S&W model 66-1 stainless w/ 6 in barrel

Vanguard.223 · April 30, 2012, 09:33 PM

I own one of these revolvers does anyone know what they are worth? How about the quality of the handgun? Are they a good revolver?

Thanks for helping a noob without much knowledge all things revolver!

Vanguard.223 · April 30, 2012, 09:45 PM

And it's chambered in .357 magnum!

Crazy88Fingers · April 30, 2012, 10:04 PM

They are excellent handguns! It's a stainless steel version of the model 19. Value is probably in the neighborhood of $500, depending on a lot of factors.

If you're going to fire .357s through it, stick to the heavier bullets (140 grains and up). The lighter, hotter loads (125 gr) may shorten the life of the revolver.

Vanguard.223 · April 30, 2012, 10:07 PM

Will do, thanks! What about mild .38 special loads?

Webleymkv · April 30, 2012, 10:47 PM

The 66-1 is considered by many to be the best of the series. The main change from the 66 no-dash to the 66-1 was to move the gas ring from the yoke to the cylinder. This was done because shooting large amounts of magnum ammo in 66 no-dash revolvers would sometimes cause the gas ring to heat and swell enough to bind the action. The -1 solved this issue but still retained the desirable pinned barrel and recessed charge holes which were eliminated with the -2 engineering change.

Vanguard.223 · April 30, 2012, 10:55 PM

Very insightful! Thank you!

Crazy88Fingers · April 30, 2012, 11:07 PM

It will handle any kind of .38 you can throw at it.

Here's an article that goes into more detail regarding the use of magnums in .357 K-frames.

http://www.gunblast.com/Butch_MagnumLoads.htm

Vanguard.223 · May 1, 2012, 05:29 PM

So 125 gr bullets shorten barrel life? Haha

Webleymkv · May 1, 2012, 05:44 PM

Quote:

So 125 gr bullets shorten barrel life?

Yes and no. Any bullet weight you like is just fine in .38 Spl or .38 +P ammo, but lightweight bullets in .357 Magnum ammo is known to cause issues for K-Frames. My personal rule of thumb is to stick with either .38 Spl/.38 +P ammo or use .357 Magnum ammo with bullets no lighter than 140gr in a K-Frame.

My own M66-2 has been fed almost exclusively factory and handloaded .357 Magnum ammo with 158gr bullets since I've owned it and I suspect that I've shot at least a couple thousand rounds of such ammo through it in the time I've owned it and it hasn't given me the slightest indication of excessive wear. Just because we all love pictures:

Vanguard.223 · May 1, 2012, 06:08 PM

Very nice! I appreciate you clearing the up for me!

Deaf Smith · May 1, 2012, 06:33 PM

I'll say the S&W K 'Combat Magnum' is one of the best. Finding one for less than $400 is hard.

I just had a gent at a gun shop today hold for me a 2 1/2 19-5 nickel .357.

$349 + tax is his asking price so I guess it will be $375 or so when I pick it up Thursday.

Not a scratch on it. The front sight does not have a red insert but for all I know they didn't have that option yet. Plain S&W wood stocks.

It's 100 percent tight. No end shake, crane shake, cylinder shake. Shot a little but sure wasn't much. Sights set dead in the middle so I hope it shoots strait on (my three S&W 66s snubs do!)

And I have no intention of shooting a bunch of magnums out of it. At the most +p .38s.

Deaf

Vanguard.223 · May 1, 2012, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deaf Smith

I'll say the S&W K 'Combat Magnum' is one of the best. Finding one for less than $400 is hard.

I just had a gent at a gun shop today hold for me a 2 1/2 19-5 nickel .357.

$349 + tax is his asking price so I guess it will be $375 or so when I pick it up Thursday.

Not a scratch on it. The front sight does not have a red insert but for all I know they didn't have that option yet. Plain S&W wood stocks.

It's 100 percent tight. No end shake, crane shake, cylinder shake. Shot a little but sure wasn't much. Sights set dead in the middle so I hope it shoots strait on (my three S&W 66s snubs do!)

And I have no intention of shooting a bunch of magnums out of it. At the most +p .38s.

Deaf

They sure are nice looking revolvers! I hope you enjoy your purchase!

FoghornLeghorn · May 1, 2012, 11:19 PM

Quote:

And I have no intention of shooting a bunch of magnums out of it. At the most +p .38s.

I own two 66s. One is a no dash (2 1/2 inch barrel) and the other is a 66-1 (four inch barrel). That's what I do. I load my magnums down to midrange levels which is around a +P load.

To the OP: you've got one of the best guns ever devised. The model 19 was conceived by a lawman named Bill Jordan who wanted a lighter 357 for duty carry, yet to handle the 357 cartridge. The model 19 is the result.

The model 66 is the stainless version. It's a great shooting weapon. Enjoy.

Webleymkv · May 2, 2012, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Not a scratch on it. The front sight does not have a red insert but for all I know they didn't have that option yet. Plain S&W wood stocks.

IIRC, the red ramp should have been an option for a 19-5. If you want a red front sight, a bit of bright red fingernail polish works well and is easily removable should you change your mind.

Deaf Smith · May 2, 2012, 04:54 PM

Oh Webleymkv,

I sure don't intend on altering the gun!

I have 3 66 2 1/2 inchers and they all have red insert front sights. I'd use them before this one!

Thanks guys.

Tomorrow I pick 'er up!

Deaf

Deaf Smith · May 4, 2012, 10:03 PM

Got it!

And it's 100 percent tight. Shot just 1 inches low at 7 yards with 130gr FMJ Remington .38s. I'll try my Corbon .38s next week.

Deaf

Grant D · May 4, 2012, 10:20 PM

My 66-2 my favorite handgun, I've owned 26 years!
(and my back up)

April 30, 2012, 09:33 PM	#1
Vanguard.223 Member Join Date: February 21, 2012 Posts: 35	S&W model 66-1 stainless w/ 6 in barrel I own one of these revolvers does anyone know what they are worth? How about the quality of the handgun? Are they a good revolver? Thanks for helping a noob without much knowledge all things revolver!

April 30, 2012, 10:04 PM	#3
Crazy88Fingers Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2010 Location: WesTex Posts: 958	They are excellent handguns! It's a stainless steel version of the model 19. Value is probably in the neighborhood of $500, depending on a lot of factors. If you're going to fire .357s through it, stick to the heavier bullets (140 grains and up). The lighter, hotter loads (125 gr) may shorten the life of the revolver. __________________ "And I'm tellin' you son, well it ain't no fun, staring straight down a .44" -Lynyrd Skynyrd

April 30, 2012, 11:07 PM	#7
Crazy88Fingers Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2010 Location: WesTex Posts: 958	It will handle any kind of .38 you can throw at it. Here's an article that goes into more detail regarding the use of magnums in .357 K-frames. http://www.gunblast.com/Butch_MagnumLoads.htm __________________ "And I'm tellin' you son, well it ain't no fun, staring straight down a .44" -Lynyrd Skynyrd

May 1, 2012, 06:33 PM	#11
Deaf Smith Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2000 Location: Texican! Posts: 4,453	I'll say the S&W K 'Combat Magnum' is one of the best. Finding one for less than $400 is hard. I just had a gent at a gun shop today hold for me a 2 1/2 19-5 nickel .357. $349 + tax is his asking price so I guess it will be $375 or so when I pick it up Thursday. Not a scratch on it. The front sight does not have a red insert but for all I know they didn't have that option yet. Plain S&W wood stocks. It's 100 percent tight. No end shake, crane shake, cylinder shake. Shot a little but sure wasn't much. Sights set dead in the middle so I hope it shoots strait on (my three S&W 66s snubs do!) And I have no intention of shooting a bunch of magnums out of it. At the most +p .38s. Deaf __________________ “To you who call yourselves ‘men of peace,’ I say, you are not safe without men of action by your side” Thucydides

May 2, 2012, 04:54 PM	#15
Deaf Smith Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2000 Location: Texican! Posts: 4,453	Oh Webleymkv, I sure don't intend on altering the gun! I have 3 66 2 1/2 inchers and they all have red insert front sights. I'd use them before this one! Thanks guys. Tomorrow I pick 'er up! Deaf __________________ “To you who call yourselves ‘men of peace,’ I say, you are not safe without men of action by your side” Thucydides

April 30, 2012, 09:45 PM	#2
Vanguard.223 Member Join Date: February 21, 2012 Posts: 35	And it's chambered in .357 magnum!

April 30, 2012, 10:07 PM	#4
Vanguard.223 Member Join Date: February 21, 2012 Posts: 35	Will do, thanks! What about mild .38 special loads?

April 30, 2012, 10:47 PM	#5
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 10,446	The 66-1 is considered by many to be the best of the series. The main change from the 66 no-dash to the 66-1 was to move the gas ring from the yoke to the cylinder. This was done because shooting large amounts of magnum ammo in 66 no-dash revolvers would sometimes cause the gas ring to heat and swell enough to bind the action. The -1 solved this issue but still retained the desirable pinned barrel and recessed charge holes which were eliminated with the -2 engineering change.

April 30, 2012, 10:55 PM	#6
Vanguard.223 Member Join Date: February 21, 2012 Posts: 35	Very insightful! Thank you!

May 1, 2012, 05:29 PM	#8
Vanguard.223 Member Join Date: February 21, 2012 Posts: 35	So 125 gr bullets shorten barrel life? Haha

May 1, 2012, 06:08 PM	#10
Vanguard.223 Member Join Date: February 21, 2012 Posts: 35	Very nice! I appreciate you clearing the up for me!

May 4, 2012, 10:03 PM	#16
Deaf Smith Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2000 Location: Texican! Posts: 4,453	Got it! And it's 100 percent tight. Shot just 1 inches low at 7 yards with 130gr FMJ Remington .38s. I'll try my Corbon .38s next week. Deaf __________________ “To you who call yourselves ‘men of peace,’ I say, you are not safe without men of action by your side” Thucydides Last edited by Deaf Smith; October 13, 2013 at 06:51 PM.