rebuild an original 586

[dcnblues]

I have a brand new 'classic' 586 (6" barrel) with a match action tune, and I hate it. (*Story at bottom). So I'm looking at options for buying and rebuilding an original 586, and I have some gunsmith questions.

-If I want / need a new barrel, can I get one? Would it come from S&W or would it be aftermarket (I'd want it to look stock)? Rough cost?
-If the cylinder action is loose / well-used, can a gunsmith tighten it up? Are parts available if needed?
-How about the action parts? Can new steel trigger / hammers be found?
-Last, I like the improved grips on the new gun, but I'm under the impression you can't simply put them on the old model due to design changes. Who makes them, and does anyone know if they make them for the original 586?
-I could re-blue a frame and cylinder for a few hundred, right?
-Rough cost estimates for how a pro would get himself as tight and clean an original 586 would be welcome.
-ps I'm in California, so that's an obvious hassle.

Thank you. I had a 6" blue 586 in the 80's, but had to get rid of it. When I bought it, the store owner recommended a staged trigger job from his gunsmith, and I had it done and LOVED it! Pull the trigger 3/4 back to a solid notch/rest, aim, and fire with single action pull. It was how a double action revolver should fire. And accurate as hell (first time I shot falling plate the guy who sold me the gun raised his eyebrows when I got 48/50, and I told him it wasn't me, it was the gun he sold me which made it easy).

Ironically, I'm not a big time shooter and I have zero need or want for home defense. I'm more in love with the engineering of a machine to handle explosive power and the capacity and beautiful qualities of carbon steel. Stainless guns don't feel as good to me. I just wanted to hold that blend of design and material in my hand. The mim has ruined it for me.

*Story: Recently, I hadn't owned a pistol in decades and was about to buy a 92s when I found out that S&W had re-released the 586 as a 'classic.' I asked around (including on this forum) and eventually found a gunsmith out of state who assured me he knew exactly what I was looking for, and could do it to the new gun. This was only a few months ago, but apparently this gunsmith wasn't familiar with the MIM controversy. I happily bought the revolver, shipped it to him, and had to wait six weeks to find out he'd ruined the trigger and hammer and had to replace them (no charge). But I still had to pay $240 for the match action job on the $900 gun which left me with essentially a nice single action revolver, but NOT what I wanted. He even fired it and shipped it back to me uncleaned. And he put on a patridge front sight but didn't include the original when he returned the gun. Now I'm $1200 into something that isn't at all what I wanted. Obviously, not a mim fan (and I'm restraining my language on my true feelings)...

 

[bigggbbruce]

I only made it through about 6 or 7 lines.

But in short, yes.

S&W can build it and there are reputable smiths out there that do fine work.

 

[armorer951]

I'm not up to speed on California rules, but you should be able to find a good, serviceable or lightly used 586 or 686 revolver for 600.00-800.00.
As always, the asking price will depend on the condition of the gun.

answers to your questions: (caution, mostly my opinion)

1. L frame barrels (both new and used) are available.
2. Well maintained S&W revolver actions are usually serviceable, and most of the needed parts are available new, and used.
3. Forged hammers and triggers and other action parts are expensive, but generally still available.
4. Many, many grip options exist, even for the older model L-frames.
5. Re-bluing usually costs between 200-300 dollars, depending on the finish desired.
6. Not sure what a new, "in the box" unfired pre-lock 586 model would cost. I would think in the $1000+ range.

 

[Peak53]

.
6. Not sure what a new, "in the box" unfired pre-lock 586 model would cost. I would think in the $1000+ range.

... and doesn't need any modification besides shooting a few hundred rounds to smooth it up

 

[Toblerra]

1. Go to Calguns.net

2. Join Calguns.net

3. Post a want to buy ad in the marketplace section for a 586 Pre-lock, whatever dash model you desire or no dash model.

4. Wait for a response.

5. While waiting, scope out the handguns section of the market place for your 586.

That's what I did and I love my 586 no dash, price was $875 picked it up in West Covina. They are still out there, even here in Cali.

 

[sodacan]

Sounds like a $2k+ project for a gun that will be worth way less than half of that amount when you're done. For a non "big time shooter", that's a lot for money and effort, but it's yours, not mine. Good luck.

 

[dcnblues]

Thank you, Armorer951, that's good and encouraging info.
Thank you, Toblerra, will comply. I'm hoping I find one at a gun store that will take the new gun in trade.
And Sodacan, the thing is, in blue with that length barrel and nice grips, it's the most handsome handgun I've ever seen. And excluding target pistols, the most accurate I can imagine shooting. It's a smug pleasure to be next to a bunch of semi-auto shooters and be the only one ringing the gong every time you squeeze the trigger. I don't care what it's worth. To me it'll be priceless.