The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > Hogan's Alley > Handguns: The Revolver Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old October 9, 2001, 05:38 PM   #1
AUTiger73
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 13, 2000
Posts: 375
S&W Model 66 w/firing pin in hammer

I'm looking at a S&W Model 66 that's new, unfired, in original factory box. I was surprised to find it has the hammer mounted firing pin. Seems to me the current production has the frame mounted firing pin with a transfer bar system.

While I am aware that the S&W - J-frame (Chief Special, et.al.) changed to the frame mounted firing pin at least 2 years ago, I'm unsure about when the S&W K-frame (Model 66, et.al.) and for that matter when the L-frame and N-frame changed to the frame mounted firing pin. Current gun magazines indicate all S&W are coming with the new firing pin system.

ATTENTION S&W Experts!

Question: When did the the S&W K-Frame guns change to the frame mounted firing pins?

Thank You in advance for any information on this.
__________________
Always Condition Yellow
AUTiger73 is offline  
Old October 9, 2001, 10:09 PM   #2
dewey
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 22, 1999
Location: South East
Posts: 399
I have a 1995 K-comp which has the hammer firing pin. I also have a 1996 M627PC gun with a frame mounted firing pin. IMHO, they proly changed over in 95/96. SOUNDS LIKE A NICE 66, a forever gun indeed.best.....dewey... ...
__________________
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

...and He will come again . . . SOON !
dewey is offline  
Old October 9, 2001, 10:45 PM   #3
Mark IV Series 80
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 28, 2001
Posts: 540
If the price is right (under $425) it would be a good deal.
IMO, the newer ones are not as good as the older ones with the hammer-mounted firing pin.

The M66 is the most accurate centerfire handgun that I have ever fired.

I shoot mostly 38 Special loads through the M66, and 158 grain, .38 Special +P, LSWCHP for defense.
I would only use .357 Magnums if I needed to use the gun for hunting.
Others here may tell you that it doesn't take too many full-charge, 125 grain, .357 Magnums to crack the forcing cone.
For me, this is not a limitation.

Good Luck!

-Mk.IV
Mark IV Series 80 is offline  
Old October 10, 2001, 12:06 AM   #4
Mike Irwin
Staff
 
Join Date: April 13, 2000
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 41,374
It may be new, but it's likely been sitting around on a shelf for a couple of years,

Or, if it is new production straight from the factory, it's probably one of a bunch of frames that were socked away somewhere at the plan and were just discovered.
__________________
"The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza

Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.
Mike Irwin is offline  
Old October 10, 2001, 08:09 AM   #5
AUTiger73
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 13, 2000
Posts: 375
Thanks for the responses.

The price is exactly $ 425. It also comes in the newer plastic box rather that the old blue cardboard box.

After having collected S&W revolvers (mostly J-Frames and occasionally a limited edition or special order N-Frame), I joined others in boycotting S&W products in response to their "deal with the devil". Now the devil in tempting me to buy another S&W.

My preference is the hammer mounted firing pin. This particular gun appears to be "new-old stock" - maybe of "pre-boycott" manufacture. Very tempting indeed.
__________________
Always Condition Yellow
AUTiger73 is offline  
Old October 10, 2001, 09:01 AM   #6
alp-257
Member
 
Join Date: October 18, 2000
Posts: 55
AUTiger73:

Do not let it go !!! It´s (IMHO) one of the best all around revolvers.

Buy and enjoy it, you´ll not regret.

Good luck and good shots.

ALP
alp-257 is offline  
Old October 10, 2001, 11:41 AM   #7
Inspector Callahan
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 1, 2001
Location: Virginia
Posts: 372
I recently ran across a NIB 3" model 66 that was manufactured in 1998. As a boycotter, I made sure of the date before I bought it. It has the hammer-mounted pin and came in the plastic box. There is no way I'd trade this gun. Slapped a Butler Creek boot grip on it and trashed the laminated factory slivers. It's a keeper.

Callahan
__________________
If you don't understand weapons you don't understand fighting. If you don't understand fighting you don't understand war. If you don't understand war you don't understand history. And if you don't understand history you might as well live with your head in a sack. - Colonel Jeff Cooper
Inspector Callahan is offline  
Old October 10, 2001, 08:52 PM   #8
MiniZ
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 1, 2001
Location: SLC, UT
Posts: 517
Grab that one!!
__________________
Seven- Six- Two Millimeter....FULL METAL JACKET!!!
MiniZ is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:35 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.06828 seconds with 10 queries