My New 586-8

Ghost Magnum

Ghost Magnum

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Hello, I have a Smith and Wesson 586-8 with a 4inch barrel that I just bought new. Now I love the gun more then my first 65 and my new GP100 that I traded to get it. The 586 is my favorite and I plan to use it as my main sidearm. Now, I plan to get into professional security and PI work. The problem is concealability. Now the gun is not all that big. I have a holster and I were a shirt over it. But the butt prints. I thought about getting a cross draw. But I don't think that would fix it. I even thought about converting it to a roundbutt. Something I am willing to do. I am not about to buy those snub noses.
Now Texas is about to be an open carry state. so I thought about taking advantage of it. What do you guys think.
 
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The disadvantage of open carry is that the bad guys know who to shoot first. If the gun has huge target grips, you might want to try some smaller square butt magnas on it. That's a lot of bulk lost right there. Converting to round butt seems a shame. Happy Thanksgiving.
 
The 586 is a great gun, but except for those of very large builds or year-round winter clothes wearers, not the best for concealment. Rounding the butt will do little.

You need either to configure your wardrobe to suit concealment, or consider a firearm better suited to the task.

As for open carry, I agree with Ashlander -- it not only makes you a target for bad guys looking to remove defensively capable samaritans, but also a mark for opportunistic thieves, and a potential focal point for antis.

Too, if you're serious about security and PI work, open carry won't do for reasons of discretion and blending in.

As to the larger open carry debate, I'll simply say that it's a contentious issue discussed hotly here; suggest you read some of the earlier threads on it and steer clear of the hot button here in your own thread.

Lastly, welcome to the forum. You sound a bit new to the game, which is great -- make use of the search function, there's plenty to learn here to help get you oriented on options and best practices. Enjoy. ;)
 
Thanks for the insight. I were the gun around the house when I am working outside with a old west style belt and holster from Kirkpatrick; and it feels real good but I cant use that for concealment.
I am mid size and I were long button up dark color shirts. I thought about using a shoulder holster. But I heard that is not as good as television makes it out like. I guess I will try out El Paso cross draw holsters.

Yes, the 586 is the best gun I have ever come across. I would hate to deface it. I love that gun, it has great balance. Unlike the Ruger GP 100. I plan to try out difference grips, like Bill Jordan. The Factory grips feel rushed.
Also, I will try to prevent an open carry debate.

Yes, I am kinda new at this. But I know my revolvers. I had a chance to get a model 19 and a forgotten Smith And Wesson 44 special with no model number. I regret not buying them now. :(
 
Is the -8 a square butt? Smith went to all round butt frames back in the 90s, so unless they changed something for the later 586, it should be a round butt. I am not familiar with the latest 586s.
 
Nightowl said:
Is the -8 a square butt? Smith went to all round butt frames back in the 90s, so unless they changed something for the later 586, it should be a round butt. I am not familiar with the latest 586s.
Click to expand...
You're correct save for the new 586 reissues -- they're square butt.
 
Well, my old model 65-2 had manga grips. I did not like them that much. I thought about trying bill Jordan grips, but looking at pictures of them on the internet I don't think they will work for me. How about these roper grips? Roper Gun Stock
I like how it looks.
 
I would take a look at Ahrend's tactical grip for square butt K/L frames. I had a set for an N frame and it reduced printing considerably. The bottom of the grip is rounded removing some of that square edge on most larger grips.

The Ropers are a great choice but I think they will print as much as the factory grips.

Good luck!

Dan
 
Take a look at Ahrends grips. Attached is a photo showing both the finger groove tactical grips on a model 19 and retro combat grips on the model 66.

I like both, but of the two I prefer the retro combats.
 

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I also recommend Ahrends Retro Combat grips – both for shooting as well as for concealed carry. I have a set of these grips on my square butt model 66 and can attest that they are much more comfortable than target grips in a close-fitting holster. The grips below replaced a set of Ahrends Retro Target grips (which replaced the original S&W targets) that dug into my ribs when carried on the hip. Round butt grips may be even more concealable, but Ahrends Retro Combats don't print much at all:



As for shoulder holsters, it depends on both the gun and the holster system. I sometimes carry a Kahr P9 in a Galco Classic Lite shoulder rig and the holster works well for a gun of that size and weight. But I don't think horizontal carry would work for a revolver with a barrel of four or more inches. I've been thinking about buying a Springbreak vertical shoulder holster from Andrews Custom Leather for my 5" model 629. And I think that same holster would also work well with my model 66 (or your 586), which I sometimes carry OWB in an R. Grizzle GS2 concealed under a long shirt:



It's possible to conceal a 4" K/L frame, but you have to make an effort to dress around the gun. Most people take the easy way out and opt for a J-frame instead. Committing to carrying a 4" L frame says you mean business. But if you're not going to compromise on the gun, you still have to compromise elsewhere.
 
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Thanks for all the advice. :) Now I like those grips. They look nice and you all say its functional. I will give it a try!
I think it would be smart to try the grips first before I dish out more cash on an expensive holsters. I use long button up shirts, they cover the holster and gun. Its just the butt that prints real bad.
About me meaning business with a L frame. I guess that could be subconscious message I am sending. But I just like the gun. It feels good in my hand and it looks old school like a classic muscle car. I also fell in love with the fact the 586 was a police issue sidearm back in the day. The 586 feels like a perfect fit. I can also dry fire it with a surestrike laser with a quarter at the end a the barrel with out it falling off. I go by the old "role the boat" thing. It would be unwise for me not to carry it.
 
Since Texas is soon open carry, it really does not matter if it prints. I would be comfortable with a 586 in a firefight.
 
"Since Texas is soon open carry, it really does not matter if it prints. I would be comfortable with a 586 in a firefight."

That is true about the open carry and printing.
 
Shoulder Rigs

Hey, I already made a post about my 586-8. Now I am asking about shoulder holsters. I may try some later. But for now I am looking at some off of El Paso. Have any one used the Snyder System or the 1895 "Hardin" Shoulder Rig?
I remember someone said that vertical holster might work. Any recommended?
 
I carry my .44mag Model 69 in a homemade under-the-shirt vertical shoulder holster (and also (at different times) my 10mm 1911). It is a very comfortable, convenient, and well-concealed way to carry ... from pajamas-off to pajamas-on, every day.
 
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