S&W 586 Accuracy

[ron_c]

Accuracy of S&W Model 586, 6" barrel, Patridge Front Sight, Ransom Rest, 50 yards, load developed for this gun of 15.5 grains WW296, CCI 350 Mag. primer and 158 Grain JHP Sierra bullet.. Purchased new in '83. Groups shown shot shortly after purchase. Groups rounded up to nearest 1/16".

 

[Birdgun]

I'm impressed.

 

[Protocall_Design]

Very nice. That is how a revolver should shoot if it has the right ammo and is mechanically correct in the critical places.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Depending on who tells the story, I fired my 6 inch barreled M586 across a small lake (pond?) at a very small target just for grins a few years ago. The guys with me put the target at anywhere from 80 to 120 yards. I had basic .38 Special FMJ ammunition in there as I recall. One shot, one hit.

In the right hands the 586 is a deadly accurate weapon, factory loads or handloads, and that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[Walter Rego]

While I have no scientific proof, I have always felt that the early 586 & 686 were some of the best .357's that S&W made in the last 50 years. They were made on all new tooling and purpose built to withstand the high pressure Magnum loads with all that the factory knew about metallurgy science newer than 1935 or 1955. Yeah, they may not be pinned and recessed but you will find most owners swear by them and report outstanding accuracy.

 

[cptdco]

Wow, a Patridge sight early 586. I have a collection (I think 10) of no-dash L frames and the only one I'd still like to find is yours. Which side is the S&W logo on?

 

[AzShooter]

Some day I've got to borrow a Ransom Rest to test my ammo. Those groups are FANTASTIC.

 

[bananaman]

Good shooting!!! I have a 586, no dash, 4", and a 686-3 6". Have not tried at 50 yds. with either. Can't see that far. (working on that) Bob

 

[Jaymo]

The 586 killed my lust for a Python, then, the 52 cremated said dead lust.
Both have better triggers and are capable of far more accuracy than I am.

 

[ron_c]

Wow, a Patridge sight early 586. I have a collection (I think 10) of no-dash L frames and the only one I'd still like to find is yours. Which side is the S&W logo on?

S&W Logo on left side.

Several guys were gun owners at the company I worked. One guy had a tricked out 1911 that cost him hundreds of dollars and this was in '83. If something would hint on improving accuracy he would get it. When I showed him the groups that this, out of the box, revolver would do. He basically called me a lair that no revolver could shoot groups like this even if shot in a Ransom Rest. I invited him down some time later for him to witness it and again it repeated the results within 1/4" of the first.

 

[ron_c]

This is the results of when the guy with the 1911 came down to witness me shooting my 586 at 50 yards in a Ransom Rest. This was 9 months later from when I shot the first groups.

He did observe, and it appears to be true, that after about 25 to 30 rounds, the group size starts to increase. A quick brush of the bore and a swab and fire a couple of rounds to foul the bore and your back in business.

His interest was bullseye shooting, mine was trying to place one shot, as accurate as I could, in a hunting situation.

 

[petemacmahon]

Wow, a Patridge sight early 586. I have a collection (I think 10) of no-dash L frames and the only one I'd still like to find is yours. Which side is the S&W logo on?

Yeah, I wish mine had the Patridge style front sight as well!!

 

[camsdaddy]

This past Monday I traded a spare Gen 3 Glock 19 for a 4" 586-8. I came home grabbed some ammo and went to the range. I shot from 7-50 yards. I was shooting steel plates so no group measurements but all I can say is wow. I text a buddy of mine before i left the range and told him that I remembered him telling me about his 586. The only regret I have is not buying one the day he told me about it.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

I ain't about go calling you a liar after what I've seen;one of my good buddy bought one,put on a weight around his 6'' bbl and goes on week end after week end shooting 148gr wc at 50yds at a PPC target and gets mad at himself if he drops more than 4 in the 9 ring.Other than the weight and custom sights,the rest of the gun is 100% stock.
I bought mine(586 no dash 6'')around '83 or '84 and the thing is way more accurate than me!
Qc

 

[H Richard]

I agree the 586/686 guns were some of the best ever built by S&W. I have an early 686, 6", with patridge front sight. It shoots just about as well. I used mine for PPC matches also.



Shooting your loads in your gun from a Ransom Rest can be very rewarding or, very frustrating.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

I agree the 586/686 guns were some of the best ever built by S&W. I have an early 686, 6", with patridge front sight. It shoots just about as well. I used mine for PPC matches also.



Shooting your loads in your gun from a Ransom Rest can be very rewarding or, very frustrating.

Nice grips H Richard;what are they?
Qc

 

[Nightowl]

I also have a 586 with Patridge front sight, AAA serial number. I ordered one the very day I first saw one at a conference. I used to shoot it in PPC matches instead of my custom PPC heavy barrel gun. I actually shot it better, I think, because it had better balance and was very accurate. (still is better than me)

 

[AzShooter]

If you cast you own get an LBT mold for your 586. I had one that cast a 185 grain round nose. It was designed as a semi wadcutter but I ask him to make it a round nose for fast speed loading.

This bullet would consistently shoot 1 inch groups at 50 yard from my 627. best load was 4.5 grains of Unique. Wish I still had the gun and the mold but was considering moving to Assisted Living and they didn't allow any guns there.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

It was a popular mod to send M686/586's back to the Mothership to have the pinned Patridge sight installed. I saw a receipt for one that was done back in the day, it was still in the box, and IIRC they charged about $75 and I think that included the return shipping, too.

 

[rwsmith]

All of my guns.....

... all of my guns, especially my 686, shoot much better than I do.