Who really knows hammers and triggers, M 66 ???

[Tupperware]

I would doubt the magnet "test" would reveal anything.

There are many grades of stainless. More carbon steel in some like knifes. All about how strong or hard the stainless is.

A stainless gun frame is very magnetic. The cleats, screws and fittings on my boat are not.

And you would be correct! Just checked. My stainless 66 frame is quite magnetic, so are the hammer and trigger. It's not really something I'm stressing over, just thought it'd be interesting to know what my hammer was made of.

 

[dfariswheel]

The stainless steels used in firearms are magnetic and a magnet will stick to them.

The early actual stainless steel hammers and triggers had a brushed polish that matched the frame and cylinder.
The flash chromed parts have a dull satin gray color that's a noticeably different color then the frame and cylinder.

So, if a S&W stainless has real stainless hammers and triggers they're going to look just like the brushed finish of the frame and cylinder.
A flash chromed part will have that noticeable flat satin gray color that looks nothing like the rest of the gun.

 

[Tupperware]

So, if a S&W stainless has real stainless hammers and triggers they're going to look just like the brushed finish of the frame and cylinder.
A flash chromed part will have that noticeable flat satin gray color that looks nothing like the rest of the gun.

Mine are definitely flash chromed, then.

So, a secondary effect of this conversation has me interested in shooting my 66 no-dash. When I bought it, it was one of my first "investment guns". I no longer believe in this concept and I'm going to take my 66 out and see how it shoots. If it's a tack driver, so much the better. If it won't outshoot my 66-3, it will get sold. I'm not keeping guns that I don't enjoy shooting.
I have other venues for investing. My leisure activity isn't going to be one of them. My kids will inherit guns that were USED by Dad, not investments in sterile cardboard boxes.

BTW, outshooting my 66-3 will be a difficult task. It's one of my all-time best shooters in this caliber. Seems to have no preference for bullet weight or style, it just shoots them all into little tiny groups. I traded a very worked over 686 for it on the spot the first time I shot this 66. It was one of those deals you make with a friend where each of us was concerned we were taking advantage of the other. So, we both walked away happy and still are 15 years later.

 

[Sebago Son]

"A stainless gun frame is very magnetic. The cleats, screws and fittings on my boat are not."

300 grade stainless steels contain sufficient carbon so as to be attracted to a magnet to a greater or lesser degree. 304, a very common grade of stainless is very magnetic.

Your vessel's fittings are probably 18-8, which is lower carbon and commonly used in Marine applications.

Remember that these are all Stain-LESS not Stain-FREE.