This is my first revolver. Not my first firearm.
I am limited in my knowledge of revolvers. Not so with most weapons.
Anyway, with the help of "Total Strangers;" you folks here helped me choose a 586 S&W 4 inch barrel.
Questions:
-is the difference between a 586 and 686 the finish?
-how do you determine what frame category/size of an S&W Revolver
-I like the "stock" hand grips. However, I would like a Combat/Rubber grip.
Could someone please recommend their experience/best grip installed on their handgun?
These might seem very basic questions to you folks.
I have to ask. I do not want to be a "Dummy."
Or BS'er.
Thank you.
SB

586 has a carbon steel while 686 has a satin stainless steel. Any SW revolver model beginning with 6.. is stainless and 5.. is carbon or blue steel. Both models have an L frame which is a medium frame and between K and N frames. Many SW revolvers also come with a Hogue synthetic grip which is more comfortable to carry. Aside from a wood grip from the manufacturer and a Hogue grip, you may also want to check out VZ grips. Congratulation on q nice revolver. I love both my 586 and 686. My most recent purchase is a 586 L Comp.

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The difference is the 686 is stainless and the 586 is blued. If you have a 586 you have a damn fine revolver. I have a no dash 586 and it is a super gun. The 586 and 686 is an L frame. Not too big and not too small. In my opinion the 586 is just right

Not ALL Model 586's came from the factory with a blued finish. They were also produced in Nickel finish.

__________________
Dave Brown
SWCA #3279

You couldn't have picked a better model to serve as your first revoler......


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586 was my first revolver, twenty some odd years ago. It was an awesome gun and I think you'll be really happy with it. I put Hogue rubber grips on my which fit the hand perfectly, which seemed to make an already accurate shooter even better. Sold it a few years ago when I was offered a price a couldn't refuse and have been thinking about needing another one ever since. If you like it, don't sell it!

You are sure to enjoy the 586! I have a 4" no dash from 1983. As a matter of fact, I just put the original target stocks back on it yesterday and oiled it down. Liked that 1, so shortly after, I bought a 6", 686-3. In March I traded into a 686-6, 5" Pro-Series. (7 shot) All keepers in my book. Be careful, addictive! 1 poster had 30 of them in pictures the other day. Bob

Congratulation on your nice 586 revolver. It will be a love affair for a long time. I have two 586's:



and the 7 shooter...



same grip on both.

They are your guns to do what you want with; however. I would keep the 586 as is and buy a 686+ with rubber grips. Both are excellent revolvers.

Congratulations on choosing a fine firearm.

The 586 leans toward the "traditional and Classic" side of the family. That is why they come wearing wood grips and as six-shooters, with rubber grips, slab barrels, and seven round cylinders reserved for stainless 686's.

Assuming new 586, the grips are round butt.

You can put rubber on the blue version, but it goes against the grain of traditionalists. But then again, so does the internal lock.

Set it up the way it suits you but I'd hold on to the wood grips also. Hogue is a good place to start looking for rubber ones.

K and L Frame Round Butt - K and L Frame Revolvers - Grips for Smith & Wesson - Handgun Grips - Hogue Products

Congrats on your fine acquisition! The 586 4" in nickel (3rd picture) is my favorite. In my opinion, it has excellent balance, shoots great, and has great eye appeal. Optional 38 or 357 is just another bonus. I prefer the Target Grips because they fit my hand well. Also have other 586's with the rubber type grips that work well too. Attached pictures show 2 different Hogue Grips available to fit your revolver that may work well for you. They can be had for approx. $25.00. Be sure to get grip for L or K frame. Will need to know if round or square butt. One available grip (2nd picture) has the regular type side screw.The other type using bottom screw (1st picture) requires a mounting clip that fits over butt pin. Pictures should show difference between the options. Enjoy one of S&W's finest revolvers.

Attached Images

	Grips - Bottom Screw.jpg (15.5 KB, 37 views)
	Grips - Side Screw.jpg (7.8 KB, 35 views)
	S&W 586 Nickel Pic.jpg (140.6 KB, 42 views)

Sorry Sting ....just picking nits here...the 638 Airweight is not a stainless frame. The frame is aluminum alloy. Only the barrel and cylinder are stainless. Nits have now been picked....carry on.

I believe his is new and the square butt ended on 586's in 1995 on the 586-4.

Correct. This is from 1983 with Culina French Walnut stocks

OP, a 4" barreled 586 is a well balanced and great shooting revolver. I think a 4" barrel is the sweet spot length wise for a carry or combat revolver. It's just long enough to utilize a defensive load's powder/power and just short enough to clear a holster just a hair quicker than anything longer; while being balanced (especially with a full under-lug) and comfortable to carry. I've sucessfully carried longer barreled pistols but a 4" revolver or a Commander length 1911 just works the best for me.
For grips I would check out Ahrends or Altamont's with a "combat" round butt grip style in Rosewood. The deep red really makes a nice blued finish pop and the combat profile makes waistband holster carry and shooting very comfortable for me. YMMV...
Below is a pic of a pair of Vintage M-36's wearing Altamont grips. The blued revolver has a Combat style grip in Rosewood. The Nickel one is Walnut I believe with a more neutral profile to it. Both really tame recoil whether shooting wad cutters or heavy 158 grain +P Buffalo Bore soft cast LSWCHP loads. I've actually carried the blued one in a DeSantis pocket holster and the Nickel one in a Galco OWB holster at the same time a time or two... Revolvers have really become my thing over the last year!

bigwheelzip...Edited my post before I read your correction. You are absolutely right about 586's having round butts too. Thanks for catching error.

ALL I KNOW, is that that is a nice 586. Nice first wheelgun OP.