Different variations of S&W 66...

k5koy · March 4, 2013, 05:52 AM

I just picked up a 66-3 on a private sale. Just curious what differences there are in the variations of this most excellent firearm? Also still trying to find out date of manufacture. Serial BHF87**
Thanks, Koy

Baba Louie · March 4, 2013, 06:18 AM

BHE - Mar 91
BHJ - July 91

Variations... longer cylinder 1.67" counter bored (recessed) later shortened 1.62" w/ no recess chambers, a very few 6", a few 3" for RSR, a couple of LadySmiths, some 2.5", a number of engineering dash w/ -6 w/ internal lock being the last. A whole lot of commemeratives for different depts/agencies...

dahermit · March 4, 2013, 07:40 AM

Round butt, square butt.

Winchester_73 · March 4, 2013, 08:57 AM

Early first year guns have a SS rear sight, which was replaced due to complaints - I was told it was a visual problem for people, esp LE. I own one of those.

The 66 was available in 2.5, 3, 4, and 6 in barrel lengths. There may have been a 5in barrel, special order and I never saw one with an 8 3/8 barrel myself, but they could exist. As another has said, round or square butt was another choice. Around 1980 recessed chambers were removed, and not long after that, the pinned barrels as well.

Many of the changes from a 66, to a 66-1, to a 66-2, were minute, but the factory gave it a model designation change. Many of the changes had to do with production, or internals, and not things like pinned and recessed or not pinned and recessed, which never designated a new dash number. Other things like hammer, trigger options, grip types and sight options never designated a number change either.

BigJimP · March 4, 2013, 01:03 PM

Model 66-3's were made from 1986 thru 1993...if you bought a 2 1/2" then its a Round Butt K frame....if you bought a 4" or 6" it should be a Square Butt K frame...

In 1988 within the 66-3 model revision -- is where the 3" first shows up...as an "RSR" gun...but they're uncommon.

Model 66's were shipped with a variety of "stocks" ...including Goncalo Alves(wood) / some with Hougue rubber stocks or Uncle Mikes rubber....and 99% of us that own and shoot a lot of S&W revolvers change the stocks all the time ( I hate the rubber ones / really like the older S&W finger groove wood stocks..) but to each his own...

smokin54 · March 4, 2013, 02:03 PM

I have a 66-1 that is just a hoot to shoot , At one point in time i had 7 357s and decided to thin them out a bit, of the 2 i kept the 66-1 was one them based on workmanship and accuracy and currently is my home defense weapon .

Valerko · March 5, 2013, 08:51 PM

I got 66-2.
It was impulse buy at LGS. Used for $300
It's joy to shoot.

March 4, 2013, 05:52 AM	#1
k5koy Member Join Date: November 1, 2009 Posts: 29	Different variations of S&W 66... I just picked up a 66-3 on a private sale. Just curious what differences there are in the variations of this most excellent firearm? Also still trying to find out date of manufacture. Serial BHF87** Thanks, Koy

March 4, 2013, 06:18 AM	#2
Baba Louie Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2001 Posts: 1,552	BHE - Mar 91 BHJ - July 91 Variations... longer cylinder 1.67" counter bored (recessed) later shortened 1.62" w/ no recess chambers, a very few 6", a few 3" for RSR, a couple of LadySmiths, some 2.5", a number of engineering dash w/ -6 w/ internal lock being the last. A whole lot of commemeratives for different depts/agencies... __________________ A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." - George Washington, January 8, 1790, First State of the Union Address

March 4, 2013, 08:57 AM	#4
Winchester_73 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 2,863	Early first year guns have a SS rear sight, which was replaced due to complaints - I was told it was a visual problem for people, esp LE. I own one of those. The 66 was available in 2.5, 3, 4, and 6 in barrel lengths. There may have been a 5in barrel, special order and I never saw one with an 8 3/8 barrel myself, but they could exist. As another has said, round or square butt was another choice. Around 1980 recessed chambers were removed, and not long after that, the pinned barrels as well. Many of the changes from a 66, to a 66-1, to a 66-2, were minute, but the factory gave it a model designation change. Many of the changes had to do with production, or internals, and not things like pinned and recessed or not pinned and recessed, which never designated a new dash number. Other things like hammer, trigger options, grip types and sight options never designated a number change either. __________________ Winchester 73, the TFL user that won the west

March 4, 2013, 07:40 AM	#3
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	Round butt, square butt.

March 4, 2013, 01:03 PM	#5
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Model 66-3's were made from 1986 thru 1993...if you bought a 2 1/2" then its a Round Butt K frame....if you bought a 4" or 6" it should be a Square Butt K frame... In 1988 within the 66-3 model revision -- is where the 3" first shows up...as an "RSR" gun...but they're uncommon. Model 66's were shipped with a variety of "stocks" ...including Goncalo Alves(wood) / some with Hougue rubber stocks or Uncle Mikes rubber....and 99% of us that own and shoot a lot of S&W revolvers change the stocks all the time ( I hate the rubber ones / really like the older S&W finger groove wood stocks..) but to each his own...

March 4, 2013, 02:03 PM	#6
smokin54 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2005 Posts: 193	I have a 66-1 that is just a hoot to shoot , At one point in time i had 7 357s and decided to thin them out a bit, of the 2 i kept the 66-1 was one them based on workmanship and accuracy and currently is my home defense weapon .

March 5, 2013, 08:51 PM	#7
Valerko Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2012 Location: NY Posts: 184	I got 66-2. It was impulse buy at LGS. Used for $300 It's joy to shoot.