586 lug cut down

[Doug Add]

Thanks Brian. I was hoping you would chime in here, because I don't have answers to most of the questions being asked.

On a completely unrelated note, you don't have a 3" model 13 you want to part with do you? My last purchase from you gave me just what I wanted in an L frame, maybe you can scratch my K frame itch too!

 

[Doug Add]

There is just one problem with the re-finish jobs from S&W that I've seen posted. That is that you take a gun you wouldn't think twice about shooting to an absolute GEM. I don't envy the debate you'll have with yourself about whether to actually shoot this one, it's so darned pretty I'll bet that just a smudge from a stray finger has you reaching for the wax.

I understand what you're saying, it is gorgeous just to look at. That said, there will be no internal debate over whether or not to shoot it. I don't have enough money to spend on a firearm that will not be shot.

As soon as I get my buddy to take some professional quality photos I will be at the range with it. It won't be a carry gun, slipping in and out of a holster, but it will be a shooter.

 

[Engine49guy]

K22 fan,
Regarding issue number 4,
using a model 53 barrel my fear is that the .22magnum bore is larger and might result in accuracy issues.
I believe the interchangeable cylinder guns us the smaller .22lr bored barrel.
If it makes no difference its defilately easier but have not researched the validity of that yet
the 53 barrel may also have a shorter forcing cone as their cylinders are longer.

 

[k22fan]

K22 fan,
[...] using a model 53 barrel my fear is that the .22magnum bore is larger and might result in accuracy issues.
[...]

I didn't remember groove dia. diferences because I have no use for .22 magnums. Lots of 53s were sold as convertables with an extra .22 LR cylinder so you could start a thread in the 1961 to 1979 section asking owners of convertable 53s how well their guns group with .22 LR.

 

[BarkSlayer]

WOW. I bought my first blued steel 586 on Saturday and you just made me mighty glad I did, Doug. That's a beautiful revolver...and unique, too!

 

[one eye joe]

That's a beautiful 586, It would look great with a set of Ahrends grips. These are the ones I favor..............

 

[Doug Add]

I was looking back over this old thread tonight, and discovered I had deleted all those pictures from my photobucket account. So, here are a couple I took that I still have uploaded.

 

[Doug Add]

With a favorite Case pocket knife.

 

[Jebus35745]

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

 

[Doug M.]

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.

 

[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.