First gun: 586-3

[Rower]

Hello folks.

My first post on this forum, now that I am a proud S&W owner. I just bought an unfired S&W 586-3 with serial# BHJ 740X. It also has stamped a little square and "61" alongside it.

Can anyone tell when this beautiful gun was manufactured or where on the Internet I can find this kind of information?

Thanks,

Rower

 

[Maximumbob54]

http://www.amazon.com/Standard-Cata...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321966023&sr=1-1

You won't find a better source for S&W information. Well, besides this forum, you won't find a better source...

 

[redbos]

The 586 is a great gun, I have several and love them all! Good luck to you and keep buying those S&W's....

 

[Rower]

Thanks, Maximumbob5. I have to have that book. And yes, redbos, this is my first S&W, but certainly not my last!

Is there a database on the Internet where I could find out the year of manufacture of my gun?

Rower

 

[Maximumbob54]

Thanks, Maximumbob5. I have to have that book. And yes, redbos, this is my first S&W, but certainly not my last!

Is there a database on the Internet where I could find out the year of manufacture of my gun?Rower

My understanding is that S&W can't give a real manufacture date on most if any of their guns. They seem to make huge lots of frame that when they make the various models they just grab from parts bins until the gun is completed. As such, they will give you a shipping date, but they won't give you a manufacture date. That also makes serial numbers run all over the place with some of them. I may have parts of that wrong and will stand corrected if anyone needs to edit my answer. And no, there is not a S&W database on the internet that I am aware of, that's why the SCSW and this forum are your most useful sources of information.

 

[one eye joe]

Welcome to the forum Rower. You made a fine purchase. Between the Standard Catalog and this forum, you should be able to get the answer to any question you may have. Post a thread akin to "586 DOB ??" and one of our members will give you the info.........

 

[Otterbein]

According to "the book" looks like the -3 was made from 1988 - 1993, the BHJ prefix shows Jul. 1991.

 

[Rower]

Thanks to all of you for your answers! Seems that not only have I bought a great gun but also joined a great forum!

Rower

 

[redbos]

This forum is a must for any S&W collector/shooter for sure. I like it here a lot, many helpful folks and some very knowledgable S&W folks....