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

[S&W Fan]

Just to add to this; I have my late father's no dash early 686 4" that he had to send in for the modification as it would bind with certain .357 loads. I don't care about it having the "M" mark is it will be passed down in my family for others to enjoy when I don't care anymore.

A while back I came across a no dash 586 4" in very nice shape (grips were stamped Aug 1983), no "M" stamp. I only ran a few .357 types through it with no issues. It went on to our late member Thom Braxton, not sure where it is today-kinda sorry I let it go lol.

Here they both are

 

[Rock185]

Stansdds, I think you might be on to something about the Federal 125 grain .357. My 586 and 686 never tied up with our issued 125 grain .357 ammo, but we were only issued Remington and Winchester..

 

[pantannojack]

66 not 586

This is a problem I over looked on buying a desirable m65 Rb. It caused quite a drag while rotating cylinder when loaded. I contacted S&W, they said on phone they would not fix it, they did not have parts. It is a m65 not a m586. I found a lond distance gs who said he had been a repair station years ago and might fint the part to fix it, and might have the "M" letter stamp. I decided too much trouble and returned it to the dealer from where it came.

 

[CH4]

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

Yep, what he said.

 

[stansdds]

This is a problem I over looked on buying a desirable m65 Rb. It caused quite a drag while rotating cylinder when loaded. I contacted S&W, they said on phone they would not fix it, they did not have parts. It is a m65 not a m586. I found a lond distance gs who said he had been a repair station years ago and might fint the part to fix it, and might have the "M" letter stamp. I decided too much trouble and returned it to the dealer from where it came.

Wow! That is either the worst firing pin bushing installation to ever leave the factory or that Model 65 was shot a whole lot. I'm putting my money on it having been shot a lot and with hot ammo.

 

[mod29]

...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

I sent my 686 no-dash in many years ago and never gave it a second thought. Glad I did, in fact, and wonder why you have second thoughts about sending yours in?

To repair a known defect that might affect the reliability of the revolver seems like an easy decision.

 

[686PC]

I have a 568 no dash without the M stamp and actually have experienced the cylinder bind once, when shooting Fiocchi 357 Magnum 142 Grain FMJ at the range. I posted about it here back in 2019. I chose not to have S&W do any work done on mine.

I enjoy collecting and keeping my older guns mint than shooting a steady diet of magnum through them. Having an unmodified no-dash gun is more important to me than risking losing it shipping to S&W.

Here is the post where I discuss my cylinder bind experience and show a photo of the bulged primer that caused the cylinder bind:

Pristine 586 find from 1983

Cheers,
686PC