ScreechingWeasel
Member
Hey all!
A few weeks ago, I picked up a new-to-me S&W on a lark. Didn't need it, but kinda wanted it, but not terribly. It's a 6" 586-1 in nickel. RR/WO, rubber Pachmayr grips, no box or papers, and filthy as a bum's beard. It was owned by an elderly friend of mine who doesn't really shoot anymore, and I noticed it stuffed in the wrong holster, sitting on a shelf in my friend's "whatever room". It hasn't moved in literally 3 years, so I casually made some inroads that I was looking for a stainless 686, (which is true), and he said, "ya know, I got an old Smith .357 I might want to get rid of." Well, a month later, he approached me about buying, and we settled on a price, and now it's mine, and I gotta say, I like it!
Why a "number of firsts"? Well, it's my first nickel gun, first L-frame and first non-P&R magnum, and I am actually quite impressed.
I'll admit, I never wanted a nickel gun, or a non-P&R magnum, but the mechanical condition was nearly perfect (it has the M stamp, locks up like a vault, and the trigger is sweet), and the cosmetics were also amazing after a VERY thorough cleaning. I gotta say, the nickel has really grown on me. Sorta like a polished stainless, but "warmer" in color, if that makes any sense. I used to be of the opinion, (from my dad and his friends), that nickel guns were too "showy" among other things, but I'm really liking how the gun looks, and the feel in the hand is excellent. I even like the grips, at least for shooting, since they fit my hand and soak up the recoil. The jury is out so far for the full underlug, since my other long-barrel .357 is a 6" M28-2, which balances totally different. I like how it controls muzzle flip when firing, but the static balance is a little front-heavy for my tastes, but I'll prolly get used to it.
This thing has me smitten, and I can definitely see some more L-frames in the future. Any ideas on number of nickel v. blued 586s made? I'm not thinking of selling, but I am kinda thinking of a 4" 586N/686 to go with it, (4-5" is my favorite barrel length(s)) and maybe a 2.5" or 3" 686 for occasional carry. I'm bummed at the skyrocketing prices for hammer-nose 586/686s, but I guess that's the way of the world.
I resisted the L-frame for the longest time because no P&R, (yeah, I'm one of THOSE guys), and the full-underlug balance and aesthetics didn't appeal to me. Now, I'm liking the aesthetics (even the nickel!), I'm coming to terms with the balance, and I guess magnum-caliber revolvers can work just fine without pinned barrels and recessed chambers!
Apologies for the terrible phone pic. It was taken on my workbench at work during the cleaning. It looks way better in person.
A few weeks ago, I picked up a new-to-me S&W on a lark. Didn't need it, but kinda wanted it, but not terribly. It's a 6" 586-1 in nickel. RR/WO, rubber Pachmayr grips, no box or papers, and filthy as a bum's beard. It was owned by an elderly friend of mine who doesn't really shoot anymore, and I noticed it stuffed in the wrong holster, sitting on a shelf in my friend's "whatever room". It hasn't moved in literally 3 years, so I casually made some inroads that I was looking for a stainless 686, (which is true), and he said, "ya know, I got an old Smith .357 I might want to get rid of." Well, a month later, he approached me about buying, and we settled on a price, and now it's mine, and I gotta say, I like it!
Why a "number of firsts"? Well, it's my first nickel gun, first L-frame and first non-P&R magnum, and I am actually quite impressed.
I'll admit, I never wanted a nickel gun, or a non-P&R magnum, but the mechanical condition was nearly perfect (it has the M stamp, locks up like a vault, and the trigger is sweet), and the cosmetics were also amazing after a VERY thorough cleaning. I gotta say, the nickel has really grown on me. Sorta like a polished stainless, but "warmer" in color, if that makes any sense. I used to be of the opinion, (from my dad and his friends), that nickel guns were too "showy" among other things, but I'm really liking how the gun looks, and the feel in the hand is excellent. I even like the grips, at least for shooting, since they fit my hand and soak up the recoil. The jury is out so far for the full underlug, since my other long-barrel .357 is a 6" M28-2, which balances totally different. I like how it controls muzzle flip when firing, but the static balance is a little front-heavy for my tastes, but I'll prolly get used to it.
This thing has me smitten, and I can definitely see some more L-frames in the future. Any ideas on number of nickel v. blued 586s made? I'm not thinking of selling, but I am kinda thinking of a 4" 586N/686 to go with it, (4-5" is my favorite barrel length(s)) and maybe a 2.5" or 3" 686 for occasional carry. I'm bummed at the skyrocketing prices for hammer-nose 586/686s, but I guess that's the way of the world.
I resisted the L-frame for the longest time because no P&R, (yeah, I'm one of THOSE guys), and the full-underlug balance and aesthetics didn't appeal to me. Now, I'm liking the aesthetics (even the nickel!), I'm coming to terms with the balance, and I guess magnum-caliber revolvers can work just fine without pinned barrels and recessed chambers!
Apologies for the terrible phone pic. It was taken on my workbench at work during the cleaning. It looks way better in person.
