I recently picked up a 586 (no dash) today and it appears to be unfired in the original box. Now I'm left wondering a few things. First, what year (month?) was my revolver built (serial # is ADN3xxx)?

Second question is, what defines a "Distinguished Combat Magnum?" I'm seeing a lot of "no dash" 586's being referred to as being a Distinguish Combat Magnum but, does that make my gun one? Also, any history on how that model/name came to be?


Thanks,

Phil

Your gun was shipped in 1983.
The Combat Magnums are the model 19s and model 66s. They are K-frame revolvers.
When Smith came out with a beefier frame like the 586 and the 686, to handle large quantities of the .357s and .357 +Ps, than the K-frame could it became the L-frame and was given the name Distinguished Combat Magnum to differentiate it from the slightly smaller K-frame Combat Magnums. I trust that is not an oversimplification.

__________________
Dick

Thanks Diamondback68! Exactly what I was looking for!

Welcome to the forum. You should know that the early 586s and 686s had a recall on them. I believe it was through the -1 guns. Open the cylinder and look where the model number is and see if there is a M stamped there, probably over the model number. If so it has the recall work. If not S&W will still do the work for you.
Or you can just shoot it and see if it has a problem. I have a 686 and a 686-1 that has not been modified but I've never had a problem.
This is FYI. Again welcome.

Phil,

Welcome! We'd love to see some pictures of that new 586. They're great revolvers.

Regards,

Jerry

Phil;

As I recall, the 586/686 series were made in part for participation in Distinguished Revolver competition, hence the name. Here is a link to the NRA page describing their program:

Distinguished Program

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Bamabiker, thanks for the info on the modification/repair. I had looked into that before I bought the pistol...and sure enough, it's _not_ been done on this revolver yet. I'm pretty sure this pistol has never been fired (other than factory test firing). It does have a slight drag mark on the cylinder but, there's absolutely no wear/brass/impression around the firing pin hole and everything about the gun is clean, still in the factory box, all the factory paper work, etc.. The only strange part...someone swapped out the grips. By knowing the year it came out, I can look for dated grips to go back on the gun (looks like '83 is the magic date). LOL!

Jerry, yeah...I need to start taking some pictures. I was on this forum several years ago but, feel off due to a number of reasons (marriage, change in jobs, child, divorce...all that fun stuff! LOL!!!). When I went to log back on, I forgot my password and well, my account was set up with an old email address, so I just started from scratch. Anyways, I'm now up to a total of 3 S&W's...a 586-5 (no-lock) L-comp, 629 PC (blackened stainless), and now this 586.

I've always wanted a longer barreled 586 so I could actually use it to hunt with in Ohio...in case I get bored with the .44. Plus, I've always been partial to a .357 since it was the first gun I ever shot...when I was 6 years old! My father's friend, who was a police office at the time (mid-70's), talked my dad into letting me shoot his (the friend's) service revolver...with full .357 loads (no 38's here!). I locked my elbows like he said, held on for dear life, and let the hammer drop...I've been hooked on guns ever since! Still get that same grin my face every time I pull the trigger!

So is it the 6" or the 8" barrel? The other posters have answered your questions about dates and the recall and the "Distingushed" title so I have nothing to add but I've become such a fan of the L frame .357s that I can't resist saying congratulations to everyone who posts about a new one, especially the early versions. The FAQ section has a reprint of the original S&W notice regarding the recall if you're interested, and there have been a number of threads on the subject.