S&W model 66-1 stainless w/ 6 in barrel

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Vanguard.223

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I own one of these revolvers does anyone know what they are worth? How about the quality of the handgun? Are they a good revolver?

Thanks for helping a noob without much knowledge all things revolver!
 
They are excellent handguns! It's a stainless steel version of the model 19. Value is probably in the neighborhood of $500, depending on a lot of factors.

If you're going to fire .357s through it, stick to the heavier bullets (140 grains and up). The lighter, hotter loads (125 gr) may shorten the life of the revolver.
 
The 66-1 is considered by many to be the best of the series. The main change from the 66 no-dash to the 66-1 was to move the gas ring from the yoke to the cylinder. This was done because shooting large amounts of magnum ammo in 66 no-dash revolvers would sometimes cause the gas ring to heat and swell enough to bind the action. The -1 solved this issue but still retained the desirable pinned barrel and recessed charge holes which were eliminated with the -2 engineering change.
 
So 125 gr bullets shorten barrel life?
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Yes and no. Any bullet weight you like is just fine in .38 Spl or .38 +P ammo, but lightweight bullets in .357 Magnum ammo is known to cause issues for K-Frames. My personal rule of thumb is to stick with either .38 Spl/.38 +P ammo or use .357 Magnum ammo with bullets no lighter than 140gr in a K-Frame.

My own M66-2 has been fed almost exclusively factory and handloaded .357 Magnum ammo with 158gr bullets since I've owned it and I suspect that I've shot at least a couple thousand rounds of such ammo through it in the time I've owned it and it hasn't given me the slightest indication of excessive wear. Just because we all love pictures:

BuffaloSabresGame72.jpg
 
I'll say the S&W K 'Combat Magnum' is one of the best. Finding one for less than $400 is hard.

I just had a gent at a gun shop today hold for me a 2 1/2 19-5 nickel .357.

$349 + tax is his asking price so I guess it will be $375 or so when I pick it up Thursday.

Not a scratch on it. The front sight does not have a red insert but for all I know they didn't have that option yet. Plain S&W wood stocks.

It's 100 percent tight. No end shake, crane shake, cylinder shake. Shot a little but sure wasn't much. Sights set dead in the middle so I hope it shoots strait on (my three S&W 66s snubs do!)

And I have no intention of shooting a bunch of magnums out of it. At the most +p .38s.

Deaf
 
Deaf Smith said:
I'll say the S&W K 'Combat Magnum' is one of the best. Finding one for less than $400 is hard.

I just had a gent at a gun shop today hold for me a 2 1/2 19-5 nickel .357.

$349 + tax is his asking price so I guess it will be $375 or so when I pick it up Thursday.

Not a scratch on it. The front sight does not have a red insert but for all I know they didn't have that option yet. Plain S&W wood stocks.

It's 100 percent tight. No end shake, crane shake, cylinder shake. Shot a little but sure wasn't much. Sights set dead in the middle so I hope it shoots strait on (my three S&W 66s snubs do!)

And I have no intention of shooting a bunch of magnums out of it. At the most +p .38s.

Deaf
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They sure are nice looking revolvers! I hope you enjoy your purchase!
 
And I have no intention of shooting a bunch of magnums out of it. At the most +p .38s.
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I own two 66s. One is a no dash (2 1/2 inch barrel) and the other is a 66-1 (four inch barrel). That's what I do. I load my magnums down to midrange levels which is around a +P load.

To the OP: you've got one of the best guns ever devised. The model 19 was conceived by a lawman named Bill Jordan who wanted a lighter 357 for duty carry, yet to handle the 357 cartridge. The model 19 is the result.

The model 66 is the stainless version. It's a great shooting weapon. Enjoy.
 
Not a scratch on it. The front sight does not have a red insert but for all I know they didn't have that option yet. Plain S&W wood stocks.
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IIRC, the red ramp should have been an option for a 19-5. If you want a red front sight, a bit of bright red fingernail polish works well and is easily removable should you change your mind.
 
Oh Webleymkv,

I sure don't intend on altering the gun!

I have 3 66 2 1/2 inchers and they all have red insert front sights. I'd use them before this one!

Thanks guys.

Tomorrow I pick 'er up!

Deaf
 
Got it!

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And it's 100 percent tight. Shot just 1 inches low at 7 yards with 130gr FMJ Remington .38s. I'll try my Corbon .38s next week.

Deaf
 
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My 66-2 my favorite handgun, I've owned 26 years!
(and my back up)
 

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