S&W Model 586

[johnatkins]

I just recently purchased a model 586 .357 with a 6" barrel and nickel finish. The gun appears to be in perfect condition although the grips look like they were restained. When I took the grips off there was a date of Feb 21,1985. But when I called smith and Wesson and told them the serial number they said it was made in 1983. Just want some info on this gun. Also I heard there was a recall. Has anyone had problems with this. Would like to find some original grips. Does anyone know where I can find them

 

[rwsmith]

Do you have a 'dash' number'

When you open your cylinder and see the 586 model number right above the hinge, does it have a 586-(number)? If there is no 'dash' number, is there an 'M' mark stamped with the model number?

If you don't have a dash number or an 'M' mark you need to know more about the recall.

Plain 586 means you have the first model with no engineering changes and the recall needs to be considered.

An 'M' means that the gun has been sent back to the factory for the recall and has had the hammer bushing replaced. If you ever want to sell the gun it would be good to have the recall done.

The recall was about primers flowing back into the firing pin hole and locking the gun up when heavy loads were fired. It was probably due to soft primers, but S&W made a fix for it by installing a bushing with a smaller hole (and I think maybe some modification to the firing pin, too).

I have a model 686 no dash and have not had the modification done and haven't had any trouble, but it's a free fix.

 

[johnatkins]

There is no dash. It Has not been modified. I read plenty about the recall just wondering if i need to actually have it fixed. Also what is with the dates on the inside of the grips. Mine says 1985 but smith and wesson told me the gun is 1983. Supposidly the guy i bought it from said that there was only one owner but the grips were re stained. Id like to find some grips that match the ones i have( the date doesnt matter)

 

[lhump1961]

If you could provide the prefix letters to your serial# we could look it up to confirm the production date. I can't speak for the grips...30 yrs is a long history and grips can come and go. Perhaps the originals were traded or damaged then replaced with what is probably the correct grips just not original...they stopped numbering the grips before your gun was made and stopped dating them some time after.

 

[johnatkins]

The serial number on the gun is ADD-64xx.

 

[Hillbilly77]

The serial number on the gun is ADD-64xx.

1983 is the correct year.
SCSW says S/N ABL 4000 was January 1983 and ADE 6700 was October 1983.
I'd guess your gun was shipped sometime in the summer of 1983.

As far as the M-stamp recall, I'm one of the "lucky" ones that got my gun back with an "oops" mark on it.
My opinion is to shoot your gun and see how it functions. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

The good news is that it's still a free repair if you decide to do it.
If you do send it in, that's a good time to have any custom work done, like an action job, etc. if you want.
Smith & Wesson pays shipping on warranty work only. If you send your gun in for non-warrany custom work you pay your own shipping.

 

[johnatkins]

Does anyone know where I can find grips like the ones on the 586?

 

[lhump1961]

You can watch the classifieds on this forum, GB, Ebay...if you check often they come around regularly.

 

[Wgf]

If you send S&W Customer service an email they will tell you if the gun is used for defense you should have it modified. The mod is an new hammer nose and a firing pin hole bushing. I just got mine back it took about three weeks. It is totally free, shipping included.

 

[Marine Corps Air]

I would certainly return it to S&W for the modifications while S&W still has the parts, etc. I have three Model 586s. They are all outstanding revolvers, and all three have been modified by S&W. If you want to see the actual recall notice, send me a PM with your e-mail address and I'll send it to you. There are also many forum threads on this subject. Just use the "Search" function in this section.

Insofar as grips are concerned, scroll down to the "Classifieds" section of the forum (just below the Firearms for Sale, which is a always a great section to visit) Look for the "Accessories/Miscellaneous - For Sale or Trade" sub-section and you should be able to find a nice set of grips.

I hope that this helps.

 

[spad124]

Wgf and BSeabrooke,

How is the quality of the work on the bushing mod? Some on this forum have commented on poor craftsmanship when the bushing is replaced. I have a 686-1 that I have owned since new but never had the bushing mod done. I'm considering sending it in for the mod even though I have no intention of selling it. However, I'm a little concerned about what I've read about the craftsmanship including file marks on the frame

 

[Marine Corps Air]

I have not had those problems with any of mine that were returned for the modifcation. The required modifications requires S&W to replace the hammer nose with a somewhat shorter one and the hammer nose bushing is also replaced. The letter "M" is stamped inside the crane above the model number. A few weeks ago one of the forum members posted pictures of the affected parts, before and after the mod.

I have Goncalo Alves grips on all of mine and other members have recommended removing the grips before returning the revolver to S&W. I forgot to do this for one, but there was no damage whatsoever to the grips. All three revovlers were returned to me within two weeks, the last one (May of this year) within a week. I did not see any workmanship/craftsmanship problems.

If my memory is correct, the problem several years ago involved the primer caps with Federal 158 grain ammunition. While that was "back in the day", with the current ammunittion shortages, who knows what we'll be forced to use in the future?

 

[johnatkins]

What I want to know is has anyone had any problems without having the modification done? Because if this isn't something that NEEDS to be done im not going to do it. Id like some feedback. Also does having the modification done decrease the value?

 

[W.E.G.]

Provided that the gun functions without issue with the hottest ammo you are likely to fire, there is no reason whatsoever to have the modification done.

 

[spad124]

I have not had those problems with any of mine that were returned for the modifcation. The required modifications requires S&W to replace the hammer nose with a somewhat shorter one and the hammer nose bushing is also replaced. The letter "M" is stamped inside the crane above the model number. A few weeks ago one of the forum members posted pictures of the affected parts, before and after the mod.

If my memory is correct, the problem several years ago involved the primer caps with Federal 158 grain ammunition. While that was "back in the day", with the current ammunittion shortages, who knows what we'll be forced to use in the future?

Thanks Bill. Good to know the work is done properly. While my revolver isn't new by any stretch of anyone's imagination, I try to take good care of it.

I also recall the problem was with Federal primers in some magnum loadings, but not all.

 

[S&W Fan]

I have a 686 no dash my late father bought new in July in 1981. He was having the binding problem, sent it in when they realized there was an issue, it has the "M" stamp, still runs great 32 years later regardless of the ammo I use.

 

[Gunner4640]

Fyi S&W has my 686 right now for the mod. mine is a no-dash and I sure had the problem of locking up shooting 357 ammo. I called them yesterday 10-23 and asked for sure if they still had the parts to do the mod. I was assured they did and my wait time is 2 more weeks to get it back. They have had it since 10-11-13 I typed a nice letter stating the problem when they received the gun it went to the wrong place in the factory but was rerouted to Revolvers and I guess is inline for the fix. I can hardly wait to get it back. They paid all shipping costs.

 

[Gunner4640]

Update from factory

Just an update, I called s&w Friday and was told the mod on my 686 no dash is completed and will ship back this week.

 

[MakeMyNight]

I just recently purchased a model 586 .357 with a 6" barrel and nickel finish. The gun appears to be in perfect condition although the grips look like they were restained. When I took the grips off there was a date of Feb 21,1985. But when I called smith and Wesson and told them the serial number they said it was made in 1983. Just want some info on this gun. Also I heard there was a recall. Has anyone had problems with this. Would like to find some original grips. Does anyone know where I can find them

Just for kicks and giggles, one of the S&W forum members creates beautiful stocks, very similar to the SW factory original style.
They are not cheap, however, they are first rate, beautifully crafted stocks.
His user name is Kurac, and here's his site: Culina LLC