?s about S&W Model 66

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Pukindog12

New member
I was in a LGS looking for a Bersa Thunder 9HC Pro and during casual conversation the fellow behind the counter pulled out one of his personal firearms he said was for sale. It was a S&W Model 66 with a 3" barrel and Hogue grips. He said it was a .38 Special and he wanted $375 for it. I looked at it while it was in the box and didn't ever pull it out to inspect it. I seen the left side and noticed it was a prelock and in beautiful condition from what I could tell. I asked him again if it was a .38 and he said yes.

The first question is did S&W make a Model 66 in .38 Special? I thought they were all .357 Magnums.

The second question is if it is a .38 is $375 a good price for a 3" barrel? I know for a 3" barrel .357 Magnum that is a very good price.

Any insight provided is much appreciated. Thanks!
 
It make no sense for S&W to have produced the 66 in .38 special only, as they already had the 67. In fact, the Model 66 is just the stainless version of the "Combat Magnum'" AKA Model 19. So it is either a Model 67 or, if it is a Model 66, it is most likely chambered in .357.

This is why you should always examine a potential purchase as closely as possible as there are a ton if misinformed people out there. Remember to always buy the gun, not the story.

But all that aside, no matter whether it is a Model 66 or a 67, in the condition you describe it is well worth $375

I checked in my SCSW and could find no mention of a .38 special only chambered Model 66.
 
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The Smith & Wesson m65 is also a .357 magnum. The M64 is .38spl. If it is indeed a 3" 66, at that price, I wouldn't have left without it!
 
I wouldn't dought it. I fired lots of 4 inch Factory Model 19s chambered in 38 Special only. PD & Prisons & large secruity companies have a lot of pull with large factory orders. Often these agencies have weird rules & regulations on carrying .38 spl. loads only. Look for the agencies name scribed on the frame, and don't forget to look under the stocks for a hole drilled thru the frame for a lanyard. Have fun.
 
Well I'm a little confused by this because the caliber would be marked on the barrel. If it says 357 magnum on barrel but the gun is 38 special, something is wrong. If the gun is marked 38 special, it is probably a special order gun, however, there was the model 65 and the 68 in a SS K frame 38 special. The 68 being a shrouded ejector rod 38 special. Most of those went to the LAPD.
 
I went back to the LGS and and handled and inspected thoroughly the S&W Model 66. It is a .357 Magnum. I don't know why the fellow stated it was a .38. He also now wants $400. Doesn't matter. I pick it up tomorrow evening. :D
 
I had a non P+R Model 66 actual factory 3" for many years. That 3" in my opinion is the perfect carrying size for that gun.
 
From the OP's post on another forum.

It's probably one of the VERY few 3" Model 66's sold through RSR and Ashland Shooter's Supply in the 1980's.
If it was bought for $375 it was bought for about 1/2 what it's worth, especially with the original box.

Here's my Model 66 Dash-3 version from Ashland compared to a standard 2 1/2" Model 66.

SWModel66.jpg
 
Too good to be true.

I called him Tues. afternoon to meet up and he informed me it wasn't for sale anymore. He stated his wife wanted to keep the gun for herself. :confused: For a lack of a few bucks and being too late on Monday evening I missed out on a great opportunity. :rolleyes:

So much for integrity being alive today. :mad:
 
Wow, sorry to hear that. In these instances, try not to give any "tells" to how you feel about the gun. I mean I'll even bad mouth a NIB gun, esp when I like it, if you catch my drift....your body language could have tipped off the dealer. Many dealers aren't that perceptive, but I am a perceptive person and I get reads from body language. Other people are the same way.

Leave no stone un-turned, cause the guns are out there!
 
When your "gut" tells you something is "right" and you want it, buy it.

Do NOT waste time and miss an opportunity to go home and check on the internet. By the time we tell you it is a great deal, it's gone.

Jim
 
Pukindog12, if in fact it is a 3" M 66-3 and you paid $400.00 for it, you GOT the DEAL of the year. These are selling for well over $1,000.00 now.

Now you gotta post some pictures..
 
He didn't get it; would-be seller reneged.

Meanwhile, I am curious... there were some guns with nominal .357 frames that were ordered in .38 Special for the French police, some years back, but I don't remember what specific model those were.

I do remember seeing one of the surplus dealers had them in stock, though.

Other than such special orders, I haven't heard of .357 guns being made in ".38 special."
 
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