Hi
Im French and live in France in Maine at 100 km from the US-French border, the ocean is between us......
Well I saw a 586-3 6" in very good condition with no box.
I don't meet the owner and I don't know his real history.
I read that the 3 is produced between 1988 and 1992.
The serail number is BHM 8029 somebody can help me to determinate when this gun were produced ?
I check the frame, the rifled barrel, and the six holes of the cylinder, all seems to be ok, the cylinder don't move when is locked
You're expert and need advices about this gun, What can I check more ?
I ll shoot next week end to check the accuracy.
Another question, I love the 686 there is no differences with the 586 ? only the color ? the prices in France are too much high for me to buy a new 686. It's a true shame this prices difference....
I shoot this morning with a TRR8 PC amazing gun, but the look is too modern for me with.
It was the first time that I shoot with a 357 .it's nice and easy, Im used normaly 9 mm or 105 and 120 mm of tanks.....
Last stuff, could you explain me the difference between a 686 and 686 plus.
The PC guns are really nicer and better than the normal series, what is the difference ?
But if I buy a revolver, it will be a SW, because this company is a true myth, and I drive an another US myth...HD.
Thanks for your help messieurs.

Fourth quarter 1991 to the first quarter of 1992

Cylinder end play

Different materials - 586 is carbon steel, most aften blued or nickeled. The 686 is stainless steel and comes in various finishes (polished, matte, etc).

The "plus" denotes a 7-shot cylinder

The PC guns may have different styling ques and, supposedly are hand fitted. The also use broach cut rifling as opposed to the current production gun ECM rifling. More bells & whistles - like chamfered charge holes, overtravel stops, etc.

Curious about the US Army icon in your heading. I assume that you are a French citizen and the context of your post indicates the English is a second language, rather than you being an ex-pat. The icon indicates service in the U.S. military. Just wondered.

Au revoir,

Pizza Bob

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NRA Benefactor Member

Hi Pizza Bob
Thanks for your quick answer.
Well 1991 1992 How did you find it ?

"Cylinder end play"
When the cylinder is closed ? or open ? When the cylinder is closed, no play, when it's open 1mm max forward and back.

"The "plus" denotes a 7-shot cylinder"
My question is stupid I read it this afternoon on the SW Catalogue.

Pc are wonderful but very expensive in France. I purchase my HD Parts in Florida, or Kentucky and it's really cheaper than in France, but for a gun it's impossible to import it.

Im French citizen, and when I answered to the question for the User PC I choose ARMY and the icon ARMY came. It's automatic in the menu, I would like put the French Cav icon but it's impossible, I try to put it as avatar.
No my second language is German, I never been in England or in USA. I worked four times with the US troops in Norway, Balkans, Djibouti USMC, and Stan.
My last contact with US soldiers was last January when I welcome the US general in command of the Armor school of Fort Benning at my tank school.
But I have a lot of friends in the US embassy in Paris mostly in the AF.
I meet Tom Hanks and your former president with his wife in Normandy in June 2009, and was invited to a diner with Neil Armstrong in Stan in 2011 just one year before his death.
Im an historian of the 8th and 9th AF in Europe and my 50 % of my library is on English (nascar, AF, and tank warfare), 40 % on German and 10 on French....
But your language is easy because 60 % of the words are French......with a very strange prononciation...
In Stan a Canadian general told me "you speak very good English but with a horrible German accent"..I answered him "Thank you Sir I m so proud"...But my English is not perfect..

Well 586 or 686, the 586 is on good shape and 50% cheaper than a new.
But I must have my license...and I must wait one year in France to have it and shoot every week in a club. It's a long way.....
Thanks for your advices.

Now you have the insignia of the French Cav as avatar.

Welcome to the forum, Ragnarok.
The 586 is made of blued carbon steel, while the 686 is made of stainless steel. The grade of stainless used on the 686 is rust resistant, but not truly 'rust free'. It can be caused to rust if exposed to water or corrosive chemicals for an extended period of time. I have seen some guns that have pitting under the grips, so it is important to clean under the grips and apply a rust preventative once or twice a year.
I hope that you will continue to participate in this forum.

Ragnarok
I much prefer an older 586 to any 686. Blue is beautiful.

__________________
Some collect art; I shoot it!

Welcome to the FORUM! I have a 586 no dash 4". Have a 686-3, 6". I enjoy shooting them both. Looks wise I prefer the 586. The 686 shoots quite well. Both are keepers! Let us know how you make out. Bob

Attached Images

	10-5 &586 008.jpg (211.4 KB, 36 views)
	10-5 &586 009.jpg (190.2 KB, 36 views)
	001.jpg (144.9 KB, 31 views)
	six inch 008.jpg (122.1 KB, 28 views)

I have three 686+s, a 2.5", a 3", and a 4". But my 586 is a 6" and is a long range tack driver. Plus it is EXCEPTIONALLY good looking! If that matters.

Interesting Forum name - Ragnarok is Norse for the battle to end all time or something is it not?

Welcome aboard!

Bienvenue à bord.*

*The Internet is very useful for all sorts of things.

Attached Images

	Model 686-6 Plus.jpg (74.9 KB, 26 views)
	M586.jpg (135.4 KB, 29 views)

Thanks you everybody for your kind welcome. I didn't find the topic to make my presentation, Im sorry to do here.

Thanks for your for your answer Andyo 5, the 686 is not truly "rust free" ??
mmh pitting under the grip...bad stuff. I ll shoot tomorow morning with the 586, an expert and owner of several Manurhin competition will be with me to try the 586 and see the shape. Normaly is in good condition but some details are important.
Ill like the stainless color but... not very classic...

I will continue to participate at this forum because you are owner and expert of SW. There are lot of French forum but SW is born in USA not in France. If I purchase a Manurhin I ll be on French forum. This forum seems to be the right adress to have advices because and I don't know really handguns, only tanks and armored vehicles.

@Peak53 thanks for your choice.
@ Bananaman yout 686 6" is huge with the wooden grip, you re a lucky owner.
@Yoda Thanks that's right Ragnarok is the end and after came a new birth. Im interested to Viking and Norman history especially in France and Sicily. nice guns lucky man. You re in the USN ?

Well I shoot this morning with the 586-3, my friend was present with a lot of different amos. He's captain and number 10 in France in the 357 mag category competition. No problem, no doubt the gun is in really good shape, and not very used. The barrel is ok the frame is ok the cylinder is ok the accuracy is ok, and start now the negecotiation to have a cheaper price. It's a huge bargain gun, but if I buy it and can't use it before next September. It's the law in France to have the license you must be in a military club for 6 months. It will stay in the shop during this period. And Im lucky because in France normaly it's after one year in a club and often you shoot with air guns.......and only after you can request to have the license......
I ll use during six months the guns of the club....

two pictures...

That's very funny, because a French friend that toured the center of the USA with me, said the same thing. So many places in the USA have French names, and as she saw the names written on signs, she pronounced them, then I pronounced them in American English, and we both got a good laugh.

One place that sounded much prettier when pronounced in French, than it was in reality, is Detroit.

Great looking 586 you have purchased. It looks like a new gun!

Sorry to learn that your legal requirements to own and use this gun are so severe. Seems a little absurd, especially for a man in your position. No doubt you must have some sort of security clearance in connection with your work that indicates you are a trustworthy individual, but, alas, "the law is a crude instrument!"

Good luck with your new revolver.

It's true and funny, but you know a lot of US cities were French as "Fort Duquesne" was the former name of Pittsburgh and Saint Louis, Louisville etc... But Im very proud because my first name is the main town of South Dakota.... Napoleon sold the "Nouvelle France" a big aera from the Great lakes until New Orleans, cause i needed money for these wars against the UK. It was a true error.....

Oui Pierre, at 3 cents per acre, what we call the Louisiana Purchase was exceedingly generous. Combined with Louis XVI's help in our revolution and our Statue of Liberty, you should come here and visit some of France's history.

I hope do it.

It's not yet my gun, I'm starting the deal to have a cheaper price. The pictures are dark but the gun is in really good condition. My friend told me last saturday "you can buy it".
The law is hard in France, and I have an important advantage because Im in the Army. For a civilian it's really longer. But we are lucky because in UK these guns are forbidden.

Oh, I see. I apologize for my confusion. Well, I still wish you good luck! - and I hope the 586 comes to you.

Keep us informed about this, and if you get the chance to visit the great United States 🇺🇸 I hope you will do so.

No problem. One question a Norwegian citizen, on this forum, have a problem with the ejector of his 586 "dash" what is it ? dash ?

The "dash" indicates engineering changes made during the manufacturing process. Some noticeable, some not. Many collectors/ shooters may have a preference in some cases, as to weather they like, or dislike the change. EXAMPLE: 586-1 indicates the first engineering change. 586-3, the third change. If it reads 586 with no dash and number it indicates the first production model prior to any engineering changes.

nice thanks for your very interesting answer.
And where can I find the changes between the dashes ?

Here is a list.

Smith & Wesson Model 586 - Wikipedia

Thanks Im so stupid I have it....

The Norman invasion ended up increasing the English vocabulary by about a third.

You sound like you will fit in well here with your knowledge and experience.

A 586 of that vintage, if it weren't obviously mistreated and is mechanically sound, I'd be gad to have it especially if I was able to afford it as opposed to the guns like the PC.

The 586/686 is an extra fine pistol without special treatment.

__________________
"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Hello everybody.
I bought yesterday the 586 after the test of the last week, but the gun must stay in the shop until september or october because I havent' my license. I shooted yesterday in my club with a SW 38 nice gun.
I ll put another pictures.
Well an another advice, I would like change the grip, and I would like a classic wooden grip, better than rubber grip ? The Altamont are superbe but the Geramn Nill are nice too. What can you tell me about.
Thanks

Congratulations! I think you will be very pleased with your 586. It just happens that I was shooting mine own 4-inch 586 yesterday.

They really are great revolvers - very easy to shoot well. I actually shoot better with medium-velocity .357 ammo than I do with .38 Special wadcutters, for some reason.

As to grips, I recommend you buy Nill. There is really no comparison in quality. If you can find a pattern that feels good to your hand I think you will be very happy with the workmanship, fit to the gun, etc.

Good luck with your license - and your new 586!

Thanks you M29since14.
I call this afternoon to the seller, the shop gave me his phone number.
Well the former owner told me that's he bought this 586 ten year ago brand new in a French shop with the Hogue grip, and Im very surprised because I was sure that the 586 was sold with a wooden grip. The guy is 71 years old, president of a shooting association in the aera, and was operated on the wrist, and couldn't now absorb the recoil of the 357 amos. So he sales the gun. Few rounds were fired, because the shooting range of his association is outside and in winter it's not really good, and he hunted during autumn. But he could't told me how amos were fired during 10 years. He told me that the 357 amos are really better than the wadcutters, but I tried the both last week and see at once the difference. Im so happy to buy this mighty handgun and now to be in the SW revolver family.
Well the Nill is really better !!!Once again German quality...that I know very well. And the difference seems to be great. Ill follow your advice, thank you.

Two another pictures.





Im waiting September or October to have it at home

Ragnarok, in case you didn't know your M586 has S&W's old style "trigger adjustable over-travel stop". It's that little piece of metal hiding there behind the trigger. This was a common feature included with many L-frames back in the 1980's.

It looks like it's positioned so far up it's not doing anything. If you want to play with it, take the side plate off and you will see a screw that holds it down. Loosen the screw and the piece of metal will cam (move in an arc) forward or back.

Find a position that limits the over-travel how you like it then tighten the screw down and put the side plate back on. It helps with accuracy when target shooting.

Caution: Don't go crazy pulling the trigger a bunch of times with the side plate off. The action is really weak without the side plate supporting the trigger and hammers studs. Without the side plate they become cantilevered (the root word of which I believe is French) and very weak.

__________________
~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Ragnarok, I am retired from the USN.

I am interested in Viking and Norman history, too - I think many people are surprised when they learn that the reason "Normandy" bears that name is due to the Norsemen that settled there after they stopped trying to conquer France.

As for Napoleon, while it is definitely correct that he made the Louisiana Purchase deal with Jefferson at an unseemly discount, he might have done better than he would have otherwise. The American fervor for moving west could have created a war with France that Napoleon couldn't afford to fight and he could have lost that entire acreage for "free". [That's an alternate history or, perhaps, historical fiction prediction - but I cannot imagine that it would not have occurred.}

Waow !!! thanks for this information, it's very interesting. I don't know if my 586 have an old style trigger. I ll check it.

Nice really you re intersted by Viking and Norman history ?
I have a lot of books on French and English about the Vikings.
I dont know how many Icelandic sagas I have. But the most interesting is the sagas of the kings of Norway, three books on English. You download it on the web.
The vikings stopped the invasion in France after the treaty of Saint clair sur Epte in 911 where Rollo meet the king of France.
I gave him an aera for settlement and this aera became Normandy with the main town Rouen, before "Rothurborg".
In the south Normandy the main town is Caen, hard battle in 1944, this name come from a Viking name chief "Knut".
A lot of people and cities bear a viking name in Normandy. The name of my wife before her mariage have a signification of barrel or bottle in Norse language. My city on the Loire river was destroyed by vikings in 1000. The abbey were destroyed and the monks flew to Burgundy to create a very important christian branch.