"splain" it to me Model 66 3"

[SW CQB 45]

what is the main reason this gun bring show much $$$$ in the seller's market?

Quick Story....
1989, a officer who I met later in life was involved in a serious vehicular accident while on duty and his duty weapon was taken from him in the accident (Model 66 3")

sometime had gone by and during recovery, he realized his gun was never returned to him. and no one claimed to have it.

I did not know this at the time. I came to know this person in the 90s but the missing gun, I still did not know about.

fast forward to mid 2000s, I qualified a bunch of retirees and one had what I believe to be a Model 66 3"....and he would have been the above person's supervisor but I did not know about the weapon at that time.

Last year, this person ordered a Model 66 3" to replace the one he never got back. He paid over a grand for the piece. He told me about the his model 66 being taken and never returned. I relayed what I had seen years ago and there was no way to prove that piece was actually his. he told me to let it go.

So whats the deal....why is a Model 66 3" a desired piece?

thanks in advance

 

[murphydog]

Low production numbers, shorter than the 4" but with a full-length ejector rod, high demand as a CCW gun. Allen-frame will be along shortly to show why so few come up for sale .

 

[VM]

"splain" it to me Model 66 3"


what is the main reason this gun bring show much $$$$ in the seller's market?

So whats the deal....why is a Model 66 3" a desired piece?

All of the 3" K frames are hot but the 66 is the King.
The internet and GB has made a lot of Professsional Non-FFL Gun Dealers.
These "Dealers" sit in the classifieds ad Section of Gun Forums and scoop up the the cherries and then list them on GB as RARE............and the sucker Buyers fall for it everytime.
It also amazes me how a gun can be bought on a Forum as used but when reaches GB it is "Factory Fired only" and New in box!
If people did their homework and didn't pay these silly prices for these marked up guns...........the prices wouldn't be crazy.
Sorry for the rant, but this is why the prices are high....
Greed, Dishonesty, and $Money$

 

[Alk8944]

They are popular and in great demand. There aren't any more being made so there is a fixed number of them available, a lot fewer than those who want them. People are willing to pat what is necessary to get one. Just that simple.

In simpler words, supply and demand.

 

[SW CQB 45]

Thanks for the info.

What is the quick ID that you have struck gold.....

Is it the ramp on the top of the barrel?

Does the 2.5" commonly get mistaken for the 3"?

 

[Ashlander]

2 1/2" 66s don't get confused with 3 inchers -- it's the other way around -- some guy will sell a 3 incher thinking it's just a snubbie.

You can tell it's 3 inches -- by the longer ramp -- the 3 inches measures from the forcing cone to the end of the barrel (within and 1/8th inch or so anyway).

 

[gumpys]

All of the 3" K frames are hot but the 66 is the King.
The internet and GB has made a lot of Professsional Non-FFL Gun Dealers.
These "Dealers" sit in the classifieds ad Section of Gun Forums and scoop up the the cherries and then list them on GB as RARE............and the sucker Buyers fall for it everytime.
It also amazes me how a gun can be bought on a Forum as used but when reaches GB it is "Factory Fired only" and New in box!
If people did their homework and didn't pay these silly prices for these marked up guns...........the prices wouldn't be crazy.
Sorry for the rant, but this is why the prices are high....
Greed, Dishonesty, and $Money$

AMEN brother, see it start on here all the time and end on gun broker for more. Guys got too much money on gun broker and no brains.

 

[Sportsterguy]

Mine, a -2 would be the last handgun I'd ever let go. Perfectly balanced, accurate, easy to carry, ejects empties with authority and fairly rare.

It is supply and demand. IMO it's one of the best, all purpose revolver models ever to leave the factory.

Darn shame someone swiped the officers weapon! Glad he was able to replace it as they do grow on ya.

Wait till you see Allens collection! It'll blow your mind.

 

[SAFireman]

All of the 3" K frames are hot but the 66 is the King.
The internet and GB has made a lot of Professsional Non-FFL Gun Dealers.
These "Dealers" sit in the classifieds ad Section of Gun Forums and scoop up the the cherries and then list them on GB as RARE............and the sucker Buyers fall for it everytime.
It also amazes me how a gun can be bought on a Forum as used but when reaches GB it is "Factory Fired only" and New in box!
If people did their homework and didn't pay these silly prices for these marked up guns...........the prices wouldn't be crazy.
Sorry for the rant, but this is why the prices are high....
Greed, Dishonesty, and $Money$

....we have a few of those around here...I would rather see a forum member end up with a nice gun than a 'flipper' who is going to re-sell it on an auction site.

all that aside...the 3" K frames have a full length ejector rod and a 'shorter' barrel. I have several 3" K frames and I think that they carry and shoot quite well....although, for carry purposes, I would rather have a fixed sight gun (models 65, 64, 10, 13) for SD/CCW. ....just my .02

 

[Nick B]

They are popular and in great demand. There aren't any more being made so there is a fixed number of them available, a lot fewer than those who want them. People are willing to pat what is necessary to get one. Just that simple.

In simpler words, supply and demand.

Maybe in great demand here on this forum but not everywhere . There's one NIB with box,extras, and original Ashland receipt for sale here in Florida for an even grand and no takers . No, not my gun .

 

[SW CQB 45]

I am assuming the M66 2.5" is an un-shrouded ejector rod?

I once had a Model 65 3" RB and let it go for something else. I agree that gun had great balance and pointability.

I wait patiently for Allen's collection.

thanks to all for the info.

 

[jmoln]

Not at all, the 2.5" and 3" are very shrouded and it is the sculpted end of the shroud that makes them so attractive and balanced.

 

[murphydog]

Have a look at this thread also.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...31650-model-66-three-inch-whats-big-deal.html

 

[diamonback68]

I have several 3" K frames and I think that they carry and shoot quite well....although, for carry purposes, I would rather have a fixed sight gun (models 65, 64, 10, 13) for SD/CCW. ....just my .02

Now you're talking! I would rather have and carry my 3" 65 over the 66 with adj. sights any day. Can do all the same things as a 66, only better, in my estimation.

The 3" 66 hype still has me scratching my head.

 

[Murphy2000]

The 3" Model 66 is to the .357 in a K frame, what the Model 27 is in a 5" to the N frame.

Those two, and a 4" Model 28-2 will cover pretty much any thing a man could ask for from a .357.

Murphy2000

 

[ladder13]

All of the 3" K frames are hot but the 66 is the King.
The internet and GB has made a lot of Professsional Non-FFL Gun Dealers.
These "Dealers" sit in the classifieds ad Section of Gun Forums and scoop up the the cherries and then list them on GB as RARE............and the sucker Buyers fall for it everytime.
It also amazes me how a gun can be bought on a Forum as used but when reaches GB it is "Factory Fired only" and New in box!
If people did their homework and didn't pay these silly prices for these marked up guns...........the prices wouldn't be crazy.
Sorry for the rant, but this is why the prices are high....
Greed, Dishonesty, and $Money$

We have one who buys used guns and then a couple months later show up on GB as NIB.

 

[18DAI]

The 3 inch 66's are quite possibly the finest concealed carry revolvers made. Easily concealed, accurate, perfectly balanced, powerful and look good doing all that.

There were just over 5000 made and evidently there won't be any more, as nice, from S&W anyway. The high prices - on all pre lock S&W revolvers - is due to the lack of quality and high prices on the current production S&W guns, IMO .

The smaller quantity of 3 inch pre lock 66's available, combined with their desireable features - full length ejection, flash chromed forged parts ect., the prices will naturally continue to climb. Just like other short production desireable revolvers, like the Python snubs.

I carried my 3 inch 66-4 on duty and off duty for a little over 6 years. A superb carry gun. I retired it for sentimental reasons and picked up an Ashland 3 inch 66-2 to replace it with.

A local Doctor shot mine a few weeks back and commisioned me to find him one just like it. I found one LNIB on Gunbroker a week ago. The Doctor happily forked over $1100 for it. He declared the 3 inch 66 to be; "Well worth it......" "The finest handgun I have ever fired...."

I can't say I disagree with him. Folks can describe why the 3 inch 66's are all that, but I think one should hold and shoot a 3 inch 66 to really see what all the fuss is about. My 0.02 Regards 18DAI

 

[feralmerril]

I bought my 3" lew horton 66-3 a long time ago. Everything about it suggested the ultimate at the time. It has the trillijon night sights that now need to be refreshed or replaced. It has the port. Probley dont need it. In truth I have shot the gun very little. Several other guns ride with me more on the trails. For holster guns I like shorter barrels and less weight. It is very hard to beat a 4" M&P. I often carry a 3" model 36. It is just enough lighter to make a big differance in the portability for me for comfort. Many times I carry a .44 special if I think I need more muscel than a .38 special. I own some of the best .357s made, a couple pythons 2 1/2" and 4" and a model 27-2 5" besides the 3" 66-3.
For some reason I never really thought about I very seldom take any .357 on my quad rides. I think it is because I dont like getting them dusty and scratched up and for the weight involved I have .44 specials that are a better caliber to start with and several of them are as handy to carry as a .357.
So for me the easist gun to pack is first, the 3" 36, then the 4" m&p, and then I skip right over my .357s and carry a 4" 24-3 or a single action .44 special colt or ruger. Decisions, decisions!

 

[357larry]

I agree the prices for the 3 inch 66's have gone crazy. I lucked into mine. Went to a gunshow looking for a 2 1/2 inch 66 and stumbled upon the 3 inch 66-4 for about $25 more than I was willing to pay for the shorter tube. ($500 OTD).

They are one sweet handling piece. Just ask my wife, she stole mine from me.

 

[getoff]

i'd let several of my "prized" revos go for a shot at the legendary 3" 66. best ccw revolver (maybe) ever made, and i have a no dash 66 in 2.5 that i love. she'd go along with some others or maybe cash if one comes up. glad the leo got one back after all the years. i'd still love to get my hands on the mod 10 i trained on.

 

[1aafan]

Got two! Super K, the ultimate K frame, Paid 1200 and don't regret it for a second...

Lew Horton limited, 1 of 300...both came with boxes, paperwork,etc.

 

[Nedroe]

Once More.....

So what if it says "Lady Smith" on the side of it?

They usually see the front view anyway

Ned

 

[BobR1]

If you conceal carry a K, L or N frame revolver, and also shoot it in Defensive Pistol Matches for practice, you will quickly figure out what the Big Deal is.
I carry a 2.5" 66 No Dash, a 3" 625, a 2.5" 310NG, as well as a few 4" revolvers. I carry them all in Lobo Pancake holsters.

I have found that the 4" guns are harder to conceal due to the longer barrel length, as well as larger grips. I have wood round butt finger groove combats on all my 2.5 an 3 inch guns. I have the larger size finger grooves on my 4" guns.

With the 3" 66 the additional 1/2 inch of barrel probably does not add enough sight radius over the 2.5 inch to make a big difference. The longer ejector stroke however is a really big deal doing a reload.
The 2.5" and 3" K Frames are a very handy size for concealed carry, as well as being a very shootable size platform. The 3" guns are the Top Choice because they have the full length ejector of the longer barrel revolvers.

Bob

 

[UDR2]

Damn! (Am I allowed to say "damn" on this forum?) There was a 66-3 with a 3" barrel just listed on GB last night. But this morning it has already sold.

Hey. Wait a minute! I'm the guy that just bought it.

 

[gumpys]

No offense, but I think you just bought a rebarreled one. If you go on the classified section under the member 41steve I am pretty sure it is his, and several people including me told him we thought it was a rebarreled 3 inch. If it is him, that is pretty bad on his part trying to scam another member unless he can prove getting a letter from SMith and Wesson that it is legit, but he mentioned he did not want to do that.
Eric

 

[jughed440]

No offense, but I think you just bought a rebarreled one. If you go on the classified section under the member 41steve I am pretty sure it is his, and several people including me told him we thought it was a rebarreled 3 inch. If it is him, that is pretty bad on his part trying to scam another member unless he can prove getting a letter from SMith and Wesson that it is legit, but he mentioned he did not want to do that.
Eric

i agree. the seller's claim that the box was marked with the wrong barrel length throws up one huge red flag

 

[WardenRoss]

I have one of the original Ashland model 66's. I will state here, without a doubt, she is my favorite revolver. I've carried this ole girl more than any other pistol. I shot her for years in LEO pistol matches and local steel challenges, compact carry class. She has THE perfect balance. I can understand why they are so popular.

 

[UDR2]

No offense, but I think you just bought a rebarreled one. If you go on the classified section under the member 41steve I am pretty sure it is his, and several people including me told him we thought it was a rebarreled 3 inch. If it is him, that is pretty bad on his part trying to scam another member unless he can prove getting a letter from SMith and Wesson that it is legit, but he mentioned he did not want to do that.
Eric

Thanks, man. I truly appreciate that info. I thought about that possibility before I bought it. So I looked up what 66-3s with a 2.5" barrel were selling for, and what the 66-3s with the original 3" barrel was selling for. - Keep in mind, I'm not a collector and plan on using and carrying the gun.

In excellent condition (and this one appears to be pristine) the 2.5" barreled guns go for around $550. The cost of a new 3" genuine S&W K-frame barrel goes for in excess of $250; and the cost to have S&W fit the barrel to the frame is about $60. Tack on another $50 to ship the gun to S&W and I'm close to a $1,000.

A 66-3 with original 3" barrel has been selling for $1,200-$1,400 or more.

So I thought I'd wind up with the carry gun I want, at a reasonable, if not great, price. What do you think?

BTW, now that my curiosity has been raised, I will check with S&W and I will let you guys know what they say.

 

[Pointblank2U]

I think it's a very nice gun, but for a 3" carry gun I'd prefer fixed sights so I don't have to worry about snagging during an emergency draw. At self-defense distances I doubt the adjustable sights makes any difference.

 

[lhump1961]

I was following the posts on the 3" 66 in question and it got me thinking about mine! I don't have a box and never questioned it's originality. Soooo...I shot an email off to Smith with the serial# and asked oh so nicely if they would tell me how that serial# left the factory. As always got the reply within a day confirming my 66 is an original 3". I suggest the same to settle the issue with this 66. It was free and set my mind at ease.