Which 66 (No Dash) is the better gun?

[snw19_357]

While I do not know the exact year Im estimating around 1974-75...

July, 1975 per S&WCA Journal 7-3, same time the 2.5" M66 was introduced.

 

[Timb1]

Personally I would love to have the magnaported one. I know a lot of people hate the magnaporting but I grew up when it very cool. I have an 80 series 45 Gold Cup that is magnaported and it's not going anywhere. Plus it make one hell of a fireball about dusk!!!

 

[SS336]

My early M66 had all stainless sights. Front sight blade pinned to integral front sight ramp, as above, no red insert. Rear sight was all stainless including the sight blade.
Very hard to see in most light. I replaced the rear sight blade with a w/o blued blade of the correct height shortly after I bought the revolver. Painted the front sight.

 

[bigfatty]

I would take the ported one. Sight blades are cheap.

 

[Cirrus]

My observation has been that the majority of 4" Mod 66 no dash do not have an original red ramp fs insert where the majority of 4" Mod 66-1's I see pop up do appear to have a red ramp insert.

What does that mean about #2 gun I posted? They are both no dash guns, but Gun #2 is actually an earlier serial number than Gun #1. Would it be possible for an earlier serial number to have front sight insert while a later serial number would have a solid front sight ramp?

 

[Engine49guy]

What does that mean about #2 gun I posted? They are both no dash guns, but Gun #2 is actually an earlier serial number than Gun #1. Would it be possible for an earlier serial number to have front sight insert while a later serial number would have a solid front sight ramp?

SW rule #1 is there is always an exception to the rule so basicly no rules just generalities.
The only way to know 100% how a particular gun shipped is by requesting a letter.

Imo gun #2 red ramp was added later based mostly on how the ramp itself appears compared to original ones, the cut looks good but the red ramp plastic was either added or replaced, since most no dash 4" 66's I see dont have a ramp if I was examining it used at a store Id say its likely not original but again thats just an opinion.
As a shooter either gun is fine but both have permanent alterations eliminating collector value to a purist.
I would never port a revolver but f you like porting it isnt cheap to add so if the price is right its a bonus, but as you may have noticed more people prefer the non ported one, otherwise if mechanically equal they are of about equal value being same rough age, barrel length and revision.
The one thing Id inspect is if one has the gas ring on the yoke and the other has it on the cylinder then as shooter Id choose the one with it on the cylinder

 

[Cirrus]

Thank you. I knew the red (pink really) insert wasn't original. I just didn't know if the whole FS was original or not. I'm not really a fan of the porting either. Both have cylinder-mounted gas rings.

 

[cowboy94916]

It is obvious by the sideplate screws, that both of these guns have been played with by someone. Wether that someone was competent or not can ony be a quess. Even if you pop the sideplate, and also check wether the strain screw has been backed off, you won't know the quality of the work. Having experienced a number of guns that were home gun smithed (by so called artists and tool and diemakeers) they are all crap shoots. Some showed great work others needed a professional to fix.
On gun 1, I would try and contact magnaport to see exactly the work done as they are reputable for their work.
On gun 2, I would take it to a smith and have him look it over inside. Sights are easily replaced or swapped as suggested in prior posts.
Have you checked the timing and double action pulls etc, both reasons to have a smith look at them before buying.

Bottom line. They are both shooters and have zero collector value. Buy the one you like the most have it checked out then fix it up and regrip it to your satisfaction. Then go out and shoot the heck outta it.
My choice would be gun #2. I had magnaported gun and non ported in same model at same time sold the ported one..

 

[imashooter2]

Porting ruins it for me. Go with #2

Same. Prefer the red ramp to the silver front also. I'd have to blacken the silver front every range trip and while simple enough, I would rather not fuss about with it.

 

[minconrevo]

Sideplate screws have been touched up on both. If properly fitting screw drivers are used they won't get to needing that. Alternatively the old screws can be replaced with crisp, pristine new ones at modest cost. A tad of minor fitting may be required for the one that secures the cylinder.

Touched up screw heads would make me want to have the lockwork closely checked
out.

 

[ultra45]

Like you stated the model 66's were in demand due to Fed and local LE orders during the mid seventies. I was working at Jovino's in NYC and was a constable on Long Island also. I wanted a 4" 66 and none were to be had and we were freaking S&W distributors. Lou Imperato (RIP) owned Jovino's before HENRY fame. He called the President, at the time, of S&W and a few weeks later my 66-1, RR & W/O sights showed up. I completed my mission of completing a trio of 66's with a 2 1/2" and a 6".

I sold the 6" to a partner at work. I never really cared for it, but still have the 2 1/2 and 4". Love em both!

 

[Cirrus]

Like you stated the model 66's were in demand due to Fed and local LE orders during the mid seventies. I was working at Jovino's in NYC and was a constable on Long Island also. I wanted a 4" 66 and none were to be had and we were freaking S&W distributors. Lou Imperato (RIP) owned Jovino's before HENRY fame. He called the President, at the time, of S&W and a few weeks later my 66-1, RR & W/O sights showed up. I completed my mission of completing a trio of 66's with a 2 1/2" and a 6".

I sold the 6" to a partner at work. I never really cared for it, but still have the 2 1/2 and 4". Love em both!

Great story. I went ahead and bought the #2 gun after I swapped the rear sights. Now I have a 2.5" no dash and a 4" no dash.

I would like to send the gun somewhere to have it gone through, new screws installed, and refinished. Taking recommendations for that now.