586 project suggestions

[dutch686]

I bought a 586 with some finish challenges. I'm thinking that I want to customize it so here are some ideas I was talking about with a friend. Looking for some other suggestions.

I'm starting with a 6 inch 586 that has some rust on the barrel and cylinder.

Cut the barrel to 3 inches and replace the front sight with something...suggestions?

Crown the muzzle

Port the barrel?? Not sure about that one.

Chamfer the cylinder holes

Action job

Replace grips

Refinish - Local smith only offers parkerizing, but I like that look. Other suggestions?

 

[H Richard]

For what you're doing, it sounds like it will be carried a lot. I'd put a bead blast hard chrome finish on it. I had this 19-4 (with rust on finish) done by Metaloy in Berryville Ark. I had previously had a 1911 done 25 years earlier and it has not shown any wear.

 

[GyMac]

If it were mine, I would keep the 6 inch barrel, but have an undercut front sight put on (I had one on a Model 586 that I foolishly sold.) I might have an action job done, but would probably just shoot it a lot. I have two K Frames that were either parkerized or bead blasted and blued. They were probably police turn-ins and they look really nice. Good luck.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Glass bead blast and hard chrome finish FTW! Aluminum oxide blast leaves a rough texture - not good - glass bead blasting actually peens and strengthens the surface and leaves a velvet finish and hard chrome wears BETTER than iron.

Here's a 20+ year old hard chromed finish on a 29-3 Classic Hunter that I use to hunt.

Porting is a personal decision. I believe it works best on short barrels and I have several revolver long and short barreled that I ported to gain my experience in that department.

Trijicon sights, orange rear and green front are nice. I have them on my 629-2 3" and a DW CBOB 1911.

11 degree forcing cone cut is preferred if you plan on shooting lead, but not needed if you shoot jackets as the 18 degree is OK for those.

An action job without question, get the timing right, cylinder gap - the basics - do them.

Some have cut off the under lug and re tapered it to look like a factory job. This is not easy, but it looks good. That might be a good idea if you cut the barrel to 4 or 5 inches.

If it was mine, I'd get the basics fixed up as posted above and have S&W re blue it and be good to go. I prefer the 4" barrel balance and carry, I had a 6", so I've tried both, but again - that's my preference.

Do what you must and report back to us. We love pictures.

 

[DevilDog72]

custom...

If this were my 586, I think I would turn it into a carry gun. Cut the barrel down to 3" port it,bob the hammer, convert to double action only and put Big Dot night sights on it. As for finish, glass beaded hard chrome is hard to beat, however, I do like a dark or black finish myself. Add a set of Speigle or Ahrends boot grips and call it a day. Good luck with what ever you decide and don't forget the before and after picks for us to enjoy.

 

[williamlayton]

There are lots of things you can do.
Here are my choices:
Hard Chrome is good.
I would prefer it to be re-blued. lots of folks do really good jobs & the factory offers some good choices.
Cut it to 4 or 5 inches.
Have it rechamberd to shoot 38 super or 9x23---fun and powerful rounds.
Just send it back to the factory for refurbishing and re-blueing.
Blessings

 

[Smith357]

I bought a finish challenged 586 no dash as a project gun. It also had a bubba trigger job done to it with a terrible case of "push off". I replaced the trigger then sent it off to S&W for the recall, I sent along a 4" barrel and had them swap out the old rusty 6" with the 4" and then bead blast and blue it. I redid the already budba'd grips to my own bubba spec.

My 586 project started like this

And now looks like this.

 

[A10]

Here's another voice from the wilderness:
Cut and recrown barrel to 3 1/2"
Mill the underlug back 1/2", with a nice radius
Radius the front of the cylinder, chamfer the chambers
Smooth the forcing cone, possibly rechamfer
Get a good action job
Have a matte hardchrome done (definitely NOT shiney!)
Install an old Kings gold bead front sight and a Millet rear sight
Get a set of Grashorn magna grips and a matte T-grip
Carry and shoot it for the rest of your life!

 

[18DAI]

I'd have a custom shop cut the barrel to 3". I'd have a recessed crown put on it too. I would NOT port the barrel as I don't find porting useful or desireable on a carry gun with a full lug barrel. If my pre lock 586-5 L-comp didn't have that port it might be the perfect revolver, for me.

Then a dovetail cut and night sight ala PC 586 installed. I would also want a chamfered 7-shot cylinder installed and the angled, late model thumb latch as well. I find it speeds up reloading, for me.

Top it off with a matte black finish and call it excellent. Good luck with the project! Regards 18DAI