Model 66 three inch - what's the big deal?

[Avery11]

I know I'm in for it and I did try the search but didn't see what I was looking for.

The model 66 in three inch is very attractive and I would like to have one, I suppose.

BUT what is so special about it? I see alot of them in 2.5". Isn't that close enough? Are they rare?

I thought the K frame was shunned by folks who think it's too light for the .357 magnum.

Is there a certain revision (dash) that is better or more desireable than the others?

I guess I want to be talked into one. How deep can I expect to go into the wallet to have one?

LAY IT ON ME **Bragging pics and thread links welcome.

 

[Beat Trash]

The model 66 with a 3" uses a full length ejector rod vs. the shorter rod used in the 2.5" barrel. This helps with ejecting the empty cases.

I always found the balance of the 3" preferable to the 2.5" guns.

I only owned one 3" model 66 revolver. I bought it new in about 1990. My ex-wife ended up with it in our divorce last year.

I don't have the actual production figures, but the 3" guns weren't a standard production item and therefore there aren't nearly as many out there as the 2.5" guns.

 

[diamonback68]

All things being equal though, I think the $1000 to $1500 going prices are absolutely insane. The 65 3" is a far better carry gun at a half to a third the price.

 

[Avery11]

I only owned one 3" model 66 revolver. I bought it new in about 1990. My ex-wife ended up with it in our divorce last year.

Thank you. I'm sorry to dig into a wound like that - seriously.

 

[Ashlander]

Avery: I can't add much, but that was a great question. Another gun that's nice but way too expensive is the Model 65 Lady Smith. That too has a 3" inch barrel -- and is remarkably like a 3" Model 66 (it has a shroud around the ejector rod unlike other 65s), but without the adjustable sights.

As for being able to handle full magnum loads -- you are right -- it is not as heavy as the L-frames, but most K-frame guys shoot 38 Special anyway. I suppose some of the appeal of the K-frame over the L-frames is that those old K-frames were a bit lighter, sleeker -- which made them a bit more elegant. And when you put a 3" barrel on that sleek frame -- it just looks perfect (and as Beat Trash pointed out, the longer ejector rod guarantees positive extraction.

I have a 3" 65 -- that's as close as I am going to get.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

I've owned a 2.5" barreled Model 66 for a long time. It's been a real favorite and when I was younger, I loved shooting .357 Magnums out of it. Now, many years later, I finally started acquiring 3.0" barreled K frames. First a Model 64-3, then a Model 13-3, and lately, a Model 65-3. I was very surprised at the difference 0.5" made in barrel length. "Pointability" is definitely different - as is the POI/POA. I found a set of CT laser grips DO have to be adjusted when switching between the Model 66 and the 3.0" barreled siblings. With the advances in technology, I'm quite happy with the +P loadings for short barreled revolvers in my K-frames, but I do kinda miss the instant suntans from the old days.

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[18DAI]

They are quite possibly the perfect carry revolver. Superbly balanced, accurate, well made and look good doing all that. Low maintenance stainless to boot.

Last of the everything you need in a revolver and nothing you don't Smith & Wessons.

The 3 inch 66-4 without porting was made in the smallest numbers, IIRC. It is also the last of the desireable 3 inch 66's, for me. $950 for a LNIB example is a fair price, IMO.

Then again, I already have two. Regards 18DAI

 

[Old Fashioned Six Shooter]

I'll be the lone voice of dissent here on 3" revolvers. I have a 2.5" Model 66 which is one of my favorite carry guns. I once had a 3" Model 66, but I eventually sold it, because it just never had the feel to it for me that the shorter one did. I originally bought it, because of all of the hype you read about how great the 3" revolvers are. Being a big fan of snub-nosed revolvers, the 3" Model 66 even looked funny to me. The whole longer ejector rod advantage is WAY overblown. If you handle the gun correctly, by flipping it upside down in your off hand and giving the ejector rod a firm pop, even the most stubbornly stuck cases will come right out every time. If I need a longer barrel than a 2.5",I'll just carry my 4" Model 686.

 

[DeafSmith]

I've owned two M66 3 inchers, and with the going prices I sure wish I had them back!

But... I do prefer my 2 1/2 versions for carry. The shorter barrel won't stick in the car seat when holstered, nor in tender parts of my anatomy when using a IWB and in the appendix position.

As for longer ejection rod, I also caution readers on this.

Tom Givens, of Rangematers, has pointed out more and more robbery teams are 2 and 3 men and a 5 or 6 shot revolver is a very thin reed to sake ones life on in such situations.

So I tell people if you do pack a revolver, pack a second one (or even a Kel-Tec P32!)

They are just so slow at reloading and just 5 or 6 shots, so pack a second one.

 

[chief38]

While the M66 2 1/2" & 3" guns are arguably the "sexiest" guns ever made by S&W, the 3" M65 is just more suited for CCW IMHO. Smoother profile, no adjustable sights to catch on clothing, lighter and less bulky. To me the 3" M65 IS the PERFECT carry Magnum. Not as cool looking as the 2 1/2" or 3" RB M66, but just more practical IMHO.

Chief38

 

[chud333]

Here's my 66-3 3" and i love the way it handles and shoots.
My apologies to those who have seen it before.

The grips shown are goners, i have a set of Keith Browns coming.
The box is just a prop.

Chuck

 

[BUFF]

I thought the K frame was shunned by folks who think it's too light for the .357 magnum.

Yes, it is shunned for .357 Mag usage by some, but not by all of us by any means. I carried a M-66 for the first 10 years of my career all of the time on duty, and first a 2-1/2 then a 3 incher off duty and plain clothes, and Magnums were pretty well all I ever shot them with. It is a matter of proper technique, grips that fit you and practice. The vast majority of K frame .357's held up just fine.

For a gun to carry for serious purposes, the lighter weight of the K frame .357s over the L and N frames is a big bonus. I have always felt that the three axes of power, portability and shootability cross at the K frame Magnums.

Maybe if you only want it for a range gun for fun, there may be no need to shoot Magnums in a K frame, but many still find the recoil, muzzle blast and fireballs with the shorter barrels to be quite entertaining.

I bought my 3 inch Model 66 early in 1985, out of the first batch of 3 inch 66's made, for Ashland Shooters Supply. I never carried or shot my 2-1/2 inch Model 66 again! I paid $278.00 out the door for it then. I could probably get my money back out of it!

As for which revision or dash number variant is better or most desirable, S&W started the 3 inchers with the 66-2, so none of them will be pinned and recessed, but most S&W fans seem to feel that the earlier, the better and more desirable.

If you want to get spendy, there were limited production versions of the 3 inch M-66 called the F-Comp and the Super K, that have non-regular features like porting and differently shaped barrels, but then you are starting to get into the expensive realm for a shooter.

I always advise folks to buy the version they like the most.

 

[Sebago Son]

Here's a little tip for those chasing a 3" 66. Look very, very closely at every short barreled K-T-Magnum you run across. Two of the three 3" 66's that I have bought in the past 5 years or so were mislabeled and priced as if they were the more common 2 1/2" guns.

I remember J&G blowing out the last of the Ashland guns. They were $198.50 NIB and no body seemed to be buying them. As a result alot of them ended up in the hands of 'users' (as opposed to 'collectors') and we all know that these types can be pretty igonarant...

Drew

 

[Sportsterguy]

Perfect combo of comfortable carry, great accuracy and will extract a sticky .357 if you ever need to do a speed reload. Also a very handsome S&W IMO. Mines an Ashland model that I paid 275.00 for in 85. Packed it for years till the prices went way up on them. It's my favorite K frame.

Same old pics guys surely must be getting tired of.

 

[AveragEd]

I never tire of looking at handsome firearms.

Ed

 

[JCS&W]

I am with Ed, always like to look at great Smiths.

OP, if price is not an option, go for a 3" M66. If you just have to have a pinned and recessed M19, you will find they go for high prices as well. I would suggested looking at a M19-5 or higher. Not pinned and recessed, but a fine shooting and handling Smith. I would love to have a 3" M66, but the M66-1 2 1/2 inch I have is just fine for me.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I have 3; two -3s and one -4.... I think it's personal taste...like the three bears! I think the 3 inch 66s and the 3.5 inch 27s have the same pleasing porportions of barrel length to frame/grip size.

I like my 2.5-inch 66/19s;nothing wrong with them for IWB carry;but short ejector rod.

I really like my 4-inch 66/19s...... but for me a tad to long for IWB carry;

But, with Spegel boot grips and a Sparks Summer Special IWB, I love my 66 3-inchers.My carry revolver of choice since 1988.

I have a 3-inch 65... but I had it tuned for DAO and magna-ported in 86-87.A great gun but,wish I had skipped the maga-port....not worth in for .38P+ and I don't carry magnums in it that much.

 

[jughed440]

...
The 3 inch 66-4 without porting was made in the smallest numbers, IIRC. It is also the last of the desireable 3 inch 66's, for me...

why would those be least desirable to you??...floating hand??

 

[10mmauto]

I think it's the nicest carry package, period!

L

 

[18DAI]

jughed440 I said LAST of the desireable 3 inch 66's, not least.

I say that because I don't buy revolvers with the ugly MIM triggers and don't care for the frame mounted firing pins - both of which are on the 66-5's. Although some of the late production 66-4's had MIM triggers too IIRC.

So the 66-4's were the LAST of the desireable 66's, for me.

I do love my 3" Ashland 66-2. I prefer its flash chromed trigger and hammer to the later case hardened hammer and trigger. Regards 18DAI