Questions about a new 66-4

[ArmyBrat1961]

Greetings All....I recently picked up a 66-4 2.5in in a trade and have all sorts of newbie questions about it. This is my first Smithy (finally) and I want to take care of it.
1) How difficult is a complete takedown? I want to put new springs in and don't want to lose a pin or something important.
2) What type of frame is it? J,K,L,N how do you tell?
3) Is it possible to change the 2.5 barrell for a different length? Is a gunsmith required/recommended?

I think I'm slowly joining the "Revolution" with this aquisition as I've been a semi auto shooter for years but this little gem is growing on me. Any and all opinions are welcome....

 

[snw19_357]

Welcome to the forum.

1) How difficult is a complete takedown? I want to put new springs in and don't want to lose a pin or something important.

I wouldn't suggest doing it if you have never taken one apart before. Re-assembly is where you can mess something up.

2) What type of frame is it? J,K,L,N how do you tell?

K-frame.

3) Is it possible to change the 2.5 barrell for a different length? Is a gunsmith required/recommended?

The barrel could be swapped out but it would be easier and cheaper to have someone who knows how do it. The barrels are crush fit, sights timed, and the front gage needs to be set.

 

[jpwhel]

Welcome to the forum. With the 2 1/2" barrel Mod 66 you have one of the most popular and sought after S&W fairly current revolvers. I would not change a thing with the current set up of the gun.

Unless the 66 has been shot extensively and abused I doubt you need to take the side plate off and replace the springs. If so there is a S&W shop manual by Kuhnhausen that is very useful for working on S&W revolvers.

 

[ArmyBrat1961]

Thanks gents, I'm used to taking my pistols down to the firing pin and cleaning them once I get them. It will be a learning curve on the Smithy, didn't realize they were so robust.I am really looking forward to taking it to the range to see what it can do. It is in really good condition, just needs a good cleaning. I will check out Jerry Kuhnhausen's manual as well as getting a schematic from Numrich. I like to see the inner workings. Thanks again .....

 

[bountyhunter]

Thanks gents, I'm used to taking my pistols down to the firing pin and cleaning them once I get them. It will be a learning curve on the Smithy, didn't realize they were so robust.I am really looking forward to taking it to the range to see what it can do. It is in really good condition, just needs a good cleaning. I will check out Jerry Kuhnhausen's manual as well as getting a schematic from Numrich. I like to see the inner workings. Thanks again .....

The spring/pin most likely to go flying across the room is the one in the cylinder release assembly. As you raise it up to remove it, that sucker will shoot across the room if you don't cover it.

Get a Kuhnhausen manual for starters.

I have a DVD I made showing a full takedown and reassembly of SW revos I made for my brother, I might start selling them since I no longer have an actual job.

 

[Gunmeister]

If you MUST get into the clockwork, get a large clear plastic bag that you can fit the 66 and your hands into it. Disassemble your 66 in the bag because as Bounty Hunter said, springs can and will fly across the room. Inside a bag they can't go far.
If you ding the side plate during removal, you will regret ever taking this job on. Don't pry on the side plate EVER. I've never done this and I'm not sure it actually works but I read once if you remove the grips from the piece, remove the side plate retaining screws and then tap on the frame (the area that was under the grips/stocks) with a plastic mallet, the side plate should pop off. Maybe someone more knowledgable than me can elaborate on side plate removal.
IF you decide to proceed, good luck with your new found revolver, as has been said often, the Models 19 and 66 are the best revolvers Smith ever built.