Model 586 6" No Dash - Fell In My Lap!

[Vulcan Bob]

Nice snag, you are going to like the way it will shoot! I have a twin to yours also without the "M" stamp. I have shot that one a lot with "hot" factory and handloads with no problems. It is not going back for the fix. Enjoy that one!

 

[straightcut]

I've seen a 686 match to that with the same front sight. It was a factory offering (686) product code 104207, though I don't know the corresponding 586 product code.

 

[Darkenfast]

The very first L-Frame picture I saw was in one of the big shooting magazines (Shooting Times?) announcing the new frame. It was identical to the OP's, complete with the Patridge sight. Some of you probably remember that picture - it was shown next to a 4" Model 19. A few years later I got one of my own (although it had the red ramp), and I still miss it. Those early L-frames were beautiful!

 

[Florida Guy]

Beautiful... too bad I'm not a 6" enthusiast.

 

[KEN L]

Paid and did the paperwork today on this beauty - an early 6" Model 586 that is an exact duplicate of the very first one I ever purchased in 1982. I remember it well. Shooting Times and Guns & Ammo were going bonkers about the new L Frame and I had a very good source for new S&W's at the time. I waited and waited. Finally got the call and I kept it for nearly twenty years before selling it to a relative.

I checked the crane to see if it had the S&W recall stamp 'M' and it did not so it'll be shipped to S&W to have that work done soon after I pick it up next week.

Firearm Recalls and Safety Warnings- FirearmsID.com

Otherwise, I'm pretty excited to stumble across one of my all-time favorite wheel guns, especially an early one in minty condition.

If it were me, I would shoot it to see if the issue warranting the recall, manifested itself, making a return to the mothership necessary. I have an early 686 4" AAB prefix, that I purchased soon after they became available. I carried it for several years as a duty gun. I was also the chief firearms instructor for my department, so it has had many thousands of rounds through it, without a single issue. I've never felt the need to send it back, and never will. Just my thoughts, but I wouldn't just arbitrarily send it back just for the sake of doing it. Enjoy!!

 

[Qc Pistolero]

If it were me, I would shoot it to see if the issue warranting the recall, manifested itself, making a return to the mothership necessary. I have an early 686 4" AAB prefix, that I purchased soon after they became available. I carried it for several years as a duty gun. I was also the chief firearms instructor for my department, so it has had many thousands of rounds through it, without a single issue. I've never felt the need to send it back, and never will. Just my thoughts, but I wouldn't just arbitrarily send it back just for the sake of doing it. Enjoy!!

Got one bought in Montreal in '83 if I recall correctly.Shot it mostly with .38Spl(lost count of haw many Ks but a lot)and a few thousand(2 to 3)rds of Magnum.Never had an issue with the primer ''filling up''the firing pin hole.And I've tried it with CCI and Winchester primers.No way I'm sending it back.I must say though that I don't work in LE and I don't rely on it for sd.
Qc

 

[Floki]

I seriously appreciate all the feedback from everyone! Thanks! You've managed to convince me that the 'M' stamp isn't crucial unless a problem arises so I think I will hold-off on sending it back for the time being.

I wasn't even aware that there was a recall until another S&W collector, a friend, clued me in to it. My first 586 literally had thousands of rounds thru it without any issues - mostly full-power Magnum loads. It would shoot 2" or less groups at 25 yards if I did my job. The only other gun I owned that shot that well was my 6" Colt Python. I recently reacquired one of those as well - a '78 Model that had the original box, paperwork and Pachmayr presentation grips from the Colt factory.

I've been on a kick lately to replace handguns from my youth that I enjoyed shooting the most. Next on my list is a Model 27, preferably blue with the 5" barrel. But I'm in no big hurry.

Thank you again!

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I seriously appreciate all the feedback from everyone! Thanks! You've managed to convince me that the 'M' stamp isn't crucial unless a problem arises so I think I will hold-off on sending it back for the time being.

I wasn't even aware that there was a recall until another S&W collector, a friend, clued me in to it. My first 586 literally had thousands of rounds thru it without any issues - mostly full-power Magnum loads. It would shoot 2" or less groups at 25 yards if I did my job. The only other gun I owned that shot that well was my 6" Colt Python. I recently reacquired one of those as well - a '78 Model that had the original box, paperwork and Pachmayr presentation grips from the Colt factory.

I've been on a kick lately to replace handguns from my youth that I enjoyed shooting the most. Next on my list is a Model 27, preferably blue with the 5" barrel. But I'm in no big hurry.

Thank you again!

I know what you mean and boy it's a bit expensive these days to relive our youth!

 

[Florida Guy]

Your Colt is a beauty.

 

[Engine49guy]

Neat 586, dont recall ever seeing an early 586 with a Patridge FS blade,
The two cross pins are very interesting since the Model 19 used a single pin to hold the blade to the ramp base,
S&W used two cross pins to secure the long Baughman ramp base to revolvers prior to 1969.

Im also a fan of the early large right side TM which IIRC was relocated to the left side to allow guns to be pulled from stock and receive right side commemorative engraving .

 

[bgrafsr]

I had a contract with S&W to do the recall work on the L frames. Still have all the tools they sent me and a lot of parts yet.
I wouldn't send it in until you shoot it and see if really does need the recall work performed. The offending ammo was Federal .357 Mag ammo with lighter bullets. If you plan on shooting lead and 158 grain jacketed bullets, you may not need the work done.

I see several posters have already remarked about not sending the gun back unless absolutely necessary.

 

[69HEMI-R/T]

I, also have an early Model 586 but it is a 4" model. Still unfired except at the factory and no "M" stamp yet either. It has the red ramp front sight as put on at the factory. Doubt I will get the Modification done.

Also, my, unfired except at the factory, 1982 Python. Beautiful revolver and it may or may not remain unfired.

Congrats on both of your beautiful revolvers.

 

[Floki]

Neat 586, dont recall ever seeing an early 586 with a Patridge FS blade,
The two cross pins are very interesting since the Model 19 used a single pin to hold the blade to the ramp base,
S&W used two cross pins to secure the long Baughman ramp base to revolvers prior to 1969.

Im also a fan of the early large right side TM which IIRC was relocated to the left side to allow guns to be pulled from stock and receive right side commemorative engraving.

I've been going thru my old photo collection, trying to find a pic of my original 586 but no luck yet. It was set-up identically the same as the one you see in the photo with the two-pin Patridge front blade. If memory serves, it had AAA as the prefix on the serial #? This one has AAC. I believe I also had a 6.5" Model 27 with a similarly pinned front Patridge sight. I'm still trying to track down a pic of that one, too.

This gun came out of a 60-gun private collection late last year. My LGS bought the entire lot but, unfortunately, it didn't come with the original box. I'm 100% certain that it came from the S&W factory set-up the way you see it.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

There is something special about a 6" M586. I recollect mine is a dash 2. It doesn't have original stocks on it but it is ever so sweet to shoot I don't mind.

ENJOY IT!

 

[Floki]

There is something special about a 6" M586. I recollect mine is a dash 2. It doesn't have original stocks on it but it is ever so sweet to shoot I don't mind.

ENJOY IT!

Will do! Prior to the L Frame, my favorite was the 6.5" Model 27. N Frame S&W's were almost an obsession with me during the early-to-mid 80's. I learned how to reload after buying a Model 57, which lead to purchasing several Model 29's and 629's. When S&W released the L Frame in 1981 it was love at first sight. I wanted the first 6" that my LGS received. I wasn't expecting it to come with target sights but they were the same as what were already on my Model 27 so I had no complaints. The 586 exceeded my expectations in almost every way and for once I felt that the gun magazine hype about it was justified.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I cannot verify the distance for sure but I was hunting with some friends a few years back and a target of opportunity appeared on the other side of a pond. Not an animal for the hunt but just a decent target somewhere between 85 to 110 yards away, depending upon who is telling the story. I said I bet I could hit that with my handgun and, of course, everyone looked at me like I'm nuts. So I retrieved my 6" 586 from the truck, took careful aim, BLAM, SLAM! Down it went. The shouts of surprise and congratulations were everywhere so I was polite and didn't say "I told you I could shoot!". I gave credit to the gun, that's for sure.

Not my longest shot ever but one right up there!!!!

 

[Hawker800]

Love the 586!

 

[Engine49guy]

Rule No# 1 with S&W is there are pretty much no rules with S&W...Well , none that weren't broken or bent at one point or another.

What makes your 586 interesting is that its an early 80's gun not only with a pinned blade but with two set pins which is just not seen on any other S&W I can recall,
This pic is of a nickel Model 19 with "Proud" front site ramp pins but notice they hold the ramp to the barrel rib not the blade to the ramp .


the Model 19 pinned ramp changes in late 1969 during the dash 3 revision, After that the ramp becomes part of the barrel (perhaps why no Model 66's are found with pinned ramps being introduced in 1970)....Early 1970's Model 19-3's then have a single pin that holds the front site blade to an integral ramp that is polished flush (not sure how long that practice lasted).

Years later we see S&W's with a single pin holding the front site blade to an integral ramp which aids in changing out the front site considerably but again they are held by one single set pin.

Might be worth a factory letter if you would like to confirm how your gun shipped, maybe another member has one like it and can post pics,
Interesting if confirmed as a factory upgrade since their past and present method is a single set pin on the FS blade.
Neat gun

I've been going thru my old photo collection, trying to find a pic of my original 586 but no luck yet. It was set-up identically the same as the one you see in the photo with the two-pin Patridge front blade. If memory serves, it had AAA as the prefix on the serial #? This one has AAC. I believe I also had a 6.5" Model 27 with a similarly pinned front Patridge sight. I'm still trying to track down a pic of that one, too.

This gun came out of a 60-gun private collection late last year. My LGS bought the entire lot but, unfortunately, it didn't come with the original box. I'm 100% certain that it came from the S&W factory set-up the way you see it.

 

[Floki]

Rule No# 1 with S&W is there are pretty much no rules with S&W...Well , none that weren't broken or bent at one point or another.

What makes your 586 interesting is that its an early 80's gun not only with a pinned blade but with two set pins which is just not seen on any other S&W I can recall,
This pic is of a nickel Model 19 with "Proud" front site ramp pins but notice they hold the ramp to the barrel rib not the blade to the ramp .

the Model 19 pinned ramp changes in late 1969 during the dash 3 revision, After that the ramp becomes part of the barrel (perhaps why no Model 66's are found with pinned ramps being introduced in 1970)....Early 1970's Model 19-3's then have a single pin that holds the front site blade to an integral ramp that is polished flush (not sure how long that practice lasted).

Years later we see S&W's with a single pin holding the front site blade to an integral ramp which aids in changing out the front site considerably but again they are held by one single set pin.

Might be worth a factory letter if you would like to confirm how your gun shipped, maybe another member has one like it and can post pics,
Interesting if confirmed as a factory upgrade since their past and present method is a single set pin on the FS blade.
Neat gun

Thanks! It's one of the many things that make collecting S&W's so interesting: all the variations. I think only Walther matches S&W in terms of variety.

I just submitted a history request on S&W.com but I don't know if that'll tell me more than build date which I'm fairly certain is 1981. If a factory letter is what it takes to know all the details, for sure, I'll print out the submission form, scan and e-mail it to them.

 

[guskody]

586 with 6 inch barrel

Congrats on your early 586.

She is a beauty to go along with your Colt.

I think all 586's are beauties but the 6 inch are definitely head turners.