New to model 66-1 and coming in hot

Surprisewheeler

Surprisewheeler

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Just became the 2nd owner of a prestine 66-1 2 1/2" barrel 357mag 92kxxxx. I've been lurking on here for a few days trying to learn as much as I can about it... but I do have questions. I am new to wheel guns in general and until now never considered myself a collector of guns, only a shooter. It is a family gun and will be passed on after I pass. I am happy with the price I paid for it but was curious as to what the experts on here think.
I have matching box with all papers and tools. I have not spent the money on Letter of Authenticity although I think I will soon. It was likely shipped for local Sheriff's department.

Next question is about cleaning. I had a guy tell me I shouldn't wipe it clean if it has only been factory fired. It is possibly never fired, however I believe I see very faint rings around the cylinder so this one may have been fired. Should I use regular gun oil and wipe everything down for storage? It will be a safe queen.

How did I do on my 1st post :D
 

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Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

That's a handsome, early Model 66.

The powder burn rings on the business end of every cylinder lead
most observers to believe it's been shot since leaving the factory.
The factory standard was three shots, every other cylinder on a
six-shooter.

Go shoot and enjoy it. That's why Smith & Wesson made it.
 
I think a good 1st post. That is a very desirable model S&W 66. I agree it has been shot but probably not much. That one would not be a safe queen if mine. It needs to be shot-alot. It will clean up nicely. If you decide to shoot it, stay away from the light 110 grain and 125 grain .357 bullets. Reports have been made of these loads causing the forcing cone to crack on the barrel. I have found during shooting sessions that about one or two cylinder fulls of .357 rounds are enough for me in that short barrel-blast and recoil are not that enjoyable. All kinds of .38's are a lot of fun. Thanks for showing.
 
Welcome to the forum.
Nice 66. As you and 22highpower surmised, it's definitely been shot-so enjoy shooting it yourself.
As far as cleaning, go to your local Walmart and get some Breakfree CLP. That, a rag, and a cleaning kit for inside the barrel.
Enjoy and show us you're next purchase! It's addictive. ;):D
 
As others have noted it has been shot and looks like a great deal. I doubt a factory letter will reveal any info that would make the gun collectible but your call and your $100. Shoot it and enjoy it !
They are great revolvers and make a great carry gun.
 

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swagmeister said:
I think a good 1st post. That is a very desirable model S&W 66. I agree it has been shot but probably not much. That one would not be a safe queen if mine. It needs to be shot-alot. It will clean up nicely. If you decide to shoot it, stay away from the light 110 grain and 125 grain .357 bullets. Reports have been made of these loads causing the forcing cone to crack on the barrel. I have found during shooting sessions that about one or two cylinder fulls of .357 rounds are enough for me in that short barrel-blast and recoil are not that enjoyable. All kinds of .38's are a lot of fun. Thanks for showing.
Click to expand...

I have shot a 66 with a 4" barrel and agree 1 or 2 cylinders of 357 was fun but 38 was more enjoyable. Guessing I'm going to enjoy 38 out of this little guy way more than 357
 
I congratulate you on the purchase, it is a beautiful revolver, I would not hesitate to shoot with it and after shooting I would clean and lubricate it as befits any weapon.
Thanks for sharing it with us.
 
Surprisewheeler said:
Just became the 2nd owner of a prestine 66-1 2 1/2" barrel 357mag 92kxxxx.

Next question is about cleaning. I had a guy tell me I shouldn't wipe it clean if it has only been factory fired. It is possibly never fired, however I believe I see very faint rings around the cylinder so this one may have been fired. Should I use regular gun oil and wipe everything down for storage? It will be a safe queen.

How did I do on my 1st post :D
Click to expand...
You did very well for a 1st post and first revolver purchase. That SN dates to 1981; I have one just like it that dates to 1980. It's definitely been fired, so don't make it a forgotten safe queen, take it to the range and use it. You'd be surprised how accurately you can shoot at 15 yards with that short barrel, and this revolver makes an excellent concealed carry. Mine is my EDC, and I bought it new in the box and unfired since the factory (you could barely see the 3 alternate rings on the cylinder).

Under normal care, you can't hurt a stainless gun; it's not a finish that will wear off with use, although it can be scratched and gouged. Clean it just like you'd clean a blued revolver or semiauto, but you needn't disassemble it to clean it like you would a semi. For storage, buy a silicone gun cloth, wrap the revolver in it and store it in its box. You can also find gun socks made for handguns and use one of them. A few drops of oil, one on the extractor rod under the star, one in the trigger slot with the gun inverted, and one down the hammer slot with the gun upright is all you need, really. Too much oil collects dust, and the silicone cloth will repel moisture, plus stainless doesn't rust (well, it will over a long time, but not like tool steel). Take it out and admire it once a month if you don't shoot it, and you can keep track of its condition, wipe it with the silicone cloth and put it away again.

If you do decide to shoot it, stay away from magnums under 140 grain bullet weights, 158's and 140's work best. There is the apocryphal tale about forcing cone cracks in K frame magnums from too many lightweight bullets at magnum power. That said, I shoot lots of 158 grain magnum rounds from both my M66-1 and my M19-3, and years ago used 125 grain magnum loads in two other M66/M19's that I once had, with no ill effects. For the most part, Shooting .38Spl +P loads are sufficient even for defense, and much more pleasant to the hand on the round butt snubbie.

My M66-1 and its blued cousin, the M19-3. Both have aftermarket stocks but I still have the originals.
 

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Thank you hair trigger. Lots information there! Since everyone seems to agree it's been fired. I will be firing it :)
 
Model 66 2 1/2"

Surprisewheeler, since it's a Smith, get it on a rest at 50 and 100 yards. Sometimes factories, either .38's or .357's are more accurate than reloads. You might be surprised. I have a target @ a hundred yards from an ancient four inch Model 10 with five shots (reloads) you can cover with your hand.
 
Surprisewheeler, since it's a Smith, get it on a rest at 50 and 100 yards. Sometimes factories, either .38's or .357's are more accurate than reloads. You might be surprised. I have a target @ a hundred yards from an ancient four inch Model 10 with five shots (reloads) you can cover with your hand.[/QUOTE]
 
That's a good looking gun!

Another tip for cleaning a stainless gun is to use a Kleenbore Lead Away Gun Cloth to remove the carbon rings from the front of the cylinder after shooting. Takes 'em right off. (Will also remove bluing so DO NOT use on a blued gun.)
 
Surprisewheeler said:
I have shot a 66 with a 4" barrel and agree 1 or 2 cylinders of 357 was fun but 38 was more enjoyable. Guessing I'm going to enjoy 38 out of this little guy way more than 357
Click to expand...

I carried one of these on duty back in the early 70's. I still have a few of them in various configurations. The 66 was our first issue weapon. Prior to that we had to furnish our own within specifications. We practiced monthly with .38 special reloads. Once a year we would burn up our box of Super Vels and get new ammo. I still carry .357 Hornady Critical Defense in my 66-1 2 1/2", 66-1 4", and 65-3 3". I burn the magnum rounds once a year as I always had and practice with .38 special any other time. I like seeing the newbys come on the forum and ask questions. Sometimes after a year or two they are some of the ones giving the answers. We were all a newby at one time.
 
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Nice 66-1. If you check with High Desert Cartridge Company I worked on a .357 Magnum load with them. It is basically a good .38 Special in a .357 Magnum case. This will completely fill the cylinders and not get a build up like you get shooting .38's. It is a 158 gr. Total Metal Jacket (makes cleaning easy). It was designed specifically to be able to shoot in these older guns at lower pressures and velocity so it is enjoyable and easy on the old guns. It was incredibly accurate in my 2.5" Model 66-1. Shoot it and enjoy it.
 
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I recently acquired a 66-2 from a fellow collector - it belonged to a female Miami detective and has floral etchings/engravings on the receiver & grips.. pinned, not recessed - started me into collecting Smif wheel guns - recently traded a nice Soviet 1951 SKS for a Model 19-3 and bought a 13-1 for $800...found a really nice PRE - model 18 (5 screw) for $950 to go with the K22 I inherited in 1984...love the old blue Smifs - dad had a Mod 19 'Combat Magnum' he foolishly sold in 1979 before moving to FL with mom - because some dufo in NJ told him the laws were most likely worse than in NJ...THAT Smif is my Grail...
 
66-2 1/2

Great Choice!

I'm on my second 66-2 1/2". My first was in about 1978 or 79, but sadly, I let it get away.
This one's a 66-2 model that had the presentation grips, which I replaced for shooting with a set of Hogues.
For a short barrel, they seem to have above average accuracy, at least for me.
My favorite handgun !

Jeff
 
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