Hello all,

I have a local gun shop that is advertising a NIB Smith Model 586 for $699.99, and I have wanted one of these for a while but the normal asking price is usually over $795. Should I jump on this?

Equally appealing and available to me is a NIB Smith Model 66 for about $695 from a nearby gun shop. I realize that these are not only two different finishes (the 586 being blue, while the 66 is stainless) and sizes (586 is an L frame, the 66 a K frame), but I like them both about equally. Now, I can probably get the 66 at that price pretty much any time from the local gun shop, but the other shop selling the 586 for $699.99 has stated in their ad that the sale ends 11/28/15.

I should say that both revolvers are 4" barrels.

Please help me decide! Which would you get and why?

Thanks!

Buy one now, put the other on lay away, or regret it later.

If you plan on carrying a lot the 66 is little lighter. Shooting a lot of full 357 the L frame is more durable and you will suffer less from the recoil. The durability issue would only show up after a lot of full 357 rounds. Stainless shows wear less especially holster wear and although it will corrode it isn't a susceptible to rust if carried in hot sweaty weather or damp conditions.

My recommendation is of course to get both if at all possible.

If one of the guns was older production (pre-MIM and IL), that would make the decision easy for me. But since both are still in production and readily-ish available, go with your gut.

Me, I'd shop online for an older 66 in like-new shape. They're still out there but their numbers dwindle as time passed.

Ed

I do not plan on carrying this revolver. It's more of a range gun and home defense as a back-up. I have heard that the L frame will absorb more of the recoil than the K frame 66. That said, I won't be shooting the 357 magnum round a whole lot as it's pretty expensive.

They're not that readily available in my area. They are also quite expensive for what they are, especially brand new. In northern California, prices all around are quite expensive, and we have ****** gun laws that, among other things, set the price tags higher in most brick and mortars. And, I have looked around (not fanatically, but fairly regularly) in the used market and have not seen either a used 586 or 66 at a price or in a condition that I am willing to throw down some coin. The new ones are at least new and carry the Smith warranty. People say, "just be patient......one will turn up." I'm sure one would, but I don't have a whole lot of time to search for used guns in the stores (and, not very many of the guns stores in my area carry used guns anyway).

Thanks for your input, though.

That's a better price than I got on my 586, I had wanted one for years and finally just bit the bullet, so to speak. Once you get past the IL and MIM (if it matters to you) then you will see that this is a great gun. I wish I had bought one when I first put them on my list, which the 66 is also on. I am a fan of blued steel so the 19 came first. 66 will come sooner or later. FWIW I believe the 4" 19/66 357 mag is as close as it comes to perfection in balance and feel for me.

The 586 is a gorgeous revolver. If it's not to be carried, that one gets my vote. I'm a sucker for a blued gun, though.

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Because of the metric system?

Sounds like you wouldn't be happy without both. Or maybe that's how I would feel in the situation. But both in 4" makes me think twice. I just picked up a 4" 686. Now looking at a 2 1/2" 19 or 66 or 686. Unless only a 4" will do for you look for another barrel length on the second gun. Ymmv

Is this a 586-8 you are looking at?
If so, I bought mine on GB with 2 sets of grips for around $500 and it looks new.

There was a reason that S&W made the L frame 586/686. With that said if your going to shoot a lot of full house .357 Mag loads the clear "at least to me" choice would be 586. However the old classic 19/66's do tug at ones heart strings. I have four 19's and one 66 and they all get shot with reduced mid range loads, for the good stuff my 586's and 28's get the job. As was already said see if you could swing both of them.

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Stay safe people!

Well, folks, I couldn't resist so I went ahead and got the 586. I have wanted it longer than I even really knew about the stainless 66. I had wanted an old school looking revolver with wood grips for a long time. When I began getting more familiar with the platform ---and after seeing and holding a 4" barreled 586 a year ago, I was smitten.

For $699.99, I could do much worse. I know I'll love this gun. Eventually, someday, I'll pick up a K frame (a 66 or a 19).

Thanks for your insight and perspective, everyone! Much appreciated.

Congrats! Now go shoot the snot out of it!

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Because of the metric system?

Copy that!

You can't go wrong with a 586 4 inch. That was my first revolver and I still have it. Could you have found a non MIM, prelock on the auction sites, sure. But with all the red tape you have to go through in California it is probably easier to just purchase from your LGS as you did. Enjoy.