Rear sight for 66 no dash

[Roadhawggin]

My very good friend bought a S&W model 66 (no dash) stainless .357 4 Inch barrel with no rear sight. Serial # 9K102**. Where can I find out which sight is right for it AND someone who might have one for sale?

 

[GunarSailors]

The SWSC says that... "First production models are found with a stainless rear target sight rather than black". It doesnt seem to go into any more detail. Your friends model 66 is from around 1976. I originally thought that only the early model 66 no dashes had the stainless sights. But the later no dash 66s had the black rear sight. Here is my 66 no dash. Its not a 4 inch barrel, but it does have a black rear sight. Mine is from 1975, so your friends definitely would have had a black rear sight.

 

[Roadhawggin]

Thanks for the quick reply. Do you have any photos of the top of your pistol showing the sights.

 

[GunarSailors]

Thanks for the quick reply. Do you have any photos of the top of your pistol showing the sights.

I dont at the moment. If you order an assembly, and the front screw hole doesnt line up, they do allow returns. So dont worry about it if you're ordering from them, they have what you need.
S&W K Frame Model 66 rear adjustable sight with elevator and screw k845 used revolver part

 

[Alk8944]

There are three rear sights, so there is a good chance of getting the wrong one. As mentioned, the early sights were Stainless and not correct for your gun. Then there are two different lengths depending on barrel length! The 2 1/2" barrel guns used a rear sight that was longer, the tang extends all the way to the front of the frame. Longer barrels used a sight with a shorter tang that is about 1/4" shorter than the frame. Then there is a difference in screw hole position. Yours needs a sight with the screw hole that falls over the top of the barrel shank.

Don't limit yourself by looking for just Model 66 sights, the Model 19 sights have the same variations. And, if the barrel is 4" or more the sights for any K or N Frame will work if the screw hole is in the right location and has the square ended tang!

 

[Engine49guy]

Around 1975 seems to be the changing point from a SS rear site to a black SS rear site,
IIRC late model 66's and all Model 66-1 and 66-2's have a blackened SS rear site that can be identified by the letter "S" stamped underneath,

Many older 66's with SS rear sites were retro fit with the new style black SS site when complaints arose that the older style was difficult to see.

A K target site from a dash 2 or older frame will not fit.

A rear site from a 14-3 ,15-3, 16-3, 17-3, 18-3 and 19-3 up to dash 5 will work on your gun as will the 67 and 67-1 rear site,
A new rounded style appears in the 90's and will not work.