I’m new to this Forum and to the world of S&W. I’m contemplating buying a 686 Plus or the 586 L Comp as my first Smith and Wesson revolver. I’m concerned about the longevity of the Matte Black finish on the 586 (thought it was blued). I like the Stainless 686 but I’ve already got 2 SS revolvers. Any ideas/thoughts on which direction I should go?

First off, welcome 😊

To your question, as someone who is a huge fan of the 686/586 platform I think either way you will be happy. It just comes down to what you value more, and what the intended use is. If you plan to carry it in a holster, then holster wear is a real concern. If this is a range toy, scratches can still happen but are avoidable with proper care. If this is for competition or target shooting, the comp is probably the right call. If you are more concerned about the finish, stainless is hard to beat.

What do you plan to use the gun for? That would help people here better answer the question.

This will be my carry piece for the winter. I’ll take this to the range as well, but I won’t (and don’t) competition shoot……yet. I contacted S&W customer service and they responded that……”When it comes to wear it will take a decent amount of time to wear it such as holster wear……” One of the things I like about the 586 is the comp barrel but I’m not concerned with recoil just yet……

586L Comp.

I carry a 19C & love it. Concerns about the finish are unfounded, IMO.

If the two are new production they will "go bang" when you pull the trigger. The decision is yours, whether you want stainless or carbon steel construction will depend on there you reside (humidity, etc.).

For some of us the new products are not attractive (the lock), but if that doesn't bother you then just get what "pushes your buttons"....

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.............SmithNut

I've got both a 586 L-Comp and a 3" 686+. Having both, to me, was the right choice to make (again, for me).

The black finish does have some wear, but not much now that my gun is ~8.5 years old. It seems the wear is from me using speedloaders. Note, I've got 8700+ rounds through this gun at this time.

Although I've had the 586 L-Comp checked by a gunsmith, I've found my gun, or I, shoot this gun a bit to the left. I've adjusted the rear sight to the right to compensate. I've not bothered to send the gun back to S&W for them to look at it in all these years.

The front night sight on this 586 was all but useless as its lamp was somewhat dim when new and recessed into the front sight blade. I've since replaced the front sight with one with a brass bead; personal preference.

My 686+ seems to shoot to point of aim with the rear sight visually centered. I've only got ~450 rounds through this gun in the year I've owned it.

I normally carry .38 Special. Having the option of shooting .357 is nice, but not required in my imagined threat scenarios where I can anticipate shooting a living body more than planning to shoot at a barricaded threat, such as in a vehicle or some type of medium "cover" whether 1 to 50 yards.

I suppose a K-frame would meet my needs just as well. I do also have a K-frame along with several J-frames for additional choices/variety.

Nobody else can make the decision for Post1's author. Good luck OP

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432UC/638/642/60 + more

I think the 686 will have the edge in lack of finish wear for sure. I'm not a huge fan of ported or compensated barrels, so my pick would be the 686.

The L Comp for sure then. Much better for carry purposes. Also, on carry guns I wouldn't worry about scratches, they are sort of a badge of honor. It means you carry it regularly, if anything I respect people more who take out a gun with battle scars than one that looks like it has been handled with museum gloves.

My L-Comp is about to turn 25 years old. It has been around for a long time.

I can tell you I have enjoyed this revolver for a very long time. If the L-Comp is within your pocketbooks' reach that is the way I would go

Mine has been totally reliable not to mention very accurate. I happen to like the moon clips. They ensure positive extraction when it comes time to reload. However I carry my reload in a speed strip so that it sits flat in my pocket

The single expansion chamber compensator that Smith and Wesson calls a power port is very effective with both full power 357 Magnum ammunition and reduced loads.

With the more powerful ammunition your second shot recovery time is greatly reduced due to the fact that your muzzle flip is greatly reduced

I am a big believer in the power port defensive revolvers and own several different variations

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"Acta non verba"

Thanks for the post and advice……….great collection!

The answer to choosing one S&W or another here is almost always "both".

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More is better……..right?

Ive had both.

In fact a 586 L Comp was my first S&W. I shot it till the forcing cone was pretty much ruined

Anyways now that Ive been into revolvers for a little while I MUCH prefer the stainless guns. Especially if you are gunna carry.

I ended up trading my 586 L comp for a 3" 686 Plus. I much prefer the 686. I barely have to think about the finish on the 686 where as the 586 was coming out of holsters brown after a day of carry in the summer

The 3" 686 is probably my most carried revolver these days

I dont miss the comp. I do sorta kinda miss the moon clips but not enough to do anything about it.

I solved the finish problem on my 586 L-comp. Sent it to Accurate Plating and had it hard chromed before there was any damage to the black finish.

CCW? Go with the 586 Comp.

The black matte 586 is blued, that's just what blue looks like when the metal is bead blasted rather than polished first.

What are your plans for use? A blued gun is always going top be more susceptible to corrosion and wear than a stainless gun is, but if you take care of it (stainless needs some TLC, too) that'll go a long way to maintaining original finish.

Do you plan to carry? Stainless will hold up better to that and is more easily restored. But then, most folks who carry go in knowing the gun will pick up wear-and-tear and correctly consider that secondary to carrying the gun that's right for them.

To me, between these two choices, it's really the comp that makes the difference and it's a question of whether that's a feature you want -- that should be the deciding factor, not the finishes.

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Pickpocket

I always go with stainless steel handguns unless I just get a really good price on a blued steel gun. Out of the 9 handguns that I own only 2 are blued steel. One was inherited to me and the second one I got a really good price on.

Now I’d like input on what larger grips to put on this gun as well as holster recommendations please…….

My holster makers of choice are Simply Rugged and DM Bullard. I’ve been served well by both. Unfortunately my favorite wood grip maker for practical carry pieces is no longer in business. Kim Ahrends made great carry grips and I’m lucky to have purchased a lot of his grips over the years. I’ll leave it to others for grip recommendations.

ETA - I’ll admit to looking pretty hard at a 586 L comp in October. I ended up going with a 3 inch Colt Python instead.



With the Simply Rugged “Surf and Turf” holster I ordered for it:

Firstly……….I have 3 Colt revolvers- you have great taste……..evident in the holster…………..let me know if you have Kim Ahrends grips to spare…….
Best,
Toughguy

I just ordered a new L comp for my daily carry. It will mostly ride in my tool bag in a sheep rug but a leather IWB if I have to run in the store.

Thanks much! I have “extra” of Kim’s grips, but none are for sale! I’ve got four DA Colts and two SA Colts in addition to somewhere around a dozen Colt 1911’s. I’m definitely a Smith wheel gun man, but Colt is doing a better job right now than Smith is IMHO. The only things “wrong” with my new Python is the sub par single action and the bad rear sight design. LOTS of dry fire has helped the trigger, and some purple locktite on the set screw seems to have worked on the rear sight through a couple hundred 38 and 357 hand loads.