please help- s/w mod 66 serial info
- Thread starter rrzielin
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It's a stainless, K or medium frame .357. It likely shipped in 1976 and is probably stamped MOD 66 (with no "-" or number after it) on the frame under the barrel with the cylinder out. These came with 2.5, 4 and 6" barrels; its value depends on barrel length and condition. Hope this is helpful.
Yes and thanks, its a 4" stamped MOD 66, blue sights, little dirty and wood stock grip emblems are worn. After reading up, think it may be too expensive at $600 for the condition. I like the fit, but am new to handguns. A clean Pawn shop. No box/case or papers. ?? Is this old S/W 357 a good investment for a bang around strong gun , or are newer the way to go? I am impressed with the rugers also.
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The price is high as you describe it, more in the $400-450 range. Stainless K frames are good carry .357s, not as heavy as the L or N frames, but definitely not as strong as the GP series Rugers.
gsampano
have you tried getting help directly from S&W
It would be your best source for accurate info.
have you tried getting help directly from S&W
It would be your best source for accurate info.
I doubt the OP would get any better information on that gun than what is available right here.
I recently (January) bought a Model 66 no dash 4" with S/N 2Kxxxx with Good years in excellent shape for $495 OTD. This was a 1st year production gun with the cylinder counter bored. It is a great shooter. I took the Goodyears off and put targets on it.
So $600 seems a bit high.. but not exorbitant. I don't see many of them for sale in that vintage.. or any vintage for that matter. SO I wouldn't walk away if it is in good shape. How much are Model 19s going for?
So $600 seems a bit high.. but not exorbitant. I don't see many of them for sale in that vintage.. or any vintage for that matter. SO I wouldn't walk away if it is in good shape. How much are Model 19s going for?
Havent physically found 19s. online they appear to be about the same price. I am starting to like the 10 HB idea. They are 200+ cheaper online and i am told one heck of a good shooting fun gun. I may have to visit this pawn shop and see if i can get him in at around 450-5.
cbrobertson
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Brand new in 1973 the 66 sold for $150.00, I know, I bought one from SASO Police Supply in Arlington Texas. Today the 2012 Blue Book of Gun Values lists the 66 at $250.00 for 95%. 98% = $350.00 and 100% = $475.00.
HOWEVER, Blue Book does NOT accurately reflect value of desire ability. But it is safe to say, it ain't gonna gain a lot of value over the purchase price of $600.00 + extortion = tax. Personally, I would run, not walk, away from it.
HOWEVER, Blue Book does NOT accurately reflect value of desire ability. But it is safe to say, it ain't gonna gain a lot of value over the purchase price of $600.00 + extortion = tax. Personally, I would run, not walk, away from it.
Respectfully said, thank you sir.
I phone offered him 450 OTD today, he laughed and said he would talk it over and call back to me. nothin yet! With all the help here i received i will not pay over $500. It's actually tagged at 629 +6% tax. There are mint condition models on GB for around this price. thx again guy
I phone offered him 450 OTD today, he laughed and said he would talk it over and call back to me. nothin yet! With all the help here i received i will not pay over $500. It's actually tagged at 629 +6% tax. There are mint condition models on GB for around this price. thx again guy
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AveragEd
Member
I'm going to offer the opposite opinion for several reasons.
You are looking at a gun that is no longer made. That means the only ones available for purchase are the ones that someone else already owns, so there is no gun shop around with a dozen of them in inventory on which they are willing to take a short deal in order to free up some operating capital.
Next, it is a pre-IL, pre-MIM Smith & Wesson revolver. Such guns are in higher demand than ever. From point number one above, you know that the supply of such Model 66s is not great. You also know what happens when you combine a declining supply with a rising demand.
The gun you seek has a four-inch barrel, probably the most in-demand length for Model 66s. See point number two.
It has a pinned barrel and recessed chambers. Read point number two a few more times.
If by its serial number one can assume that it has a stainless steel rear sight like the one "mbliss57" bought, it is an early production gun, a lot of which were never made. Another half-dozen reads of point number two might be in order.
A lot of us can show you Model 66s that we bought just a few years ago at what seem like bargain-basement prices today. I'm no exception - from top to bottom, the three in the photo below cost me $436, $540 and $416 plus shipping on the bottom two and sales tax on the top one. At the time, $540 was a lot for a Model 66 while $416 was a steal for a snub.
Now, in fairness, I must tell you that none of them came with the nicely-figured factory stocks you see on them now - the two longer ones did have their original checkered target stocks but they weren't as nice as those and the 2-1/2" gun had Pachmayrs on it, so I have invested, on average and after selling their original ones, an additional $50 in each gun. The 4" and 6" guns came factory-equipped with target hammers and triggers and the 4" also has a trigger stop, something that is not often seen according to the more knowledgeable folks on here.
So yes, some of us were smart in hindsight or just lucky, as in my case, to have bought before the values of these guns rose. But if you want one and found a really nice one, that sure wouldn't stop me from paying what others might consider "too much" for it.
Bought any all-original 1964-1970 muscle cars lately? They were cheaper once upon a time, too.
Ed
You are looking at a gun that is no longer made. That means the only ones available for purchase are the ones that someone else already owns, so there is no gun shop around with a dozen of them in inventory on which they are willing to take a short deal in order to free up some operating capital.
Next, it is a pre-IL, pre-MIM Smith & Wesson revolver. Such guns are in higher demand than ever. From point number one above, you know that the supply of such Model 66s is not great. You also know what happens when you combine a declining supply with a rising demand.
The gun you seek has a four-inch barrel, probably the most in-demand length for Model 66s. See point number two.
It has a pinned barrel and recessed chambers. Read point number two a few more times.
If by its serial number one can assume that it has a stainless steel rear sight like the one "mbliss57" bought, it is an early production gun, a lot of which were never made. Another half-dozen reads of point number two might be in order.
A lot of us can show you Model 66s that we bought just a few years ago at what seem like bargain-basement prices today. I'm no exception - from top to bottom, the three in the photo below cost me $436, $540 and $416 plus shipping on the bottom two and sales tax on the top one. At the time, $540 was a lot for a Model 66 while $416 was a steal for a snub.
Now, in fairness, I must tell you that none of them came with the nicely-figured factory stocks you see on them now - the two longer ones did have their original checkered target stocks but they weren't as nice as those and the 2-1/2" gun had Pachmayrs on it, so I have invested, on average and after selling their original ones, an additional $50 in each gun. The 4" and 6" guns came factory-equipped with target hammers and triggers and the 4" also has a trigger stop, something that is not often seen according to the more knowledgeable folks on here.
So yes, some of us were smart in hindsight or just lucky, as in my case, to have bought before the values of these guns rose. But if you want one and found a really nice one, that sure wouldn't stop me from paying what others might consider "too much" for it.
Bought any all-original 1964-1970 muscle cars lately? They were cheaper once upon a time, too.
Ed
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How bad do you want one? $629 is close to average from what I've seen lately as I research for friends looking for 66's and 19's. Yep, the prices have certainly gone up in the last few months, but I would think that those that do sell at these higher prices will not return to the market any time soon, so to me that means they're scarce and getting "scarcer". Probably the best thing anyone can tell you is: does $629 break the bank? Is it more than you can justify? If you're only going to have buyers remorse afterward instead of "Woohoo, scored a nice one!" then keep looking!
thanks all. I am there. I went to the pawn shop today with some cash. They were closed for the holidays. My woo-hoo went to boo-woo. They seem good people, clean organized store. I think they will deal with me some on the price. Wish me luck Tuesday, i am stoppin in on the way to the clay target range.
You guys are great! really appreciate it.
RZ
You guys are great! really appreciate it.
RZ
rockyrider
Member
9K51405 was made in 1976, according to Roy G. Jinks, History fo Smith & Wesson.
Thanks and woo-hoo
Well I went for it. My first s/w revolver today. Man o man o pizza pan, does it feel good in my hand. Thanks guys for all your coaching. Same gun as quote, model 66 no dash, for $500 - pawn shop (good one), got 'em down $130. Needs some cleanup and gunsmith spec check, but I really like it. I tried to get some pics in, attached.
RZ
Well I went for it. My first s/w revolver today. Man o man o pizza pan, does it feel good in my hand. Thanks guys for all your coaching. Same gun as quote, model 66 no dash, for $500 - pawn shop (good one), got 'em down $130. Needs some cleanup and gunsmith spec check, but I really like it. I tried to get some pics in, attached.
RZ
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Badquaker
Member
In todays market, you did fine.
rockyrider
Member
Ya done well, by todays prices. Now, pull it apart and clean it up properly, lube & oil sparingly, and change the rebound slide spring to make a perfect trigger. You'll have a winner.
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I think you did well at $500; I had a mental picture of a more beat-up gun. The general recommendation is to avoid using full 125 gr .357 loads in it; this ammo puts unusual stress on the barrel's forcing cone, which is flat and thinner on the bottom to clear the yoke. Any .38 Special or lighter/heavier .357 load would be fine, assuming you can find any ammo right now. Enjoy!
