My First SS Revolver, Model 66

[sbachler]

Got lucky and found this model 66 no dash at a local sale. Had on Pachmayr grips and it's a little beat up but that's ok with me. It is the finest shooting revolver in the stable. My first 4" Smith & Wesson and my first SS revolver. I took the Target Grips from the 6" to dress it up. Like the prophet says, "Life is Good". Lol Anyway, I want to share some pics of her and her new family.

1973 6" 19-3
1974 2-1/2" 19-3
1975 4" 66

 

[dcopper]

Welcome from Arkansas! Very Nice piece of S&W History. Excellent collection !

 

[686Tom]

That's really nice! Just got the same one too!

 

[sbachler]

Thanks dcooper and 686Tom. Praying you guys are safe, looks like bad weather in your parts.

 

[kennethg]

All 3 are very nice revolvers.

 

[sbachler]

Thanks Ken, I wanted a 4" 19 and a SS and got the best of both worlds.

 

[j38]

Nice gun. Many would argue that a 4" Model 66 is the best all-around revolver one could own. Thanks for the post and pics.

Jerry

 

[Warren Sear]

A Model 66 no dash should have a stainless steel rear sight. The O.P.'s appears to be blue. Has it been swapped?

 

[andyo5]

I just acquired a 4" M66-1 and I love it. It shoots and handles really well. I went the other direction. Took off the target grips and put on Hogues. It is rapidly becoming my favorite revolver.

 

[rubiranch]

Perfect.

I have three pistols with 4" barrels and haven't shot any of them yet.

 

[S&W Fan]

Excellent choice, my late father had one (no dash with black rear sight, bought new) but later sold it to get a 686 (which I still have) when they came out. The switch to a black rear sight occurred prior to the -1. I have a 1978 -1 and it's my favorite revolver.

There's an older thread from 2017 where the rear sight is discussed in detail, can't seem to copy on my phone. 1974 appears to be when the sight switch happened.

 

[sheepdawg]

A Model 66 no dash should have a stainless steel rear sight. The O.P.'s appears to be blue. Has it been swapped?

Actually you'll find more no dashes with the blued rear sights. S&W quit using the stainless sights around 1974 and started using the blued. Yes the stainless sights are horrible. Many a no dash has had the stainless sights swapped out for the blued too.

 

[sbachler]

Serial Number on the 66 is 7k50801 puts it well into 1975.
In the SWSC it says that in 1974 they came out with the 2-1/2". Is there any 2-1/2" 66s with SS rear sights? 66-1 wasn't until 1977.

The cousins came over

 

[snowman.45]

Great revolvers. I have my last issued duty revolver before we transitioned to semi-autos; a 4" 66-2.

 

[sbachler]

Thanks snowman.45. About when did mainstream LEOs transition to Semi-Autos? And thank all the LEOs for your service.

 

[snowman.45]

Thanks, sbachler. In my first department, we transitioned in the mid 1980's. We adopted the S&W 645, and later the 4506. Our requirements were the auto had to be steel framed, double action, American made and .45 ACP. After 16 years, I lateraled to my home town department (about 20 miles away) and was again issued a revolver; the 66-2. SWAT was just being issued the Sig Sauer P226. When I joined was assigned to SWAT 6 months later, I received my P226, but the entire department transitioned within a couple of weeks after that. All-in-all, I carried a revolver in patrol for about 9 years total.

 

[firefighterjohn]

Nice looking 66 there, good find! My first revolver and first S&W was a 66-1 4" and it's my wife's favorite. They are super nice shooters and keepers.

 

[rubiranch]

Nice gun there you picked up.



This 686 was my first SS.




This is my only 66, its a 66-1. It was my brother's service revolver for 10 years.

 

[delcrossv]

5 Star speedloaders- Good man!

 

[sbachler]

5 Star speedloaders- Good man!

I herd they were the best

That's a beautiful 686 rubiranch. I still want to get a 686 and a 60. Then I need my 29-2, 6-1/2" , blued...and I'm done. lol

I agree, firefighterjohn, so many uses for a 4" K frame magnum. I'm not a good shot and this gun gave me hope.