What would you pay for a nice 66-1?

02-fatboy

02-fatboy

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Wondering what you guys would pay for a nice 66-1 from the 70's with a 4 inch barrel that's pinned and has a recessed cylinder?

Also do these guns have problems with light loads? I thought I remember reading somewhere they are a stainless version of the model 19, and I vaguely remember hearing you shouldn't shoot light grain bullets through the model 19's?

Any input would be greatly appreciated, I am in the market for something new
 
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Ok so $580 wouldn't be out of the question? No box just a gun in fair condition.

A few people told me $500 should be the most I spend???
 
If it were in good shape, I'd give $650. In regard to the load issue, when shooting 357 mags., you probably need to shoot the 158 gr. loads. The hotter loads have the potential of cracking the forcing cone (so they say - and I have no reason to think it isn't true). Just about any 38 sp. and 38 sp.+P should be fine.
 
I decided to let it pass. I have way to many 357's and 38's right now anyways and don't know that I need another even though a nice S&W would be sweet. If it was a super good deal like $500 I probably would have bought it.

Its amazing how a few $ can make or break a deal. I was originally set on paying $550 and thought I would buy the gun. The guy who owns it won't go less that $580 and my friend just talked me out of it making me think I don't want to spend more that $500 now.
 
In only "fair" condition I think you made the right move. If a P&R 66 is on your list then keep an eye out and the right one will show up. I will admit that I have paid premium for a few guns but only after a lengthy search and it was exactly what I wanted...especially if it is a gun you don't see for sale very often.

66's have been going up but I think we will see prices on most guns settle down and even come back a little as sales slow from the frenzy of the last year or so. JMHO.:)
 
I just bought a 66-1 2 1/2" in great condition for less than he's asking...I looked for more than a year before I found it..I found several but these guys were asking way to much...
No, not for sale :)
 
Buy it......its the sweetest gun !......you`ll never regret it. With what ammo costs , whats $100.00 here or there......
 
Really depends on what is meant by "fair condition". This is where standardized definitions of terms becomes useful -- so there's a common understanding for assessment.

NRA's Modern Gun Condition Standards helps here: The National Firearms Museum: Evaluating Firearms Condition.

A 66 in "fair condition" in this case I don't think merits $580. You were right to pass.

The 66s are great guns but they're also plentiful on the used market, and in a variety of conditions. For near $600, you should be able to find a shooter in NRA very good-to-excellent condition. I'd hold out for that...

As for hot .357 and possible forcing cone damage -- it's debated endlessly. Bottom line -- if you want to err on the side of caution -- is that if you're set on shooting full house .357 magnums of lighter grain, get an L-frame. Sticking with heavy grain .357 and all .38 under the sun? A well-preserved 66 will serve you perfectly.
 
Thank you all. What I meant by fair condition was it had no box or paperwork, it had the typical wear around the cylinder from being fired, and the finish was decent but had normal small scratches and swirl marks from use. No major dings or defect etc.

I kinda gave up on this thread LOL. It seems to have taken off. My favorite 38 at this point was my 15-3 which I ended up trading for something I wanted way more. I had a 19-5 that I wasn't very impressed with, and a 686 that I also wasn't super thrilled with. Got rid of both. Really love my 29-2 though and at the moment my favorite 357 is my Security six. Super accurate and a blast to shoot.
 
I think a LNIB 66 could surpass 600 bucks but after that I wouldn't pay much over $500. People are asking some exorbitant prices presently for no reason. I paid $450 for a 2.5" M19 less than 2 years ago and that was tops as far as I was concerned.

***GRJ***
 
2 LNIB 66-1 2" barrels sold at OGCA 2 weeks ago.. 1 with box at $675 and one without box for $600. Both were in 98% condition. Both looked unfired or very lightly used. They were also snubbies which are bringing a premium over a 4". I would say $500 would be tops. I bought a 66 no dash 4" this year for $495. NO box and good years so I had to add the correct stocks. $50
So I was into it for $545. Just more info to chew on for the future.
 
It seems that prices are coming down a bit lately. But, it also seems that there are a lot of guns purchased during the scare on the assumption that prices would keep going up and now they are trying to salvage as much as they can before prices go back to normal. And maybe some who are trying to get what they can for safe queens before the prices drop any more.
 
19 and 66s are not particularly plentiful in California......and they seem to bring a premium.....
 
I just bought a 66-1 with 4"barrel today for $549 (pics in another post). The grips show wear but to me they are just broken in. I like to be able to see and feel any gun before buying so I usually shop at an LGS. I might pay a little more at times but that's life.
 
Location location location....

A piece that can be readily found in TX for $450 might easily bring $600 in a state like NY. I think local politics has an effect on gun prices without a doubt.

Seems like I have seen some m66's advertised here on this forum for well over $580.
 
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