Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns 66-1

Are these still desirable w/6" barrel?

I only see a couple on GB, maybe that says something...

Swag: I pay pretty close attention to Model 66's pistols as they are among my favorite guns.
In fact I bought one to carry on duty and did so for many years.
THEN... I got enough seniority to apply for our departments Harbor Unit and was successful at that.
I learned that I then qualified for department issued stainless S&W's so I went after one of them.
In short order I was issued a N.I.B. Model 66-1 in 4" to go along with the 66-? 6" I already had sighted in.
So I kept carrying the Smith I had purchased for myself and never fired the department issued pistol.
Ten years later I retired and the city sold me the Model 66 (still unfired!) for the labor contracted rate of $60.00!
I also had "finagled" a S&W Model 60 for summer uniform duty and it also came into retirement with me for the aforementioned $60.00!
I currently own 6 Model 66's (in 2", 4" and 6" styles) and 1 Model 686.
I think the Model 66's are VERY desirable and maybe the reason you aren't seeing many is because they are popular and useful to and for their owners?
About once every year an early model 66 comes into our local sport shop (LGS) and they never last a week!
At gunshows in the west they gain MUCH attention and fondling when found on a table.
If you are specifically inquiring about the 66-1 having some short-coming then I am not aware of that at all.
In order of "my" preference of Model 66 barrel lengths I prefer the 6" models then the 2"ers and finally the 4" models.
Just my preference that and no one elses.
Good luck if you are looking for one of them I highly recommend them.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I would say they are desirable....when I worked at the LGS the 6 inchers were the slowest movers, but they did move, and you saw fewer of them than the other lengths. I love M66s...carried mine for years ( 4 inch) and prior to their advent I carried a 6" Model 19 for 18 years. I'm a fan.

Love Model 66 Smiths in ANY barrel length, and have owned them all.

The 3" Model 66 is the Cats Meow!

Great sport revolvers. Very classy looks, too. For carry, I like one with a 2.5" barrel and round butt frame.

Absolutely.

Working night shift homicide division for several years, I always carried a 66, 2.5" round butt as my back-up weapon. Got it as soon as they brought it out. Fine weapon.

What did you carry in it? These days, I'd go with Gold Dot 135 grain short barrel .38 Special. Back then, choices weren't as good.

I picked up a 4" 66 no dash this fall that just came into a LGS and all I can say is it is SWEET! I have no idea as to it's past but it's smoother than my no dash 686 and a dream to shoot.

Thanks for the comments guys, especially VarmintGuy!

I got this one in trade and never got around to shooting it. My safe is 357 heavy, some with sentimental value, so I am thinking about moving this one along. I am more interested in trading it, as it's cheaper to test other drugs that way Rubber grips, no box.

and you are dropping your 66 off here next time through ..correct

All this talk of the Model 66 put a bug in me to go looking for one myself. Believe it or not, I've never had one.

Found a beauty today after work. It's pinned and recessed (dash one), snub barrel, round butt frame, in very sweet shape, locks up tight, no timing issues, and has a great trigger action for (after a bit of haggling) $600.00. Manufactured in 1980.

No original grips, box ner nothin' but that's fine. It came with some nice Hogue neoprene grips exactly like Swag's (same contour despite it's being a round butt frame). If I carry it, they will come off and get replaced with compact wood grips.

Everyone should have a 66 and/or 19 just on principle.

Desirable? But of course.

Their hasn't been a k-frame I didn't like.

This 66 has had a lot of rounds through it this summer(cheap 38 reloads) and has greatly improved my handgun shooting...

TRH, that is sweet! The one I have is a 1980 I believe too. I think you should buy it from me and have a little 1980 wheelgun thing goin, it was meant to happen!

Matt

Thanks, but the one is enough for now. If I got another, it would be a pinned and recessed Model 19, same configuration.

I had to try

What do you plan on feeding it?

If I carry it, I will feed it what I feed my current carry gun, i.e., Gold Dot, short barrel, 135 grain .38 Special. Not a fan of .357 Magnum for self defense carry, but it's nice to have the option.

PS The original intention behind the 19/66 was to use it like a .38 that has the option (for special purposes, like a roadblock) to load it up with Magnums.

Very nice guns...all of them posted. I too have never actually had a 66, though I've owned several 19's including my current one.

Mark, do you have a closer shot of that 19?

Had a 2.5" 19 and could hit well with it, But had the "bug" for stainless and traded off the 19 and got a 2.5" 66.

Don't know why, but I could NOT hit as well with the 66 and ended up trading it off. (trigger?)

Should have just kept the 19.

Virgil B.