Wilson Combat Model 66-5

mntaxpayer

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I saw a S&W 66-5 today in a gun shop with a 3" barrel and nite sites. It looked like it had little to no use. Where would I find more information on this gun? I didn't see any reference to the Wilson Combat association with S&W in by Blue Book. The Wilson Combat website does not list any current or past revolver information. Thank you, Tom
 
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What makes you think Wilson had anything to do with the gun?
If Wilson did work on it, someone could have just sent it to them with a list of changes they wanted made, it doesn't mean it was a catalog item.
Pics would help, too. What are they asking for it?
 
It is probably a very nice pistol that had been reworked by Wilson Combat, but WC never worked directly with S&W.

As such, it's not a "collectable", and in fact may be worth even less than a box stock 66 because most people prefer to buy the best condition, but totally stock, pistol of the model they want.
Once a pistol is reworked into something custom, then the potential size of your buyer base gets much smaller and you could find that it wouldn't bring even as much as a stock pistol.

On the other hand, if you personally really like the work done on that 66, then remember that someone actually paid real money to WC to do that work, so it "may" be worth more to you personally than a stock 66, and if so, then go ahead and pony up the cash and get it.
I think what you should consider is this: IF you were personally considering getting a 66 and then sending it off to WC for customizing and willing to pay what it took for that work to be done, then buy the one you found and you'll get by "cheap" even if you pay a premium for it. You'd still get by for less than if you bought a stock 66 and then paid the extra for WC to work on it.

Anyway, here's a little quote and link from the WC site that suggests that the pistol you are looking at was simply a revolver that someone bought new and then sent to WC for a rework:

Today is a good day to get started on your dream gun. Call one of our Customer Satisfaction Representatives and discuss YOUR dream gun and get an estimate of our current delivery schedule.

We work on customer supplied Colt*, Springfield Armory*, Kimber* or Smith & Wesson* pistols. We require a $50.00 deposit when you send in your pistol and Custom Work Order.

Build Your Dream Gun
 
Think that's the beauty of owning your firearms. You can have them modified to fit you needs to a "T". If the mods improve your shooting skills they are worth it to YOU, but not always to others. Just swapping out a set of grips can take you from shooting poorly to making your revolver a tackdriver. The 3" S&W's in their different configurations are IMO the best length weapons ever made for self defense. Everyone of my 3" revolvers are extremely accurate revolvers and balance perfectly for shooting. I've never used Wilson but have used Cylinder and Slide and Accurate Weaponry and Plating for mods on a few of my S&W's, plus a BHP and 2 1911's. Money well spent IMO.
 
Wilson did for a time offer Smith model 66s with

various improvements. Mostly action jobs and trigger work if I remember correctly. I believe Vic Tebbets was the revolver smith who worked magic on them.They were not marked that I know of.

The 3 inch below is supposed to be Wilson tuned. It wears a brushed finish,has the smoothest action I have ever seen on a 66, and a bit of a carry melt.

P1010302.JPG
 
various improvements. Mostly action jobs and trigger work if I remember correctly. I believe Vic Tebbets was the revolver smith who worked magic on them.They were not marked that I know of.

The 3 inch below is supposed to be Wilson tuned. It wears a brushed finish,has the smoothest action I have ever seen on a 66, and a bit of a carry melt.

P1010302.JPG

That's correct, they did. I no longer have the info on them, but I remember that one of the features was that they textured the back strap. I also thought that they were 2-1/2"ers. If you do a search on the forum, there are several threads with pictures.
 
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It sounds like a 66 Carry Comp or F Comp from the Performance Center. My 66-4 PC Carry Comp has night sights and 3" barrel, and is the most accurate pistol I have ever owned.
 
It sounds like a 66 Carry Comp or F Comp from the Performance Center. My 66-4 PC Carry Comp has night sights and 3" barrel, and is the most accurate pistol I have ever owned.

Exactly what i was thinking.
Eric
 
Vic Tibbets used to do revolver work for Wilson Combat. Very good revolver work. I think they offered basic packages and custom piece work.
 
Mr Vic Tibbetts, who BTW is back at Wilson Combat, did just over 100 of these WC 66's. Primarily 2.5" 66's, there were also several 3" 66's that were modified as well.

These were shown in the Wilson Combat catalog as "W66CCR" for custom carry revolver. They were converted from standard model 66's and made between 1998 and 2001.

The conversion consisted of a superb action job, chamfered charge holes, recontoured hammer and trigger, 1911 style front night sight blade and two dot rear night sight, stippled back strap and a bead blast finish. Pierce Hide out grips completed the package.

They were delivered back to the owner in a blue Wilson Combat gun rug. The last two I've seen on the auction boards went for $750 and $850 respectively. Anything below $850 for one of these 66's is a steal IMO.

A couple of the members here own examples of this fine revolver. Hope this helps! Regards 18DAI
 
Wilson DID offer a Model 66 that they custom tuned.

Run, don’t walk, with cash in hand. These are desirable guns.

Emory
 
I picked it up today. Attached are some photos.
 

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Very nice indeed. Congrats on that handsome 66! Bet the trigger/action and accuracy are way up on the scale.
 
dang it! will you guys quit posting this stuff? yer killing me........ super nice66
 
Thats a beauty! Congrats!

Will there be a range report? ;) Regards 18DAI
 
Good on you! Would you please remove the rubber grips and
post a picture of the backstrap 'stippling' so we can see what
it looks like?
The hammer spur has been teardrop shaped which I like.
While I am not a fan of bead blaststainless finish, it is practical.

Thanks
Allen
 
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