I always hear people claim P&R smiths are the best. But in this regard folks claim the 66-2 is the “best” vintage.

Just curious why.

I have seen a couple P&R 66-2…but goodness, folks want like 4k for them.

I just checked mine, a 2-1/2" round-butt, and it's a 66-2. Hooray for me, but I have no idea why it would be any better than other 66's. I haven't shot it in maybe 20 years, and quite honestly, back when I last used it, I couldn't hit very well with it. Did better with a M-36 I bought about ten years before the 66.

I'm curious, now, too.

quote:

Originally posted by newtoSig765:
I just checked mine, a 2-1/2" round-butt, and it's a 66-2. Hooray for me, but I have no idea why it would be any better than other 66's. I haven't shot it in maybe 20 years, and quite honestly, back when I last used it, I couldn't hit very well with it. Did better with a M-36 I bought about ten years before the 66.

I'm curious, now, too.

That’s what I’m after. A nice 2.5” 66-2. A 19 or 15 would also suffice.

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:
Just curious why.

Compare the triggers. The -2 has a smooth wide one, while many -1 and most no dash have a narrow groved one with sharp edges, literally painful at the range.

Don't know about other 66's but mine does have the smooth wide trigger.

It's my last revolver, other than a couple replica Colt Peacemakers. I had to sell my 36, my 19, my Colt Detective Special in time of need about 30 years ago, my K-frame .22 went before that as I got tired of cleaning .22LR residue.

It's a keeper.

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:
I have seen a couple P&R 66-2…but goodness, folks want like 4k for them

66-1 was the last pinned & recessed iteration. There may be some sellers asking $4K for a 66-2, but who is actually paying that? I can't see anyone paying even half that for an unfired NIB model 66 of any generation.

I would think it was machine upgrades , like rolling changes in production .

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:
I always hear people claim P&R smiths are the best. But in this regard folks claim the 66-2 is the “best” vintage.

Just curious why.

I have seen a couple P&R 66-2…but goodness, folks want like 4k for them.

I think you have received bad intel. iron chef has it correct.

My 66's have been with me since the early 80's. If I had to give up my guns, these would be the last to go. They are both dash 1's so can't help with the dash 2 thing. Don't think I ever shot one. I can still hit a gnat's ass at 10 yds with these.

In my experience, the P&R'ed Model 66-1 and Model 66 no dash, are more sought after than the 66-2's and up. I've got one of each and there's really no difference between them when it comes to shooting them or the feel of their trigger pull. The fit and finish is equally as good, but there is something about the P&R guns that makes them more desirable that the post 1982 non P&R'ed guns.

I know that I'm guilty of being a P&R snob.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: blindref, April 21, 2025 06:05 AM

quote:

Originally posted by blindref:
I've got one of each and there's really no difference between them...

The top one in your picture has the narrow, sharp edged, trigger, while the bottom one has the wide flat trigger, which S&W implemented as an improvement.

quote:

Originally posted by bustabuddy:

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:
I always hear people claim P&R smiths are the best. But in this regard folks claim the 66-2 is the “best” vintage.

Just curious why.

I have seen a couple P&R 66-2…but goodness, folks want like 4k for them.

I think you have received bad intel. iron chef has it correct.

I went back and looked at the auctions I saw, they were indeed mislabeled as -2.

Thank yall!

3" seemed to bring the best #'s but snubbies are cool. Shot you an email.

I like the 66 but a nickel 19 is pure heaven.

quote:

Compare the triggers. The -2 has a smooth wide one,

My 4" barrel 66-2 has the wide grooved trigger.

quote:

Originally posted by sigarms229
My 4" barrel 66-2 has the wide grooved trigger.

Yours has some non-standard features, like the trigger stop I can see in your pic.

quote:

Originally posted by stiab:

quote:

Originally posted by blindref:
I've got one of each and there's really no difference between them...

The top one in your picture has the narrow, sharp edged, trigger, while the bottom one has the wide flat trigger, which S&W implemented as an improvement.

I didn't explain very well what I meant in my original post (I edited it).

What I meant was there isn't any difference in the mechanical feel of the trigger pull, accuracy of my two guns, or the quality of them.

There are some physical differences between the -1 and the -2's like a slight change of the cylinder length to 1.62", no more pinned barrel or recessed cylinder, and the trigger design as you stated.

Not trying to “stir the pot” but Karl Sokol once told me the 66-4 was the high point for the 66.

I figured he would know since at one time he worked for the fledgling S&W Performance Center.

quote:

Originally posted by cigardad:
Not trying to “stir the pot” but Karl Sokol once told me the 66-4 was the high point for the 66.

Opinions vary, and there is no right or wrong answer, just personal preference. But many people objected to the -4 being drilled and tapped on top strap, and I agreed. I have owned 3" M66 in -2, -3, and -4, and countless other 66 in 2.5 and 4" barrels, and the -2 was definitely my favorite.

A positive thing about the 4" -4 was that mid-run they changed grip from SB to RB without an engineering change, and the 4" RB was indeed a cool item. Sold mine a few years ago as I started to age out.

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:
I always hear people claim P&R smiths are the best. But in this regard folks claim the 66-2 is the “best” vintage.

Just curious why.

I have seen a couple P&R 66-2…but goodness, folks want like 4k for them.

The one you are trying to sell is always more valuable than the one you do not have available for sale

I personally do not care what other people think is the best. I buy the ones I like and I happen to like Pinned and Recessed revolvers

By yourself a -1 engineering revision and if you want the wider, smooth trigger (like me) then just change the trigger out and save the original trigger to put back in later if you so desire