Problems with NIB model 66-2

[357wheelgunner]

So I picked up my new in the box S&W model 66-2 (4" barrel, wood grips) and it has some serious fit and finish issues. This pistol was sitting in a gun shop's safe for the last 20 or 30 years, and it is brand new. It shoots well ( I shot it 320 times, 300 .38s and 20 .357s) and feels/looks great on my hip or in an IWB. The problems are all cosmetic:

1. Crane/swingarm (not sure of technical term) to frame fit- there is a good sized gap where the crane meets the frame. On my other S&Ws the gap looks thinner than a hair, but the gap on this 66 is enough to wobble back and forth when the hammer is locked back!

2. Where the barrel meets the frame- there is a large burr here, almost enough to cut my hand on. Looks terrible

3. Where the sideplate meets the frame- another terrible burr

4. The frame around the cylinder- lots of burrs and assorted sharp edges here, especially on the face that the back of the casings rest against, right about where the primers sit.

There are more little things, burrs and whatnot, that need to be gone over. I can't believe Smith would let a gun like this get out of their factory. Maybe I am spoiled by my other S&Ws, but this is unacceptable.

The good news is that when I called S&W to complain they offered to send me a prepaid fedex box so that they could fix all of the problems. It will be interesting to see how this turns out, I've heard good things about S&W customer service.

 

[Paladin7]

I guess everyone has a bad day...

I have a LNIB 66-3 3" that, like yours, has a poor crane to frame fit (Item#1 on your list). Regardless of this problem, the gun is accurate in the extreme, so I've learned to ignore the problem as a cosmetic issue.

I would take S&W up on their offer and have them fix it. My guess is that you will love this gun.

All the Best

 

[pythonguy]

Hi 357wheelgunner

And you bought this gun because? Didn't you look and see these things prior to buying? Don't let the gun store off so easily, they will usually sell whatever we will take, even if it is questionable quality. I was picking up a gun I ordered and when it came in and I checked it there were a few things wrong with the frame. I told the salesman I am not taking it because it has a few defects and he got all mad and started telling me about fees I owe if I don't take it. I asked for the owner and explained what was wrong and he said "this gun is a piece of #@%$". I paid as always with a credit card so I knew the charges can be disputed and voided, cash is more of a hassle when it comes to disputes.

 

[JNewell]

Let us know what happens. S&W seems to have the best customer service in the business right now, so you should have it back quickly. I admit that I'm surprised that they'll take care of a revolver that old -- regardless of whether it's NIB or not -- under their service policy, but hey, who's complaining??? Good luck - you probably won't need it (here's hoping).

 

[357wheelgunner]

S&W offered to take the gun back, but being a gun made in the early '80s they might not be able to do much.

A friend at another gunshop told me that back in the 80s S&W was slapping model 66s together like mad to fill the need in Law Enforcement, and that although they may not look as pretty and well fitted as earlier S&Ws, they still work fine and last forever. I am thinking I will dedicate this gun to CCW, where it will be trained with a lot and be exposed to all sorts of conditions that I would not want a nicer gun to be in.

The gun shoots fine by the way. Decisions, decisions.....

 

[SnWnMe]

OMG! No! Could it be? A "classic" Smith that has issues? Noooo, only the recent ones are crappy! Nooooo!

80s huh? Yup Bangor Punta/Lear Ziegler

 

[115grfmj]

I like Smith's more than any other brand....

I have a flawless new 686+, than is as smooth as anything the PC
has turned out but.................Why would you buy such a gun in
the condition you described???????? Did you buy the piece sight unseen?
Or did they give you a great deal on it, and you hope Smith would
take care of it's issues. Just curious as to your reasoning.

 

[MassMan]

Problems with 66-2

I have found S&W is very good re: customer service. They provided free warranty work for me on that was at least 15 yrs. old. I am sure they will take good care of you.

 

[Blueduck]

Not to be cute but now you know WHY it sat in a gunshop for 20 years unsold

I also bought an old S/W (pre-bangor-punta era) to learn the lesson that not everything Walnut and blued was loving handcrafted by skilled little old men dedicated thier craft. In short it was a POS.

Gotta examine each gun by it's own merits, not it's manufacture period. I've got a 66-2 thats very nice.

 

[sgt127]

They offered to take it back, send it in! Warranty work in Springfield is, from my experience, outstanding and I guarantee you, they have enough spare parts for K frames to last the next 100 years sitting around in there, especially for something as common as a 66. Sounds to me like somebody will hit it a few licks with a file, stone a few places, hit it on the buffing wheel and whack a few parts with the trusty #1 babbitt. It will come back to you the way it should have left the first time.

 

[jdomin]

so why did you buy the gun?

 

[lee n. field]

1. Crane/swingarm (not sure of technical term) to frame fit- there is a good sized gap where the crane meets the frame. On my other S&Ws the gap looks thinner than a hair, but the gap on this 66 is enough to wobble back and forth when the hammer is locked back!

This has been talked about before. Does it look like the picture in this thread. ? (I still want a gun like that Model 13 I passed up. <sigh>).

Push the cylinder latch and simultaneously push the crane towards the frame. If you can (with the cylinder latch pushed) easily close the crane to frame gap, the cylinder is not sitting straight in the gun.

It needs work. If this is in fact NIB, talk to Smith & Wesson.