Engine49guy
Member
Very nice !
Although the most sought after versions seem to be the 4" SS rear site no dash and 3" variants IMO the 66-1 is undoubtedly the high water mark of the Stainless Combat Magnum evolution because it was the last of the P&R versions and moved the gas ring from the yoke to the cylinder which reduced fouling drag.
Interestingly I see more 4" no dash versions in the market than 4" dash ones, my guess is is its for two reasons, first is the no dash was in high demand when introduced in 1970 , so much so that many on a waiting list opted to have their Model 19s hard chromed instead.
It took a while for supply to catch up with demand but the no dash had a fairly long run 70-77.
The 66-1in contrast had a slightly shorter run 77-82 but you have to take into account that the market was moving towards 9mm automatics and my guess is this reduced demand a bit.
On a side note hands down the best in my collection is a 4" Model 66-2 purchased new for the police academy in 1988 ( full disclosure it has had a master action job done by a dept armorer including an aftermarket mainspring .... btw it also has the smooth combat trigger std by then which I highly prefer).
On a closing note it may shock some purists to hear this but second place in my 66 collection goes to a four inch Model 66-5 although except for its mainspring Im not sure it has any parts commonality with those early versions ,
with the exception of the RB grip frame (which I detest) , it is a great gun as well.
Although the most sought after versions seem to be the 4" SS rear site no dash and 3" variants IMO the 66-1 is undoubtedly the high water mark of the Stainless Combat Magnum evolution because it was the last of the P&R versions and moved the gas ring from the yoke to the cylinder which reduced fouling drag.
Interestingly I see more 4" no dash versions in the market than 4" dash ones, my guess is is its for two reasons, first is the no dash was in high demand when introduced in 1970 , so much so that many on a waiting list opted to have their Model 19s hard chromed instead.
It took a while for supply to catch up with demand but the no dash had a fairly long run 70-77.
The 66-1in contrast had a slightly shorter run 77-82 but you have to take into account that the market was moving towards 9mm automatics and my guess is this reduced demand a bit.
On a side note hands down the best in my collection is a 4" Model 66-2 purchased new for the police academy in 1988 ( full disclosure it has had a master action job done by a dept armorer including an aftermarket mainspring .... btw it also has the smooth combat trigger std by then which I highly prefer).
On a closing note it may shock some purists to hear this but second place in my 66 collection goes to a four inch Model 66-5 although except for its mainspring Im not sure it has any parts commonality with those early versions ,
with the exception of the RB grip frame (which I detest) , it is a great gun as well.
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