S&W model 66 new model w/ floating firing pin for $365, buy or pass?
- Thread starter Labuyo
- Start date
Brian Williams
New member
I got a nice used one a mod 66 no dash with a wonderful trigger and a night sight installed in the front blade for $299 and it looks and feel better than anything new! This one had the original box and papers. It was made around 1974
Mark IV Series 80
New member
Be patient.
Hold-out for a pre-MIM, model 66 with no lock, and a hammer-mounted firing pin.
Even better if you can find one with a pinned-barrel and recessed chambers.
In your situation, I wouldn't pass up an older M19 (blued) in good condition.
Enjoy the search!
Hold-out for a pre-MIM, model 66 with no lock, and a hammer-mounted firing pin.
Even better if you can find one with a pinned-barrel and recessed chambers.
In your situation, I wouldn't pass up an older M19 (blued) in good condition.
Enjoy the search!
Where I live - northern Texas - that's about an average price.
The problem with buying an older one is that the P&R guns don't have the enhanced durability package that came about in 1988 or so. The yoke was beefed up through superior heat treating, so as to last longer with magnum rounds. Mine is a M66-3, and the factory people tell me it does have this advantage. I got it in 1990.
I wouldn't buy one with a safety. The MIM hammer and trigger are controversial; I'd buy one made about 1988-1995 or so...
Lone Star
The problem with buying an older one is that the P&R guns don't have the enhanced durability package that came about in 1988 or so. The yoke was beefed up through superior heat treating, so as to last longer with magnum rounds. Mine is a M66-3, and the factory people tell me it does have this advantage. I got it in 1990.
I wouldn't buy one with a safety. The MIM hammer and trigger are controversial; I'd buy one made about 1988-1995 or so...
Lone Star
Labuyo: If this is the 66 with the 3.2 inch barrel and that Hi Viz front sight, the price is fair. By all accounts that is a very good gun. I paid a good bit more than that for a vintage 66 with a 3" barrel about a year ago. The 3" tubes are not as easy to come by as the 2 1/2 or 4 inchers.
Nothing.
A few of the "boycott boys" will chime in and tell you what a POS they are. But they are not.
The action makes a different sound because of the different parts, but that's no big deal.
The lock just sits there, out of the way, doing nothing to hinder the performance of the weapon.
Personally, I don't care for the HiViz sights. But sight preferences vary greatly from person to person. I always like black on black.
A few of the "boycott boys" will chime in and tell you what a POS they are. But they are not.
The action makes a different sound because of the different parts, but that's no big deal.
The lock just sits there, out of the way, doing nothing to hinder the performance of the weapon.
Personally, I don't care for the HiViz sights. But sight preferences vary greatly from person to person. I always like black on black.
Mark IV Series 80
New member
The new MIM trigger and hammer are not the quality of the older carbon-steel parts that they replaced.
In fact, when S&W does a custom action job on a new revolver in the Performance Center, they replace these MIM parts with Carbon-steel parts:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/sport/gunsmithing.html
The new mechanism for the floating firing-pin requires a trigger pull that is noticeably heavier than the older mechanism.
We have heard reports of breakage of the new floating firing pins, and their return springs.
The extra parts added to this mechanism cause a decrease in the reliability of the mechanism.
There are simply more parts that can fail.
In fact, when S&W does a custom action job on a new revolver in the Performance Center, they replace these MIM parts with Carbon-steel parts:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/sport/gunsmithing.html
The new mechanism for the floating firing-pin requires a trigger pull that is noticeably heavier than the older mechanism.
We have heard reports of breakage of the new floating firing pins, and their return springs.
The extra parts added to this mechanism cause a decrease in the reliability of the mechanism.
There are simply more parts that can fail.
VictorLouis
New member
If you put an old hammer in the MIM gun, you'd have to grind down the hammer-nose to the flat profile of the existing hammer, or remove it entirely. Of course, this would leave a gaping notch and hole where the nose used to fit. Either way, the appearance would be awfully unsightly, unless it were machined down even further. Perhaps this is why the nose area of PC guns seems to rest a millimeter or two to the rear of the frame, rather than nestled down snug as normal. 
The whole reason for replacing the trigger is because they put a trigger-stop in place. You can't do that on the MIM part because the rear of it is hollow, and there's not enough meat there to drill and tap for the stop-screw. I know, I've had it done to a couple of my MIM guns.
As to your question, I paid about just exactly that for my 3" M-66. They are more difficult to find. I don't think you can go wrong, but as always, attempt to bargain it down some.
The whole reason for replacing the trigger is because they put a trigger-stop in place. You can't do that on the MIM part because the rear of it is hollow, and there's not enough meat there to drill and tap for the stop-screw. I know, I've had it done to a couple of my MIM guns.
As to your question, I paid about just exactly that for my 3" M-66. They are more difficult to find. I don't think you can go wrong, but as always, attempt to bargain it down some.
glock17luver
New member
I bought an older model 66 in good shape last week it was made in 1980 its a great gun and shoot even better. I'ad buy an older model of this gun providing its in good shape.
Mark IV Series 80
New member
Hello VictorLouis,
When the Performance Center did an action job on your new Smiths, did they disable the locking device?
By this photo, it would seem that more machining would be required if they were going to modify an older carbon-steel hammer to replace the MIM hammer in the new revolver.
When the Performance Center did an action job on your new Smiths, did they disable the locking device?
By this photo, it would seem that more machining would be required if they were going to modify an older carbon-steel hammer to replace the MIM hammer in the new revolver.
VictorLouis
New member
I was referring to the fact that I have had a couple of trigger stops installed. I've not had the priviledge of having any PC work done.
Sorry for any confusion.
You are right about that dreaded lock. I don't see HOW they could afford to modify existing hammers to accept it, or manufacture a special batch of forged ones for the PC guns that are so cursed. I bet they are just using MIM hammers that have been plated to match the plated forged triggers.
Sorry for any confusion.You are right about that dreaded lock. I don't see HOW they could afford to modify existing hammers to accept it, or manufacture a special batch of forged ones for the PC guns that are so cursed. I bet they are just using MIM hammers that have been plated to match the plated forged triggers.
cuerno de chivo
Moderator
I have over 10,000 rounds through MIM guns. No problems.
No locks just floating firing pin. I'm still debating wether to pass or buy, now that there is a used one that came in, its a 581 (4"), it's kinda like the 686 except no adjustable sight. They want $250 for it. My choices seems to be getting harder and harder the more I hang out in there! Thanks for all the replies and please keep it coming!
The 581 is a good gun for carry and home defense.
If you plan on a lot of target shooting, go for adjustable sights.
Also, some people have said that they felt the 686's are too muzzle heavy and like 66's and 19's better.
I like 686's, but nothing balances quite as well as a 4 inch M19 or M66.
Handle both. See what feels best in your hand.
If you plan on a lot of target shooting, go for adjustable sights.
Also, some people have said that they felt the 686's are too muzzle heavy and like 66's and 19's better.
I like 686's, but nothing balances quite as well as a 4 inch M19 or M66.
Handle both. See what feels best in your hand.
Mark IV Series 80
New member
If that 581 is in good condition, I would snap it up at that price.
It won't be as good for concealment as the 3 inch M66, but it will hold-up much better than the M66 if you shoot many hot .357 Magnums.
Plus it's got the hammer-mounted firing-pin, no MIM parts, and no lock.
Many of us prefer a blued gun. I like the looks of a blued gun, though it does require more care, especially if you carry it.
I like fixed sights. They are more rugged, and they won't get knocked out of adjustment. Also, they don't catch on your clothes during the draw.
I wipe my blued guns down with Break-Free CLP or RIG, and they don't rust.
See this excellent checklist for evaluating a revolver before purchase:
http://www.thefiringline.com/Misc/library/Revolver-check.html
Good Luck!
It won't be as good for concealment as the 3 inch M66, but it will hold-up much better than the M66 if you shoot many hot .357 Magnums.
Plus it's got the hammer-mounted firing-pin, no MIM parts, and no lock.
Many of us prefer a blued gun. I like the looks of a blued gun, though it does require more care, especially if you carry it.
I like fixed sights. They are more rugged, and they won't get knocked out of adjustment. Also, they don't catch on your clothes during the draw.
I wipe my blued guns down with Break-Free CLP or RIG, and they don't rust.
See this excellent checklist for evaluating a revolver before purchase:
http://www.thefiringline.com/Misc/library/Revolver-check.html
Good Luck!
Insofar as the frame-mounted firing pin goes, it isn't like S&W doesn't have experience in that area. They have been installing those pins in revolvers since the early part of the last century. Every .22 they made came with one! Seriously, the firing pin in my Model 17, Model 63, and my K22 are all frame mounted. The K22 was made in 1947. I have a couple of the guns with the frame-mounted pins and the MIM parts. I honestly can't see any problems with them.