Hello, I am looking to get my first revolver. I currently own four polymer guns. Three Glocks and a m and p shield. I will be graduating with my bachelor's this week and my parents have decided to gift me a gun of my choice in the $800 neighborhood. I have narrowed the two options down to a 586 or a 686 (no seven shot version) 4". I will.mostly use this gun as a range toy or something to wear to classy events like cookouts or NRA rallies etc. Occasionally it may be called upon to be a woods gun. Maybe 5-6 trips a year. My question is would the blued finish on a new 586 hold up to that kind of usage and still look as pretty? I know stainless is painless, but the blued and wood grips are 10 times prettier in my eyes... Can the 586 be kept in 90% condition for years under these conditions? How would that be done?

I too prefer the looks of a 586 blued steel.

To reduce wear on a blued revolver, get a quality holster that is soft on the gun, but still expect wear near the muzzle. Then keep it out of a holster as much as possible. Diligent care will keep a blue revolver looking fine for many years, even with your planned activity.

Thanks for reading my two cents worth.

God bless,
Birdgun

In my opinion keeping a blued revolver in 90% condition is easily obtainable if you take care of it. By that I mean cleaning it after every range trip, using a quality holster, and proper storage. I have several blued guns and wear on the edges and muzzle are inevitable if the gun is not a safe queen. But a lil wear from use is not a bad look if you ask me. It gives the gun character.

As a cop I carried a blued Model 10 or Model 15 in uniform for years and in all kinds of weather. Supervisors inspected our gear frequently and you’d better not have any rust visible. We waxed the guns w/liquid car wax and wiped them down daily w/a silocone cloth. A Model 10-7 SB snub was my issued weapon (lieutenants & above were issued snubs) that I purchased from my department when we upgraded to stainless revolvers and it still sits in my nightstand looking as good as it did when it was new. That said for your purposes I would get the stainless revolver.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

What is your issue with the 7 shot models?

I'm with you in not caring for a 7 shot 357 magnum. The biggest wear on blued finished is holster wear. As much as I like a quality sturdy leather holster , it will show wear in less then a week . The soft style nylon holsters by bianchi and uncle Mikes do not show hardly any wear to a blued finish.

I don't necessarily have an issue with the 7 shot versions. I have just always wanted a "six gun". Thank you all for the replies so far!

Whether you choose a 586 or a 686, you have made a great choice for a first revolver. I think you will find that a 686 is much easier to locate. As others have said, any blued gun will eventually show some finish wear. But if you don't plan to carry it much that should not be a problem.

Years down the road your blued revolver will probabaly have some wear but if you take extra measures as already stated ,keep it waxed ,use silicone cloth daily if handled at all ,I would suggest investing in a custom lined holster for " event carry " and as stayed a good nylon version for woods carry and a padded lockable case for range and storage and be a little paranoid about wiping it down frequently if you do this it will stay in 90+percent longer than you will . Congratulations on your graduation and on having parents that give great gifts .

You're definitely on the right track considering a 586 or 686. That platform gives you incredible range of power, everything from gentle 38 target loads to heavy 357 magnum woods/hunting loads.

I too prefer blued guns to stainless, but stainless can be made really beautiful with some Mother's Mag polish. You can't go wrong either way!

I don’t have a problem w/a 7 shot revolver either but do not want to own one due to safety. Six shots was drilled into me for years and I’m afraid a seven shot revolver could result in a ND b/c I think I have emptied the cylinder. It’s likely an old dog, new tricks thing.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Most revolvers with odd numbered chambers tend to have timing issues sooner or later(depending on how often it is fired). This determination is from 1st hand experience(5 shot 454 Casull)and talking to others that have owned such revolvers(I was a RSO at an outdoor range for four years). That being said, S&W will repair any problems with your gun as long as you do not shoot reloads(or at least don't admit to shooting reloads)or otherwise abuse the gun in any way.

Garry

My oldest S&W bought new is over 50 yrs old. A K22 and it has
been shot thousands of rounds and carried constantly in the
field. It is not 100% mint, it has blue wear on Muzzel and other
little marks from years of carry. It is cleaned after every outing
if it was fired. Wiped even if not. Carried in a quality holster.
In short it's still a high condition shooter. I wouldn't be embarrassed to carry it in a parade.

Both are great revolvers. I think the 686 (dash 4 specifically) may be the best all around revolver ever built. One question you haven't answered is barrel length. Are you primarily interested in 4 inch or 6 inch? 586 revolvers in the 4 inch variety are a little more difficult to locate. Not scarce, you just see many 6 inch models frequently. Either way I would recommend you look for a good no dash, low dash version.

The bottom line is this....you really can't go wrong. And like you post title says, this is your first. I don't believe it will be your last.

Just my thoughts.

I shoot a lot, and suggest a S&W 686 SSR model in .357/.38, which Bud's has in stock now for $808.00.
This stainless 686 is a special edition with improved trigger, easily changed front sight, a distinctive barrel profile, and improved internals.
Pro Series - Stock Service Revolver

• Chamfered Charge Holes
• Custom Barrel with Recessed Precision Crown
• Bossed Mainspring
• Ergonomic Grip to Force High-Hand Hold

Completing the line between main production and the Performance Center, the Smith& Wesson Pro Series represents the next step from standard models. These firearms are offered with a variety of enhancements yet still remain true to "stock." Bringing competition specifications and features to factory models, the Pro Series offer that ready-to-go package while still maintaining production line integrity.


It is ready to go for IDPA SSR, and you can shoot, shoot, shoot, it with no worries. And stainless is 10X easier to care for than any blued gun.
S&W M686SSR 6RD 357MAG/38SP +P 4" $808.00

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Science plus Art

For woods carry and just range shooting ,,Get the 6" barrel,,I like blued more than the naked looking stainless guns..Even when the blue wears off from hard use the blued revolver still looks better than stainless..Sorta like an old leather jacket.It adds character..No matter which you choose between the 586 and 686.. DON'T BUY ONE WITH THE HILLARY HOLE in the side..I would spend $200 more for a real state of the art S&W without the safety and min parts that they cheapened s&w revolvers with today.

If by chance you end up buying one of the new "Classics" 586, be sure not to clean it with any cleaner that has ammonia in it (as in Hoppes #9), as it may harm the finish. There are some alternatives out there that are safe!

All my S&W revolvers are stainless. Easy to clean and care for. Having said that S&W has released the new model 19 and when the 2.75" barrel comes out I my have to get one.

The better the quality (lined holster) perhaps from R Grizzle the better chance you have of maintaining a beautiful blued finish. I am also a firm believer that by sealing up the pores with a quality wax by Ren wax you also have a barrier from moisture and oils from both the holster and handling. It is so simple and fast to lay down a coat of wax after cleaning your firearm. A quick wiping down with denatured alcohol followed by the Ren wax will get you a long way to maintaining any revolver.

After the replies here I talked with my dad this morning and he ordered me a model 586 4" from buds. Any other specific tips on how to clean this gun? Like what specific brands of lube, wax, etc. I will be reloading 38 special for range ammo and occasionally shooting some double tap or Underwood 158 or 125 grain as well.

A few coats of Renaissance Wax after cleaning will do a lot to keeping it pristine. I also recommend to not store it in any holster, but maybe a silicone sack. Transporting back and forth to the range is best in a hard case rather than a holster. The only time my guns go in a holster is for carry or competition, and I have many that look 95% or better after quite a few years and lots of range sessions. I also have some that are carried frequently and used lots that are still above 90% after many years of use.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Congrats Jisbell40 for your graduation gift and your degree. Especially your degree. There may come a day when your guns are taken away, but nobody will ever be able to take your degree from you.

God bless,
Birdgun

Thank you sir! Now it's time to go buy a new suit and head into the world of finance. I already have several interviews lined up and graduation isn't until Thursday.

For a first time revolver it comes down to how much you plan on spending. if on a budget then consider a police trade 4" heavy barrel model 10 38 special. If you have a handful of benjamin's to spend then seriously consider a 4" 686 357 magnum. It is by far the best all around camping, hiking, duty nightstand, plinking revolver out there. And... you can shoot 38 specials OR 357 mag's thru it.

I just like the look of blued guns better. If it gets a little finish wear over the years, that just means that I use it.

I agree with the comments on caring for a blued revolver, such as a Mdl 586. I want to add one observation from my ex-Victoria Police Model 10-10 4" with original wooden grips. This used gun arrived in great shape, with a fair amount of holster wear on the barrel that looks just fine to me as it imparts character. But it also had rust under the scales (grips) on both sides, with some rust just starting to push out into areas where it is visible. My new grips (VZ G-10's) cover most of that area, but it makes me think it is worth cleaning that area periodically to prevent moisture and salt (from hands) buildup. Whether you use wax, Hornady One-Shot preservative, Eezox, etc., this is an area worth keeping after on a blued revolver that sees some field duty.

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S&W Rover

First, some great advice in Post #4 from Old Cop, let me add, based on a few years in uniform myself, we were required to carry blued revolvers back in the day, the biggest wear factor is a poorly fitted holster, make sure you get a proper, snugly fitted holster designed for your exact model, you will still get a tiny bit of edge wear, look at it as character development for your revolver.

Next, every time you take it from the holster at the end of the day, before storage, wipe it down. Make sure it has adapted to the temperature and humidity where it will be stored, especially if you come inside after wearing it in the cold.

Finally, try to keep your hand off it unless you are actually gripping and shooting it, it is not a handrest (old police joke).

BTW, regarding suede lined holsters as mentioned by some one else above, I have heard of suede lining retaining dust and grit, so that will scratch your finish too.

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Tony

Jisbell40...You just happen to be on the lookout for my personal favorite S&W revolver. In my opinion the 586 (Pre-Lock) with 4" barrel shoots, feels, and looks better than the highly sought after Python. You shouldn't have any problem finding one in your $800 price range. Not sure if you would be interested but...You might consider purchasing one in excellent mechanical condition with some holster wear to save perhaps as much as $200. Just a thought.
Congrats on your graduation and hope your future is all you want it to be.
Ray