What would you pick ?

[dipperdave]

You asked for opinion, so here is mine.

Get the 586 and shoot the whiz out of it. It will be less expensive to shoot and can handle anything up to deer size if you are a hunter. I've had a number of 29s over the years but the L frame is just the perfect handgun.

The 586 for sure if you can only buy one.

 

[BAM-BAM]

For all the reasons stated above........

the 586!!!!!

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Not crazy about nickel - I do own one.
But, P&R 29 hard to pass up.

 

[H Richard]

I must ask, what do you enjoy shooting? You stated this is your one gun to buy, make it something you will enjoy shooting. The 586 is a great gun and will digest any 38 or 357 ammo you can buy or load, and the condition is stated as original and better. The 29 is bigger, more powerful, but also more costly to shoot. It is in lesser condition. I know my choice would be the 586, but only you can decide what is best for you.

 

[brucev]

Either one would be O.K. But, if buying to resell, buy the 29. After a while, sell it and buy what you want. If just going to go ahead and buy to use, buy the L-frame. It'll do just about anything that needs to be done w/ a handgun unless you anticipate needing to stop a elk at 600 yds. Sincerely. brucev.

 

[gwpercle]

Listen to your heart, get the one that calls out to you, the one your attracted to , the one that moves you.
Common sense and reasoning is not required in this situation. Sort of like the attraction you have for a young lady, just go where your heart takes you.
The model 58 in my avatar is one of those guns. She just drew me in , what did I need a N frame 41 magnum with fixed sights for...absolutely no sane reason....but she's my favorite .
Gary

 

[Cpo1944]

Definitely the 586 especially since the 29 is already pitted and it will only get worse and before long you will hate it and wonder why you didn't get the better condition 586 to begin with. You will find another .44 in good shape and maybe by then you can have them both.

 

[S&W357]

I had that 44 mag. If your range shooting. Don't get it. If your hunting. Yes, get it. Shooting a 357 is nice at the range. If you can get both for $850. Maybe you can find the xxx money. Good luck in your hunt

 

[Georgia1911]

M586. While the N-frame is the King of S&W revolvers, I couldn't abide a nickel gun with pitting. Once that starts, on a gun that gets a lot of use, it just keeps getting worse.

Definitely the 586 especially since the 29 is already pitted and it will only get worse and before long you will hate it and wonder why you didn't get the better condition 586 to begin with. You will find another .44 in good shape and maybe by then you can have them both.

Exactly my thinking on the question.

 

[BongoBoy]

So, I'm new here, don't know squat about revolvers in general, and know even less about Smith and Wessons. What I DO see is a complete lack of personal preferences that might be important. For example, I wouldn't own a nickel plated gun if you gave it to me. But the only common factor I see in your choices is 4". Right this minute at Guns International is what appears to be a near-mint 6" 586 for about $600 bucks. It's not a 44. Is that important to you? That's what makes this hard for me as a newbie: how can you be equally satisfied with a .38 or a .44? Is this a range/plinker?

I just got started in revolver, don't have my first one in hand yet. But what I DO know is that some time around the mid '70s I saw The One. It was the revolver of my dreams, in .357, and it "looked like this". Now, 40 years later or so, I found the gun I wanted, even though it turned out to be a 629.

I don't know...I'd think you'd be able to center in on some key features, even if one of them is price. I don't know squat about revolvers, but it just feels to me like you've selected two that have one thing and one thing only in common: the price. Given that inference that I've made from your choices, and disliking plated guns more than I dislike two-tone shoes and chrome on motorcycles--I'd just go with the .357. That's advice to you, free of charge on the internet, from a guy who has never owned a revolver. Internet is amazing, isn't it?

Look at Guns International #: 100506231 and ask yourself if this is not an absolutely gorgeous specimen, and if any plated gun showing signs of poor care is worth half as much.

Here's MY bottom line: I don't 'collect'...I shoot. I don't like 'pretty', I like functional. That said, pitting or corrosion in any gun manufactured in the 20th century is just a sign of carelessness. I have a 1911 manufactured in 1929 bought for $75 at a K-Mart--no pitting or corrosion. Guns aren't plated, bumpers are. Is there a revolver cartridge 'better' than the .357 for other-than-hunting? I wonder.

 

[Citiboy289]

Well after reading all the responses I doing some additional research this is what I found and how it effects my decision:

I checked GB past completed sales for the past 90 days on both models not so much for price but just out of interest. There were 2 pages of 586's and 20 some odd pages of model 29, considering the new Classic line which amounted to maybe 12 of the 20 pages it seemed that the 586 just isnt as common on the market.

The nickel on the 29 , didnt really light my fire and the pitting issues and the no original grips really made me think do I really need another PROJECT on my bench?

Somehow I guess I like the original blued look and the wooden grips of the 586. Just seems so pure and real looking.

I dod ask myself if I really needed 44 mag , while it would be nice , I mainly target shoot so the added power to just shoot up pumpkins and water mellons seems excessive.

I like to shoot what I own and dont lean to safe queens. My vintage colts get aired out at least once a year. While not a serious collector or reseller I do like something that in the years to come will not go down in value.

All those factors taken into consideration I am Going with the 586 which was the original plan until the 29 popped up.

THANKS to everyone again, you made my decision alot easier and took the confusion out , Heading out to get her Friday,

 

[Mark6005]

What do you want to shoot? If you're a shooter the 586 38's and 357's. A 44 would be nice but would sit in my safe.

 

[Jamesatrange]

We all love shopping with some one else's money. Look at all the responses. Lol it's awesome. I'd say whichever one you can afford to feed more and is the tool for your lifestyle. Both sound like descent deals. Enjoy the choice!

 

[BongoBoy]

We all love shopping with some one else's money. Look at all the responses.

It's the safest way to go, really.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Nothing wrong with a 4" 586.

I sold a 4" 686 to get this one.

But face it, blowing up melons with a 44 IS important.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Ok here is the problem I can only afford one piece

586 - no dash or M repair mark 4 inch very clean blued original grips = $575.00

Model 29 - serial number in the N66--- series Recessed, pinned 4 inch Nickel dirty with some wear and a few pit spots, not original grips But an interesting wooded grip with a LEO logo - $600.00

Totaly confused ANY OPINIONS would be greatly appreciated

I hate to bore anyone with details, but this question is not easy to answer unless you disclose the intended use of the revolver.

 

[colt_saa]

If you are looking for a paper puncher or firearm for defense against 2 legged animals, the model 586, 357 Magnum is the way that I would go.

If hunting or carrying around large game is in the cards, the 44 Magnum model 29 is the hands down choice.

If I were picking it up, just because, I would get the model 29.

 

[muddocktor]

I think you made a good decision, going with the 586. A 44 Mag is fun, but unless you reload is an expensive beast to feed. Even when reloading it costs quite a bit more to feed. I can reload jacketed full house 357 rounds for less than $0.20 a round. For 44 Mag, it's probably over $0.30 a round using plated bullets. So you get a third more shooting for the same amount of money. And buying factory ammo the difference is even greater in today's buying climate. And 44 is definitely rougher on the hands and wrists with full house loads. I can shoot a few hundred rounds of hot 357 with no problem, but go to hot 44 and I generally have had enough between 50-100 rounds.

Have fun with your new 586 now, ya hear!