Dumping the 586s

[357 shooter]

But I always held the Model 15 in the highest regards.
Every time I pick one up with just about any kind of
stocks it's a natural for me. And the weight is just right
for me. The same can be said for the "all-weather" Model 67.

I completely understand you admiration for the "old school" 15s/67s. And this is coming from a revolver shooter that started out over 30 years ago with a 686.

I used to shoot in a bullseye pistol league some years ago and none of those "old timers" were at any disadvantage shooting their Model 15s!

 

[dr. mordo]

I can relate.

I know that L frames have a fanatical fan base, but I'm not part of it. I find the L frame to feel awkward in my hand and struggled to find a grip I liked for my 686 PC. I'm not a rubber grip guy, but in desperation I recently did get a Pachmayr Compac Pro that has changed my opinion of the 686 enough that I do plan to keep it.

I much prefer my multiple K frames, and they get carried on the rare occasion when I'm not carrying my 629 or WC GP100. Like I said though, the Pachmayr does make me like the 686 more, so it may see some time on my belt in the future.

 

[M29since14]

It's not hard to understand your fondness of the Combat Masterpiece. They're great guns. But if you lay a 4-inch 19, a 4-inch 586, and a 15 on the table, it's a hard choice for me. I like them all.

 

[Walkingwolf]

I have always been a 38 spl fan, and fixed sights. I did carry a 67 for a few years, and it was one of the most accurate guns I have owned.

 

[bigggbbruce]

I know that L frames have a fanatical fan base, but I'm not part of it. I find the L frame to feel awkward in my hand

I've had nearly a dozen L frames... I find them top heavy compared to a K frame... sold every one.. and the next ones to..

 

[Walkingwolf]

I've had nearly a dozen L frames... I find them top heavy compared to a K frame... sold every one.. and the next ones to..

I think a lot of that is the full shroud. I personally do not care for it, my GP is a half shroud fixed sight, and I love the feel. I bought a new GP 6 inch with the full rib, and it sits in the safe. I am going back, and forth between selling it, or having a machinist turn it into a half rib.

I think Ruger recognized this with the GP, and why the MC is half ribbed slab sided. But they have not come out yet with a 6 inch MC, when they do I will be making a change in the safe.

 

[chief38]

Back in the early 80's I wanted a .357 and always though the N frames were a bit too large for the .357 cartridge so I bought a M586 6"bbl. It has served me very well and I've shot it plenty. For standard Target Shooting or Plinking with .38 Spl's. I much prefer my M15, M19 and usually relegate the M586 for more robust loads which it loves. They are great Revolvers!

 

[Engineer1911]

Understanding and appreciation

Your problem of appreciating the elegance of the design of L-frame full lugged barrel with an unfluted cylinder is just unfathomable.

The models 27 and 28 can't begin to compare to grace and finesse of the L-frames, especially a fine M-581 or -681 with an Aristocrat rib installed.

 

[Etalksalot]

The 4 inch L-frames are IMHO the best all around/utility/duty/woods revolver one can own........ the 686/681 in stainless are more practical for EDC in all weather conditions..... but again, IMO, the 586 reviles the Python is shear sexiness with a much better double action trigger than the Colt.

All the strength of an N-frame for shooting any .357 load out there 24/7/365 ..... but with the grip frame and trigger reach of a K-frame.

That said for "concealed carry" duties.... read; carried a lot and hopefully never shot in anger..... give me a good 2 1/2 or 3 inch k-frame.

I have to say, I don't own a 586 or a Python, but if I had my choice of a snub, I'd much rather have a 586 snub with magna grips than a Python. Not saying one is better than the other, I just like the 586 snubs much better.

 

[Etalksalot]

I have a no dash 4" nickel 586. It is my most disliked Smith. Bought it NIB way back when. Never "cottoned" to the useless full lugged barrel. So it sleeps in the safe. Won't sell it because it's part of the pile. The only 2 L-frames I like are my 686 mtn gun and my 696. Other than those 2 I stick with K/N-frames. To me the 581/681 is 2 of the homeliest revolvers Smith has ever made.

That's interesting to hear about different point of view. I don't usually hear bad about the 581/681. Everyone us different though. I don't like 4 inch guns that much, but a 4 inch 19 and a 581 4 inch are the 2 longer guns I'd love to have. I like the 586 snub a lot, but I don't like the adjustable sights on the long ones so a 581, blued or nickel I'd love to have. But who knows, once I get one I may not like it, but I always thought they looked cool. I actually like the look of a 581 much more than a Python personally.

 

[Etalksalot]

The Model 67 is to the Model 15 what the 686 is to the
586, a more utilitarian firearm in that it's stainless but
really a bit of a poor stepbrother, just as the 686 is to
a primo 586 and its bluing.

Another factor in the Model 15 is that, and this is from
memory, when Smith dropped the pinned barrels in 1982,
the tapered Model 15/67 barrels were dropped in favor
of the straight "Model 14ish" barrel design.

Another change in 1982 was Smith changed from the
ridged/striated trigger to the smooth trigger, which for
DA shooting is really a plus.

I LOVE my Model 15-3 blued snub. It is one of my all time favorite guns ever. I love that the snub has the heavy barrel too. I always wanted to find a 4 inch 15 with a heave barrel, but I wanted it pinned. I didn't know they switch to a heavy barrel in the 80's. I'll have to look for one. I saw one guy who uncle I think had a bode 15 blued, and his uncle had a model 19 barrel put on it (4 inch) and it looked really cool having a shroud on it. Very nice looking gun.

 

[Etalksalot]

Perhaps I should explain further my selling the
586s to get another Model 15 and a Model 67.

I've shot 586s and 686s through the years but
also have had a love affair for the Model 15 long
before the 3-digit guns were introduced.

Now the "long before" is really catching up with
the years and years piling on. When I got the
6-inch 586 it was a whim but when I saw the
chance to get another primo Model 15 and very
decent Model 67 I couldn't resist.

I have no need for a .357 even though I said I
really like the Match Champion. The .38 for
any needs and just plain shooting pleasure fill
the bill for me. If I'm thinking that old canard
about serious social events, well the .38 Plus
P and the Plus P Pluses (still have some Treasury
loads) will see me through to the end of my days.

Over the years I've had .44 Mags, .44 Specials,
.45 Colt, and a slew of calibers in autos with of
course the .45 ACP.

But I always held the Model 15 in the highest regards.
Every time I pick one up with just about any kind of
stocks it's a natural for me. And the weight is just right
for me. The same can be said for the "all-weather" Model 67.

Now with all that said, I have to say I do like 2-inch Model
10s and 64s.

Guess I might say I'm back to where I started.

I absolutely adore my Model 15-3 snub. It is blued and in mint condition with magna grips. I never ever tho I'd like square but guns, but that gun specifically was one I have been wanting since I was a kid. Even decades before my obsession with revolvers ever even began I always wanted that gun, square butt and all. I finally got that a year ago and I love it more than ever today that I did when I first got it. It is one of my all time favorite guns ever. The others include a snub, blued RB Model 10 (pinned), a snub blued Diamondback, a snub blued 586 and a abundant blued Model 19-2 - 19-4. I only have one of those, but it's definitely my fac38 special ever, and definitely one of the top 3 in that list. In fact I now love SB 10 snubs as well now too. The SB Model 36 is up there too, but I can't say it's in much top top guns, it's probably next in line though. It is one gun I will never sell no matter what. As I have no kids of my own, I plan on passing it on to my God son one day down the road. It is like a work of art in my eyes. I very much want a nickel 9ne too one day.

 

[Etalksalot]

Good for you, UncleEd. I don't own any three digit Smiths and have never shot any, but I can't imagine how they'd be any possible improvement on a good, solid Combat Masterpiece. I'm sure I'll be educated here shortly

My snub pinned, blued 15 is one of the best guns ever made in my opinion. I have had it over a year and I still can't just put it away and not stare at it at all times when I'm home. It is beautiful.

 

[UncleEd]

My snub pinned, blued 15 is one of the best guns ever made in my opinion. I have had it over a year and I still can't just put it away and not stare at it at all times when I'm home. It is beautiful.

Oh, come on now, please give some time to the wife,
girlfriend, dog, cat, visitors and this time of year
especially the IRS.

 

[Rule3]

K frames, L frames, N frames. What is everyone talking about??. They are all good. Collect them all.

Much easier than trying to have 3 different women!

The 686 4" is my most fired revolver(s). But then there are those N frames and J frames and J frame.

Different barrel lengths so many to chose from!

 

[shouldazagged]

The sweetest handgun, revolver or automatic, I ever had in my hands was a 4" 15-3 bought unfired from an estate consignment. It now belongs to my son, but I still miss it.

At eighty I understand the deep fondness for .38 Special K and J frames. I can no longer walk the woods and rarely leave home these days. My buggered hands no longer tolerate .357 recoil. But long before I got so old and my health went to hell I never felt inadequately armed carrying .38 Special +P.

I was old-fashioned before I was old, I guess.

 

[SW CQB 45]

I qualified in the academy with a 66-1.

I was issued a ratty 686 no dash.

I shoot duty accuracy matches with a 686 or 586 4"....I like the heft.

Some years ago....a gunsmith was selling Model 15s for cheap. I bought two and sent one to Nelson Ford for an action job. When it returned....that was one of the smoothest actions I had ever pressed on a Smith revo.

the Model 15 did not balance well in my hand.....I like the L frames.

I sold both of them. My favorite Kframe is the 65/13/10 3", but I shoot the hell out of my L frames.

 

[sheppard]

While I love my model 15s and model 67, none of them have the DA trigger pull of my 586 and 686. People forget that one of the key improvements of the L frames was the subtle improvement of the DA trigger pull geometry. I would argue that the L frame DA trigger pull is the best on any American made revolver.

 

[JayFramer]

The K-frame .38s are absolute DANDIES. My favorite S&W service revolver of all time. 10, 15, 64, 67, doen't matter... they're all wonderful!!

 

[UncleEd]

While I love my model 15s and model 67, none of them have the DA trigger pull of my 586 and 686. People forget that one of the key improvements of the L frames was the subtle improvement of the DA trigger pull geometry. I would argue that the L frame DA trigger pull is the best on any American made revolver.

Not to argue with you but now I'll argue with you
but the geometry, I believe, is as much affected by the
choice of stocks and one's hand size.