Should I buy this 66-1 snub? Update - still there so I got it.

[minconrevo]

I'd imagine you will do well with your "experienced" 66. Replacing the bent rear sight blade with a new blade requires a special "pickle fork" tool and a kit containing a new blade of the proper height as well as associated small parts. READ the instructions that come with the kit. DO the work inside a plastic gallon bag. Small parts will go flying during the process and be contained inside the bag. You can even choose if you want a black or white outline blade.

If the current finish bugs you, I think I do the grey auto repair pad thing to it. A careful touch will get it looking much like what I did leaving the factory. Helpful if you have a factory newer S&W SS revolver to look at to determine direction to work pad.

 

[Retired W4]

That firearm is a perfect example of what happens when Pacs are installed on a neglected gun. One another point, straightening the rear sight blade will only make it worse, and as described in an earlier post, blade replacement is not an easy task. It is much easier to replace the entire rear sight assembly. Shoot me a PM Sig.,

 

[sigp220.45]

Looking pretty good after a day in the soup. I gave it a wipedown and plopped it back in.

As expected, the sight blade broke when I attempted to straighten it. New one is inbound.

 

[sigp220.45]

Took it out to the range today. It was interesting shooting a gun with no right side to the rear sight, but it shot well. Fifty rounds of Armscor .357 FMJ all headed downrange with no problems.

I think I'll try the Scotch Brite pad thing. I have some purple and grey ones coming from Mr Bezos. We'll see how it goes.

 

[S&W Fan]

Glad it worked the way it should. Looking forward to seeing how it looks after the pad workout.

 

[sigp220.45]

I think I'm done. My nephew's birthday is next week and its going to him. I think he'll like it.

After the soak it was time to pop the sideplate. It was gunky but not as bad as I expected.

Then the rear sight. To everyone who said to just buy the whole assembly: YOU WERE RIGHT. Of course I didn't listen, and was forced to perform micro-surgery on it. Never again. But its done.

Last was a rubdown with a purple pad then a gray one. All the scratches and almost all of the pits disappeared.

I think it looks ok. My nephew prefers Pachmayrs so that's what I went with.

 

[Xfuzz]

Great save........

 

[S&W Fan]

Outstanding! Your nephew has a damn fine uncle.

 

[Loyaljeeper]

Sig, you want another nephew? How about one that is 41 years old? Awesome find! I'm glad it found such a loving home.

 

[minconrevo]

Your ugly duckling 66 came out fine. I will tell you that your first trip through the rear sight rebuild process was a learning curve. The next ones will be much easier. Nice to have all the sight options and black/WO choices. Always remember to work inside the gallon plastic bag. I got overconfident once and tried it without the bag; nope, not the next time.

 

[stansdds]

I think I'm done. My nephew's birthday is next week and its going to him. I think he'll like it.

After the soak it was time to pop the sideplate. It was gunky but not as bad as I expected.

Then the rear sight. To everyone who said to just buy the whole assembly: YOU WERE RIGHT. Of course I didn't listen, and was forced to perform micro-surgery on it. Never again. But its done.

Last was a rubdown with a purple pad then a gray one. All the scratches and almost all of the pits disappeared.

I think it looks ok. My nephew prefers Pachmayrs so that's what I went with.

That turned out great! Hopefully, your nephew will take better care of it than its previous owner.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Your nephew has a wonderful uncle. I hope he knows that.

 

[Green Frog]

Have been following this with interest. Back when I was young and had better vision and digital dexterity I changed out several sight blades with only one leaping spring (which I actually found.) now I regard the whole process right up there with a root canal or colonoscopy! Great find and great save on your 66-1, which I personally regard as best of the breed. My only negative would be your nephew's choice in grips. All of his taste seems to be in his tongue! That gun would be sheer perfection with a set of factory smooth combats with finger grooves. Then it would be total perfection.

Froggie

 

[old bear]

I think I'm done. My nephew's birthday is next week and its going to him. I think he'll like it.

That guy is looking 200% better. Any chance of you adopting me?

 

[Truckman]

Any chance of you adopting me?

Hey! I got here first!...I just didn't say anything figuring my good looks and honest face would make me the obvious choice for adoption......Ben

 

[Florida Guy]

Job well done.

 

[raygixxer89]

They said CBI was down for a couple of hours, so its just backlog.

They still have a nice 4516 and a 3" Model 65.

I would jump 9n that 4516!!!

 

[raygixxer89]

So here we go....

Doesn't look too bad from afar:

Something is amiss here for sure:

Someone tried to pry these square butt Pachmayrs off. Turns out the rusty grips screw just turned and turned. I had to cut them off, which is a first for me.

Grim:

I don't want to know:

Dirty but not cracked:

Gonna have to straighten this out:

Its in the soup now.

The action is really nice, at least. I think it'll clean up ok.

I think it was polished once upon a time. I'm not sure if I should polish it again or try the Scotch Brite pad thing.

I still would have bought it. Bet she cleans up fine

 

[stansdds]

I would have to say that is not a used revolver, but an abused revolver. Whoever owned it certainly did not appreciate it nor give it the care a stainless firearm requires. The pitting is the permanent damage and in my experience, it takes a good amount of neglect to get a stainless firearm into this sad of a condition. It will always bear the scars of it's abused past, but at least you are doing it a great service by saving it.

 

[roundels]

What shop is this gun in?