Just picked up this 3-inch Model 66-4

[olivehead1]

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

Thanks for going to the trouble to post that. Again, very interesting. Still relatively rare I imagine.

FWIW, the serial number on my 66-4 is BPY77xx, so I guess that's circa somewhere between maybe 1990-1992 (just speculating based on some other serial number dating I've come across).

 

[UncleEd]

Interesting how Smith revolvers evolve.

Now this year the company is offering the
Model 66 with a 2 3/4 inch barrel which has
the new lockup in the yoke, allowing for a
full stroke ejector rod.

 

[olivehead1]

Now this year the company is offering the Model 66 with a 2 3/4 inch barrel which has the new lockup in the yoke, allowing for a full stroke ejector rod.

I considered one of these since they came out (IMO it looks better proportioned than the 4.25 barrel new version), but couldn't get past the price and the matte finish with black accents (not that bad, I'm just on the fence about it). The return of the S&W roll mark is a nice touch (although I'm not sure why the logo on the 4.25 version is etched). All in all I think I like the 3" vintage model better.

 

[Frank237]

I found a 3" gun , ten years back, marked as a 2 1/2" gun, IIRC it was $425 or $450 ...snagged it ASAP. In like seconds. LOL.

Few years later...don't even recall the circumstances...I found a 98% gun in original box. Have kept that one too.

IMHO they are WHAT the 2 1/2" guns SHOULD have been. The two's were too short, not a full extractor throw either. Three is just right.

OP You did VERY well!

 

[Eddietruett]

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.

Please don't say that! Shoot it a lot. I have a 66-2 3" that goes to the range with me almost every trip. I think I have around $650 in mine and I wouldn't take twice that for it. It's just that much fun to shoot.

 

[Bill In Texas]

Congrats on a great revolver!

 

[cleans up]

I'll echo what others have said. Your in for a treat. They point superbly, and are quite easy to control with whatever you choose to feed it. Congrats. You got a keeper....now head to the range

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

.... my 66-4 is BPY77xx, so I guess that's circa somewhere between maybe 1990-1992...

The BPY prefix was in common use from....

October 1993 thru Febuary 1994.

 

[olivehead1]

The BPY prefix was in common use from....

October 1993 thru Febuary 1994.

Thanks for that info.

 

[sbuster]

I saw one in a gun shop for ?600.00 I was drawn to it like a magnet. I tried to resist but couldn't so I bought it and the first time I shot it was was when I took my carry permit shooting test. I loved it tight grip no jamming like a semi auto. It's my go to weapon in case some thug wants to break in.

Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

 

[jmr986]

Nice score. My LGS is asking $900 for his. I assume that includes an original box and swag.

 

[GCF]

Just noticed the pinned front sight. Is that common on 66's, or just certain dash changes?

 

[WardenRoss]

I carried and shot my first 3" for many, many years before I found out what it was worth.

My absolute favorite pistol.

 

[olivehead1]

Just noticed the pinned front sight. Is that common on 66's, or just certain dash changes?

I can tell you that the 66-1 is not pinned but integral to the barrel. After that can't say for sure except that by the 66-4 they were pinned.

 

[olivehead1]

Someone in another post asked me about the finish of my 2.5" 66-1, and while I don't have an additional pic of that gun, I've added a third pic of the 66-4 to my original post taken at a different time under different lighting conditions to show how widely the look can vary given those differing factors. I'd say that third pic is the most accurate representation of how that particular gun looks in person.

 

[MetalMan]

Just noticed the pinned front sight. Is that common on 66's, or just certain dash changes?

I have a 66-4, 2-1/2 barrel....no pin on front sight

Interesting question that I hope will be answered by our forum authorities on such matters.

 

[iPac]

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

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

Think Edsel and Snake Guns.

I always have to laugh when I read about Lew Horton guns here on the S&W forum after knowing how they are regarded on the pony forum. I'm at least glad they are viewed more realistically on this forum.

Here, not many people put any extra value on a LH edition gun, and if they do it's only slight. On the other hand, any single Colt that can be linked to Lew Horton is pretty much a mandatory multiple thousands of dollars.

I just keep thinking "instant collectibles" and "novelty" versions when I think of special dealer runs. A lot of times orders were placed, sales were bad, and the remainder canceled. Now, they are used as a marketing tool to signify "collectability".

Personally, what I know of the Colt LH examples, they were pretty much all made during the '80s and strike years. Almost every LH Python I see is rather poorly built/finished in my eyes. I would only value them less than an early standard production due to quality, but the LH name means $3K+ to others.

To each their own though.

OP, you got a fantastic gun for a good price considering desirability. I will never understand why 3" barrels weren't made the standard for snubby 357mags, instead of 2.5". That extra 1/2" adds a bonus in many respects.

I'd have a 3" conceal carry gun if prices didn't prohibit it.

 

[Marshal Tom]

I am lucky enough to have a 3" 66-2 that I found NIB for $500. I sold a 2.5"that I had purchased new and carried of and on for several years. I wanted the longer sight radius and full length ejector rod that the 3" provides. I also have a 3" 686 CS-1 and a 3" 696-1 in .44sp. I would not sell any on them and like the 3"66-2 the best of all.

 

[Ashlander]

I picked up a 3" 66-2 last Spring for $865 and thought that was a great deal. Well, it was a good deal. Olivehead1 got the great deal! Congrats.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Product code for a standard 3-inch Model 66 Combat Magnum Stainless was 102712, and the same number was used for the -2 thru to the -5.

In my opinion there were waaaaaay more than 5,000 made, all told, since they were made from at least 1985 to 1999. I'd say double that, maybe more.