For your viewing pleasure:



The tale:

I purchased the gun in 1975 at a time when the era’s severe shortage of Smith and Wesson revolvers was starting to ease. My enabler/pusher at the local Western Auto store called me (remember when hardware stores sold guns?) with, “You might like to see this.” And sure enough, I did.

I have long preferred K frame revolvers with round butt frames, and at the time only the shorter barrel versions had that configuration, so I had no hesitation in acquiring another S&W for my collection. But with full power 357 Magnum loads (remember those, too?), 2.5 inches resulted in … interesting muzzle blast and I also just preferred 4 inches for better practical accuracy. Some time later the gun therefore went to S&W to swap to a longer barrel.

Then I became enamored with the Mag-na-port process, so off went the 4" version for that modification. That’s how the gun remained and was used for many years. In time, though, I decided I didn’t like the compensator, and back to S&W again for an unported barrel. By then, though, my interest in shooting/carrying revolvers had waned and the 66 mostly languished in dismal isolation.

Still later: During a local outdoor festival I noticed that the police chief was carrying a nickel-plated 2.5" model 19 on his hip while in plain clothes. That’s the same gun as the 66 except being made of “carbon” steel rather than stainless. “Man, that looks neat, and I wish mine still had that cool 2 1/2 inch barrel.” Fast forward to yesterday: The revolver was back in all its original pristine glory as the gun gods intended for it to be when designed.

As an aside that I found interesting, I have of course always asked that the original barrels be returned after each swap. When it came back with the unported 4" barrel the barrel was one of S&W’s later two piece versions. I never thought much about that although I understand it hasn’t met with universal approval for whatever reasons.

The 4" barrel that was sent to me this time, though, is a one-piece, heavy barrel similar in contour to what’s on my 3" model 65, not what was on the revolver when I sent it back the last time. For anyone in the know, any idea why the substitution? Could the two piece barrel have been damaged or otherwise rendered unusable during its removal from the frame?

Purty


One of these and or a 686 snub has been on my list for a long time, without the lock of course


I did pick up a beautiful 4" 66 no dash last week

Very cool! That gun has definitely been there and back again. I have no idea why Smith would have swapped the barrels...maybe something as simple as a mistake? AFAIK Everything is still moving in the direction of the two-piece design.

I have your gun's blued brother, a 19-3. It doesn't get as much carry time as my J-Frame snubbies, but when I saw it in the case at the LGS I just had to have it.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
I have your gun's blued brother, a 19-3.

Very nice as well. It appears to have a “target” hammer with the wide spur. Was that original?

As for the barrel, other than perhaps a problem with the two-piece being damaged when removed from the revolver, my thought was as it was being packed up for return shipment it was, “Oh crap. We’re supposed to send his original barrel back, but I have no idea where it is now. This will do.”

Not that I’ll do another different barrel dance ever again, but I’m actually happier to have the older style barrel. Spare barrels like that get mounted on a base and used as pen/pencil holders.

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
I did pick up a beautiful 4" 66 no dash last week

And we should see that.

quote:

Very nice as well. It appears to have a “target” hammer with the wide spur. Was that original?

I don't know if it was original, but it was installed when I bought it, along with a wide target trigger. IMO both seemed out of place on a short-barreled gun. The wide trigger had to go...it was unbearable in double-action. I'd prefer a standard hammer as well, but none of the assortment I have on hand provided the same quality of trigger pull, so after a bit of trial and error I elected to leave the hammer alone.

92fstech, if I had seen that at my LGS it would have come home with me as well. I'm a sucker for the older revolvers (have two Detective Specials, one that started out as a Police Positive until I found barrel to swap in). Both of those are great looking guns.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:

quote:

Very nice as well. It appears to have a “target” hammer with the wide spur. Was that original?

I don't know if it was original, but it was installed when I bought it, along with a wide target trigger. IMO both seemed out of place on a short-barreled gun. The wide trigger had to go...it was unbearable in double-action. I'd prefer a standard hammer as well, but none of the assortment I have on hand provided the same quality of trigger pull, so after a bit of trial and error I elected to leave the hammer alone.

Back when I used to participate on the S&W forum I recall reading that the factory had a surplus of Target hammers and triggers so they just used what they had on hand, nearly all of the 2 1/2 “ 19-3s came that way.

quote:

Originally posted by clubleaf206:
nearly all of the 2 1/2 “ 19-3s came that way.

Interesting. Of all S&W revolvers putting target hammers and triggers in the short barrel model 19 seems among the most counterintuitive. I had an S&W model 18 that came with both and although a “target” revolver would have benefited with a longer barrel than 4 inches, I really liked how that gun shot. It’s also one of the few guns I’ve gotten rid of but still remember very well and really regret having sold.

quote:

Back when I used to participate on the S&W forum I recall reading that the factory had a surplus of Target hammers and triggers so they just used what they had on hand, nearly all of the 2 1/2 “ 19-3s came that way.

That's interesting...I appreciate the info! It just seemed weird to me to have huge target hammer and trigger on what is basically a big pocket gun.

quote:

92fstech, if I had seen that at my LGS it would have come home with me as well. I'm a sucker for the older revolvers (have two Detective Specials, one that started out as a Police Positive until I found barrel to swap in). Both of those are great looking guns.

It's not perfect...there's some bluing wear on the cylinder like it was left in a leather holster or something for a long time, but mechanically it's excellent. IIRC I paid $700 about a year and a half ago. That same shop currently has a 2.5" 19-4 with better bluing than mine, but they have it listed at $1400 ! I'll happily tolerate a little bluing wear to save $700, plus it makes it so I'm not afraid to use it .

You change barrels more then I change mags

Gorgeous gun. I personally love the K/L/N frame “snubbies”. Love the round butts as well.

You ever have any issues with the various barrel swaps?

quote:

Originally posted by cslinger:
You ever have any issues with the various barrel swaps?

Fortunately, no. Other than the Mag-na-Port work, everything was done at the factory.

Although nothing is ever guaranteed no matter who does the work, after several experiences with “professional” gunsmiths over the years, a barrel change is the sort of thing I’d never trust one to get right. The only exception I can think of now would be Grayguns (assuming they would even do that work), but I still believed it was better to send it to S&W, partially because they sent me a shipping label and that saved significant money and uncertainties.

Another thing about my 66 is that it has the smooth semiwide “combat” trigger that I prefer over the original narrow grooved model. The combat triggers were something I discovered at one point long ago and put them in several revolvers over the years.

My dad gave me a 66-2 2.5 inch the day I graduated the academy. I love the 4 inch P&R guns too.

My 2.5" M-66 is also one of my favorites.

I had Scott do the action on it when he moved in at Apex Tactical.

The only disappointing issue it has is the lack of a full length ejection rod which will sometimes leave .38Spl cases hanging in the cylinder when ejecting...most .357Mag cases will also hang up during ejection.

That wasn't a huge issue, except when I shot in in IDPA competition

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:
For your viewing pleasure:



The tale:

I purchased the gun in 1975 at a time when the era’s severe shortage of Smith and Wesson revolvers was starting to ease. My enabler/pusher at the local Western Auto store called me (remember when hardware stores sold guns?) with, “You might like to see this.” And sure enough, I did.

i have always thought the 2 1/2" Model 19/66 had great visual appeal and I own several.

This first Model 19 was purchased new by my stepfather in 1977, the only thing that I have done is add the Hogue grips to it



This model 66 has been Mag-na-Ported and it does greatly reduce the muzzle climb when shooting the full power 125 grain 357 Magnum JacketED Hollow Points. This revolver was also manufactured in 1975 though my family is not the original owner of it



This special order, matte finished model 19 was originally shipped to the Diplomatic Security Service and is in unissued condition, complete with the correct box and everything. These shipped from factory with the Pachmayr Compac Professional grips on the revolvers

Click here for DSS Model 19 video

Sigfruend and all,

I have an older M-19 2 1/2". It is the last revolver I would ever part with...

Wes

Years ago I happened to come upon this Model 66-3 with a 3" factory barrel. I love the balance that the extra 1/2" gives, but also the fact that this barrel length provides owners with full length extraction. I own a set of cocobolo stocks made by Deacon Deason, but felt that these high grade French walnut alternatives by Craig Spegal were the right way to go.

They are very sharp looking guns in the short barreled configuration. I have a 4" and love it.

I have a similar Model 66-no dash

Sexy but impractical. I had a Model 19 and a 66 at different times and couldn't hit anything with them. The short ejector rod makes quick reloading difficult, especially with the longer magnum cases. The three-inch barrel - more often found on the 13 & 65 - fixes this while still looking proportioned.