586 vs 686

[robvasi]

Is the only difference between the 586 and the 686 the bluing on the 586?

If the 586 is the same, and thus a good shooter, I'll look for one for competition. the blue is appealing to me.

 

[Ribwizzard]

Usually it's just the bluing and stocks.
But there will be variations between the -1,-2,-3 ect.
I have a 686-1 and prefer it over the newer ones.

 

[Babysitr]

the 586 is carbon steel and the 686 is stainless,I do believe....passed on a 586 last fall....not smart!

 

[robvasi]

Confession: I bought a 686 before I knew about the 586. Now I want to buy a 586

 

[Mehutch]

I have twins....

 

[kenjen]

The only different between the 586 & 686 is the material that they are made of, just like the mod.19 and the 66, 13 & 65 etc.one is made from carbon steel and the other is made from stainless steel.

 

[robvasi]

Thank you for posting photos of both, now I will feel better about owning both, if I decide to go that route.

 

[rwsmith]

I have a 686 no dash....

...but I'll take a 586 no problem.

 

[swagmeister]

I have a 586-4 4" blue round butt that is a fantastic shooter and very solid. I prefer the older pre-lock Smiths.

 

[robvasi]

did a dash number of the 586 come drilled and tapped?

 

[Arizona Commander]

So I have had a 586-3 inch for some time and it has been one of my favorite shooters. I just recently acquired a 686-2 in 6 inch and think it will replace the 586 as a shooter. There is really no issue between the two but I think with less use the finish on the 586 will hold up better for long term value.

 

[Arizona Commander]

I have twins....

Are these your pics? They are awesome!

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

They are both fun to shoot and it is no crime to own both

 

[oink]

The blue guns are, IMHO, the best looking by far. However, for something that will be carried and used extensively it is also IMHO that the stainless is far more practical. A blue gun that will just see range use, be carefully cared for and be wiped down after each handling should stay looking good for a long time. A blued gun that's a working gun will look the part much quicker than a stainless gun.

 

[runscott]

When I bought my SS 686+ I did not realize that the 586 was just a blued version of the 6-chamber 686. I was in a gun shop looking for a blued Ruger .357 and the only large-frame .357 they had was the revolver I bought. The SS 686 is a beautiful gun and I like the 7-chamber cylinder - I didn't feel like I was compromising.

If you want a blued .357 because you like blued finishes I would buy one from the '50s, which is what I did for my next revolver purchase. If it's the 586/686 full-underlug design you prefer, you are kind of limited.

 

[kenjen]

I have the 586 in a nickel finish and it looks just like my 686

 

[rubiranch]

They are both fun to shoot and it is no crime to own both

I really need to delete this forum from my browser.

Now I'm thinking I need a 586. Thanks everyone.

 

[stansdds]

The 586 and 686 are the same revolver, just different materials.
The S&W 586 barrel and frame are made of carbon steel with either a blued or nickel plated finish.
The 686 uses stainless steel barrel and frame, which is easier to maintain.
On both the small parts are carbon steel, either blued, case hardened, or flash chromed.

 

[runscott]

I have the 586 in a nickel finish and it looks just like my 686

I have a 1930 N-frame nickel and a 1972 K-frame nickel. You can see a definite change in the finish. I wonder if after the 6-series SS revolvers had been out for a while and were popular, there was a conscious effort to make the nickel finish look more like SS?

 

[Muley Gil]

Back when the L frame S&Ws were introduced, a lot of officers at my PD bought the M686s. I was asked to do action jobs on some. I'm not sure, but I think the LAST act by the assemblers at S&W before they screwed down the side plate was to pour a shot glass full of metal shavings into the action! They may have been building them as fast as possible, but I have never worked on new handguns that were that in need of basic cleaning like those M686s.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Funny thing, to this day I have NEVER personally seen a M686 that was not a 686+ so when this M586 was offered to me I was surprised that it was a six-shooter. in any event, other than the blue and the barrels and the number of rounds and the different stocks, these are the same guns - can I actually say that???!!!

I don't think so!

They ALL shoot great, BTW.............

 

[robvasi]

I started off buying one revolver, then another one; now I have two more coming next week.
And yet I find myself looking at the 586, and I want one of those, will this ever end?

 

[lamarw]

Someone with both the 586 and 686, please weight both unloaded and tell us the weight of each. I would think the 586 would be just a little lighter.

I have a blued Model 25 Mountain Gun and a Model 686 with a 4" barrel. The N frame Model 25 is slightly lighter than the L frame 686 until you load them. Then loaded with the larger .45 Colt rounds, the Model 25 is slightly heavier. I am talking about and ounce to 2 ouces either way.

 

[Mehutch]

I started off buying one revolver, then another one; now I have two more coming next week.
And yet I find myself looking at the 586, and I want one of those, will this ever end?

No mate... it never ends.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Sold a 4" prelock 686 to buy a 4" prelock 586.

Prefer the 586.

Not sure if the steel makes a difference or not, but I prefer the feel of the 586.

 

[357 shooter]

Now I'm thinking I need a 586. Thanks everyone.

Count me in - I just picked up my new 4" 586 today! Will fit in nicely between my 686-4s , one a 2.5" plus and the other a 6".

 

[robvasi]

For those of us who are interested in the 586, this part of the history might be of interest. From Wikipedia:

"In 1987, seven years after the release of the Model 586, there were reports of cylinder binding with some types of standard .357 Magnum ammunition for L-frame revolvers manufactured before August 1987. S&W put out a product warning and authorized a no-charge upgrade to make modifications to all 586, 586-1, 686, 686-1, and 686CS-1 revolvers."

If there is a letter "M" next to the engraved serial number does this mean the recall work was done?

 

[Wee Hooker]

Worth noting that when your talking new production revolvers , there are variations within the line that make them distinctly diferent. For instance, the 686 also comes in the + version with 7 vs 6 shots (This has implications for gaming and limits availability of speedloaders.) Pro and SSR versions are also available which change barrel length and profile among other things. (The DX sight system on the pro is a huge plus on the pro, IMHO) Then there is the 586 Classic which comes with the old square butt profile. ( Which may/may not impact your grip choice)
Research twice. Buy once.

 

[Winch]

Get both! I just bought the 4" 586. Wife has the 6" 686 so I can play with that (the gun) sometimes. The blue is nice but I am establishing the mindset that I will use this gun to shoot and carry occasionally and I'm not gonna sweat the small finish imperfections that will occur. Like turn rings or burn marks. Also, I got the Bianchi Cyclone 111 holster and it's great!! Check out the speed strips and HKS speed loaders too.

 

[robvasi]

A google search brought up this 586.

With this rail installation the open sights are usable, with the sight off, of course.

This guns seems to have had a change to the finish color.

Color options? I must say I am intrigued.

Could the stainless steel finish on a 686 be changed to a color? I think not, but just wondered.

Must find a 586 . . . must find a 586