My new Model 66-0

[Slow Draw]

Howdy folks:
I just picked up this little sweetie and I thought I'd show her off a little bit, that and I have a question about the sights.

If you're curious, I paid $450.00 and It came with the original box (no papers or tools), a S&W Holster, a set of pachmayer
rubber combat grips and 3 speed loaders. I thought it was a good deal. It's a 1974 vintage according to the SCSW.

Now the original owner painted the rear sight blade a flat black and I'd like to remove and clean off the paint. Now, my first
instinct is to just unscrew the sight adjustment screw, but I thought I'd better ask before I broke something.

Thanks for your help people.
Rob

 

[Frank237]

I would carefully use some paint remover...like brake cleaner...on a q tip. Be careful whenyou wet the q tip as it will eat the finish off of most finished wood, etc.

The other suggestion is to shoot it...you may not care for the shiny blade.

In order to remove the blade you basically BREAK the rear sight screw...then would have to reinstall and stake the screw in again. Try the carb cleaner/Q tip .

I have it's mate..mines a 1974 DOB with SS sights as well. I got a bit of a better deal though...paid $144 for mine. That was the price back then.

Great early 66!

FN in MT

 

[Slow Draw]

Thanks for the heads up Frank, it's a good thing I asked, I'm sure
getting replacement parts would be an expensive learning experience.
I'll give the break cleaner a try, I've also got some red paint on the
front post I'd like to get rid of. As for the shiny
sights, I've been looking for an original representation of how the
Model 66 first appeared, so the paint has to go. Although I do
understand why the previous owner did what he did.

Thanks, Rob

 

[canucksvt]

I bought a Model 66-0 just like this one a week or so ago. No box, no papers. I paid $325.00. Good job on your find!

 

[Art Doc]

It's very fine.

BTW- There were some S&Ws stamped -0 and I think they were special order club guns or some such thing. I think the proper designation for a Model 66 with no engineering change stamping is simply "M66."

I hope that in no way did you find my comments insulting or obnoxious.

 

[canucksvt]

Interesting. I will have to check the stamping on mine. I thought it had 66-0, but I may be mistaken.

 

[Slow Draw]

Thanks canucksvt, I've been looking for some time now and I've seen a lot worse for more money.

SaxonPig: No, mines just a plain old M66, I just find 66-0 easier then M66 (pre-dash). What can I say, I'm lazy and I wasn't
aware that any were ever marked 66-0. Now I know.
I'm also looking very hard for something to take offense at, but I
can't find anything. I guess I'll have to look a little harder.

 

[ENGINE18]

Nice piece. The beginning of a great SS .357!

 

[FlYFiShErMaN]

Nice find and at a good price, congrats.

 

[dusty10]

Good looking 66. Nice find.

 

[29aholic]

If you are going to shoot it...leave the sights alone. When you decide it needs to be a safe queen you can clean the paint off.

 

[CT Smith Fan]

+1 to Curtis,there are not many of those original SS rear sight blades around as spare parts these days!

 

[zainyD]

Very nice!! I've been looking for a Mdl 66 myself and the price you paid is better than most I have seen locally or on-line.

 

[Camster]

If you are going to shoot it...leave the sights alone. When you decide it needs to be a safe queen you can clean the paint off.

+1.
If I were going to remove the paint,I'm sure the Q-tip idea is fine,but I would probably remove the complete rear sight first.

 

[stevieboy]

I paid way more than $450 for my NIB 66 no-dash a couple of years ago. Mine was made in '73. You got a great deal. Mine is one of my favorites. The all stainless sights can be a bit of a problem, however, when shooting in bright sunlight. I suspect that's why Smith quickly changed to blued sights.

 

[cptdco]

very nice looking gun. I have the -1 version. Try the FAQ for a tutotrial on changing the rear sight blade. Not rocket science if you want to go that route, but consider ordering an extra detent pin because if it slips out while you're trying to install it, it takes off like a rocket.

 

[Slow Draw]

No more paint!

Thanks for all the encouragement everyone.
The paint is now history (a tip of the hat to Frank237), the rear
sight cleaned up very easily, the front post took a little more
effort, but it's a done deal now.
I was also wondering if the early M66's came with a "bead blasted" finish?

Thanks again, Rob