S&W 586 - opinions please

CLASSIC12 · Aug 19, 2018

I already have a nice S&W 586-1 (M) with a 6 inch barrel

Just saw this S&W 586 no dash 4 inch at my LGS in Switzerland this morning.

Do I need a 4 in addition to the 6 ? Probably not. Do I want it anyway ? Well yeah !

Price is a bit on the high side, but I might talk him down some. Coincidentally I bought the 6 inch at the same LGS 8 years ago. Price was 700.

Pics

Small blemish

The blueing looks different from mine, less blue, more black, and less shiny, more dull or matte. Maybe it’s just dry, and needs oil and TLC.

What do you guys think, superfluous ? Or indispensable ?

And is the absence of an M / modifications recall a problem ?

Leonard · Aug 19, 2018

One of my keepers is a 4" 586 no dash, handguns should be handy the 4" fits that bill.

HOGSTR · Aug 19, 2018

The 586 was my first Smith after I turned 21. I paid $330 dollars for it...wish I had bought a whole bunch more back then!

rjm6120 · Aug 19, 2018

I am the last person to ask the "need vs. want" question. I am in the full throes of S&W buying/trading fever right now, and it's not going away any time soon. The beginning of this year I made an agreement with myself that I am going to take a several month break from gun buying. Since then up to now I've bought at least 8, and traded for a couple more.
What I'm getting at is, life is too short. If you want it and you have the $$, not needing that same money for something else, then I think you should get it. The older Smiths aren't being made anymore.

toddimusnimski · Aug 19, 2018

Is the shop aware of the recall issue, and is it possible for them or you to send it back to S&W to have the recall work done?

If it can't be sent from overseas back to the factory, that would be a good negotiating point for you. Try to have a concerned face when discussing this safety issue with them.

If it can be sent but only by a dealer, they may agree to do so to make it more sell-able. It's a free service from S&W so doing so won't (shouldn't) affect the seller's price. Unless you show disappointment at the thought of having to wait a long time for its return, then maybe they can come down a bit on price to help your mental anguish.

Either way, I understand that not all 586/686's up to -1 require the safety modification, but all are eligible to have the work done. Search this forum for more on that. I just bought a used 586 a bit older than this one that hasn't had the recall work done either. I will probably try it out before deciding whether or not to send it back. That way if I find any other issues S&W can deal with those too. I would think these recalls are a bit embarrassing for companies and by simply sending the repaired gun back with a new factory box and maybe a fresh polishing job, they are helping to keep customers happy.

llowry61 · Aug 19, 2018

Personally, I would negotiate to buy it. I think they are one of the best Smith and Wesson made. I think the M stamp is a potential concern. I had one without it and shot it quite awhile before having issues with it. Is there an authorized S&W shop that handles international warranty work ? Good luck to you and let us know if you get it.

OldChief · Aug 19, 2018

I have a nice 586-1 (4") that I picked up in July of 13 for 750. It's very accurate and a pleasure to shoot.

HamHands · Aug 20, 2018

OldChief said:
I have a nice 586-1 (4") that I picked up in July of 13 for 750. It's very accurate and a pleasure to shoot.

Wow, that's cherry! You stole it for $750!

CLASSIC12 · Aug 21, 2018

Leonard said:
One of my keepers is a 4" 586 no dash, handguns should be handy the 4" fits that bill.

hogstr said:
The 586 was my first Smith after I turned 21. I paid $330 dollars for it...wish I had bought a whole bunch more back then!

rjm6120 said:
I am the last person to ask the "need vs. want" question. I am in the full throes of S&W buying/trading fever right now, and it's not going away any time soon. The beginning of this year I made an agreement with myself that I am going to take a several month break from gun buying. Since then up to now I've bought at least 8, and traded for a couple more.
What I'm getting at is, life is too short. If you want it and you have the $$, not needing that same money for something else, then I think you should get it. The older Smiths aren't being made anymore.

Thanks for the encouragements guys

CLASSIC12 · Aug 21, 2018

toddimusnimski said:
Is the shop aware of the recall issue, and is it possible for them or you to send it back to S&W to have the recall work done?

If it can't be sent from overseas back to the factory, that would be a good negotiating point for you. Try to have a concerned face when discussing this safety issue with them.

If it can be sent but only by a dealer, they may agree to do so to make it more sell-able. It's a free service from S&W so doing so won't (shouldn't) affect the seller's price. Unless you show disappointment at the thought of having to wait a long time for its return, then maybe they can come down a bit on price to help your mental anguish.

Either way, I understand that not all 586/686's up to -1 require the safety modification, but all are eligible to have the work done. Search this forum for more on that. I just bought a used 586 a bit older than this one that hasn't had the recall work done either. I will probably try it out before deciding whether or not to send it back. That way if I find any other issues S&W can deal with those too. I would think these recalls are a bit embarrassing for companies and by simply sending the repaired gun back with a new factory box and maybe a fresh polishing job, they are helping to keep customers happy.

llowry61 said:
Personally, I would negotiate to buy it. I think they are one of the best Smith and Wesson made. I think the M stamp is a potential concern. I had one without it and shot it quite awhile before having issues with it. Is there an authorized S&W shop that handles international warranty work ? Good luck to you and let us know if you get it.

Thanks. The LGS is probably making 100 $ margin on it once I finish negotiating the price, so I doubt he’ll go through the trouble of sending that gun to S&W in the US for the recall work.

I will contact S&W and see if they have an approved workshop nearer me than can do the work.

old bear · Aug 21, 2018

I've found the L frames a Little to heavy to carry for an extended period of time, that's what K frames are for. But I sure do like the L frames when shooting .357 Magnum ammo.
If you really want the revolver go for it.

cowboy4evr · Aug 21, 2018

I have carried an L frame (681) for years , never thought it too heavy . I would buy it as I have had a 586 , 4" barrel before and it was a great gun . It has a much better trigger than the 686 I bought from a retired LEO . Regards, Paul

KEN L · Aug 21, 2018

CLASSIC12 said:
Thanks. The LGS is probably making 100 $ margin on it once I finish negotiating the price, so I doubt he’ll go through the trouble of sending that gun to S&W in the US for the recall work.

I will contact S&W and see if they have an approved workshop nearer me than can do the work.

I wouldn't be in a big hurry to have the recall work done. The problem for which the recall was issued will most likely NEVER be of concern to you. I have a 686 4", that I bought new in Aug of 1981. I've put thousands of rounds through the gun and never had a problem with it. The gun you're considering, probably shipped the latter part of 1986 and is a beautiful example. In your case, they probably don't come up that often. I say go for it! I'm sure you'll never regret it.

BAM-BAM · Aug 21, 2018

A 4 inch L-frame .357 is IMO the best all around utility/duty/general purpose revolver you can have..... k-frame grip frame and trigger reach an the strength of an N-frame. Shot shells, .38s to full bore .357 power.

Can with the right belt and holster be carried concealed..... if necessary... I prefer a 3" K-frame myself .....

So IMHO ...... go get it ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tom_R · Aug 21, 2018

Yes, you absolutely need it.

Your 6"er is a great revolver.

The 4" L-Frame in 357 Magnum is arguably the greatest all around handgun ever made, when all things are considered.

My 586-1 is the best Smith & Wesson that I have ever owned or shot.

Perfect balance, exception trigger in both DA & SA, tack driving accuracy.

So yes, you need that revolver.

Tom_R · Aug 21, 2018

This is a pic of mine, to serve as inspiration.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

lhump1961 · Aug 21, 2018

Yes, you need it! Already said you don't have a 4"!

CLASSIC12 · Aug 27, 2018

S&W 586 - opinions please

So, went back to the LGS on Sunday for some shooting (they have a nice indoor range too) and to pick it up.

They now also had a 686-1 (M), damn

Could not pick up both (already had a Colt SP1 I finished paying, and took a nickel Colt Diamondback, from the same store).

Decisions ...

I took the blue one, paid 800 for it

(I might pick up the other one for 700 in a couple months, if it’s still there).

And as I finished paying and started packing up, the lady at the counter goes : “there’s another pair of grips that come with it”

SCORE

Those will go in storage (with another 4-5 identical pairs).

lkabug · Aug 27, 2018

As my daddy would say...you did good!

Snapping Twig · Aug 27, 2018

Get with Kurac on this site and have him make you a nice set of cokes in a good wood and you will be delighted!

I have had several L frames over the years and ultimately I ended up with a 4" 586 as the best overall. Had a 6", it was nose heavy, a 2.5" and the ejector was too short, had a 4" 686 which I traded for the 4" 586. Now I have a 3" 696, but it's a 44, so it doesn't really count here.

You made the right decision IMO.

S&W 586 - opinions please

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