S&W 586-4 Brazil export desireable?

Florida Guy

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Looking at a 4 1/4" model of which 200 were exported to Brazil, and 23 went to US distributors.
This model is a 38 special, and not the usual 357 magnum.
And there's the catch. Most of those looking to buy a 586 want a magnum, and this would be more geared towards a collector I would think.
All opinions on desireability/collectibility welcome.
According to SCS&W value is $700 anib for a regular 586, not the export model.
 
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The .38 Special export models are desireable collector's guns........I saw a 6" 586 .38 Special sell for about $700 on GunBroker and it was in used condition.
 
If you aren't interested I sure am. Please let me know where it is if you're not going to bite on this one. And, I'm not a collector but a shooter. I have a 6" but want a 4" for everyday carry. (smile)

Dave
 
The export models are desirable, but none are more desirable than the Brazilian exports. This is irrefutable proof that even in Brazil people know to buy a Smith over a Taurus!
 
586 Revolvers in 38SPL are VERY desireable , but not just for collectors.

A lot of people who are ONLY interested in shooting 38SPL MUCH rather have a 38SPL than a .357 magnum.

In my PPC years, I ALWAYS wanted a 38SPL , NOT .357/38.

Today my agency ONLY lets us use a 38+P pr +P+ in an off duty revovler (We carry Glock .40 on duty) . NO MAGNUMS.

I much rather have a three inch 64/10 than a 65/13

A lot of rare/hard to find revolvers are valued not just by collectors but by shooters and people who carry.





I
 
I am surprised by the $700 GB price. This must be a recent trend.

In the summer of 2007, a local vendor (Dayton, OH) had a 6" 586 LNIB Brazil gun at a show. He had a price of $350 on it. I offered $325, "no way...I have already come down on my price." Well 4 or so months later, he caves...I get it for $325. He had been doing at least 2 shows a month, and had it at least 6 months...
 
A handgun is worth exactly what people are willing to pay for it.

There are obviousy people that collect this model and are willing to pay a premium for it .

I personally would not pay more for a 38 special only version of a gun available in 357 as I do not collect them and want the 357 magnum option but I have paid more for the .22lr version more than a few times.
 
A lot of people who are ONLY interested in shooting 38SPL MUCH rather have a 38SPL than a .357 magnum.

In my PPC years, I ALWAYS wanted a 38SPL , NOT .357/38.

I much rather have a three inch 64/10 than a 65/13

I'm not going to touch on the collectors aspect. They are obviously more collectible and worth more than a standard 586, that is fact.

But...
If the aim is to shoot 38 spc, the extra heft of a 586 versus a model 15/67 or even a model 19/66 would make me want to shoot the lighter K frame versus the heavier 586.

The L frame was invented to make a "beefier" K frame. If you are shooting 38spc (especially non +P), you dont need it, and it's actually a negative to a lot of people. There is no reason for it.

I also think that the "38 special only gun is more accurate than a 357 magnum" statement is COMPLETELY overblown, it's a giant internet forum wives tale driven by people who shoot worn out, loose magnum K frames and then compare them to a barely shot or LNIB model 15 or other 38spc only K frame of identical barrel length. The differences between a 38spc and 357 mag k frame is so miniscule, basically the cylinder on a 357 is like 1/16 of an inch longer. That's it.
 
I have heard this too, that a .38 Special only revolver is more accurate than .38 fired from a .357 revolver.

MAYBE the only person who would notice was a master Bullseye shooter who will see a 1/32" difference in the group size with match grade wadcutters.

The guy shooting at the indoor range with Winchester White Box he bought at Wal Mart isn't going to see any benefit to shooting .38 Special through a .38 Special 586 vs. a standard .357 586.

I shoot .38's through my 581's, 66-7, 586-2, etc. all the time and these guns are tack drivers. I also shoot a lot of .38's through my Ruger GP100's and they really can't be any more accurate for my purposes.

.38 Special only versions of .357 revolvers is not a new concept, many PD's and security firms require the use of .38 Special revolvers and order .38 versions of .357 revolvers. I have many .38 Special Ruger Service Six and GP100 revolvers.

The reason .38 Special 586's go for a premium is because they are different and give collector's a new variation. There is a cool factor to a .357 revolver like a 6" 586 chambered for .38 Special. I have also seen new production .38 Special 686's.

Fact is, the majority of .357 revolver owners shoot mostly .38 through them anyway.
 
Well guys, I got the gun Florida Guy started the thread about. I want to publicly thank him for putting me in touch with the dealer who had it as I've been looking for a 4" for several months.

I'm not a collector as much as a shooter (a collector of shooters perhaps - smile) and I like these 38 Special guns because I only load and shoot 38/44s. I got interested in this cartridge (actually a loading of the 38 Special cartridge) when I got my first Heavy Duty N-frame. Just seemed silly to shoot regular or even today's wimpy +Ps in that massive revolver so I did some research. The 38/44 was the predecessor of the 357 Mag, being introduce 5 years before the Magnum in 1930 with the introduction of the Heavy Duty and followed a year later with the Outdoorsman. This cartridge was a 158g lead bullet cruising along at 1140-1160 fps, depending on barrel length. I duplicate that with 11.5g to 12g of 2400 behind Berry's 158g FP bullets. For a factory load to see what all the fuss is about, try Buffalo Bore's Heavy 38 Special 158g +P SWCHP-GC. It duplicates the 38/44 performance to a "T" and makes a fine carry load.

That 6" Brazilian just eats my 38/44s up. You know your shooting a serious load (and the steel plates jump accordingly) but the 586-4s 6" lugged barrel just drops right back where you had it before all the excitement started. I'm betting this 4" will jump just a tad more but carry a lot easier and come out of the holster a mite faster. I'll do a range report when both of them are up an running.

Thanks again Florida Guy,
Dave
 
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Dave, I'm glad you got the gun you were searching for.
I've had so many forum members assist me with answers and guidance, that it's nice to be able to help someone in return.
I was on the fence about the gun, and when I read you already had a 6" and was looking for it's smaller brother, I wanted you to have it.
Enjoy it, and shoot safe.


Alan
 
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