Help me identify 66-X?

[JohnRyan]

Hello,

This beauty is on its way to my FFL dealer. Original owner purchased it new in October '95. I was out to dinner with a friend and he made the connection with the seller for me, whom he was related to.

I have been wanting a smaller frame in this caliber, preferably pre-lock, so my luck with having this fall into my lap couldn't be better.

Currently in the mail, more pics not available until I take possession. I'm guessing the model is printed under the serial number.

Less than 500 rounds , a mix of 357 and 38. Pictures from the original owner.

 

[OldRook]

nice find, you'll get a lot of enjoyment from that. Looking forward to seeing more once it arrives.

 

[murphydog]

It's a fairly scarce 3" model 66, either a -3 or 4. Enjoy!

 

[ken4]

It is a 66-4. It is because of the year, natural color of the forged hammer and trigger,uncle mikes grips. You will also find that it is drilled for a scope from the factory. I have one just like it. I just saw one sell on Gun Broke for $1695.00

 

[Hopper]

That's a very, very sweet find!! They are scarce indeed. I just let one slip away from me locally, it was a 66-7 3". Buyer wanted $600 for it, but too many unknowns for me to take the plunge. And I still regret it as I type this, it's sold.

 

[Green Frog]

From a collector standpoint, a few "points" off for lack of pin and recessed, but several added on for the 3" bbl and all forged parts. From a shooter and carrying standpoint... outstanding. Congrats, you should find it to be a great one!

Froggie

 

[JohnRyan]

Wow, looks like I really lucked out with this one!

I am absolutely approaching this from a shooter's standpoint. I have no plans to sell, or collect for that matter. That is one of the reasons I want a S&W in the first place, I know it will last.

Have not had good luck with my 686-6. Just got it back today after it's second trip back home and I'm hoping it's fixed now.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

I agree with ken4, it's very likely a -4. Product code for these 3-inch guns is 102712. I've seen a ton of them, so they're not super rare. They are highly desirable and sought after... and NOT inexpensive.

 

[jtcarm]

Nice find!

Remind the current owner to unload it before he ships

 

[JohnRyan]

Nice find!

Remind the current owner to unload it before he ships

HAHA! Hopefully she did, still waiting on my purchase permit so I can pick this sucker up.

 

[Muley Gil]

HAHA! Hopefully she did, still waiting on my purchase permit so I can pick this sucker up.

Don't know where you live, but in Old Virginnie, the only "purchase permit" needed is cold, hard cash or a debit or credit card.

The longest part of buying a gun from a FFL here is filling out the paper work. Calling in the purchase took 5 minutes on my last gun buy.

 

[flagman1776]

Nice score. Mine is a -2. SN: AHL08XX I bought it new 8/27/86.

Mine was my prime gun OD, afield on foot or horseback.

 

[JohnRyan]

Finally! Picked it up yesterday.

Might need to do some cleaning and oiling on the hammer. Might be a small spot of rust on there, but no big deal. Thinking about stripping it down for a detailed cleaning since it hasn't been cleaned in 20 years.

 

[AveragEd]

It looks pretty good to me! Almost looks like it wan't fired much. Great buy!

Ed

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Finally! Picked it up yesterday.....

So, is it a -4, or what?

 

[JohnRyan]

Yes! It is a 66-4. You think I would have mentioned that given the whole point of this thread?

 

[regalsc]

Coincidentally I just picked up a 66-4 3" this morning off a buy now on gunbroker. It also has the old style thumb piece. It's supposed to be maybe fired but it looks really clean rubber uncle mikes & all. I looked for a long time but they were all so expensive I held off until today.

 

[regalsc]

From a collector standpoint, a few "points" off for lack of pin and recessed, but several added on for the 3" bbl and all forged parts. From a shooter and carrying standpoint... outstanding. Congrats, you should find it to be a great one!

Froggie

I believe that the 3" began with the dash 2 and up so none of them would have been P&R. I passed one up at my lgs about 8 months ago because I was picking up my 625-2 1988 model from the gun shop & said to myself I can't buy this 66 3" now I just bought this 625 so I alerted forum members about it & a member bought it. Since then I have wanted one (you know how that is) & finally yesterday I found one.

 

[jughed440]

Great find!!! It's clean enough already...shoot it!!

It is a 66-4...... I just saw one sell on Gun Broke for $1695.00

HOLY MOLY....$1695...even with a dinged front sight and a box with no label.

I agree with ken4, it's very likely a -4. Product code for these 3-inch guns is 102712. I've seen a ton of them, so they're not super rare. They are highly desirable and sought after... and NOT inexpensive.

Over 5000 3" 66s were produced, but according to a factory letter 4195 of them are -2 "Ashland" models. The -4s, -3s, etc., only number in the 100s. Not quite "a ton" of -4s are out there. OP's find is rare indeed, especially when considering that some of the -4's were magna-ported.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Over 5000 3" 66s were produced, but according to a factory letter 4195 of them are -2 "Ashland" models. The -4s, -3s, etc., only number in the 100s. Not quite "a ton" of -4s are out there. OP's find is rare indeed, especially when considering that some of the -4's were magna-ported.

That's interesting. When I look in my data base for 3-inch M66's, I have info on (17) -3 and (17) -4's. I have (20) -2, which suggests they were made in roughly similar numbers. (And in LARGE numbers. Many guns, that you'd think are more common, I'll only have seen 3 or 4).

I have no control over what guns I happen to see. Admittedly, when they cross my path it's a random event. But, it's not the first time where what's written down somewhere doesn't seem to agree with what I've seen in the real world.