For those you not into vintage S&W revolvers, the Model 66, like its blued cousin,the Model 19, is a K (medium) frame 357 revolver. Takes about a half pound of weight off of Smith's earlier 357 revolver, the larger Model 27/28. These K frame 357s were very popular and when Smith introduced the Model 66, their first stainless 357. Demand was very high.
Anyway, just happened to be in the same shop, this week, and it happened, again. This time it was the later 66-2, made in the early 80s. Price was reasonable, so ... grabbed it right, away. Included box, papers and original cleaning tools, which Smith supplied with those vintage revolvers.
From a collectors point of view, this vintage of Smith is not quite as desirable as the "pinned and recessed" versions just prior to the 66-2. Pinned and recessed refers to a barrel made with a pin though it as an added precaution, though an unnecessary one, for strength; the recessed refers to cylinders cut with recesses for the cartridge. Neither feature made the gun shoot or operate any better, so Smith dropped both features in the early 80s.
On the other hand ...this particular Model 66 somewhat recoups some of that lost collectibility by being a special order gun. In those days you could order your Model 66 or 19 with a wider and longer target hammer and a wider target trigger or your choice of standard or target stock. Collectors call these the 3T versions. Because they were a bit less common and a special order option, they command a touch higher price. Here you can see the box with the Ts included in the special order.
I didn't buy this 66-2 for that reason, though. I bought it because it was practically NIB condition. It passed every check of a used revolver for wear and tear in flying colors. Not a scratch or a blemish on it anywhere. In fact, the turn line was barely perceptible - I've seen new revolvers in a showcase with more of a turn line. I bought this S&W Model 66, too, because it had one of those legendary hand fit trigger and actions. Indeed, this Model 66 has as nice a trigger as I've ever seen on a revolver. Even came with a holster, which was actually made by S&W and is stamped with the S&W logo on the back. (S&W had their own leather factory in the 70s and 80s.)
Although my rule of thumb is to shoot 357s in my 357 revolvers, not 38 Specials, I'm going to make exceptions for this vintage Model 66 to save wear and tear on it. It will get fed 38s on a steady basis with maybe a few 158 grain 357s, now and then. Besides, it shoots 38s just fine. Nothing sweeter to shoot in a revolver than a K frame Smith loaded with 38s.
Next time, I promise, no range report on revolvers, but just felt the need to share this beauty. Thanks for being patient with me. They really, really don't make them like this, anymore.
