Ever seen one of these?

[dma1]

This is a 586-3 that I picked up on an auction site. I was the only person who bid on it and I bid the minimum of 400. I figured it was some sort of el-cheapo 586. Sometime after buying this, I got the SCSW and looked for it. I think I found it at the top of page 250 in the catalog. I think it's product code 103591, 4" SG Glass Bead, 2500 mfd., Special Production, 1989. They also made 2500 with a 6" barrel. Mine came with rubber grips and no box. I put the Hogue Kingwood grips on it. Does anyone have any idea what the "Special Production" run was all about? Was it some sort of commemorative edition? I've never seen another one with this finish and there isn't much detail in the catalog. Thanks in advance.

 

[quinn]

The place I'd like to see one is in my gun safe. What a buy!

 

[jughed440]

WOW! You got a great deal on a very nice 586. congrats!!!

 

[dockerd]

That is really nice.

 

[Mayhaw]

Real Nice, I have a 686 SS that shoots great,
real sharp grips too.
mayhaw

 

[Shooting Padre]

What a beaut!!!!

 

[Babalooie]

Occasionally, S&W, along with other manufacturers, will make a special run for a distributor. Two names that come to mind are, TALO and ZANDERS. There may be something different in the appearance, like a stainless steel slide instead of a blued one or, an unfluted cylinder.

Your gun may not fall into this category. Perhaps, it was a special run for a police agency.

You could order a historical letter from S&W.

 

[ChattCat]

Nice!

Bought a Mod.25 in 90 that had the same finish ,looks like the Birdsong finish. He is out of Mississippi did alot of contract work for various government agencys around the world at the time. Was one of the earlier high tech finishes, wears really well. That would be my guess, looks the same. I'm sure one of the old heads will know for sure. Nice gun though Enjoy!

 

[semperfi71]

Hi,

Nice purchase. If it has a roundbutt then you have a somewhat rare version of the M586 and yes they were a special run. I think they also did a special run of the stainless M686 with a matte black finish as well. The 4 inch versions may also be roundbutts.

A friend of mine has the M586 4 inch roundbutt and it handles exceptionally well. Better I think than my two squarebutt M586's.

 

[dma1]

Thanks for the responses. It is a round butt. I put round to square conversion grips on it.

 

[Mack]

Nice gun but let's face it, the 4" and 6" 586 and 686 were service revolvers, if these were Special Production it was to sell to police or security companies. The matt blue falls in line with this use, nothing wrong with this.

 

[Smith357]

I had heard of them producing a few dash 3s with that finish but had never seen them person, just pictures on auction sites. Congrats, You got a pretty darn good deal on that one. I sent my well worn 586 no dash back to the factory and had them put that finish on it. I love it as does most everyone who sees it.

 

[dma1]

Nice gun but let's face it, the 4" and 6" 586 and 686 were service revolvers, if these were Special Production it was to sell to police or security companies. The matt blue falls in line with this use, nothing wrong with this.

So it's just a matte finish designed to appeal to law enforcement or security firms with no particular agency affiliation. I was thinking that the Special Production description in the catalog meant that they were made at some agency's request or to commemorate something.


Smith357, I like the way yours turned out. Very nice! My brother frequently tries to talk me out of mine. If he still had his 4" 686-4 plus, we might be able to work something out.

 

[gkitch]

Around that time-frame, S&W was producing many small batches of guns with slight variations on what had been standard over the years. One gun writer dubbed this the "S&W Gun-of-the-month".
I have a very scarce 3" M-36 from that period that features an L-frame lookin' heavy bbl and adjustable sights. It is a cool gun that now belongs to our oldest daughter.