Picked up an oddity: 66-1 2.5" with square butt - Pics

[JohnAC]

Combines two of my favorite things: 2.5" barrels, and square butt revolvers!

Most certainly not original, but it shoots great and was a cheap pickup. 1979 serial number.

Here's a few pics:

 

[GF]

I like it too.

I saw a few of those made up a Keisler's Police supply in the late 80's.
Those weren't "factory" but if yours isn't, it's a well done conversion.

The cheap pick up is the best part!

GF

 

[muzzleblast]

Very nice. Looks like a "compact" version of the 3-1/2" Model 27.

MB

 

[JohnAC]

Here it is along with the -2

 

[GunarSailors]

Man that is sexy!

 

[Frank237]

Another one of those model variations the Factory SHOULD have built.

 

[bodyarmorguy]

Clint Eastwood carried that revolver in "The Gauntlet."

 

[Tom_R]

I'll tell you what probably happened.

For years, police officers wanted 19s and 66s in a configuration that Smith and Wesson did not offer. They wanted 4" barreled guns with Round Butts.

So invariably what happened is they would get either a new 4" square butt, or a new 2.5" round butt gun, and then get the other one, slightly used.

A smith would take the barrel off of each gun, and then swap them. The police officer would have a 4" round butt, as desired for Duty, off duty, or undercover work.

They would also have the Square butt frame and would put the 2.5" barrel on it. At first glance, kind of a strange combo, but if it has Magnas, it actually is a great carry gun in its own right.

So some folks were ahead of their time.

 

[raylan007]

Cheap M66 2.5"?

I have never heard the word CHEAP associated with any M66 2.5", if it were the case I would own more than one. I'm happy for now, well kinda.

 

[Frank237]

I'll tell you what probably happened.

For years, police officers wanted 19s and 66s in a configuration that Smith and Wesson did not offer. They wanted 4" barreled guns with Round Butts.

So invariably what happened is they would get either a new 4" square butt, or a new 2.5" round butt gun, and then get the other one, slightly used.

A smith would take the barrel off of each gun, and then swap them. The police officer would have a 4" round butt, as desired for Duty, off duty, or undercover work.

They would also have the Square butt frame and would put the 2.5" barrel on it. At first glance, kind of a strange combo, but if it has Magnas, it actually is a great carry gun in its own right.

So some folks were ahead of their time.

I agree it was probably a rebarrel. I took a 2.5" RB 66 and had the factory install a 4" barrel, back in 1978 or 1979. A very nice Winter time carry revolver.

And it also sported a set of RB Fuzzy Farrant stocks that made it an even sweeter package.

FN in MT

 

[Retired W4]

Regardless it's a cool gun. Reminds me a little of my 2" nickel 15 (SB). Why not?

 

[Marvin Gardens]

I remember buying the from Kiesler's. If I recall correctly we used to get them for around $300. I have a PPC revolver that started out with a 4" barrel but now wears a 2 1/2" tube. If I ever quit shooting PPC, I'll put a ramp front sight on it and carry it.

Regards.

Bob

I like it too.

I saw a few of those made up a Keisler's Police supply in the late 80's.
Those weren't "factory" but if yours isn't, it's a well done conversion.

The cheap pick up is the best part!

GF

 

[L Pete]

I don't know about SB 2.5" Model 66s, but I worked with a fellow officer that had a square but nickel (yes, it was nickeled, as there was no such thing as a Model 66 at the time) 2.5" Model 19. This was in the early 1970s. He stated that he had bought the gun new, and that it came with the square butt, and hadn't had any changes made. He really wasn't a "gun" person, and didn't know what he had. I tried to trade him out of it numerous times, but no luck there.......I hope Gary is still enjoying that gun.

 

[OFT II]

Take a look at the top of the frame where it meets the barrel. You will see a difference in the frames there. The 2 1/2" model is flat and the frame for the longer barrels is not. The gun in question has been re-barreled.

 

[JohnAC]

Thanks everyone for the info! I was sure it wasn't original - just a nice piece that shoots really well and looks cool. And knowing it was only $100 more than they went for back then doesn't hurt

 

[DevilDog72]

Oh heck... I like it..... a lot. now I want one. &*(%$

 

[ladder13]

Original or not, wanna sell it?

 

[dcopper]

Sweet piece, Enjoy!

 

[Cleveland48]

A 2.5 " model 66 or 19 is on top of my grail gun list

Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk

 

[pawngal]

Nice! I certainly would have bought it.