Henry Rifle Forums

A few days ago in the "Reloading" section I posted about my luck on getting some 45 Colt brass and 45 ACP small primer brass on Saturday. At the end of that post I indicated I was hoping my stars stayed aligned and a deal on a revolver was in the works. Well I guess everything remained in alignment and I completed the purchase of a Smith & Wesson 4" 586 357 Mag. revolver. So now I'm the second owner of this 586 in unfired condition.
The original owner let it sit in his gun safe for several years. Finally needing funds for another purchase he place it for sale on our local trader forum. Although his original price was fair, it was a little more than I wanted to spend. After we exchanged messages about it, I decided I was going to pass. The next day he messaged me and made me an offer I couldn't refuse. So now it's in my safe and I'll take it to the range tomorrow. Range report when I get back.

I owned a 6" S&W 586 357 Mag. revolver back in 1982, but let it get away. This one stays!

Paul

Congratulations Paul. I would say you're gonna love it, but you probably already know that. My 6" 686 is one of my favorites. Will look forward to your range report.

Great find! Congrats. I had several 686 357s over the years and I have to say I think the 586/686 is the perfect 357 double action revolver. I'd still have one (or two) but I've been trying to simplify things these last few years and just stick with my single action revolvers.

Great find Paul! How does the Model 66 compare to the 586? I have a 66 no dash I got some years ago from a neighbor.

I had a 686 for a couple years and loved it. When my kids came along l had to pare down my collection to the bare minimum at one point, and sadly I had let it go. A nice find on your part. My shooting friends sometimes do me the same favor as they know I will shoot the guns, and rarely sell anything. I don't flip good deals to make money. These days I keep my eyes open for good buys, or special guns. I'm lucky enough to have my range to shoot them on.

Enjoy it, post a range report. My 686 was deadly!

fortyshooter wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 19, 2022 6:59 pm

Great find Paul! How does the Model 66 compare to the 586? I have a 66 no dash I got some years ago from a neighbor.

Forty, the Model 66 is an excellent revolver built on the S&W "K" frame. The 586/686 series are built on the slightly larger "L" frame. Some folks feel that continued shooting of magnum loads in a "K" frame revolver will cause it to loosen up over time. So to answer that back in 1981 S&W created the "L" frame specifically for continued use of 357 Mag. loads. Heavier magnum rounds (41, 44 etc.) are chambered only in the larger and heavier "N" frame.

Paul

Don't forget that the S&W 69 five shot 44 magnum is built on the L frame.

Travlin wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 19, 2022 11:12 pm

Don't forget that the S&W 69 five shot 44 magnum is built on the L frame.

Didn’t realize that. Thanks for the info.

Paul

L frame Smiths rule. Just big enough to shoot continuous full power 357’s but small enough to fit most hands. I believe the grip frame is the same for the K and L frames with the cylinder frame being the larger part. Mine (6”) has the full underlug barrel which I feel helps with muzzle jump. Just a nice combination S&W devolved for the .357 without having to jump to an N frame. So pleasant to shoot with all loads.

Travlin wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 19, 2022 11:12 pm

Don't forget that the S&W 69 five shot 44 magnum is built on the L frame.

Oh yeah I won't forget....sweet shooter with great trigger!