I have an opportunity to pick one up..4" ...

Diamonback68 gave me a quick lesson.. but I would like to hear other opinions, please,....
I know nothing about the gun except for the "M" modifiction..any thoughts are appreciated..

Thanks
Sal

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP

I would encourage you to pick it up. I have a 586-3 that I love to shoot. The 4" L frame offers a very balanced feel when shooting. I also like the looks of the 586/686 a lot. I put a set of Kurac's grips on mine. They're just a bit smaller than the factory targets and seem to help my shooting.

Good Luck with your decision.

Jerry

I agree with j38.Those are some of the best balanced guns out there to shoot.The 4" barreled models are a perfect combination of balance and very good looks.I love my 586-1 and I am in the process of picking up a 586 no dash.I say don't let this get away from you.

My 4" 586, ( no dash,) has been my companion for many (27) years. Twice we've faced the goblins, and I'm just a citizen, not a cop. And I'm still here, typing this stuff out. This piece will not let you down. Buy quality 125 gn. HP and shoot enough of it that you know what the gun and cartridge will do. This round has the best per-centage of one-shot stops for a handgun. Period.

I have four, two nickeled in 4 and 6 inch and two blued in 4 and 6 inch.

My minor, personal opinion [worth nothing in the real world] is that I consider them in the 4 inch version to be the best balanced double action revolver ever made, except a Colt Python. And I have a version of every S&W frame size and barrel length and every Colt frame size.

The "M" situation is simple. Buy it, if you have problems ship it for repairs. If no problems, no worries. I would not ship until I had fired it enough to determine if it needed sending away.

The L Frames will handle any safe .357 magnum load of any bullet weight.

To get that "balance" shop around and fit a variety of grips to your L-Frame. Everybody's "fit" is different and grips size and design can make a big difference in how a revovler handles.

Good luck.

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Have guns...will shoot'em.

Here's a 586-1 6" unfired that I picked up just recently.

No problem with sending S&W a 586 for the "M" update (spur/bushing). Had excellent experience with Smith & Wesson standing behind their product. Quick turn-around time; approximately three working days from manufacturer receipt, rework and back. Definitely recommend a 586, if you can find a good example. Same goes for the early 686s too. Balanced and well-made American pistols.

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"Sursum Ab Ordine"

Yesterday it was 90+ degrees and I had a lot of free time, a lot of reloaded .357 ammunition, and an air conditioned (somewhat) indoor range. I made it an L frame no-dash day and took the 2 1/2, 4, 6, and 8 3/8 inch versions. They're all great but I was having the most fun shooting the 4" 586. (The 2 1/2" was a close second.) The balance is great, I think its a beautiful gun, and its very accurate. I was shooting a variety of loads but the one I enjoyed most was just 3.5 grains of Bullseye under a 158 gr SWC in a .357 case. I'd recommend a 4" 686 or 586 to anyone looking for a great .357 revolver.

Here's mine, a 586-1.



The -1 indicates the modification was done at the factory before release.

I had both a 586 no dash and a 586-1. Both were excellent guns and good examples of the work done by SW back in those days. Eventually sold them as someone wanted them far more than I did.

This is the no-dash:



And the dash-1:

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... ed ...

My wife's 586 no dash has a better trigger than her Python; not smoother but lighter than the Colt.

Those grips are Herrett cocbolos, the best all around stocks we've found.
I love the nickled 586s - it's about the only gun I prefer in nickle. I thinks it's because the barrel lug adds a lot of metal to the barrel.

These are not just good revolvers, these are great revolvers.

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NRA Lifetime Member