Just picked up this 3-inch Model 66-4

[olivehead1]

Stumbled across this at a pawn shop this morning. I only stopped there because I was in the area and since I'd been there in the last couple of weeks, I didn't really expect to see anything new. Spotted this 3" Model 66-4 marked $549 so offered that OTD. About the worst I can say about it is that the grips could use a good cleaning. No box, of course.

Anything I should know about this particular model?

Thanks.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Very nice find!!!

 

[SLT223]

That's a score! Just be aware you ate up some gun luck on that find/acquisition . I think it resets in January though

 

[UncleEd]

Well, it doesn't have an internal key lock, so that
is a NEGATIVE for sure. l

 

[Bigdthunder]

My favorite k frame. 19 or 66 can't go wrong. Good find.

Sent from my LGMS210 using Tapatalk

 

[kaaskop49]

From my reading on this forum, you have a very desirable gun. The 3" bbl allows for a full ejector rod stroke, something not found on the more common 2.5" bbl version. It conceals like a snub, yet handles/shoots almost like a 4" service model.

It is also a gun I would not sell for any reason, a real keeper. As the old-time Yankee manager Casey Stengel would say: "You done splendid."

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[colt_saa]

Congratulations on a fine addition

 

[ImDrRich]

66-4

You did nicely. Now go and enjoy it!

 

[regalsc]

You hit the lottery for that price. I would say it's an early -4 with the flash chromed hammer & trigger instead of the case hardened ones.

 

[GCF]

... Spotted this 3" Model 66-4 marked $549 so offered that OTD. About the worst I can say about it is that the grips could use a good cleaning. No box, of course.

Anything I should know about this particular model?

Thanks.

Only that you made out like a bandit. Nice snag. Be sure to let me know - if you get tired of it...

 

[BAM-BAM]

Found a used 3 inch 66-4 in a LGS about a decade ago ....... $325.

No special label ...... just IIRC " S&W Model 66 .357" I never set it down..... just bought it............. I also have a 66-3 from the late 80s about $250 /275 OTD with the action polished. .... back then they couldn't give them away.... hi-cap 9mm were the rage.

There are only about 5500 of these 3" guns -2 through -4s...........except for this "motley crew" I strongly believe they mostly slip under the radar...... as many measure from the muzzle to the frame ..... rather than the cylinder face.

 

[StakeOut]

A 3" 66 dash 4 with the original Uncle Mike's grips = very nice.

It's probably worth over 10 Benjamins without the box and papers.

I have a 3" 66-2

Like a lot of other K frames it has a weak spot on the forcing cone at 6 o'clock so be careful with ammo selection to be on the safe side.The 125gr and lighter high speed ammo has warnings related to it cracking some forcing cones.

I shoot 135gr Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel ammo plus my 148gr HBWC and 158gr reloads

 

[Hopper]

You've GOT to be kidding me. You guys with all these pawn shop finds are driving me crazy!! OP, that truly is an outstanding score, you did indeed luck into a very desirable Model 66 configuration. Well done!!

 

[olivehead1]

There are only about 5500 of these 3" guns -2 through -4s...

I just happened across this American Rifleman article, which contends there were 2,500 of the 3" barrel 66s made. Did they get it wrong? It wouldn't be the first time...

American Rifleman | A Look Back at the Smith & Wesson Model 66

 

[kthom]

You should know that it will be very hard, if not impossible, to find a more reliable, dependable, easy to shoot and carry, accurate, pleasing to the (my) eye, K Frame six shot revolver that will last for generations if taken care of and given good maintenance. That one will be as reliable as an anvil and looks mighty good in the bargain. Perhaps not a steal but a very good value in today's pricing climate. You don't see many 3" barreled Model 66's on the ground today and they ain't makin' them anymore. I sure wouldn't mind having that one in my possession. I'd sure give you your money back if you are disappointed or grow tired of it!!!

 

[StakeOut]

I just happened across this American Rifleman article, which contends there were 2,500 of the 3" barrel 66s made. Did they get it wrong? It wouldn't be the first time...

American Rifleman | A Look Back at the Smith & Wesson Model 66

The 5000 figure has been floated around but that might have been the initial order amount before they were shipped to the distributor and sold to the end user.

Like many other special orders that weren't fulfilled due to lagging sales(LH comes to mind) the 2500 figure could be very possible.

I don't know if Ashland ever said how many 3" Model 66 they actually got from S&W.

Many things that didn't sell well when they were in production are highly sought after today.

Think Edsel and Snake Guns.

 

[olivehead1]

Like a lot of other K frames it has a weak spot on the forcing cone at 6 o'clock so be careful with ammo selection to be on the safe side.The 125gr and lighter high speed ammo has warnings related to it cracking some forcing cones.

Thanks for the advice. This seems to be the overwhelming consensus on the K frames. To tell you the truth, I doubt I'll be shooting it much; just a box or two of .38s and a few .357s to say I did it.

 

[olivehead1]

The 5000 figure has been floated around but that might have been the initial order amount before they were shipped to the distributor and sold to the end user.

Just a minute ago I happened across an old Armslist post that included a picture of what purports to be the page from the 1997 edition of the Blue Book of Gun Values noting that Smith only made 2500 of the 3-inch Model 66. Maybe that's where the American Rifleman got its info, or maybe they got it from a different source (Smith directly?).

I'm not familiar enough with the Blue Book to know just how reliable their info is on any given make and model. But it's all very interesting. You just never know what you'll find in a pawn shop (and a good reason to stay out for a while).

 

[jughed440]

Wow!!!..very nice. congrats on that steal.

I just happened across this American Rifleman article, which contends there were 2,500 of the 3" barrel 66s made. Did they get it wrong? It wouldn't be the first time...

I lettered a dash -4... the letter states that well over 5000 3" 66s were made, most being -2s

 

[BAM-BAM]

I just happened across this American Rifleman article, which contends there were 2,500 of the 3" barrel 66s made. Did they get it wrong? It wouldn't be the first time...

American Rifleman | A Look Back at the Smith & Wesson Model 66

The AR article references ..." a short run of 2500" As stated there was the original Ashland run of -2s in 1985 (5000 per the SCS&W; p. 270) but there were also -3s( got mine in about 88/89; also referenced on p.270 SCS&W) and -4s...... mine are in the later two dash groups.

IIRC others have gotten letters on their guns which reference the 5500 number........

Edit: see post above "well over 5000" so more than 5 and less than 6000