Trio of 3” Model 66 - Correct Stocks?

[TheTinMan]

I bought my first 3” Model 66-4 new in the early 1990s. Loved it. So did my daughter. When she moved to California I agreed to send it to her. 8 or 9 months later I managed to find a replacement. I missed it!

Recently I’ve acquired a 66-2 and 66-3, both with 3” barrels, original boxes & cleaning kit. So this thread is partly “lookee what I got” and part “are these the correct stocks for each revolver?”

Pic #1 is the 66-4. I shoot this and carry it sometimes and the Hogue grips work well for me. Pic #2 is the stocks that came with this 66-4.

Pic #3 is the 66-3. The stocks are thin and track the shape of the frame. I think that’s what came on the very first 66-4 but am not sure. Stock code on box RB.

Pic #4 is the 66-2. The stocks appear to have some speed loader wear but the gun is so clean it appears unfired. Stock code on box RR.

 

[SmithNut]

Very cool....

I bought my first 3” Model 66-4 new in the early 1990s. Loved it. So did my daughter. When she moved to California I agreed to send it to her. 8 or 9 months later I managed to find a replacement. I missed it!

Recently I’ve acquired a 66-2 and 66-3, both with 3” barrels, original boxes & cleaning kit. So this thread is partly “lookee what I got” and part “are these the correct stocks for each revolver?”

Pic #1 is the 66-4. I shoot this and carry it sometimes and the Hogue grips work well for me. Pic #2 is the stocks that came with this 66-4.

Pic #3 is the 66-3. The stocks are thin and track the shape of the frame. I think that’s what came on the very first 66-4 but am not sure.

Pic #4 is the 66-2. The stocks appear to have some speed loader wear but the gun is so clean it appears unfired.

That's a mighty fine trio you have, all great revolvers... Congrats...

.............SmithNut

 

[murphydog]

Nice! The 66-3 stocks are probably original, the -2 has a newer set of Hogue stocks than the gun (Bantams) and the -4 has RB Target stocks that were probably not original but the end label code would tell.

 

[BAM-BAM]

My -3s in 1988/89 came (new) with the same stocks as are on your gun.

 

[TheTinMan]

Nice! The 66-3 stocks are probably original, the -2 has a newer set of Hogue stocks than the gun (Bantams) and the -4 has RB Target stocks that were probably not original but the end label code would tell.

The Bantam Hogue grips are on my 66-4. The separate pic of stocks is what I got with that 66-4. However, I do not have the box for the 66-4.

The 66-3 is in the third pic with the thin stocks that match the frame. The box is marked "RB" for stock.

The 66-2 is in the last pic with the larger, smooth stocks. That box is marked "RR" for stock.

Sorry I left the box info out of the original post. I am not familiar with "RR" vs "RB" designations for stocks and would like to know if these are correct.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Bottom line ..... you're a lucky man

three 3" 66 out of 5500.................... lucky man!!!!

 

[Sevens]

The only RR I've seen for a box end label denotes "red ramp" front sight, which yours show.

I can say that all three of the S&W revolvers I got NIB from the late 80's have a very specific date inside the stock, in ink. Not a SN like earlier S&W wood, but an ink stamped month, day and year. I believe it's inside the right side stock.

 

[John Patrick]

The wood stocks in the order shown in your original post:

1, Checkered RB (round butt) target stocks - worth roughly $250 themselves.

2, RB magna stocks, these are what came on my new in the box, old stock, 3” M66-3(?, think -3.)

3, Smooth “presentation” RB target stocks - also worth about $250 separately.

I like shooting with the checkered RB targets. The smooth RB targets feel great but move in the hand shooting stiff loads. The RB magnas are tolerable, but add a grip adapter and they’re just fine. My opinion of course, and everyone’s hands are unique.

 

[Baxter6551]

The Hogue Bantam are great grips. I have them on my 3” 65. Just about the perfect carry grip.

 

[BAM-BAM]

The Hogue Bantam are great grips. I have them on my 3” 65. Just about the perfect carry grip.

They are good; in wood a bit thicker than Spegel's boot grips... close to the Banana grips you've got but with finger grooves.

In rubber/open carry check out Pachmyer K-frame RB Compact or "Professional Compact" grips.

Out of production but Uncle Mike's boot grip were a licenced copy of Spegel Boot grips

 

[LEO918]

I think the 66-4 3" came with Uncle Mikes.

 

[BAM-BAM]

My -4 was used; I don't remember what was on it when I got it. Today it wears a set of Spegel Boot Grips.

 

[TheTinMan]

I think the 66-4 3" came with Uncle Mikes.

Huh - you know the very first one I bought in the 1990s may well have come with those same grips. Sure looks familiar. I like the Hogue grips better.

 

[yugolovr]

Very nice guns. I really like the grips on the 66-2.