Pristine 586 find from 1983

Hello folks,

While looking at a 586 L-Comp in the used section of my LGS, my eyes caught a glimpse of a pristine-looking 4" 586 no dash at the bottom shelf. Needless to say the L-Comp went back to the shelf as I couldn't pass the chance of owning my first pre lock S&W for $699.

This one came with no tools or box but the blue finishing is perfect and the inspection sticker from the factory is still attached to the original stocks, which are marked August 31, 1983 on the inside. I took a look at its internals and judging from the tightness of the side plate and the condition of the internals, I may be one of the few who's seen its insides. I am now hooked on these vintage beauties!

It looks like this revolver was fired very little and its lockup is tight. I had not experienced one of the old S&W triggers like this one. It is butter smooth and better than any of my other 5 modern Smith revolvers, 4 of which are from the Performance Center.

I don't think I'll shoot this one as much to maintain its finish, but I did put a box of 38 specials at the range over the weekend and 1 round of 357 magnum through it. This 586 does not have the M stamped on the inside of the yoke so it has not been modified from the recall.

I started my shooting session with a cylinder of 38 specials. I then eagerly tried my first cylinder of 357 magnums. Upon the very first 357 shot shooting Fiocchi 357 Magnum 142 Grain FMJ the issue that cause for the recall all of those years ago suddenly popped up: the cylinder locked up and I had 5 more live rounds in the chamber!

Knowing of the recall issue I was immediately worried about a locked up gun with 5 live rounds still in it. But I was able to safely and tenderly wiggle the cylinder and trigger until the cylinder could be released and the live rounds removed.

After shooting a few single rounds of 38 specials with no binding, I continued to shot what was remaining on the box of 38 specials with no issues. My model 19 Carry Comp took care of the remaining box of 357 magnum rounds I had for the session with no issues.

I called S&W today and they sent me the shipping label to have the recall work done to my 586. Incredible that they can still do the work at no charge to me!

The rep told me that nowadays they are no longer replacing the trigger nose and firing pin bushing. They just replace the firing pin bushing for one made out of titanium and that fixes the issue. Have any of you heard of this before?

I'm considering sending the revolver in as I want to shot the occasional magnum load through it.

Here are some photos:











On the bottom is the 357 cartridge that caused the cylinder to bind. The top one was fired by a different gun. You will notice how the primer bulged slightly causing the cylinder binding.



Cheers,
686PC

They are fantastic revolvers Mine is a early none modified version also.
I don't shoot heavy loads of .357 so to date I haven't had a problem with it.
Chances are I won't send it back for the Mod and as long as I stay to the mild side with my hand loads I think it will be fine.

The primer looks like no sign of over pressure but the primer strike is deep and you got primer flow and locked the gun. Maybe try a different ammo or back off on the mainspring a little.

Get it fixed. It will be 100% reliable. I had my 686 done years ago and it has shot thousands of +P and magnum loads without any problems.

That's a great looking Model 586 686PC! Congratulations on the new acquisition!

That will be my next... I've been looking very hard for a 586 but nobody seems to have them or willing to part... some day I'll find one just as beautiful as yours sir.

Congrats on finding that 586 - A very nice example.

I would try different .357 ammo and see if the problem persists. But sending it back for the fix is also not a bad idea at all.

I purchased a first year 586 new as a duty gun when they first came out. Probably at least 3 or 4 thousand Remington 125 grain .357's thru it (my issue duty ammo), and who knows how many 38 spl's, as it was also my PPC gun. Never any issues with lock up. By the time the issue was known, and the re-call initiated, I was already carrying a Beretta 92 for duty use, so never had mine "fixed". I love the balance of these 4 inch guns for DA shooting.

Larry

They are great 357's.

Thanks for the feedback, photos and great insights folks! I did just just try with one brand of magnums. I will try other brands before deciding to send it in.

Cheers,
686PC


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

This is the first post that to my knowledge documents the problem that caused the recall. I have two 586's that are not subject to the recall and are fantastic guns, even with barnburner 357's. I would never trust a gun that locked up, even with a different manufacturer, and would send it back for the fix without hesitation. However, if I had a no dash or dash 1 that exhibited no problems, that one would probably stick around until/if the problem arose. One strike and you're out.

Beautiful gun.

686PC said:

Hello folks,

While looking at a 586 L-Comp in the used section of my LGS, my eyes caught a glimpse of a pristine-looking 4" 586 no dash at the bottom shelf. Needless to say the L-Comp went back to the shelf as I couldn't pass the chance of owning my first pre lock S&W for $699.

Click to expand...

That is one great looking 586! The condition is fantastic!

I picked up two 4" 586s this year - the first being a brand version and then shortly afterwards a nice 586-4 with combats. The -4 looks like it will give my 6" 686-4 a run for the money in accuracy! Very impressed to say the least!

The new one will probably be sold. I placed a bid on it thinking I would not win and did.

I've been lucky to score 3 anib 586s over the years a 4" and 6" and my favorite .... a 4" -5 that's a factory round butt.

The 6" was part of a set Smith Rifle Model 1700 Deluxe rifle , shooters knife and revolver.... 200 sets made... with ans MSRP of $2250 (p 377 SCS&W 3re)

Always wondered what happened to the rifle and knife.

A 586 is everything a revolver should be and will do anything asked of it. My personal favorite 4 inch.

Stunning 586! That's one of the 357s that I don't have and after drooling over yours I'm thinking I may need to change that sometime soon.

I have a 4" Model 586 that was manufactured in June of 1982. It does bear the "M" stamp so the original owner must have sent it in for the recall.

For years I had been lamenting selling my Dan Wesson Model 15-2VH as it was very accurate and was one of those guns that just seemed to hit what I pointed it at without really concentrating that hard on sight picture, trigger squeeze and follow through.

Then along came the 4" Model 586 and it too was another gun that just seemed to be easy to shoot well. I wouldn't part with it.

686PC, thanks for sharing. Great shape. Go ahead and shoot the thing !

Your ghost is not gonna !

Single shot and indexing the cylinder as you close it will keep the drag line to a minimum.

Another guy with the proverbial horseshoe ...

Congrats!

Nothing much really turns up around the Chicago suburbs. The one decent find I did make I had to overpay for.

Beautiful. I would not have been able to walk away from that one either. Great find. I agree--Shoot it. The enjoyment you get from it will be well worth a little drag line.

686PC

Congrats on your vintage M586!!! They just don't make -'em like that anymore. I have the identical gun also built in 1983. I never had any issues with the FP bushing, however I did send it back for the Modification in 1984 just to be on the safe side.

I've put tens of thousands of rounds through mine and it still looks perfect other than the Cylinder turn line and some Lacquer wear on the grips. While I have shot somewhere in the neighborhood of 1000 - 1500 rounds of .357's out of it, most of the shooting has been with .38 Spl. The Revolver is still super accurate, smooth and reliable and one would NEVER know the actual round count through it. Other than the original Factory Mod. no repair work has ever been needed.

Shoot yours and enjoy! As long as you take care of it the M586 will still retain it good looks - even if shot plenty.