586 Classic built on the N frame?????

[az20gunner]

I just read in a popular gun magazine that the 586 Classic revolver is being built on the "N" frame, unlike the original that was built on the "L" frame. I have a 6" no dash original 586 and a new 4" 586 Classic and see no difference in frame size when compared side by side, but my 657 41 mag (an "N" frame) is noticeably larger than either of my 586's. Does anyone know of the Classic 586 being built on the "N" frame. I have a nice selection of S&W hand guns and love them all. I think I may have found an error in the gun magazine. Please let me know if you have knowledge of a difference in frame sizes in any 586's.many thanks.
NRA BENEFACTOR LIFE MEMBER IN ARIZONA!

 

[tug700]

586 classic and N frame is a classic oxymoron. The frame designation and the model number are incompatible.

 

[az20gunner]

That's what I believe to be the case, but wanted input from others.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Which magazine was that?

 

[scooter123]

Journalists today are trained to write what they think, not actual facts. I've seen so much misinformation published in print and on broadcast media that I no longer even bother buying any magazines or newspapers and only watch broadcast news to see the weather report.

 

[jack the toad]

I've seen so much misinformation published in print and on broadcast media that I no longer even bother buying any magazines or newspapers and only watch broadcast news to see the weather report.

yep, pretty much.

 

[Dale53]

Journalists today are trained to write what they think, not actual facts. I've seen so much misinformation published in print and on broadcast media that I no longer even bother buying any magazines or newspapers and only watch broadcast news to see the weather report.

That is true in many cases, but not all cases, for sure! As a for instance, I have found Brian Pearce's articles and loads to be right on the money in many calibers that I have extensive experience with. Mike Venturino is quite conservative in general, but will NOT lead you astray. Both these good people write for the Handloader. I have been a subscriber since the beginning and I DO have a basis for comparison. There are others, too.

Don't slam all just because of the carelessness and just flat slovenly work of many. Or as my mother used to say, "Don't throw the baby out with the
bath water"...

I WILL admit that I have dropped a number of magazines that I used to subscribe to. Our local newspaper went from a local to a regional (less local news and more news about other locations of little interest) and apparently has NO proof readers. The clarity, or lack thereof, rival 3rd graders for inaccuracy. "Journalists" has become a dirty word to me.

FWIW
Dale53

 

[murphydog]

All 580/680 series guns are L frames. The article was written by someone with little experience with S & W revolvers or trusted someone with the same qualifications (and obviously did not have an N frame for comparison, as you do).

 

[S&WIowegan]

I saw the mistake in the magazine article too. IIRC the writer is a very experienced firearms guy but in no way an S&W expert. He's trying to give people info and values on anything and everything.

 

[BigBill]

I hate when they miss inform people.

 

[az20gunner]

The magazine is Guns & ammo, April 2016, Gun room by Mr. Garry James.
I am going to email him and see what's up!!!

 

[BigBill]

Let them retract and correct that statement?

 

[az20gunner]

Okay, I just got off the phone with S&W customer service, here is what I was told. The 586's are indeed all "L" frame and the confusion might have come from the fact that some of the parts are interchangeable with the "N" frame guns. Thinking back on what I know of the development of the "L" frame 586 which was a collaboration between S&W and some prominent folks of the time and they asked for a heavier frame than the "K" (AKA model 19) but wanted to keep the "K" sized grip frame. I am not remembering the gentlemen's names, "senior moment), but have read the stories many times over the years. None the less, My 586's frames are smaller than my "N" frame 657. either way, I love my S&W's. all 8 of them!!

 

[Nightowl]

I saw that too, and just wrote it off as a brain cramp, dufus moment, or whatever.

 

[alec.mc]

this is dumb.

a 586/686 on an N-frame is a Model 27

 

[max]

I sent him an email last week, but have not heard back.

 

[Bosquebass]

Garry James has been writing for G&A for at least 30 years and no doubt knows one S&W from another. Just an honest mistake IMHO.

 

[murphydog]

I have met Garry James, and he knows his S & W products...I blame the copy editor .

 

[jtcarm]

IDK where these notions get started.

I've seen the same question more than once about the Model 66-8 being built on an L-frame. If it was an L-frame, it would be a 686 or a 620, and there wouldn't be any reason to build them.

 

[loeman]

I'm sure many of us remember when we first became gun enthusiasts and devoured much of the popular journals at the time. I remember reading about this or that new gun and thinking it would be just the thing for me. Fortunately or unfortunately I didn't have any money then. However, after a few years it finally dawned on me that the so called "great" guns that were being written about were almost always made by the major advertisers. I don't read the rags anymore but I doubt that much has changed. I apologize for the thread drift.