Saw a nice 66-1, P&R, 2-1/2 Incher

[sbrmike]

I saw nice model 66-1, Pinned & Recessed, with a 2-1/2" barrel today for $899. I may trade my 66-1, Pinned, 4 incher on it. Mine is a square butt.

I can't tell if the 2-1/2" is round or square butt because it has some type of green laminated boot grips on it.

I thought that I read somewhere that all of the 2-1/2" model 66's were round butts? What is the scoop.

 

[pantannojack]

I think you should keep the 4". I have a 2 1/2 inch, wish it was a 4

 

[minconrevo]

66-1's aren't particularly common anymore, especially if they are in 90% or better condition. Box and such with one is less common. Grips numbered to the gun is even more scarce.

My suggestion is to keep your 4". Borrow a friends 2 1/2" 66 or 19 and take to the range, with both .38's and .357's. Give it a whirl. I don't own a 2 1/2" magnum for good reason. I do own a 2" J frame .38, also for good reason.

4" 66's do most everything really well.

 

[John Patrick]

I have a 4", a 3" and a 2 1/2". (Only the 4" is a -1 though.)

Love them all. I have to say the 3" is my favorite, all the best attributes of the 4" and of the 2 1/2."

So the answer is keep the 4" and pick up the 2 1/2" and be on the look out for a reasonably priced 3"!

Also, fwiw, I've never seen a SB 2 1/2", only RBs.

 

[629shooter]

The only time I believe that I've seen or heard of a 2 1/2" Model 66 with a square butt, was the one Clint Eastwood used in "The Guantlet" (1977.)

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

 

[murphydog]

The factory 2.5" model 66s were all RB. Back in the day some would swap the short barrel onto a square butt frame on the theory that this was easier to shoot, but this may have been a psychological advantage to the shooter more than anything else.

 

[jughed440]

While you're waiting for the right answer someone else may already be enjoying that snub....even at that price.

added pic of 66-2 and 66-1...maybe it'll hound you into buying that 66

 

[IrishFritz]

As others have said the standard configuration of the 2 1/2 66's are round butts. To my way of thinking the 2 1/2 is a specialty gun designed for concealed carry; but that capability comes with a number of compromises: first, you give away about 100fps over a 4" barrel, next you have shorter sight radius making it a bit harder to shoot accurately, finally, the grip is quite small and difficult for someone with large hands to to hang on to. On the last point you find lots of folks add an aftermarket grip but that can bulk up the gun and diminish the concealability. Perhaps the worst compromise is the short ejector rod that can cause the inboard fired case to hang up and lengthen reload times.
Having said all of that, the 2 1/2 66 is one of the best carry guns you can find but it is not nearly as versatile as a 4" square butt. I own a dash one 2 1/2 66 and it is my carry piece, but I also own both a 4" 19 and a 6" 19 and I do 80% of my shooting with them. The revolver you mentioned sounds like a great gun and at a fair price and I would buy it if I could but I would have to think hard about giving up a 4" to do so. Best of luck

 

[CH4]

If I saw a nice 2.5" 66-1, I'd be all over it for that price; they're getting harder to find. I have several 2.5" 19/66s and I am
always looking for more.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Like John Patrick above I have 2 1/2, 3 and 4 inch 66s. A 3" 66-4 is my EDC revolver; that said I've had some form of 2 1/2" 19/66 since the early 1980s.

A P&R gun brings a premium ..when was the last time you saw one for sale locally? ...I'd advise you grab it!!!!

Also advise you keep the 4" as it's a great all purpose/utility/duty gun; that can be carried concealed if needed.

 

[sbrmike]

Thank you all. There is some very good advice. I am a shooter of quality guns, not a collector of safe queens. That 2-1/2" is very clean metal wise, high 90's of original finish for sure. But it has aftermarket (possibly Altamont replacement) grips.

The plusses were Pinned & Recessed and I never saw one available for sale at a reasonable price; they were higher than $899 when longer barreled 66's were going for $450.

My every day carry piece is a model 37 snubbie. I avoid +P as I have my 4 inch model 66 for 357's if I wanted more power. My 66 is primarily my back up gun while hunting.

I do like my 4 inch model 66 square butt. I like the look, the feel and the available power if needed. I carry in a cross draw fashion for hunting, mainly to avoid the rifle butt from banging against the revolver while moving. It is very handy to get at as well.

I recently picked up two 22/32 kit guns, an older blue and walnut 3-1/2" Airweight 6 shot and a brand spanking new model 317-3 AirLite 3". I have a choice there which is going to be my everyday hiker!

So, I guess the only reason to buy the 2-1/2" 66 is to own it, a nice P&R gun. I already have it covered as far as need or use.

If anyone is interested it is in the Gun Library @ Cabela's in Cheektowaga, NY. I don't know if it is online or not.

 

[Bald1]

Mike, I see your in Potter Co PA. Was that gun at the Cabelas in Cheektowaga? If so I looked at it yesterday. Indeed very nice condition. I thought $899 was a bit high but maybe I'm wrong. As far as recoil and shooting I would not worry about it. If missing that 1 1/2" of barrel makes a difference then you probably shouldn't shoot any magnums.

 

[BAM-BAM]

The shorter barreled guns like the 66 we're talking about make great hunting backup guns.....you've got a rifle as primary!

I've actually gone to a 3" 60-10 .357 micro-686 as my hunting backup revolver.

 

[sbrmike]

Locally, a short barreled 66 or 19 was always north of a thousand, in many cases well over, like $1350.00 - $1450.00 and they never sat around long. A lot of folks in Potter go to local shops exclusively for guns. Those prices have been like that around here for at least 10 years.

Yes, I am in Potter County, PA but have made a lot of 125 miles each way trips to Buffalo, NY VA hospital this year. Go right past Cabela's in Cheektowaga, NY each way. No appointments for the year. Two follow ups in Jan and Feb though. They should be fun! Winter in Buffalo!

I was also kicking around trading that 66 on a new model 60. The 66 in 4 inch with square butt is a very versatile and good looking gun for sure.

Also Cabela's had a fair amount of primers for sale with a one of each type brick limit. Prices were $89.99 -$99.99 per 1,000. I only wanted one or two hundred Small Pistol, but they don't sell individual boxes. The last I looked at available primers in stock anywhere were $149 - $169 per brick of 1,000. I didn't check ammunition prices but they appeared well stocked.

 

[wproct]

To me the 66 1/2 inch revolvers are just the best looking of all. If I had a chance to buy that one at that price and had the spare money I would buy it in a heartbeat! I passed on one about 8 years ago and have regretted it ever since. The closest I have been able to come to it is my 64-2 2 inch bbl. True that the 4 inch bbl revolver probably is the best all-round revolver but the 2 1/2 inchers just have a cool factor, and today's pricing backs that up.

 

[John Patrick]

To me the 66 1/2 inch revolvers are just the best looking of all. If I had a chance to buy that one at that price and had the spare money I would buy it in a heartbeat! I passed on one about 8 years ago and have regretted it ever since. The closest I have been able to come to it is my 64-2 2 inch bbl. True that the 4 inch bbl revolver probably is the best all-round revolver but the 2 1/2 inchers just have a cool factor, and today's pricing backs that up.

2 1/2", 3" and 4".

 

[LPD256]

Dash 1, Dash 2, Dash 3. Yes I'm an addict.

 

[Smithpride]

No trade. Only add.

 

[Hair Trigger]

I saw nice model 66-1, Pinned & Recessed, with a 2-1/2" barrel today for $899. I may trade my 66-1, Pinned, 4 incher on it. Mine is a square butt.

I can't tell if the 2-1/2" is round or square butt because it has some type of green laminated boot grips on it.

I thought that I read somewhere that all of the 2-1/2" model 66's were round butts? What is the scoop.

2-1/2 and 3" were round butt, 4" and 6" were square.

This is my M66-1, a rather late one, made in 1980. I found it ANIB, paid $1200 for it. I like the standard small stocks, makes it very easy to conceal, and I can shoot about three cylinder loads of magnums before my hand starts screaming "NO MAS"

I switch off between this and a .40 S&W Commander size 1911 as a EDC.

 

[Gunz50]

My square butt 2.5" 66 no dash is a more comfortable & controlable gun [to me] than shooting a full load 357 round thru a round butt K frame.
S&W converted it to 2.5" for me from a 4" over 40 years ago, carried it regulary for a number of years concealed in a Bianchi high ride pancake holster, it was and still is a go to gun for me for seasonal carry.
Back in the 70's you just could not find a 2.5", 66 they were very popular with the local police departments and always went there first, local gun shops just "never" got them, when I saw the 4" in a shops display case I bought it at msrp and shipped it off to S&W for the barrel swap, it only took a few weeks, and was actually a very reasonably priced job.