*&* Model 66 questions?

G

glockorama

New member
About 6 months ago I bought a pre-sellout S&W model 66 357mag with a 3" barrel. It had a hammer mounted firing pin and a slanted cylinder release. I took it to the big state gunshow today to sell it (and buy a 44 Vaquero!!) and I had several people tell me that I was sold an old used gun by the gunshop because current 66's have frame mounted firing pins. The gun I bought was unquestionably brand new and they had several hammer mounted pin guns at the shop.
One old fart I talked with at the show was pretty snotty, like I was trying to sell him an old beat up POS. The gun is in fantastic shape. Anyone have any info on what the deal is with firing pin location for current smith's?
The gun did not sell and I'm glad, I'm going to keep it.

As a side note, ever notice how many Nazi or Nazi types attend these gun shows? Pretty scary. And everybody with a table of guns for sale is a "firearms expert". I only go to sell guns or pick up accesories because they are really kinda frustrating.

[This message has been edited by glockorama (edited July 09, 2000).]
 
Glock,

Give me the first couple of digits from the serial number, and I'll give you the year of manufacture.

As for the firing pin, S&W started converting about 2-3 years ago, but not all designs were converted at the same time.

As with many other manufacturer, S&W will make frames in batches on their machinery. That way they don't have to have a setup for ever single handgun that they offer.

These frames are then finished and stored until such time as there is call for them. I'm not certain whether serial numbering takes place when the frame is finished, or when the finished gun is assembled.

That means that a frame can actually be several months to several years old before it ever leaves the factory.

Also, it's not uncommon for guns to sit around unsold for months or years until someone falls in love with them and takes them home.

In effect, that means that yes, you might have an older gun, but it might also be absolutely new in box.

That also means that the people you were talking to don't know squat, and you shouldn't waste your time with them. They wouldn't know the difference anyways.

As for the dealers at shows, I've come across a LOT of AHs over the years at shows. My personal favorite was the one who was trying to sell the S&W Model 12 airweight as a military gun, and wanted nearly double what one of those would be worth in the first place.

I knew it wasn't what he said it was, and he of all people should have known better, so I just flipped open my copy of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson and started comparing.

He hustled over, and asked what I was doing. "Just checking," I said. "That's a nice commercial Model 12, 1966 production."

Needless to say, he was NOT pleased. Grabbed the gun off the table and told me to get lost.

I still don't know whether or not he was just stupid, or was trying to make a killing. But finding out stuff like that about S&W revolvers is not hard.



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Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
 
Before there were used car salesmen, there were used gun salesmen. I don't want to paint them all with the same brush, but many will get you coming and going, on both sides of the buy or sell transaction. The better ones seem to be the hobbyists who do not sell guns for a living, but just as a way to get the industry contacts and enough money to build up their own collection. I know one guy (a dealer) who has an outstanding collection of Colt SAA's who keeps his eyes and ears open and has the ready cash to take advantage of opportunities and trades.
 
Thanks Mike, the serial number is CCM41XX (I don't want to put the full number,left off the last two (XX)). I appriciate your help. I'm not overly concerned about the whole thing since I have decided to keep the gun. I can't believe I was actually going to sell it. It is a very nice gun (and very mean looking as well!)
My friends and I frequently laugh at the AH's at the shows and often comment how most of them must be crack addicts judging by the INCREDIBLY rediculous prices some of these jokers have on there guns. The old fard that was giving me a hard time offered me $250(!) for my 66, yet had another, much more worn 66 on his table for $389. What a little sh**.
 
I had one of the 3" Model 66's that S&W made for their own distribution. I bought it from a friend, and let him have it back. After two years of regrets, I found a Lew Horton variation, which I plan to keep.

Iwon't buy a post-sellout S&W, but I don't really care which firing pin setup is on my guns.
 
Glock,

Unfortunatly, my serial number lists stop at August 94, and haven't gotten around to getting the latest information yet.

However, judging by S&W's production criteria over the previous several years, and doing a little hard and fast extrapolating, I'd say your gun was made, at the earliest, June 1998. Certainly WELL within the realm of possibility given what I described in my first message.

Tell those guys at the gunshows to sod off.

------------------
Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by glockorama:


As a side note, ever notice how many Nazi or Nazi types attend these gun shows? Pretty scary.

[This message has been edited by glockorama (edited July 09, 2000).][/quote]

I was not aware that one's political beliefs disqualified one from attending a gunshow.

I see all kinds of people at gunshows. Jews, Nazis, blacks, Whites, hispanics, bikers, gang punks, you name it. I have yet to see anybody get in anybodies face. Gunshows are a place where everyone can come to have fun, buy stuff, and be polite about it. What are you worried about???? :confused:

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Yeah, I got a permit to carry,it's called the friggin Constitution.---Ted Nugent

"Glock 26: 17 rounds of concealed carry DEATH comming your way from out of nowhere!!! THAT'S FIREPOWER, BABY!!!"

[This message has been edited by denfoote (edited July 10, 2000).]
 
/Gunshows are a place where everyone can come to have fun, buy stuff, and be polite about it/

The people we are talking about are NOT polite about it. I have heard too many of these guys that are displaying nazi flags and junk, make disparaging remarks about others including people (usually not of "aryan" descent) that have just walked past thier table. Not to mention how they stare and point when someone of color passes by. Sure, there are some good people at gun shows, but the shows also seem to attract a disproportionate number of know-it-all a**holes who will try to sell you a "Special commorative" .25cal Davis derringer for $300 and tell you that Teddy Roosevelt carried it up San Juan Hill. Then look at you like your an idiot for not wanting it.
 
Glock,

Gunshow I went to in Richmond a few years ago was mostly antique stuff. Only one new gun dealer.

However, there were no fewer than 5 dealers in Nazi memorabelia. One was selling Eva von Braun's silver service at $300 a piece.

Others were selling flags, daggers, insignia, uniforms, etc. One of the dealers was dressed in Nazi-era battledress. Made me a little uncomfortable.

On leaving the show, I saw a VW Golf which OBVIOUSLY belonged to one of the dealers. How did I know? There were several Nazi eagle insignia affixed to the licenseplate holder and the license plate read "Pzkw IV," which, if you don't know, was the abbreviated designation of one of German medium assault tanks.

I've never been back to that show.

------------------
Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
 
Actually, I sometimes find the A*'s to be entertaining. If I look at it that way, I don't get so worked up about them. Yesterday's show, a dealer reponds to a query about why, "that Colt cost(s) so much?". Dealer: "Well, it's a Commander. Not only that, it's a LW Commander. AND, it's the Enhanced version. AND, it's made out of stainless steel." The kicker? " It's really worth about "x $" more than that, but I just want to move it out of my inventory". LOL
 
glock,
Those 3" mdl 66's have a soft spot with me, if you decide to sell it contact me. Ive gone so far as to purchase 3" barrels from the factory to convert a couple of the 2 1/2"'s over. If it was me the pistol would never leave.....great balance in that configuration....fubsy.
 
The 66 3" barrels seem to be one of the most desirable variants, from what I hear, and not all that common recently, though they made a 2 1/2" until they decided to drive themselves out of business earlier this year.

The '98 catalog is the first with frame mounted pins shown, so it isn't much older than that and it is perfectly reasonable that it could've sat for a while on the shelf.

I second the Nazi thing, though I don't see that many that often. The majority of them are as far from being the archetype of the Master Race as you could imagine and often appear to be the fruit of a family tree with no branches.
 
Glock, have you shot the 66 yet? I bought mine 10 or 12 years ago. Best balanced handgun I've held. I have never understood why Smith only offers the 3" in limited runs on the 66. When looking for holsters, remember the model 65 is offered with a 3" barrel, and they fit fine.
 
I have a 3" M66 that I purchased from Lew Horton in 1986. It cost $220 and everytime I take it to the range people in the know are always interested in learning where I got the gun. When I tell them they quite often offer to buy it. I am very pleased by the balance and the full length/shrouded ejector rod. I too never fully understood why S&W didn't make this a regular offering. It is a sweet piece.
 
I purchased my model 66 about 2 years ago in Sacramento. Three inch barrel, beautiful wooden grips, magna ported -- got a free S&W oilskin raincoat w/ the purchase -- there was a window of time whereby one purchasing a 357 would get the coat from S&W free. I did and the coat is great in the rain. I think I paid around $450 plus tax (CAlif).
I guess my 66 was a special run, possibly from their Performance Center?? Anyway it is very accurate. 6 months ago I bought a 3 inch barrel, 686+, and, it too, is a great gun just a little more stout and with an extra round.
I was thinking of selling the 66????? No rush. Right now it is loaded with snake shot to nail that 5 ft diamondback the next time he ventures next to my house.
 
Gun shows are like carnivals. There are all sorts of characters and charlatans. They bring color to the affair!

Best thing you can do is read up and be current on what you're looking at and what the going price is all about.

I've seen guns and gear going for two or three times the going price. But I've also gotten into some good BS sessions with some really nice, interesting characters and they nearly gave away the stuff I was looking at because they wanted to move it, and I was entertaining. It's like horse trading. The give-and-take is great! I have a pawn shop dealer who likes haggling with me just because he likes to haggle, and we're both good at it.

A three inch 66 is a great gun even if it's 100 years old! Great gun! Age doesn't matter on a classic design. What matters is design and condition. Smith has been making their revolvers in one style forever.

Oh yeah . . . I had a two inch 66 that I traded for a J-frame .357 Mod. 60. Wish I'd just coughed up the full price and skipped the trade. But I just found a nice Mod. 10 +P 38 Spc. four inch bull barrel and magna ported for cheap.

"What goes around comes around."
 
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