Model 66-1 2.5 vs Ruger Speed Six

[Nightowl]

Is the gun worn or just used? There is a difference! Also, the black area is the hand window, no tape there. The firing pin bushing is easily replaceable by the factory, if necessary. As long is there area is not raised enough to catch the cartridge as it rotates by, I don't think it would cause a concern, but if it does, just get it replaced. There are a series of checks for used guns that can be used to check the rest of the gun, but at that price, its about half what is advertised for 2 1/2 inch P&R 66s.

 

[Bald1]

Any 2.5" model 66 at $550 is a buy immediately in my book. If you don't like it you break even or make a few dollars

 

[whelenshooter]

What do people mean when they say, "there is no factory support" for this model 66? If you purchase this older Model 66, you shouldn't expect any warranty support for the kind of damage on this handgun, if for no other reason than you would be the 2nd, 3rd, or only God knows how-many-eth owner of this 66. In addition, this damage looks to be because of misuse or some cause other than the original quality of the gun. Does the S&W Performance Center no longer do work (that you must pay for) on older S&Ws? It has been a few years since I've had any work done by them, but they worked on some S&W revolvers of mine that are much older than this M66! When I want the work done right on a S&W revolver, I've always depended on the S&W Performance Center. If nothing else, if you buy the gun, I'd have the Performance Center go through it completely and see what they think needs to be done to the revolver. You'd have to buy it first, of course, but it is a chance you may have to take.

I too have a love of 3-inch S&W revolvers. They have a full length ejector rod while the shorter barrel revolvers don't. Also, I think they look better and shoot better (maybe because I like them so much). You might want to look at getting a 686-plus (the 7-shot gun) with a 3" barrel. They are still available brand new. That is on my personal list of new S&Ws to buy.

Like others have said, I would have the firing pin bushing replaced before I depended upon this gun for self defense. The loaded cylinder might turn just fine with unfired or dummy cartridges, but I'd be EXTREMELY concerned that the primer of a full power/pressure .357 Magnum round might flow back into this notch and tie up the gun when you fire it! If this happens in a self defense situation, it might cost you your life!

Whelenshooter

 

[dogkinkead]

I've recently been looking for a Ruger Speed Six, I have a 2.75 that I carry now but I wanted to get a spare just in case something were to ever happen to the one I carry. I really want a true 3 inch version like the USPS or NYCPD contract. Since I've been searching I came across a few K frames I wouldn't mind having. I really started looking at the 3 inch 65s and 13s but they're a little out of my price range at the moment.

During my search I came across a worn but overall great condition Model 66-1 with 2.5 inch barrel. You can tell it has some holster wear but mechanically it seems great. It does have a bit of a gouge on the front of the barrel but it's no where near the crown. I could definitely file it out and polish it up and make the gun look good. I can get it for about $550 and I've never owned a vintage S&W. It is pinned and recessed. Even though it's not really a spare for my Speed Six it's close enough.

I'm debating on wether I should jump on this one or not. I think it's a great deal and vintage Smiths are only going up in price. The K frame forcing cone issue has been beat to death and I've read various threads and articles on that already. It's a slight concern but not a huge concern, I love shooting 357 but I stick with 140 grain and up as it is. Plus from what I've gathered that issue is seen more on the 19s than it is the 66s. I would be carrying it at least occasionally. Not sure how I feel about adjustable sights on a carry gun but I'm not totally against. That's why I went with the Speed Six in the first place but also why I was looking at 65s and 13s as well.

I know it's not exactly what I want, I have a few other contenders I'm looking at also. Another 2.75 Speed Six And a 2.75 Service Six. Part of me really wants to hold out until I find one of the true 3 inch Sixes since that's what I was really after. The other part of me really wants to see what the hype is about with vintage S&Ws. I've seen 14 of the 3 inch Speed Six come up for sale in under a year, I missed a few a decent prices the last couple of months. Now that I have enough saved to get in the game I can't find one anywhere, except a NIB example and the asking price is way more than its worth. I started looking at the 2.75s again so I would have a spare for my carry gun and I could take my time getting the 3 inch. Then a worn but still beautiful 66-1 shows up. The seller believes it was carried more than fired so that's an even bigger plus. I've considered a couple other models as well but the Speed Six and this lone 66-1 are the main contenders.

I'd like to get opinions on both models, I know neither have warranty service which kind of worries me with the 66. With the Ruger there's not too much I can't fix myself at this point, I restored my 2.75 myself. The lack of factory support is a minus on both ends and has me wondering if I should just keep looking or maybe go to the SP101 or 3 inch GP100 with compact grips. I'd also consider the 66-8 2.75 but I doubt I'll find one in my price range right now.

The 3 inch Speed Six was a special run for the US Postal Service. Rare and hard to find now. Yeah, love mine!

 

[Ameshawki]

And very expensive. That extra quarter of an inch is mighty valuable steel.

 

[CH4]

I'd be all of that for $550 - would probably offer $500 OTD. If everything checks out, you can replace the firing pin bushing and clean her up a little. The 2.5" 66-1 is a great piece!!

 

[doublesharp]

This will be one of the last to go. Was a seldom used nightstand drawer gun and shoots great. I gave $360 for it in 2007 and then put the stags on it.

 

[Riposte1]

I don't have any of the smaller Ruger DA revolvers but I really did like the Speed and Service Sixes and need to correct my oversight.

I don't mind the GP-100 but I don't have any of them either.

I do have several S&W 19s and 66s - I dont often use them but they are OK - I likely would no longer shoot .357s in them as I've replaced three barrels for customers over the years that did shoot .357s - all of the barrels I replaced were cracked at the bottom of the forcing cone.

Riposte

 

[Cal. Det. 1989]

I am not sure what is meant by no factory support on the older models. However, I picked up a NYPD M64 2" from a friend awhile back. It had the bobbed hammer, and was double action only. Looking on the factory website, I decided to ship it back to the factory, with a detailed letter, requesting to make it more original with a standard hammer and single/double action. A week or so later I got a call on my cell from Springfield Ma. I immediately suspected it was the factory. Taking the call, I spoke to a guy from the shop who advised they no longer made the hammer for this gun. I told him about my decades long relationship with S&W, the models I own, the revolver and 3rd gen. Armorers schools I had attended when my hair was darker. He said he would see what he could do-with no promises. I told him thanks for the call, and about 10 days later the UPS guy comes to the door at my house, and had a box from 2100 Roosevelt Av….it was the M64 2" with a replacement hammer and trigger! The invoice said the work performed, and "no charge, customer warranty replacement". I suspect I got lucky!

 

[stonebuster]

I don't have any of the smaller Ruger DA revolvers but I really did like the Speed and Service Sixes and need to correct my oversight.

I don't mind the GP-100 but I don't have any of them either.

I do have several S&W 19s and 66s - I dont often use them but they are OK - I likely would no longer shoot .357s in them as I've replaced three barrels for customers over the years that did shoot .357s - all of the barrels I replaced were cracked at the bottom of the forcing cone.

Riposte

The Six Series Rugers were arguably the best revolvers Ruger ever made. Bill Ruger made them attempting to compete with S&W for LE contracts but that was shortly before the transition to semi autos. He said he never made money on the Six Series. Maybe more like he found a way to make his DAs less costly by introducing the GP100 & SP101. After buying my first Speed Six 3" I was hooked. Now own two Speed Six 3"(USPS) & (nycpd), one 2 3/4" Speed Six, two NYCPD Service Six 4" 38spl & a Security Six 2 3/4". I think I'm done now. I do love my S&W k frames equally well.

 

[stansdds]

I am not sure what is meant by no factory support on the older models. However, I picked up a NYPD M64 2" from a friend awhile back. It had the bobbed hammer, and was double action only. Looking on the factory website, I decided to ship it back to the factory, with a detailed letter, requesting to make it more original with a standard hammer and single/double action. A week or so later I got a call on my cell from Springfield Ma. I immediately suspected it was the factory. Taking the call, I spoke to a guy from the shop who advised they no longer made the hammer for this gun. I told him about my decades long relationship with S&W, the models I own, the revolver and 3rd gen. Armorers schools I had attended when my hair was darker. He said he would see what he could do-with no promises. I told him thanks for the call, and about 10 days later the UPS guy comes to the door at my house, and had a box from 2100 Roosevelt Av….it was the M64 2" with a replacement hammer and trigger! The invoice said the work performed, and "no charge, customer warranty replacement". I suspect I got lucky!

I think that "no factory support on the older models" simply boils down to parts availability. When a part's design is changed, the manufacturer is no longer going to have the older part manufactured, so eventually the supply of the older parts runs out.