586 No dash without the M stamp - what to do?

[Lidsman]

Hi everyone!
I have the option to buy a 586 No dash but without the M stamp. Both I and the gun are located in Sweden and I would guess that the original buyer didn't bother to send the gun back to USA for fixing the "problem". I also guess that the gun have worked well all these years. The seller has only had the gun for a year and don't know anything about its history and have only feed it with soft .38 Special.

I wonder what risks I would take if I buy the gun. I'll will not use the gun for self defense.

Thanks!

 

[Hapworth]

If not for self-defense and you want the gun, buy it and leave be. Should work fine with .38 and likely with .357, too.

The "M" stamp recall resulted from some early L-frames experiencing primer rupture and hung-up hammer noses, locking up the guns. On their dime, S&W replaces the bushing and hammer nose.

To this day it's unclear if the original issue had more to do S&W parts or certain ammo of the time -- many folk never got the "M" work done and have had no problems running a variety of loads.

If this gun was for defense, I'd say err on the side of caution and either get the "M" work done or do not buy the revolver if shipping from Sweden to S&W is prohibitive.

But for pleasure shooting only? Do it if the 586 scratches an itch.

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

I have had a 586 no dash without the M stamp for years.

I have fired it plenty of times and never had an issue with any of the ammunition that I have used.

 

[Dvus]

Buy it, shoot it and forget about it. Chances are very good that if it were a problem, it would have been taken care of by now. I own several without the "M" and I have no plans to change that.

 

[Tadeus67]

I have one 586 without the M stamp. Its been with me for the past 10 years or so, no problems with it. Even used it in IDPA a long time ago.

 

[RetCapt]

Our department had no-dash 686s. I know because I made the deal that got them.

Our duty round was the US treasury spec .38+p. I don't recall the exact specs, but I do recall it was pretty healthy horsepower for a .38 spl. We shot a fair amount, once a month. And if you talked nice the range officers would let you go through twice.

Never did we experience any problems with that revolver and load. None of those revolvers had to make a return trip to the factory for any reason.
We kept them until the early 90s' when we transitioned to Glocks. Lots of mileage and zero issues. Great revolvers.

When I got my no-dash 586, which I had customized for PPC competition, and which I knew would never be chambered for anything over .38 spl, I did not choose to send it back. Again, zero problems.

Make of it what you will.

 

[wproct]

The majority of your responses have been advising to not worry about it and you can add my opinion to that list.

 

[Lidsman]

Thank you all for your input. Much appreciated!

 

[M29since14]

I’ve used my unmodified 586 with .357 Magnums almost exclusively. Never had the slightest problem with it. It’s only one gun, but I’ve heard of others with similar experience. I wouldn’t be worried about buying another one that’s not modified. If the gun you are looking at has been properly maintained and is good mechanically, you probably will be fine with it. JMHO FWIW.

 

[upcountry]

I had a 586 without the M stamp.
Sent it in to S&W and they retrofitted it and stamped it.
No problem. Call S&W if concerned.

 

[Walter Rego]

Buy it, shoot it and forget about it. Chances are very good that if it were a problem, it would have been taken care of by now. I own several without the "M" and I have no plans to change that.

I agree. From the looks of the recoil shield the gun has had plenty of rounds through it already. I suppose if you did experience problems, Smith & Wesson would be able to supply the parts needed to have a local competent gunsmith perform the modification. Sending it back to the US would be cost prohibitive let alone the paperwork needed.

You could always contact the S&W warranty station in Sweden to see if they can do the work and if there would be a cost:

SWEDEN
Fondprodukter AB
Fjarrviksvagen 16, 653, 50
Karlstad, SE
Phone: +46 54533715
Web: https://www.fondprodukter.se/

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I had two original 686s and a 681. Never had a problem and most 357 Magnums are shot with 38 Special ammunition.

 

[jaymoore]

To paraphrase Sgt Schultz: "I see nothing! I do nothing! Nothing!"

 

[stansdds]

Welcome to the S&W Forums!

I think the problem ammo might have been Federal's 125 grain JHP 357 Magnum load. If you can find a 50 round box of this ammo and make it through the whole box without having primer cup metal flow into the firing pin hole or pierce a primer, then I would not worry about it.

 

[sodacan]

Welcome to the S&W Forums!

I think the problem ammo might have been Federal's 125 grain JHP 357 Magnum load. If you can find a 50 round box of this ammo and make it through the whole box without having primer cup metal flow into the firing pin hole or pierce a primer, then I would not worry about it.

I'm not sure I would even do that. Why look to open a can of worms when there are plenty of other ammo choices. The problem is real, but easily avoidable. I have owned as many as eight "L" frame revolvers, and currently have three, all early no dash guns. I have had no issues with any ammunition fired through them.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I have had one for 20+ years bought used and dirty from a table at a gun show. Cleaned it up and it has worked fine ever since with 357 of numerous types as well a 38,

 

[bananaman]

Welcome to the FORUM from Hillsdale, Mi USA ! I have a 4" no dash from 1983. Does not have the recall done. As long as it is mine it won't. Shoot .38 Specials or +P or 357 magnum. Stay away from 125 gr or less and there should not be a problem. Bob

 

[H Richard]

Your pictures show the recoil plate, and I don't see the evidence of the enlarged hammer nose bushing as was in the recall. If you don't intend to use any of the aforementioned "Hot" 125 gr. magnums, I wouldn't think about it.

 

[Rock185]

I bought a new 586 very soon after they were introduced. Carried it on duty and shot the issued Winchester and Remington .357 125 grain JHP ammo, and my Magnum reloads. Never had an issue. Sold the 586 to a friend when I bought a new 686; no issue with that one either. Neither had been sent back for the "M" modification.

The friend that bought the 586 shot only his own reloads. He later reported the cylinder was tying up, and sent the gun in for the "M"/updated hammer nose and hammer nose bushing. I don't know what reloads or primers, etc. he was using.

I later sent in another 686 no dash for the modification. I'd had no trouble with it, and now wish I had not done it. If I had it to do over, I would not send it in..YMMV

 

[chief38]

I have seen M586's and M686's without the M modification that are still going strong and have never had any issues. I have also seen friends guns fail due to the ill fit hammer nose bushing. I did send my own M586 in back in the early 1980's after the recall was issued just because I thought it was prudent.

I believe S&W is still honoring the recall even after all these years, but personally I would wait until they get settled in after their move to TN and I'd also wait until the Holidays are long over. The USPS is bad enough during normal times, no need to try them during their busy season. That goes for the Factory as well as I'd bet many have saved up their vacation days for this time of the year.

I'd suggest calling S&W in February and ask them to make arrangements for a call tag to get the mod done.