S&W 66-2: yay or nay

[Orlando88]

Hi guys,

can you please help me out here?

I set my sights on a very nice 66-2 so I asked for some pictures of the forcing cone, the hammer and the barrel.

What do you think? is it worth it?

 

[Orlando88]

A few more pictures:

 

[CH4]

Nice piece
Yay, if it’’s $850 or less.

 

[Orlando88]

Nice piece
Yay, if it’’s $850 or less.

Do you think it's been shot a lot?

 

[Bald1]

You say is it worth it. Worth what?

 

[stansdds]

I see gas cutting of the frame, but not a lot of erosion of the forcing cone. I'm guessing it has been shot a fair amount, but likely with 158 grain ammo or reduced power 110 and 125 grain ammo. It is the full power 125 grain full power ammo that does the most damage to the forcing cone. Stocks are not original.

 

[Orlando88]

You say is it worth it. Worth what?

Apologies, not a native speaker.

I meant to say should I buy it or not given the conditions?

 

[Orlando88]

I see gas cutting of the frame, but not a lot of erosion of the forcing cone. I'm guessing it has been shot a fair amount, but likely with 158 grain ammo or reduced power 110 and 125 grain ammo. It is the full power 125 grain full power ammo that does the most damage to the forcing cone. Stocks are not original.

I was thinking of trading my 66-1 for it since mine has a tiny little bit of yoke end shake (if I put a slight pressure with my finger I can feel it moving) but I'm not so sure after seeing the flame cutting and the rifling

 

[Heinz]

Do not trade. If you want it, buy it. It never hurts to own two

 

[Orlando88]

I see gas cutting of the frame, but not a lot of erosion of the forcing cone. I'm guessing it has been shot a fair amount, but likely with 158 grain ammo or reduced power 110 and 125 grain ammo. It is the full power 125 grain full power ammo that does the most damage to the forcing cone. Stocks are not original.

Some pictures of my 66-1:

 

[Orlando88]

And other pictures

 

[Orlando88]

Do not trade. If you want it, buy it. It never hurts to own two

Yeah you're right but have some other guns I'd like to buy and in Italy we're limited to only three short barreled guns

 

[swagmeister]

Looks fine to me. Yeah, it's been shot some but I don't see any signs of abuse or excessive wear. If I were in the market for a vintage, short barreled Model 66, I don't think that $800 is an unreasonable price in today's inflated firearms market. Good luck.

 

[Orlando88]

Looks fine to me. Yeah, it's been shot some but I don't see any signs of abuse or excessive wear. If I were in the market for a vintage, short barreled Model 66, I don't think that $800 is an unreasonable price in today's inflated firearms market. Good luck.

The gun store is actually asking 550 for this 66-2. I paid the same for my 66-1.
I'm just not sure which one of the two is in better shape

 

[LittleAugieMo]

Think you should keep your 66-1 that's without seeing photos and relying on your description. Just my opinion.

 

[Orlando88]

Think you should keep your 66-1 that's without seeing photos and relying on your description. Just my opinion.

I uploaded some pictures of my 66-1 here

 

[xfarfuldog]

Both are ***'s. Just give me the addresses and where I should send the money!

 

[Green Frog]

Orlando88, since you asked, I would say that I would not give up the 66-1 for the later -2. I prefer a pinned and recessed variant. A little bit of end play is not a deal breaker… if needed, you can shim the cylinder withthe thinnest shims and eliminate it if it really bothers you.
Anything later than the 66-1 is a step down hill, IMHO.
Froggie

 

[notsofast]

I had and later sold a 6” 66-1 that I bought new, I regret that, N frames are my main shooters these days but I definitely regret letting go of my 66. Depends on how much you want the one you’re looking at as far as how much money you’ll trade for it.

 

[Orlando88]

Orlando88, since you asked, I would say that I would not give up the 66-1 for the later -2. I prefer a pinned and recessed variant. A little bit of end play is not a deal breaker… if needed, you can shim the cylinder withthe thinnest shims and eliminate it if it really bothers you.
Anything later than the 66-1 is a step down hill, IMHO.
Froggie

I was looking for a gun shot very little, almost new. This doesn’t sound very much new, as you all said. I think I’ll pass