I have a 686+ and have never forgiven myself for trading a
586 no dash with an 8 3/8 barrel back in the 80's that I would
love to have back. Live and Learn

Were any of the early 586/686 revolvers manufactured with
pinned barrels ?

Anything is possible, But I would say NO! Bob

Just my ORDINARY 586 & 686

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Thanks.

The reason I ask is that I think 586 revolvers were introduced
in 1980. When did S&W stop pinning the barrels on their revolvers ? Wasn't it around the same time ?

I think the inning stopped in 1982. Bare in mind the L frame was new, and pinning probably just wasn't part of the manufacture process on the new L Frame line. I'm only suggesting that because I have never seen a pinned bbl L Frame gun in my life.

I agree with SLT223. Pinning the barrels stopped in 1982. The 586 was introduced in 1981 and the SCSW does not mention the barrel being pinned in the 586. The 686 was introduced in 1980 and there is no mention of the barrel being pinned in the 686 in the SCSW.
John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well in Training

Sure wish they would have made some pinned barrel 586/686 revolvers,
but still my favorite.

Not that you forgot what it looks like, but here you go...

I have a very early 686 no dash, the barrel is not pinned.

__________________
-Roger

L frames were introduced without the barrel pin and recessed cylinders that other magnums had. Other models transitioned to the unpinned barrels and non recessed cylinders during that same time.

__________________
Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

My 586 no-dash did not have a pinned bbl.

__________________
CSM, U S Army(Ret) 1963-1990

Pinned and recessed for moon clips.

__________________
"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Yep, that is exactly what she looked like.
Darn, I miss that revolver. It was a bit cumbersome,
but it sure could shoot whatever you put in her cylinder.
Still kicking myself.

I have yet to own any revolver over 6" but that beauty sure gives me pause...

Yes, it is a beauty! And it has probably the best, absolutely smoothest, trigger that I have ever pulled on any revolver!
Here are a few more for you, maybe you'll cave and go on the hunt for one

Kemper, hang in there. We have ALL made mistakes. It's all a part of life.

kemper, don't suffer alone. I once had a 8 3/8" 686 with the adjustable front sight. Shot beautifully. Used it to teach my sons to shoot handguns. The one gun I most regret selling. Some day I'll find another.

I've read claims posted on this forum that some early 686/586's were pinned. But I've never seen a picture, or one in person. I've also read that non-pinned guns (not necessarily 686/586's) can been converted to pinned by a good gunsmith. That's a possibility that would cloud the waters.

__________________
~ S&W aficionado in training ~

The L frame 586/686 guns were the first guns introduced with the crush groove fit barrels applied under extreme pressure and the cylinders did away with the counterbore - which was the first time for a magnum cartridge gun for S&W.
I have a first year 686 no dash with the low Patridge front sight that is NOT pinned or recessed, nor have I ever seen or heard of such. And yes that gun shoots like a rifle, I also bought at approximately the same time a 629-1 with 8 3/8" barrel to mate with the 686 also not P & R.
I'll try to send some photos when my son returns from work, I have caveman computer skills so won't be able to do this.
By the way this was the Lear Siegler era of S&W.