Opinions on the 66 w/2 1/2 in barrel?

[jughed440]

A 2.5 inch 66-4 was my first revolver. I am now running out of space in the safe because of the interest sparked by that gun. Proceed with caution.

Ditto. My S&W addiction started with a 66-2 snub. If i ever decide to thin the S&W herd, this 66 will stay.
The 66-1 on the bottom once belonged to the local Sheriff's office (lettered. 1 of 5 shipped 3/6/80). Probably carried by a detective. Cool snub. It's a keeper as well.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Was my go to gun for a long time.
That was before I went to J Frames!

 

[Hasbeen1945]

Two handguns on my need list for this year. Received my Colt Wiley Clapp 1911 9 m/m this week. Now looking for a pre lock 66 snubby. I'm 72 years old will this obsession with firearms ever cool down.

 

[Chief Illiniwek]

I just picked up a 2-1/2" 66-2 last Thursday. Gave it a good cleaning (even though it didn't appear to need it) and am planning on taking a long lunch and heading to the range today. Now I just need to decide on a holster....

 

[Bill In Texas]

Howdy Dr. Richard!

The S&W K frames are my favorite revolvers for some reason, in particular the 66 snubbies. I have a 66-2 from 1985 that would probably be the last gun I would part with. It has the 2.5" barrel and I would highly recommend getting one.

I don't carry it because if anything happened that I had to use it, it would be hard to replace. But, that being said, they carry very well and I have a holster for it. I would like to pick up a new model 66-8 with the 2.75" barrel just for that reason.

I hope you find one at a reasonable cost and happy hunting!

 

[KSDeputy]

I am thinking of saving for one, only because they no longer make a model 65. If the rear sight is easily removed, I wish some company would make a fixed rear sight that could replace it.

 

[Zipdog]

I am thinking of saving for one, only because they no longer make a model 65. If the rear sight is easily removed, I wish some company would make a fixed rear sight that could replace it.

They probably do make a fixed rear sight. Try Cylinder & Slide.

 

[Sol-Invictus]

66 snub is about perfect for carry no matter the iteration. No dash, lady smith, or new version.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[scooterfiend]

K frame snubby

Yeah the mdl 66 snubby is way up on my list of guns I enjoy. When I found the right combo of stocks and ammo for plinking and woods carry, they're hard to beat.
Enjoy.
I enjoy all of the mdl 66's I shoot.

 

[RSinOR]

Model 66 2 1/2" Barrel

Here's my 66 no dash, bought it brand new in 1975. Used to carry it off duty for a while then switched to a Model 49 which I still carry. Haven't shot the Model 66 in quite a while.

 

[AveragEd]

I've posted this before, but perhaps eight years ago, I saw a 2-1/2" Model 66-4 on GunBroker. It was advertised as being in what the seller termed "average condition" and had a minimum bid of $416. I thought that sounded low so I downloaded his two photos and enlargened them on my 27" monitor. The gun looked new - no buggered screw slots, very slight turn line and no scuffs or marks on the metal so I entered the minimum bid, fully expecting to start a bidding war.

A few days later, I received a "You won..." email from GunBroker. No one else bid! I can only assume the "average condition" descriptive scared off potential bidders. Sometimes you just get lucky.

Ed

 

[Jdavis]

I purchased this one sometime in the 80's. IMO, it was one of S&W's best offerings. The K-frame is arguably the ideal combination of size and power.
Not to mention the sleek attractive design. This is one gun I will never part with.

 

[gnystrom]

A guy comes into our range on a regular basis and shoots a 66 2-1/2" offhand at 75'. I have shot that gun and the balance makes it very easy to control even at that distance.

 

[viceunit]

I bought a 19-3 2.5" new in Feb 1978. Was a long time off-duty piece and is still my favorite S&W of all I own. Picked up a 66-1 snub about 20 years ago, and it is very nice also, but I prefer a blued handgun. The proportions are near perfect. But, they do not get carried anymore for social work, a G43 has taken their place. I would not be too upset if my G43 got wet, scratched up or sat on a shelf in an evidence room. I'd lose sleep if any of that happened to one of my Smith's.

 

[demkofour]

The Gauntlet, with Clint Eastwood... once again, he was responsible for an uptick in S&W sales- this time the 2 1/2 66!

 

[one eye joe]

What is there to opine on.....the gun speaks for itself.

THIS GUN DOES INDEED, SPEAK FOR ITSELF--AS MOST GUNS DO.....

WHETHER THE LISTENER LIKES THE MESSAGE, OR NOT, REMAINS A MATTER OF PERSONAL OPINION.....

I HAPPEN TO LIKE THIS ONE, BUT THERE MAY BE THOSE AMONG US, THAT DO NOT........

 

[WCCPHD]

My first issued firearm with my state agency was a 2.5 inch Model 66-1. It was a great carry gun (in the issued Roy Baker Pancake Holster) but a bit snappy with .357 ammo. I had no problem qualifying, but others did. We finally went to .38 +P and the qualification problems ceased. In those days basically all ammo was the same and the 2.5 inch barrel with full bore magnum loads put out a flash that would temporarily blind you at night. I know they now have short barrel loads that fixed that problem.

I did not buy my issued gun when I had the chance. I got a used one that was out of time and I did not have $150 at the time. I was able to find an exact replacement years later. The gun, below, was the issued gun of a North Carolina elected Sheriff who did not carry it. It has been fired but very little. I got it, in the box with original grips, all tools and the grips on it for $400 in 2008.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

My opinion on the 2.5" model 66 guns is high

no-dash

 

[damienph]

I can't really add anything except....

 

[Capt. F.]

My main carry. Conceals well, especially in a pancake holster, all the horsepower you need in an accurate package and just plain looks all business. Did I miss anything?