S&W Model 66-3 3inch BBL info please

I Grok · June 30, 2014, 09:52 AM

Found one at local LGS for $950 in very good condition. Salesman said they are very hard to find. Can anyone give me info on this revolver and what it really should go for. Thanks

Rangegod · June 30, 2014, 12:47 PM

I really like my 3" 66-2, BUT with that said, I would not pay $950 to replace it. I got mine (plus $50) in a trade for a used Glock 23 a few years ago. I find the best use (or most common excuse) for a 3" K frame is as a CCW. To be honest, my much more common and less expensive 3" Model 65 preforms this duty as well if not better. In the long run, I guess the "fair price" depends on what it is worth to you.

JAC

MrBorland · June 30, 2014, 12:55 PM

A true 3" M66 is pretty rare. I've only ever seen 2 of them, and that was several years ago; IIRC, both had price tags a little north of $1k, so $950 is a decent price, assuming it's in good shape and is a bona fide 3" 66.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rangegod

I got mine (plus $50) in a trade for a used Glock 23 a few years ago.

You stole that 66.

Nick_C_S · June 30, 2014, 01:32 PM

$950 is leaning steep. I'm no expert, but the 3" bbl does seem rare and desirable.

I know I'd like to have one.

I live in California. And $950 would not be an outrageous price at all here - assuming in excellent condition.

It really doesn't matter what any of us here on TFL think. If you feel it's worth $950; then it's worth $950. If someone tells you that you got ripped off paying that much; then that's their opinion. You will have a S&W M66 3" bbl.

JimmyR · July 1, 2014, 12:54 AM

For a 3" Model 66, that price is probably about right for a retail store.

For a 3" stainless K frame revolver that you plan on shooting and carrying, I would look at the Model 65- I bought my 65-3 for HALF of that price in a retail store.

Food for thought.

I Grok · July 1, 2014, 07:59 AM

Thanks guys for the info.

reap · July 1, 2014, 10:06 PM

Just bought a 3 inch barrel model 66 last week for $795. Like it very much… as much as I enjoy it, it would be worth $950 to me. I'm not a fan of the 4 inch and I like it it's a little bit bigger than the 2 1/2.

smokin54 · July 7, 2014, 07:49 PM

I would not pay a premium for a 3 inch unless it filled a hole in a collection , If it is going to be a shooter you can get the 2.5 or the 4 inch or the 6 inch any time in excellent condition with the box and papers for 5-$600 here In California . I have a model 66-1 with a 6 inch barrel i bought a couple years ago with incorrect grips but in excellent condition for $425 at a local auction. Its a excellent shooter , I down sized and sold 5 357 mags keeping the Smith and a Freedom arms .

18DAI · July 11, 2014, 09:29 AM

$950 isn't really bad for a 3 inch 66-3. On the auction boards they bring more than that.

The original 3 inch 66, the 66-2, was made in the largest numbers. The 3 inch 66-3's come in behind it. The rarest 3 inch 66 is the 3 inch 66-4. These were made in small batches, 550 to 750 guns - two known batches - one ported one not - and are the most valuable of the 3 inch 66's.

There were some 3 inch 66-5's made including an export batch of "R99 La Chasse" revolvers for Walther. These were just remarked 3 inch 66-5's. They had frame mounted firing pins and MIM parts. They are still more desireable and better made than anything made today by the current company calling itself S&W.

I advise you to buy it, shoot it, love it. The 3 inch barrel is widely regarded as the "best" of the barrel lengths on the 66. The guns just look and feel right. Very fast handling and points well.

I used a 3 inch 66-4 as my duty gun in the 90's and early 2000's in High Point NC. Good luck! Hope this helps! Regards 18DAI

June 30, 2014, 09:52 AM	#1
I Grok Junior Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Posts: 4	S&W Model 66-3 3inch BBL info please Found one at local LGS for $950 in very good condition. Salesman said they are very hard to find. Can anyone give me info on this revolver and what it really should go for. Thanks

June 30, 2014, 12:47 PM	#2
Rangegod Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2002 Location: South FL. Posts: 164	3" 66 I really like my 3" 66-2, BUT with that said, I would not pay $950 to replace it. I got mine (plus $50) in a trade for a used Glock 23 a few years ago. I find the best use (or most common excuse) for a 3" K frame is as a CCW. To be honest, my much more common and less expensive 3" Model 65 preforms this duty as well if not better. In the long run, I guess the "fair price" depends on what it is worth to you. JAC __________________ “Whatever the State saith is a lie; whatever it hath is a theft.” ~ Nietzsche

June 30, 2014, 01:32 PM	#4
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,523	$950 is leaning steep. I'm no expert, but the 3" bbl does seem rare and desirable. I know I'd like to have one. I live in California. And $950 would not be an outrageous price at all here - assuming in excellent condition. It really doesn't matter what any of us here on TFL think. If you feel it's worth $950; then it's worth $950. If someone tells you that you got ripped off paying that much; then that's their opinion. You will have a S&W M66 3" bbl. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

July 1, 2014, 10:06 PM	#7
reap Member Join Date: March 8, 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 72	Mine Just bought a 3 inch barrel model 66 last week for $795. Like it very much… as much as I enjoy it, it would be worth $950 to me. I'm not a fan of the 4 inch and I like it it's a little bit bigger than the 2 1/2.

July 11, 2014, 09:29 AM	#9
18DAI Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2005 Location: NC Posts: 2,156	$950 isn't really bad for a 3 inch 66-3. On the auction boards they bring more than that. The original 3 inch 66, the 66-2, was made in the largest numbers. The 3 inch 66-3's come in behind it. The rarest 3 inch 66 is the 3 inch 66-4. These were made in small batches, 550 to 750 guns - two known batches - one ported one not - and are the most valuable of the 3 inch 66's. There were some 3 inch 66-5's made including an export batch of "R99 La Chasse" revolvers for Walther. These were just remarked 3 inch 66-5's. They had frame mounted firing pins and MIM parts. They are still more desireable and better made than anything made today by the current company calling itself S&W. I advise you to buy it, shoot it, love it. The 3 inch barrel is widely regarded as the "best" of the barrel lengths on the 66. The guns just look and feel right. Very fast handling and points well. I used a 3 inch 66-4 as my duty gun in the 90's and early 2000's in High Point NC. Good luck! Hope this helps! Regards 18DAI __________________ S&W Model 19 Combat Magnum. Everything you need in a revolver, and nothing you don't.

July 1, 2014, 07:59 AM	#6
I Grok Junior Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Posts: 4	Thanks guys for the info.

July 7, 2014, 07:49 PM	#8
smokin54 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2005 Posts: 193	I would not pay a premium for a 3 inch unless it filled a hole in a collection , If it is going to be a shooter you can get the 2.5 or the 4 inch or the 6 inch any time in excellent condition with the box and papers for 5-$600 here In California . I have a model 66-1 with a 6 inch barrel i bought a couple years ago with incorrect grips but in excellent condition for $425 at a local auction. Its a excellent shooter , I down sized and sold 5 357 mags keeping the Smith and a Freedom arms .