586 lug cut down

[shawn mccarver]

That's the way the L frames should have looked. While I generally don't get wrapped around the axle about cosmetic aspects of a revolver, my opinion of the full lug barrels would peel the paint off a battleship and upset The Gorilla. I managed to luck into a 686+ MG, pre lock ... only one I would have.

I always thought that S&W should have discontinued the 19/66 when the 586/686 was introduced, and that the L frames should have just been offered with two barrel options - full lug and standard. That way, if you wanted the "traditional" look and wanted to fire all magnums, you could do so. Still seems like a good idea, and if the "cult status" of the 686 MG is any indication, such a revolver would sell. I realize they had the 620, but in my opinion, that revolver would have done better if it had not had the two piece barrel. Those of us who prefer the traditional, non-full lug look, also prefer the one piece barrel.

 

[haris1]

I always thought that S&W should have discontinued the 19/66 when the 586/686 was introduced, and that the L frames should have just been offered with two barrel options - full lug and standard. That way, if you wanted the "traditional" look and wanted to fire all magnums, you could do so. Still seems like a good idea, and if the "cult status" of the 686 MG is any indication, such a revolver would sell. I realize they had the 620, but in my opinion, that revolver would have done better if it had not had the two piece barrel. Those of us who prefer the traditional, non-full lug look, also prefer the one piece barrel.

Shawn,I find your post very interesting and have two questions: When you say cult status of the 686, I hardly see any out there for sale so why do you say there is a cult?
When you say the two piece barrel is not preferred....why are there comments made about its superior accuracy??
Thanks

 

[wproct]

I was surprised!

I have to be honest. I'm a big fan of the underlug 586-686 revolvers, and when I first started to read your thread I thought I'm not going to like this. But, was I ever surprised! That is one beautiful revolver, and the blue job is out of this world. Very nice.

 

[texagun]

It's a great looking gun. I like the traditional look. I wish the cut down lug would have been offered on the L-frame as an option for those who prefer it over the full lug.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Shawn,I find your post very interesting and have two questions: When you say cult status of the 686, I hardly see any out there for sale so why do you say there is a cult?
When you say the two piece barrel is not preferred....why are there comments made about its superior accuracy??
Thanks

Cult status is in reference not to the 686 standard, but the 686 Mountain Gun.

You don't see too many for sale because there was only one run made and they are kept and beloved by their owners. A 7 shot .357 Magnum L frame with a 1950 Target style standard underlug tapered barrel is light, nimble feeling and strong as everything since the locking notches are cut offset into the thickest part of the cylinder wall, rather than the thinnest part as with the 6 shot version. It weighs the same as a Model 19 or 66, but holds 7 rounds and is MUCH stronger.

I cannot explain about the two piece barrel. I agree it has its good points, but people don't like MIM, non P&R and other stuff. Those are not issues with me, just what I see others saying. For me, the two piece barrel, although well disguised, still just doesn't look right.

 

[sophie]

That is really nice looking after the modification of the lug. Really nice job. Nice knife too. I like the 2 blade jack knife also.

 

[Doug Add]

That gun really has the cool factor. It looks great with the lug cut down. What bbl length is it now? I want to give Andy Horvath a K-22 to cut the bbl to 5" and reblue. Also want a gold bead front sight on it. Larry

Thanks for all the comments folks. I haven't been on the forum for a few weeks, sorry.

Larry, it is still a 4" barrel. Only the underlug was cut down, not the barrel itself.

Oh, and James, thanks for the knife comment. That Case 6232 from 1978 is just about the perfect pocket knife (in my opinion).

 

[80sgyrene]

Doing this on a 681 right now, still a lot of work to do. Wish I had a machine shop. LOL

 

[chief38]

This thread made me chuckle. In 1983 I went into the LGS (Greenblatt's) to buy a Colt Python, saw the price and bought a 6" M586 instead. The full under lug made it resemble the Python somewhat and so I was happy. Now I have come to dislike the full under lug and think it's only a question of time before going at it.

Nice job!

 

[chief38]

Doing this on a 681 right now, still a lot of work to do. Wish I had a machine shop. LOL

DON'T SCRATCH THOSE BEAUTIFUL GRIPS!!!

 

[haris1]

cut down the full lug on a L frame

Guys,
I must be missing something. To avoid a lot of expense, what not get a nicely blued 19-3?

 

[80sgyrene]

If I could find one of those 19s with fixed sights and a 3 inch barrel, I would love to have one.

In my case I wanted fixed sights. 681 (couldn't find a cheap 581) fit the bill for a hell of a lot less than a Lady Smith, or coulda went with a 3" model 13... but I wanted a shroud around the ejector rod. Yeah I'm finicky......

So an L frame it is.........maybe I'll call mine a Lord Smith.