Model 581 vs 586?

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phnx

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Hey,

It looks to my know-nothing self that the Models 581 and 586 are very similar.

But the 586 seems far more discussed and sought after.

Is there something inherently wrong or undesirable about the 581? It just seems like the "poor cousin" no one talks about much.

Why?

Thanks
 
Nothing wrong with the 581.
Same gun as the 686 but blued and with fixed sights, only 4" barrel.
Often used as a LEO gun.
Much less common than the 586s.
Same story for the stainless version 681/686.
Many of us, myself included, prefer the fixed sight guns.
681.jpg

Which one to choose depends on the mission you plan for it.
 
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Well, the obvious difference being adjustable sights on the 586 (or 686 in stainless), fixed sight guns are traditionally marketed towards police and security use. Adjustable sighted handguns were more for target and hunting. However, by the time the 586 came out, S&W had a pretty rugged and proven adjustable sight and it was well established in all types of use. I don't know the numbers but I'm quite sure there were considerably more 586s (and 686s) sold, thus more out there. Thanks to CCW, people are seeing that a fixed sight is rugged, dependable, and a bit sleeker than target sights, so folks are looking at the fixed sight S&Ws with a bit of a different eye. Plus, they're just cool!
 
A10ACN said:
Well, the obvious difference being adjustable sights on the 586 (or 686 in stainless), fixed sight guns are traditionally marketed towards police and security use. Adjustable sighted handguns were more for target and hunting. However, by the time the 586 came out, S&W had a pretty rugged and proven adjustable sight and it was well established in all types of use. I don't know the numbers but I'm quite sure there were considerably more 586s (and 686s) sold, thus more out there. Thanks to CCW, people are seeing that a fixed sight is rugged, dependable, and a bit sleeker than target sights, so folks are looking at the fixed sight S&Ws with a bit of a different eye. Plus, they're just cool!
Click to expand...

What is the finish like on the Model 581 - no dash?

I ask because I like the high luster blue old Smith revolvers.

If these were designed with police service in mind, did S&W bother to polish these like say the old Model 27s? You know what I mean, that old blue finish you can get lost in.

My gut tells me they are not finished in high luster. What's the story on that?

And thanks.
 
They were finished like any other blued Smith of that period..0nly revolver l am aware of that had a different blue finish was the Model 28 Highway Patrolman.. lt had a matte finsh. 0f which l am a bit fond of
 
A friend has a new in the plain brown box 581 that I have without success tried to trade for.
It is a beautiful bright blue with a matte top of the frame barrel sight plane to reduce glare.
Sadly, most 681s are heavily used ex-LEO guns.
 
When in doubt, Buy Both! lol Both are great guns to own! Ray
 
If I had to give up my 686 OR 681. I would give-up the 686 and it's a dash-4 too. Us with older eyes don't punch out the bulls-eyes anymore. Yep....the 681 was an agency gun and it's s testament to the 686/681 durability. No telling how many rounds it's seen but I cannot tell the difference between my little fired 686 and the 681. Most agencies took care of those guns....they were in the way of life-n-death and they HAD to work. Mine is a dash-3....which is not so easy to find. I guess I don't like my life to be as "cluttered" as I use to. The simplicity of the 681 suits me fine, is plenty accurate for me and compliments all my other sight-less Smith's. If you plan to target-shoot, chose the 586/686. If you want to shoot by instinct or at SD ranges, the 581/681 is a better choice IMHO.....also a very good bed-stand gun. If you drop it....you ain't going to knock any sights out-of-whack either.
 
Snubbiefan said pretty much what I would say regarding the 581/586. I don't own either, but I do own the 681 no dash and the 686-3 and I do prefer the 681. I was lucky to find a nearly pristine non LEO at my LGS and was shocked at how accurate it is in my hands. If I had to give up one of them, it would be the 686. It's true, we don't see or read too much about the 581/681s but they are wonderful and INHO underrated guns and I LOVE the lean and mean look that they have. Here's a pic of my 681 no dash. I have replaced the service magnas with Targets which fit my hand perfectly.

Since posting these pics I have changed the stocks twice. Above I mentioned that the Targets fit perfectly. I came to learn that they were a little too large for me and have since switched Ahrends Retro Targets. These are a tad smaller than the Targets and are more comfortable at the base of the stock than are the Targets as my hand is medium in size.



 
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It is funny that this discussion came up today. I put a couple friends on notice that I will bring my 4" 581 and 586 to the show in the AM (Gwinnett County Fairgrounds) to possibly sell. I am still anguishing over the idea, but the 58x/68x guns don't fit well with what I collect. I already sold my nickel 581 4" with much regret. I think I should have held onto it because they are very hard to find.

I guess I will have to make up my mind soon. Below is my former 581 nickel. Some use, but very good condition. 20 years from now, if I'm still alive, I might consider these "old S&W's".

Both of the 58x guns are early no dash. no M.
 

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That is a beautiful piece you have there loeman. I have only seen 3 unmarked 581/681's (including yours), one was a nickel 581 and the other a 681. MOST of them out there are dash 1 or ND imports with the C.A.I. stamp on the barrel. I've never seen a dash 2. I wanted a dash 3 as it has the new yoke retention system, the bushing/hammer-nose upgrades and never had to be recalled for the "M" stamp. I believe the dash 3 was the last of this older family of 681's. The only dash-3's I found were all lightly laser-marked S.A.P.R. (San Antonia Parks and Recreation). I let two or three pass, but decided I'd snare one and did for a very good price. I'd sure rather it looked like yours, but she still shoots well, accurate and tight-as-a-tick.
 
Keep in mind that some of the 586-4s ....... made after 95-96 have round butts hiding under their rubber grips.......and they are still pre MIM!!!

Don't think there are many out there as 586-6 w/MIM started in 1997.

Found one anib (w/o box of course) a few years ago....... pulled the grips before closing the deal to check for rust under the grips (not uncommon) and lo and behold a round butt......I had a 686 no dash round butted in the 80s and it's my favorite carry/shooting L frame...... so this 586 had to come home with me.........


It now wears a set of Spegel extended boot grips in "birdseye" maple....
 
I actually prefer the Magna service grips on the 681/581. I don't like rubber "anything" on a gun. Know there are 686 RB's out there, but never ran across a 681/581 RB. Great find I suppose.
 
I've mostly been old school with S&W revolvers, preferring "N" and "K" frames, but in my opinion the 581/681 revolvers are among the most beautiful revolvers ever made by the company. There's something about the clean lines of the fixed sight guns that really appeal to me.
 
I've been trying to find "the right" 586, to no avail. I might shift my focus to a 581. What would an expected price range be for a shooter grade 581?
 
Malpaso said:
I've been trying to find "the right" 586, to no avail. I might shift my focus to a 581. What would an expected price range be for a shooter grade 581?
Click to expand...
I see good shooters running the $450 to $550 range, all depending...
 
My personal viewpoint is this....the 581 has the undeniable "cool" factor. The 586 however serves the practical brain considering the gazillion different .38 and .357 loads that hit to different points of aim.

On another note, the new/current 586 is worth a close look. The fit and finish, IMHO, are better than the originals, especially the blue. The two I have shot had wonderful triggers and grouped great. I am sure this will set off an anti-lock rant, but folks need to try a new 586. Remember, S&W in the early '80's didn't have a perfect reputation, so if you are looking for a 586, definitely compare the old and new.

The same goes for the much-vaunted Model 24-3. I had one. It was pretty bad, brand new out of the box. In my opinion, the 24-6 is better in just about every way.
Best wishes, Marc
 
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