I am curious if anyone on the forum has owned both the old 586 no dash or dash-1, and the new classic 586, and has compared them both for shooting, looks, etc. The older ones are getting harder to find and as pricey often as new ones. Just looking for actual results from those who have seen and handled both. Thanks.


Pequod.

My 586-1 had a nicer finish and was more accurate with 357s.The new one was amazing with 38 special,the finish was flawed and,of course,had the dreaded lock thingy .

I have a 4" 586-1 and have handled it next to a newer model. They seem to be almost identical with just a few changes on the newer, like the lock, pinned front sight, and frame-mounted firing pin. I don't normally like the lock hole on the newer Smith's but if there are two models they still make that look almost like the older it's the model 586 and the model 10.

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Ephesians 6 (Armor of God)

I have the newish 586-7 PC Comp 3" It would put the ND or D-1 to shame. It has been the best PC I owned. It was worth the money.

Hope that helps you decide

I can't find a 4 inch 586 anywhere that's decent. Have resigned myself that if I want one will have to be the new. Like someone said its one if the few that still looks like the original. The 66 is a joke. I have two 6 inch that are very nice. I have heard glowing reports in the new 586. Willing to give it a chance,
JR
Oh I heard the bluing was best of any of the classics.

I handled a new 4" 586 Classic the other day at the LGS.

Dislikes
- Not a high polished blue as compared to the old ones, but still not bad
- Grips too thin (for me, anyway)
- Gigantic roll marks on the barrel - I wish they'd go back to the small clean ones.
- Lock, but oh well

Likes
- Trigger was nice
- Lock up was very tight, crisp, and well timed.
- Barrel had zero cant. it was clocked dead on straight.

Overall, I'd be sure to handle and inspect it close up first, then go for it.

Thanks for the replies, will probably search for a no dash or dash 1 for another 6 months or so, and if not able to find one buy a new one. The 4" 586 with wood grips is to about as beautiful as a revolver gets!

My no dash 586 may be going to market.
If so I'll contact via pm!
If I sell it she needs to go to a good home...

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Didn't S&W change the profile on the new-new frames? In the area around the hammer and near the lock. Ever since the M586 went away, then came back in the last few years, something looks different.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

I think the new 586 has the same frame profile as the other lock guns, but I'm curious to find out if they're different.

Ever since the lock was added in 2001 all K/L frames have slightly more metal on the upper portion of the frame (above the thumb latch where the hammer resides.) It gives that curved arc more of a 90 degree angle and for those who are technical about it I think it adds maybe half and ounce more to the weight of the gun. Some purists don’t like it but honestly it’s never affected my shooting.

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Ephesians 6 (Armor of God)

Speedi65. If he's not interested I am. Beautiful gun.
JR

Here is my new 586, it shoots great and looks great.

Pete

I never noticed the changed frame profile in the 1st Generation of lock guns. They seemed to be built on the then relatively "new frame" that incorporated the frame mounted firing pins that came out in 1996. The -5 in M686 terms.

The new frame had an identical profile as the prior "old" frame. The lock came about in 2001-2002, so there was about a 6-7 year period of the new frame without the lock. The M586 was discontinued in 1999, so it never really got the lock (except for a very small number of non-cataloged "Specials" built in intervening years). The M686 did, though, the -6.

When the M586 came back a few years ago with the new-new frame THAT'S when it seemed to me the frame profile changed. All the new-new K & L frames look different. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it's just a perception or optical illusion.

Is there such a thing as a "2nd Generation" lock and flag, or have all the little parts and mechanisms been the same since day one? Did the early guns even have a flag?

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

The new models i have seen don't match u in the finish department to the old 586 models.

Maybe this will help get a better idea.

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Ephesians 6 (Armor of God)

That helps to show there's a definite frame profile difference between the original "old" frame (pre -6) and the current -8 frame.

I wonder how the "new" frame -6 and -7 would compare.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

It's nothing like the 66. It's a travesty.
JR

Nice comp shot revolver guy. I think the new model looks great.

I like the old front sight set up better...................................

I bought my 586 new back in the early 80's but I don't know how to identify a 586 vs 586-x model.

I have checked all the markings on the gun and don't see a model # other than the serial# and the words "S & W 357 Magnum" on the barrel.

Any pointers to ID this model?
Thanks!

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Jeff
Molon Labe

I'm probly wrong on this but I herd it was on the cylinder or a mark on the crane. Someone else probly knows exactly where to look and tell

The model designation is stamped on the frame. If you open the cylinder it is on the left side behind where the yoke closes over it in front of the cylinder window.

If it's been factory modified an M stamp will also be located there.

My 6 " no dash is on its way back to the plant for the "M" modification as I write this.

Hope this helps.

Well, I looked there and the stamping reads... MOD 586

So I guess this is a "no-dash" gun?

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Jeff
Molon Labe

Yep I'd say you have a first run 586.

Thanks for the guidance, much appreciated!

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Jeff
Molon Labe

Can you get/order a new 6" 586 with a Patridge front sight and a full width .5" target hammer? This is what I want.
If so this will make my mind up. I have the same dilemma.

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Where we go one, we go all

Here's my 586-2, ca. 1988. $450 OTD at a LGS. Excellent fit and finish. Shoots like a dream.