1978 S&W 66-1 pinned/recessed 357

[357smallbore]

I have an opportunity to buy a really nice 4in SS model 66. Only the gun and nothing else. Seller is firm at $995. In todays market and the volatile nature of gun prices being up and down. Is this a poor, fair of good deal?

 

[wcwhitey]

I have seen them as much as $1100. Depends on how nice. LNIB I might be tempted.

 

[red rick]

IMO , it is to high and the 66 is one of my favorite S&W revolvers .

 

[J-Bar]

If you can handle the gun before purchase and verify function ( lock up, end shake, ratchet wear, bore appearance, trigger characteristics. etc.) and it passes your inspection, lay your money down.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Its slightly above the local market line here, I see minty examples at the local show in the $850 range. I dont need any more K-frames, so I wouldn't bite at a grand, but if it calls to you, never know when you'll find another......

 

[Riomouse911]

Prices sure have jumped!

The 66-1 4” at bottom was tagged at $625 two years ago just prior to the pandemic, and the 66-2 6” was under $700 about 6 months later.



But after the craziness, and depending on where you are it may be a bit high, $950 is about what folks would ask for it around here. And they would get it.

If it has been there a little while at $995 you can always offer less and see if they’ll take it. I walked away with a 7.5” .41 Magnum Redhawk for $350 like that in late 2019.



Stay safe.

 

[nick22]

I just recently bought a 66-3 in like new condition for $1,000 it had the 2.5" barrel which I wanted and it's a great shooter. I don't think you can go wrong paying good money for something that's not being made anymore.

 

[Armored farmer]

That's more than I paid for my 66 a few years ago. By the time I paid shipping and transfer fees it's less than $200 more.
Everything is higher now. I would expect to pay $1000 to get a nice one in my hands.

Be sure to check closely the forcing cone right in front of the cylinder. 66s have a weakness there. They could Crack. Most don't.

My 66 is a great shooter. Even with the 2.5" barrel, it outshoots my Blackhawk.

I say go for it!

 

[wcwhitey]

In the middle are a 66 No Dash 4” and a -2 6”. The -2 was $650 pre-pandemic. A good gun came with mismatched stocks. It has a target hammer and target partridge front sight. But it was far from like new. The no dash is pristine in the box that I would not consider less than $1200 for. It depends on the gun. Like others have mentioned read the revolver check out in this section and understand how to check it out. Give a good look at the forcing cone with light and some magnification if you can. The other thing for sure is they are not going to get any cheaper. Also consider that a new S&W is less than the asking price. If you want a work horse that is the way I would go!

 

[chicharrones]

An excellent condition 66-1 with 4" or 6" barrels around here does hit close to $1000.00.

The excellent condition snub nose 66s cross into $1200+ here.

Call it big city "tax".

 

[Jonesy814]

There has been a nice 66-2 for sale in my area for a couple months at $800. If it was a 2.5”, it would be gone at that price, but it’s a 4 inch. In my area $995 would be fairly high

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Yep, the snubbies do seem to command a premium.

 

[nick22]

For me the 4" revolvers are no man's land they're fun at the range I have a 686 no dash that's a 4" gun I love shooting it but it's got to have 5" of barrel in Ohio to be legal for deer. They're a little bit too big for concealed carry My problem is the more smith&wesson revolvers I accumulate the more I like them. I agree with the above that if you want a user get a new one to scratch up in and out of a holster the old ones deserve to be shot but not sweated on.

 

[Snake Plisskin]

If it was me and I wanted it the price would just fine, you might have to pay more down the road for one that early and a P&R to boot you can't go wrong, just get it you will be glad you did.JMHO