL...............................


WOW-----$900-1200........ might be time to sell my;

My ammo stash is dry ......... "emergency (and all I can find is .40 or 357sig ammo) gun".......

Sig 229 with 2 barrels 6 mags and nightsights.
 
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A 4" 66 is probably the epitome of the do anything gun. Though it is not P&R, it should have the wider, smooth trigger that most prefer for DA shooting. From a shooting standpoint, the P&R thingy is highly overrated. The early 80's production, IMHO, are some of the best guns S&W ever built. The old school craftsmen were still around to take advantage of the new manufacturing technology that was emerging. My primary carry gun is a 2-1/2" version of the same gun. A little heavy, yep. Gonna go bang when I pull the trigger, yep. What's not to like? You can always get another Sig. You may never see another 66 like this one.
 
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My son and his wife have SIG P-228 and M-11A-1 guns with G-10 grips. I've handled them and liked the feel. I think in a hot firefight, a high capacity 9mm has a lot going for it. In Iraq, my son several times got in action so hot that he fired most, if not all, of the 4-5 mags that he carried...after emptying a M-4 carbine! He did find 9mm NATO ball ammo to be effective if well placed, but sometimes shot twice before waiting to see if one round would suffice. When your life is in extreme danger, one often does that...

Guns used were M-9 Beretta and Browning Hi-Power. But he likes SIG's now, too, out of the Army and with a choice. And he can now use JHP ammo!

As a gun for average civilian defense and outdoor use, the stainless .357 revolver with its versatility in ammo is probably a better choice for most people. My M-66-3 is my favorite all-round handgun, of all time.

I think $800 is a little high for a M-66. I'd expect to pay more like $550, maybe less, especially if not with a box and tools. But I don't buy guns Online with hyped up prices and no ability to examine them in person before buying. A friend does buy Online, and is disappointed about 40% of the time.

IF this particular M-66 is well fitted and smooth, it's a fine gun, well worth having. But most of the public would pay more for the SIG. There aren't a lot of revolver people left in the "public" realm.

I'm not heavily into SIG 's and may be wrong, but thought the M-11A-1 has a milled slide, while the P-228 slide is stamped. I'd prefer the sturdier milled slide, and I think it's stainless, although black-finished. If I had more disposable income, I'd buy a M-11A-1. It's a nice gun, no doubt very effective in its role. But I wouldn't trade my M-66 S&W to get one.

I do think the SIG ad saying/inferring that a Navy Hornet pilot's other weapon is an M-11A-1 is misleading. I haven't been able to verify that ANY M-11A-1's have been purchased by the Navy. The pilot might have the P-228/M-11, but many Navy pilots seem to still carry Beretta M-9's. So much for truth in advertising! My candid opinion is that SIG should be forced to prove that the M-11A-1 is used by Navy pilots or be charged with false/misleading advertising. I think that if you read the ad very carefully, it doesn't say that specific model is used, but the ad strongly infers that, to promote the M-11A-1. That's just wrong, in my opinion. It 's a good gun, but the marketing is somewhat immoral, I think.

Whether the M-66 or the hi-cap 9mm is the better gun depends on your anticipated needs. But I think the average buyer today will pay more for the SIG .
 
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Thanks for all the replies. I want to clarify that this thread was not intended to be a SIG M11A1 vs. M-66 comparison. I think that is like comparing apples to pineapples. Different platforms, different uses and different genre of pistols. Both are awesome, yes?

I was just inquiring if I was getting a fair value trade for the M11A1. The M-66 is BNIB, manufactured in 1983 according to an earlier post in this thread. I am kinda new to the revolver scene so I am completely enamored by this particular M-66 specimen and I will be trading my used M11A1 for it. I believe I will be beyond pleased with my new acquisition. The most difficult part will be deciding whether or not I want to shoot the BNIB M-66. I have a few other revolvers I can shoot instead to satisfy my urges for revolver trigger time.

Thanks you guys!! This is an awesome community we have here and I appreciate all of the responses and input.
 
From what I have seen on gunbroker the 66 pictured with box would sell for $1000 IMO. It could be higher depending on who is bidding & if there is a bidding war. It won't lose value over the years as long as its not your "truck" gun. As far as shooting it I would because I buy guns to shoot but that's just me.
 
Congratulations! Although we would all like to find such a gem for less money, IMO trading a pistol you are willing to part with valued at $800 for a BNIB early model 66 is still a good deal. The 4" model 66 is possibly the most versatile gun S&W ever produced and will serve you well, whether you choose to shoot it, carry it, or baby it.
 
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