Model 66-7, 2 1/2 Inch barrel: False Alarm, I've been corrected.

[WCCPHD]

I was a the "Deer Show" today where they have a mini gun show. One of the larger gun shops had a Model 66-7 with a 2 1/2 inch barrel. This is the first one of these I've seen and was not aware they made it in anything but the 4.25 inch barrel. It was interesting, I thought the two piece barrel was a bit large in the shorter barrel.

I hope this forecasts the Model 69 with a shorter barrel, now that's something I'll have to break down and buy.

Oh well, appears to be new-old stock. I got excited for nothing.

 

[HarrishMasher]

I was a the "Deer Show" today where they have a mini gun show. One of the larger gun shops had a Model 66-7 with a 2 1/2 inch barrel. This is the first one of these I've seen and was not aware they made it in anything but the 4.25 inch barrel. It was interesting, I thought the two piece barrel was a bit large in the shorter barrel.

I hope this forecasts the Model 69 with a shorter barrel, now that's something I'll have to break down and buy.

So you are saying this is a brand new M66 2.5" 2014/15 manufacture? Obviously S&W made many thousands of model 66 2.5" over the years, but not for many years.

If this is indeed a brand new 66 2.5" that would be REALLY HUGE NEWS. There are many people here who would run right out to their local gun shop when they finished reading this post to go buy one. Are you sure it is a brand spanking new 66 2.5"???

EDIT:
Ok I just did some research. 66-7 is not necessarily current production. They certainly made 66-7 2.5" guns, but not recently. They are several years old. I think they were made before 2010. S&W is NOT currently making a 66 2.5" gun with the black hammer, trigger, cylinder release etc.

So don't get too excited about seeing a shorter barrel M69 anytime soon.

 

[WCCPHD]

So you are saying this is a brand new M66 2.5" 2014/15 manufacture? Obviously S&W made many thousands of model 66 2.5" over the years, but not for many years.

If this is indeed a brand new 66 2.5" that would be REALLY HUGE NEWS. There are many people here who would run right out to their local gun shop when they finished reading this post to go buy one. Are you sure it is a brand spanking new 66 2.5"???

I cannot tell you how badly I wish you would have taken a picture of the gun you saw.

I looked at it twice and was so shocked I neglected to take a photo. It was a Model 66, it had the interlock and the two piece barrel (it was noticeably thicker than the older Model 66's) and was NIB. I assumed it was, and found a similar one on a national gun auction. Interestingly it was also in NC.

Since I have 4 of the older Model 66's and have paid no attention to anything after 66-5.

I may be wrong and that's why I came here to get guidance.

 

[HarrishMasher]

I looked at it twice and was so shocked I neglected to take a photo. It was a Model 66, it had the interlock and the two piece barrel (it was noticeably thicker than the older Model 66's) and was NIB. I assumed it was, and found a similar one on a national gun auction. Interestingly it was also in NC.

Since I have 4 of the older Model 66's and have paid no attention to anything after 66-5.

I may be wrong and that's why I came here to get guidance.

I just did some research. 66-7 is not necessarily current production. They certainly made 66-7 2.5" guns, but not recently. They are several years old. I think they were made before 2010. S&W is NOT currently making a 66 2.5" gun with the black hammer, trigger, cylinder release etc.

You can find used 66-7 2.5" guns on Gunbroker anytime. There are plenty up there right now.

So don't get too excited about seeing a shorter barrel M69 anytime soon.

 

[WCCPHD]

So you are saying this is a brand new M66 2.5" 2014/15 manufacture? Obviously S&W made many thousands of model 66 2.5" over the years, but not for many years.

If this is indeed a brand new 66 2.5" that would be REALLY HUGE NEWS. There are many people here who would run right out to their local gun shop when they finished reading this post to go buy one. Are you sure it is a brand spanking new 66 2.5"???

EDIT:
Ok I just did some research. 66-7 is not necessarily current production. They certainly made 66-7 2.5" guns, but not recently. They are several years old. I think they were made before 2010. S&W is NOT currently making a 66 2.5" gun with the black hammer, trigger, cylinder release etc.

Ok, sorry for getting you excited, It was bad enough to get me excited. It was definitely a new gun, possibly new-old stock. It did not have the opposing color thumb release or screws so it must have been old stock.

Sorry.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

I've seen a 3-inch M66-7, but it was made in 2002. Current production M66's are -8's. I think when they went to the -8 they beefed the frame up some.

 

[MTKTM]

I believe that the 66-7 ceased production in 2005. The new ones introduced in 2014 are 66-8.

 

[WCCPHD]

I believe that the 66-7 ceased production in 2005. The new ones introduced in 2014 are 66-8.

Thanks. The one I saw was new, old stock. Got excited for nothing.

 

[k22fan]

66-7s have the older style of "two piece" barrel assembly that is now obsolete as far as 66s go. Their barrel flange is out side of the barrel sleeve and not particularly attractive. The current 66-8's barrel flange is inside a counter bore in the barrel sleeve. The rear of 66-7 barrels is the same thickness as the flat spot on the bottom of one piece barrels all the way around. 66-8 barrels are thicker around the forcing cone. In order to make room for that 66-8s do not have a center pin all the way through their extractor rod. 66-8 extractor rods are thin so the top of their yokes can be lower. On 66-8s a ball bearing lock replaces the traditional under barrel lock.

A couple years ago a large quantity of 66-7s was traded in to S&W for M&P case flingers by an Australian state. S&W resold those as used revolvers. At least one distributor shipped them in plain brown one piece cardboard boxes. Many had little wear and some appeared unfired. The majority were 4" but a portion were 2 1/2". For those who were happy without pre-what ever they were good buys.