Hello everyone. I have inherited a couple revolvers and I currently know one is a 646. Just dont know how to learn the details of the gun. Im sure if I read up on it all it would make sense but honestly I habe no patience. Attaching photos. Please enlighten me. Thanks..
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- Thread starter tlrrider
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squirrelnest
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Welcome to the forum from Virginia.
Welcome from CT! Nice 66 snub !
Model 66, 2.5" bbl. nice gun.
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Welcome to the forum from Iowa!
Model of the revolver is 66-3 (as shown in first photo), and probably from around 1990.
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Welcome to the Forum! As others have informed you, you inherited a nice stainless steel Model 66-3 revolver (2-1/2" barrel) ca. 1991. The "646" marking in the yoke area below the serial number is some kind of identification mark added by a previous owner or possibly a law enforcement dept. Remove the grips and see if there are any additional markings. The Model 66 Combat Magnum Stainless revolver was first introduced in 1970, and the 66-3 version was manufactured from 1986-1994. It should be a fun shooter. Enjoy!
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
Welcome to the S&W Forums. Your pictured revolver is a Model 66-3. The "646" is too crudely done to be a factory marking, so it would be the work of a previous owner. Although it is possible that it was done by a law enforcement agency, my money would be that it was done by a private citizen. At least they defaced that revolver in a spot that is not seen unless the cylinder is open.
Bill In Texas
Member
Welcome to the group. Lots of knowledgeable folks here.
The 646 is meaningless. As mentioned it is a 66-3. It may be from back when S&W was doing some somewhat crude dot matrix type markings. If so it is what we refer to as an assembly number - numbers put on parts to keep them partnered up through the manufacturing process, as a lot of revolver parts need to be individually fit to each gun. If you take the grips off you might find 646 repeated on the grip frame.
panamajack310
Member
Make sure you read up on that revolver before shooting it a bunch. You should only use 158gr. .357 magnum in it sparingly. If you do a lot of shooting use .38 special to practice with. If you use a 125gr. .357 magnum round you could crack the forcing cone. That is where the bullet enters the barrel. If you crack it it will be near impossible to find a new barrel. It took me over a year to find one in 2010. And now that I say that, I check eBay and found several so ignore that last comment.
bananaman
Member
Welcome to the FORUM from Michigan! You will learn a lot here! Bob
