Model 66-1 with wear...good price?

[Patches09]

I may have the opportunity to purchase a Model 66-1, 4 inch for $550. I haven't seen the gun but one of the pics shows wear in one area of the cylider (looks like it might have been dropped). Being stainless, I can probably buff away most of the wear, but wondered if a gun like this is worth pursuing for the price. It is "supposedly" in excellent mechanical condition.
I've attached a photo of the wear area on the cylinder. What do you think?

 

[Kevin G]

Patches,
Not really up to speed on recent prices, strikes me as being toward the higher end of the scale. Or could be viewed as "premature pricing". These days I get sticker shock at everything I look at! However, my 4" 66-1 and 2 1/2" 66-3 pictured below are among my favorites. Neither was used much in previous lives, they've both developed marvelous triggers w/use.
I paid $475 for my 4" a couple years ago, had S&W target grips, not the Combats in the photo, now wears wood Houges.
Good Luck, Kevin

 

[AveragEd]

I'm a huge Model 66 fan but even I think the price is too high for a damaged gun. If the seller tells you the marks should buff out, tell him to buff them out and call you.

Granted, it was three years ago, but the most I've paid for a Model 66 was $540 for the 4" -2 as shown in the photo below. It came with target hammer, target trigger, factory trigger stop and original checkered target stocks as well as its box, tools and paperwork and was in like-new condition.

The most I would pay for that one is $400 and then the rest of the gun would have to be really nice and I'd have to really want it. You could very easily be looking at a new or at least a good used cylinder to fix that one properly.

Ed

 

[MITCHB]

put another 150 with it and buy a nice gun!

 

[ralph7]

$550 WILL buy a nice gun.

That looks like a $350 gun to me.

 

[ken158]

Any gun that has been dropped that hard will have many hidden issues. $200 tops. They made plenty of them...

 

[Silvergoose]

I paid $450.00 OTD in Feb. for a 66-2 SS, 4 inch barrel. Great gun, but not at the price he is asking, as said before look around there are plenty to look at.

Good Luck

 

[Tom Kent]

You don't know how those marks got there. I knocked a 686 of mine off of a top shelf in my gun safe and it hit the floor of the safe. Not a mark on it and it will have to go back to S&W for repairs. I'd be careful of that gun IIWY.

 

[681ismyfavorite]

that pic makes the asking price seem considerably higher than it should be.

 

[Hillbilly77]

With that kind of damage I think I'd find something else to spend my $550 on.
Just my opinion.

 

[hardcase60]

From the pic, that looks like a serious case of road rash. Buyer Beware.

hardcase60

 

[echo1xg36c]

Whoa, no way near $550.
Have seen much nicer guns even around the $400ish price range.
That does look like its seen its share of hell

 

[k22fan]

Previous posters raised concerns that the revolver may have acquired damage you can't see easily. That's a good point. The frame or yoke could be bent or less likely the cylinder squished out of round.

My guess is you took the picture so you can handle it and talk to the owner. It appears the gouges are too deep to sand and polish off but still may just be asphalt rash. Offer about $325 subject to it passing a test firing with flying colors. Even an ugly 66 is worth that for its utility value. However that's about 41% off the asking price so don't expect the seller to accept those terms until he's watching your back walking away.

 

[66snub]

I wouldn't buy that gun for anything over $300-350, and even then, I'd probably have buyer's regret. Keep shopping.

 

[BJoe]

$550 WILL buy a nice gun.

That looks like a $350 gun to me.

+1 TOP end $350. Probably closer to $300

 

[Geno44]

I try to keep my stuff as clean as when I get it. This one will never be really clean. I think you have received good advice on this. Unless you want this to roll around in the back of a pick-up and can buy it cheap, you should pass. I bought a nice 66-2 for $450 two months ago. $550 should buy a real beauty where I live and they are out there. Continue to look.

 

[Point 357]

As much as I love the M66, I would not pay money for this one. There have been many excellent points made here and I won't try to re-make them, other than that damage will NOT simply 'buff out'.
Think about it, how much would you have to pay a reputable gunsmith who will provide a guarantee to replace that cylinder and inspect the gun for further damage? What if he or she says that this gun cannot be safely fired?
I would walk away.

 

[yeti]

Pass... unless he is willing to go much much lower. If you can pick it up really cheap...then maybe.

 

[Badquaker]

pass, do not look back

 

[Patches09]

OK, guys, thanks for all your helpful input. I have decided not to get it, and ironically he actually decided to buy one of my guns, so guess I am ahead on two counts. Now I feel much better!