S&W mod 66-3...tell me about it..

[gew98]

A good friend the other day going through some "wife" issues sold me a gorgeous Smith 66-3 stainless 357 mag . It's a 4 inch barrel with an orange insert in the front sight. I'd wager a solid 90% as it's been shot very little by us since he got it. Any ideas on how to date a stainless smith wheelgun ?. I'm certain I got a deal at $350. Just have to find a decent holster for it...suggestions welcome.

[lup]

Very nice score. I think tat the secret service carried that model at one point. Heavy lads will eventually split the forcing cone but what gun can hold up to that pounding.

Have fun, betcha it outlasts you.

[John Allen]

The 66's are great guns. The price was really good I would have been all over that.

[fouronesix]

Agreed, very good price on that!

Prior to 1984 the serial # could be tied to a specific date range but since this one was made later, the serial # doesn't apply.

The 66-3 (engineering-production model) was made between 1986 and 1994. There is probably a three letter sequence code used as a prefix some where on the frame usually under the yoke. That three letter prefix is tied to a production start date but may not be very precise in dating an individual gun because they were at times used out of sequence.

[9.3X62AL]

Just limit the S&W Model 66-3 to current-spec SAAMI load levels (36K PSI or thereabouts), and the revolver will last you a lifetime or 2. An example of such loads would be Lyman #358156 atop 13.5 grains of 2400, which give 1225-1250 FPS in most 4" 357 wheelguns. For $350, I would have snagged that critter in a heartbeat.

[Petrol & Powder]

+1 on your excellent score!
The model 66 is the adjustable sight, stainless steel K-frame and is an excellent gun. Law enforcement agencies tended to use the fixed sighted model 65 more than the adjustable sighted model 66 but they are both great guns and very similar other than the sights. The .357 magnum loads, particularly the 125 grain loads are hard on the forcing cone but the gun will shoot 38 Specials for your lifetime and then some. You got a great gun at a great price.
As for a holster, that will depend on your intended use but there are tons of quality holsters available for that model. I prefer holsters that cover the trigger guard and require the belt be threaded through loops/slots. (No paddle holsters for me) G&G, Don Hume, DeSantis and Bianchi are just some of the holster makers out there.