I've owned this gun for a while now and love shooting the revolvers. no matter if I'm shooting 38 or 357 ammo it is dead accurate and just plain fun to shoot.
I'm looking to get some additional history on the gun.
Model number 586 no dash's, Serial number AAF0926 or
AAF0026 on the yoke it's stamped E17 and below is 4X656
Gun is in great shape except for what looks like holster wear form the previous owner.
Thanks in advance for all your assistance.
The book says:
1981 - AAD 2120
October 1982 - AAF 9000
If you remove the grips, there should be a date ink-stamped on the inside of one them. That may help you get a better estimate of the age if your gun.
Also, the official S/N is stamped on the butt of the gun.
The numbers stamped on the yoke were assembly numbers that don't mean anything after the gun leaves the factory.
Thanks,
Just now getting into the history of all my guns.
Some I have owned since I was 15 years old and believe me that a while ago. Seems like the Mod 586 is considered one of the good classic 357's
Some history. Your M586 is built on S&W's L-frame. The L-frame was introduced in 1980 at s/n AAAxxxx. Initially manufacturing was on a limited basis as production was incrementally ramped up. The size of the L-frame is positioned in between the N-frame (larger) and the K-frame (smaller).
The L-frame was, from it's inception, designed to shoot the .357 Magnum cartridge, and to address alleged deficiencies in the the N and K-frame when chambered in .357. The L-frame was targeted at the needs of the law enforcement market which at that time was still dominated by revolvers.