When is $800 for a 66 NOT too much??

[FLChinook]

I've been looking at 66s lately and see three basic price ranges: $400ish for guns with lots of use; $550ish for "cleaner" guns but maybe with burring on the screws indicating past work; $800ish for really clean specimens.

A number of posters here have said that $800 is way to much to pay for a 66. Are there exceptions to that rule? Thanks

[aarondhgraham]

Every book I own places a maximum value of a Model 66,,,
$500 to $550 for New In Box condition guns.

I suppose it depends on how bad you want the gun,,,
But $800 is way to much for that model.

The only way it could be worth $800,,,
Is if there was some documented historical significance to it.

Aarond

.

[540mope]

$800 is the norm for a 3" 66

[Joe_Pike]

When is $800 for a 66 NOT too much??

When it comes with a model 10.

A lot of folks will tell you that at that price "you didn't pay too much, you just bought too early".

I, personally, think that if you are patient and look around you can do much better.

$800 is the norm for a 3" 66

I bought a 3" 65 (fixed sight version) about 1 1/2 years ago for $359.

[FLChinook]

Sorry, I should have mentioned I'm looking at 66 no dash guns; pinned, recessed and stainless steel rear sight. Maybe that makes a difference ???

[Webleymkv]

In my area, the only way that even a 66 no-dash would be able to command an $800 price tag would be if it were ANIB. That being said, prices can be highly dependant upon your area and in a place like California, I could belive that $800 might not be unreasonable for a very clean M66.

[FoghornLeghorn]

I should have mentioned I'm looking at 66 no dash guns; pinned, recessed and stainless steel rear sight. Maybe that makes a difference ???

Yes, that would make some difference. What barrel length? Four inch barrels were very common. Six inch barrels also common, but not as much so as the four inchers. Two and one-half inchers, IMO, are the most desirable for collector's purposes.

If I were in the market for a collectable and came upon a 66 no dash with 2 1/2 inch barrel, virtually unfired (i.e., no carbon deposits, etc) original box with paperwork, tools, etc, I could see someone asking $800. Would I pay $800? Probably not, because I shoot my guns and a P&R snub 66 can be had for much less.

The only way I could see someone paying that much for that gun would be in the case of a pure collector.

But what are you looking at, specifically? You said "specimans", plural. So, you've seen more than one 66 no dash for $800? Give us more details re condition of gun, barrel length, box, etc.

[Bob Wright]

FL Chinook wrote:

When is $800 for a 66 NOT too much??

Never.

Bob Wright

[moxie]

It's not too much for YOU if YOU wanted it and had the spare $$$ to pay for it. YOU get to decide the worth of things to YOU.

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

I don't think there is any question, the 3" 66s are the most sought after and pricey. That would not be out of line for an excellent condition 3". But I'd say it's $200-300 to high for any other length.

[FLChinook]

Give us more details re condition of gun, barrel length, box, etc.

Yes, I should have given more details. I'm looking for a 4" in good enough condition that I can shoot it (mostly at the range but some carrying around my property) without ever having to worry about it giving problems. Obviously, any 66-0 is about 35 years old and there's a wide range in ones well-used and ones not well-used. So I would expect a wide range in price/value.

I've seen some highly polished guns at a higher cost but I'm not so interested in the exterior look so long as the gun locks up tight and has good, crisp rifling. It's hard to assess that from a distance without paying for a gun promised to be "little used".

Theres one on GunBroker now in a display box (which I do not want) that looks very clean but is $755. This gun has been offered for awhile and started at $820...

PS. I recently asked my local gun dealer (The Gun Doctor, Longview, TX). He had nothing and had not had a 66 in a long time. He looked it up in his computer network of other dealers and could not find one anywhere in whatever range he was using.

[BigJimP]

Easy for me to say ....because I have all the model 66's in 4" I want...but I'd say be a little more patient until you find one locally.

In my opinion - a presentation box and papers ...is a waste of money / I'd never pay more for a gun in a box, any kind of a box, and because I'm going to keep anything I buy ...papers are irrelevent too / but not trying to start an argument ...if they're worth something to you - then many sellers will expect you to pay more for the gun...I just don't get it.

There is some difference....but nothing practical between a no dash and a dash 1 - except that stainless rear sight ..../ I have a pair of 4" model 66 guns - a dash 1 and a dash 2 and a dash 1 in 2 1/2" ...and there is nothing wrong with any of them. In fact all the way up thru dash 4 - they're fine guns / the dash 5 is where MIM parts start to show up - and the dash 6 in this model is where the Internal frame locks show up.... But you should buy whatever you want...

I paid about $ 350 - $400 or so / 3 or 4 yrs ago for my 4" model 66's ...but its about being in the right place at the right time.../ as soon as you buy one - you'll see half a dozen of them around.

I also wouldn't rule out finding a good model 19 ...especially in Nickel ..in 4" ...there are a lot of them around too.

Be patient ...I'd let the one of gunbroker go ...even in that condition / I think its $100 to $150 too much to pay for it.

[FLChinook]

Be patient ...I'd let the one of gunbroker go ...

Good advice; thanks.

There is another on GB at $570 that has some burring in one screw but otherwise seems to meet my criteria. That still might be overpriced (it has to bidders yet) but perhaps not so much. If you were paying $400 4 years ago then $500 might be about right today...

[FLChinook]

$800 is the norm for a 3" 66

Is 3" the same as 2 1/2"? I see lots of 2 1/2" but no 3"...

[Joe_Pike]

Is 3" the same as 2 1/2"? I see lots of 2 1/2" but no 3"...

There were no 3" 66s. They were 2 1/2" like the model 19. The fixed sight K frames like the 13 and 65 had 3" barrels.

[laytonj1]

There were no 3" 66s.

Yes there was. They are scarce and pricey.

Is 3" the same as 2 1/2"? I see lots of 2 1/2" but no 3"...

No. The 2.5" uses a short ejector rod. The 3" uses a full length rod.

Jim

[Joe_Pike]

Yes there was. They are scarce and pricey.

That's why I've never seen one. I did a little research and yes they are pricey. I don't have my book close, so, was there ever any 3" 19s?

[bamabiker]

Yes there are some 3" M19s but they can be considered rare and very expensive, even more so than the M66s.

[540mope]

Over 5000 3" 66s were produced. Not real rare, but very desirable and seldom for sale at a cheap price.

3" 19s...200 maybe?? Forget trying to find one of them unless you have serious money to part with, or get REALLLL lucky. One has been posted for sale for a few months, asking $4695. No takers yet.

Is 3" the same as 2 1/2"? I see lots of 2 1/2" but no 3"...

2 1/2", 3" (w. full length ejector rod), 4"....

[Joe_Pike]

It would be interesting to know how many of those 5,000 are still in use today. That's still a fairly low production number. They made 11,000 38-44 Heavy Duties and you almost never see them.

[FLChinook]

Oh. Why did you have to post that picture. Now I seriously need, er, want a 3"..

Maybe I'll satisfy my immediate need to buy a gun (and soooon) by getting a 6"Colt Cobra... Getting a 4" now would seriously complicate my ability to convince my wife that I need a 3" when one comes up...

[FoghornLeghorn]

I'm looking for a 4" in good enough condition that I can shoot it (mostly at the range but some carrying around my property) without ever having to worry about it giving problems. Obviously, any 66-0 is about 35 years old and there's a wide range in ones well-used and ones not well-used. So I would expect a wide range in price/value.

Given your criteria (and, why do you want a no dash for a carry piece/knock around gun?) $800 is way too high.

I've seen some highly polished guns at a higher cost

I'd stay away from "highly polished" stainless steel cause if you use them they're going to get "highly scratched" in short order.

But you say you can't find a no dash, etc. Here's one currently on gunbroker for $600 buy it now that sounds exactly like what you want.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=310094999

[FLChinook]

Yes, I've been ready to buy that gun for a week but I don't like to open bidding on a gun at a high level. I like guns that start bidding low and then reach ( in most cases) their fair market price. This gun has had no bids for a long time which tells me it could be priced too high..?

[MrBorland]

3" 19s...200 maybe?? Forget trying to find one of them unless you have serious money to part with, or get REALLLL lucky. One has been posted for sale for a few months, asking $4695. No takers yet.

I had to dig to find it, but a guy on THR posted his 3" M19 some time ago. IIRC, it was an FBI gun.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthrea...ighlight=3+FBI


Regarding the 3" M66 - Buyer Beware - S&W also had a run of 3 1/4" 66-5s. They look like 3" 66s (but with a FO front sight), and may even be advertised as such, but they aren't as rare (read: valuable) as bona fide 3"ers.

[Winchester_73]

Well as I said, buying a slightly used 66 is fine. Remember SS is not "plating" or a finish, so minor marks can be polished off. I don't like when guys take matte guns and polish them bright, I just mean some minor polishing/cleaning with the objective of getting the marks out.

The deal with the first year no dash guns is that they had a SS rear sight assembly but this was often changed out and was discontinued. I got mine for approx $400 in the box. $800 isn't worth it unless unfired with some kind of verification (hard to get) and even then, its only a 66. A 66 is a great gun, but its not a 5 screw 357 model or a first year combat magnum, or a 5 screw highway patrolman, etc etc etc

A 3 in 66 would probably be a good deal at $800. After that, even a P&R snub ANIB to me is not worth $800. Too many of them and too modern for that money.

I have one thats nearly in the condition you seek. No dash 1974 gun, P&R, box and papers, SS rear sight. If you want, you can have it for $700