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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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  #51  
Old 08-19-2015, 04:04 PM
Mike_Fontenot Mike_Fontenot is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dwever View Post
The 686 is a K Frame the 586 is an L Frame.
S&W customer support says that all the medium frame guns currently being made are L frame, including the 686.
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  #52  
Old 08-19-2015, 04:16 PM
dwever dwever is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike_Fontenot View Post
S&W customer support says that all the medium frame guns currently being made are L frame, including the 686.
I stand corrected. Back when our agency had the 686 I believe they were K frames and made an assumption. I think the MIMs/Forged steel comment still stands as well as the Performance Center action on the 586 L-Comp (and beastly price). I've been an N frame only user for years (the L Frame 586 next to my current favorite carry N frame below; and, they both weigh 37 oz.), but the 586 L-Comp may be my first L-Frame.

As far as all medium frame guns currently being all L frame, the S&W web site says their 617's are still K frames as well as the Model 67.

From the web site, on the Model 67 page, see "Overview", quote: "The K-Frame revolver is one of the most important innovations in Smith & Wesson history and was built specifically to handle the .38 S&W Special cartridge. Since its introduction in 1899, the K-Frame has been a favorite for military and police professionals as well as target shooters and enthusiasts. Today's K-Frame is available in .22 LR and .38 S&W Special."
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File Type: jpg dirty627.jpg (243.0 KB, 54 views)

Last edited by dwever; 08-19-2015 at 04:37 PM.
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  #53  
Old 08-19-2015, 10:27 PM
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Default Stainless machining....

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Originally Posted by 44wheelman View Post
So this is a comparison of stainless vs. carbon steel thread now?

In general terms, stainless is tougher and more abrasion resistant. The nickel and chromium in stainless is tough and gummy to machine compared to carbon steel. As a result, it is much easier to get a good finish on carbon steel, and cutting speeds are higher.
You are right, machining stainless is a bear especially with some alloys. Improvements in techniques and tooling have also made a difference. By the time the 686 rolled around, most of these problems had been dealt with. I don't have any complaints about the machining on my 686. I remember to make a thread they had to use an 'interrupted die' which had an offset in the cutting edge or it would tear the thread off in the process of cutting it. I'm sure the alloy they use in guns is higher in machinability than old 304 SS.
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Last edited by rwsmith; 08-19-2015 at 10:31 PM.
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  #54  
Old 08-20-2015, 01:52 AM
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Default Huh???

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Originally Posted by dwever View Post
The 686 is a K Frame the 586 is an L Frame.
The 686 IS an L frame. It is heavier built that my model 10 that is a K frame. The model 19 was a beefed up K frame in .357 magnum.
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  #55  
Old 08-22-2015, 11:59 AM
caleb4387 caleb4387 is offline
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The 686 was always an l frame
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  #56  
Old 08-22-2015, 12:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by caleb4387 View Post
The 686 was always an l frame
No the I-frame was the.....IIRC... Ladysmith bicycle revolver in .22lr.......not the manly 686.... Distinguished Combat Magnum...firing the .357 magnum!!!!!!




Sorry sometime I just can't help myself or anyone else for that matter!!!


Last edited by BAM-BAM; 08-22-2015 at 12:18 PM.
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  #57  
Old 08-22-2015, 09:10 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rwsmith View Post
The 686 IS an L frame. It is heavier built that my model 10 that is a K frame. The model 19 was a beefed up K frame in .357 magnum.
Actually since we are being picky, if you mean the K frame 19 being beefed up by having better quality metal than the older k frames that is accurate. But if you mean it has more metal then than is not true. The 19 is the same K frame, size wise, as the rest of the K frames.

John
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  #58  
Old 08-22-2015, 11:29 PM
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586+. Nail in the coffin.
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  #59  
Old 08-23-2015, 08:48 AM
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I like tacos.
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  #60  
Old 08-23-2015, 03:34 PM
Twilight Onearmshooter Twilight Onearmshooter is offline
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586 and 686 revolvers are both L frames. My Talo 686 plus 7" barrel round butt shoots most wonderful. I need to change the round butt grip to square butt conversion Ahrends grips. Square butt grips are "fastback" style. More support to the hand. My hand gets more tiresome with a round frame or a Cattleman Birds-head grip on my Uberti revolver.
I have a 586-8 6" on order. I am saving the best for last.
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  #61  
Old 12-06-2015, 09:05 AM
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Default STAINLESS 686 4INCH

I have recently been given a S&W 686 Stainless 357 with 4 inch barrel from a family estate and would like to date of mfg. and know a value for the gun.

Serial number is AEJ 51XX wood grips very good condition looks fully original to me. Gently used.

Sorry i do not have a photo now but an estimate of date mfg and range of value would be most helpful.

Thank you
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  #62  
Old 12-10-2015, 05:39 AM
rsrha454lv rsrha454lv is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cwc1956 View Post
I have recently been given a S&W 686 Stainless 357 with 4 inch barrel from a family estate and would like to date of mfg. and know a value for the gun.

Serial number is AEJ 51XX wood grips very good condition looks fully original to me. Gently used.

Sorry i do not have a photo now but an estimate of date mfg and range of value would be most helpful.

Thank you
Date looks to be Nov 1984.
SCSW says ANIB 500$
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  #63  
Old 12-10-2015, 01:57 PM
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"The 686 is a K Frame the 586 is an L Frame"

Unfortunately not. Both are identical L frames.

One stainless, one carbon steel.

The similarity for both is the grip frame, which is identical between the L & K frames.

Other than the grip, K & L frames are totally different in dimension.
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  #64  
Old 12-10-2015, 02:11 PM
Mike_Fontenot Mike_Fontenot is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Snapping Twig View Post
"The 686 is a K Frame the 586 is an L Frame"

Unfortunately not. Both are identical L frames.
Why is that unfortunate?

Quote:
Other than the grip, K & L frames are totally different in dimension.
What are the differences in dimension?
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  #65  
Old 12-10-2015, 03:00 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nipster View Post
586 and 686 are the same basic gun. Difference really is frame construction alloy and finish.

686+ = 7 round cylinder version of the 686

The 586 went out of production a while back, but supposedly they made a run of them recently in the "classics" line. I also dont think they made a 586+ in 7 round cylinder, although I could be wrong.

They do make a 586-7 in 7 round cylinder, here is mine:


Last edited by Mehutch; 12-10-2015 at 03:02 PM.
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  #66  
Old 12-10-2015, 03:21 PM
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And the other 586's and 686's, 'collect them all'...

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  #67  
Old 12-10-2015, 08:27 PM
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If you live in a climate that has rust issues. Well, you know the rest.

Aloha, Mark
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  #68  
Old 12-10-2015, 10:40 PM
Blackbarry Blackbarry is offline
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I'm sure Gumpys knows what he's talking about. I owned a 686-1 and sold it 5 years back. I always regretted it. Recently I picked this up and am glad for the simple twist of fate. I should have purchased the 586 from the beginning. Mine's a 586-3 that S&W gave an action improvement to. I love its classic blue elegance. No contest in my book.


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  #69  
Old 12-10-2015, 11:09 PM
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Default I have a 686 no dash....

Quote:
Originally Posted by gumpys View Post
Hi Alpha,
I have said it before and will say it again,

First and foremost the 586 was built a lot better than the 686
Second, the trigger on the 586 is a lot smoother than the 686
The carbon steel on the 586 was more durable than the 686 stainless in abrasion areas like the hand & ratchet teeth, among other things. Workmanship was better on the 586's than on current 686 variants, and they had no mim parts and no locks just to say a few things. And no MIM, no Hole.

Eric
It's built just fine and I don't want to get a trigger job because it's smooth as silk and I'd be afraid a 'trigger job' would mess it up. Single action is is a touch. Shoots much better than I do. The 586 is a super fine gun, but I don't think it's 'better' than a 686. One thing I like about the stainless steel is that I can get the stains off the front of the cylinder with worrying about wear on the bluing.
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  #70  
Old 12-11-2015, 01:13 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike_Fontenot View Post
Why is that unfortunate?



What are the differences in dimension?
Seriously...?

L frame is bigger, more beef where it's needed.
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  #71  
Old 12-12-2015, 11:46 AM
Brasky Brasky is offline
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I own a 586 no dash and 686-3. For me it's as follows:

586 for show 686 for go
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  #72  
Old 12-13-2015, 03:40 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brasky View Post
I own a 586 no dash and 686-3. For me it's as follows:

586 for show 686 for go
I own the same variants! Both with a 4" barrel and both are just for show, however.

Last edited by trigger945; 12-13-2015 at 03:43 AM.
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  #73  
Old 12-13-2015, 12:32 PM
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1982 586 no dash, no 'M', 6" in nickle, not even a turn line, guy was dying of cancer and was selling off all of his guns. He bought the 586 in 1982, put 6 shots through it and then put it in his safe. He also bought a Glock Gen 1, G17 from 1986, one of the first to come into the country, put a mag through it and put it in the safe. Neither gun was ever fired again. Fast forward to last year, guy is got a couple months to live and just want's enough money from gun sales for a killer party at the VFW in his name. Got the 586 and the G17 for $200 each. I will never shoot the 586 since it is immaculate! will go to my grandson after i'm gone. G17 is in EDC rotation. I have a 686-3 and i have to admit that the 586 is much better made, and this is subjective only.


And the Glock for good measure:
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  #74  
Old 12-13-2015, 12:59 PM
Wheeler57 Wheeler57 is offline
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Last year at a LGS I saw a 586 "performance center" new. It was set up to shoot .38,.357, and 9mm (with moon clips for the 9) from the factory. It was beautiful but they wanted 1300 for it. I could never confirm that the performance center ever really put out such a piece. Has anyone else heard of this?
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  #75  
Old 12-14-2015, 12:01 AM
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carbon steel has rust pits if you expose it some humidity. I'll never buy a carbon steel pistol again unless I lived in a dry climate
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  #76  
Old 12-14-2015, 08:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shootbad View Post
carbon steel has rust pits if you expose it some humidity. I'll never buy a carbon steel pistol again unless I lived in a dry climate
I don't take good enough care of my guns so I opt for stainless when I have the option. in my opinion rust pitting is not reversible so I try to avoid letting them rust. Buying stainless is 1 good way of accomplishing that.
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  #77  
Old 12-14-2015, 10:02 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wheeler57 View Post
I don't take good enough care of my guns so I opt for stainless when I have the option. in my opinion rust pitting is not reversible so I try to avoid letting them rust. Buying stainless is 1 good way of accomplishing that.
Actually carbon steel will have what is called surface rust first before pitting occurs. Stainless steel will pit from the start. I have seen rubber grips on many handguns and blued guns will have some rust, but the stainless will be pitted and sometimes badly. I coat the grip frames of all my handguns with a durable grease before putting ANY grip on it.

True stainless isn't strong enough for use in gun parts. So carbon is added amongst other alloys for strength.

John
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  #78  
Old 12-14-2015, 10:20 PM
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When was the 686 a K frame?
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581, 586, 681, 686, classics, colt, concealed, ejector, k frame, l frame, lock, m686, model 19, model 686, round butt, shroud, smith & wesson, smith and wesson

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