S&W 357 586 Combat Magnum

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Didn't the 581 have fixed sights?

They did.
I had a 4" 681 that was a REAL sweet shooter. Like hit a fence post over 100yrds kinda shooter. Shoulda kept it.

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It is my opinion, unpopular as that may be, that the S&W Model 586 is the best double action to come down the pike yet. Prefer it over the vaunted Model 27 and the Colt Python.

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Bob Wright
Incredible, and on par with the others mentioned. I would not say better, but I do like the 586 more. The python, and 27, and the 686 all get hyped up to a point where they cannot possibly live up to the hype. The 586 is kinda flying under the radar with the same amount of awesome as the others.
 
Point of nit to be picked...;)

The Model 19 is the "Combat Magnum."

The 586 is the "Distinguished Combat Magnum."

I had one with a 4" barrel for a time. Never did warm up to it. Sold it unfired (by me anyway).

Totally off topic, but with the reintroduction of the 19-9, and the Model 69, Smith and Wesson is apparently making two "Combat Magnums" now.
 
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I am a huge fan of the L Frames. I do think the Blue 586 is prettier, however, I prefer to shoot the 686's because of the durability and the ease of cleaning. In my stable in the 686 is a 2.5,4,6,7 and 8 3/8". Probably shoot the 8 3/8" the most as I've been working on some Hunting Loads for the winter if it ever comes.
 
They did.
I had a 4" 681 that was a REAL sweet shooter. Like hit a fence post over 100yrds kinda shooter. Shoulda kept it.

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I've had the 586, 28, and 19. While the 586 is tougher and more accurate (at least mine was), the quality of the machine work and bluing was not as good as the older guns. IMO, the stainless on the 686 kinda masks the imperfections evident in the blued L-frame.

My first handgun was a Rockford Park Police 681. Only sold it because the kids were hungry after the big R in '08. Still my favorite of all time- they only came one way: 4", fixed sight, magna grips.

I don't know that I want another, though, because it just wouldn't measure up to that first one.

I'll just have to be content with my 6" 686.:D
 
Very timely post! I'm itching for a 586. I've had 2 686's over the years (a 6" and a 4") and I regret selling both of them.
Do all the new S&W revolvers have that lock on the side plate?
 
Very timely post! I'm itching for a 586. I've had 2 686's over the years (a 6" and a 4") and I regret selling both of them.
Do all the new S&W revolvers have that lock on the side plate?

The newer ones do, but there are plenty of pre-lock 586 and 686 around in all barrel lengths with the 2.5" 586 being the exception. They are really hard to find and if you do plan on paying over 1k for one.
 
One thing neither the Model 27 nor the Python can do is digest my heavy bullet reloads.

Several years ago I worked up a good load using the 173 gr. cast SWC and a heavy dose of #2400 powder. I was shooting these in my Ruger Blackhawk and it was a dandy load for whatever you might want a .357 Magnum to do. So a friend of mine asked to try some of these in his 8 3/8" barreled pre-Model 27. So, he loaded five rounds into the cylinder and tried to close it. No go! The bullet noses were protruding out the front of the cylinder. Later tried them in my Python with the same results. Son-in-law loaded them into his Model 19 and whanged away! Checking cylinders, we observed that the cylinders of the Model 27, and the Python, were shorter than the K-Framed Model 19. Now this load wasn't too well suited to a bunch of shooting through a K-Framed gun. I promptly checked the cylinder length of the L-Framed gun as soon as I heard of the introduction and as soon as possible I had a pair. And never looked back.


Bob Wright
 
I carried a 681 on duty when I worked for the INS in Miami in the 1990's. It was a superior gun to the issue model 13's we were given. It was easier to shoot with heavy loads and I had the gun MAGNA PORTED and a trigger slick done after switching to HOGUE rubber grips. I even tried it with BIANCHI Lightning grips, but they did not fit my hand as well. I still have it. The only complaint was at the end of a the day, it was heavy and seemed a LOT HEAVIER than the model 13 with it's 3 inch barrel and round butt.
I bought a nickeled 581 for a house gun because the price was right and then later bought a 586 with a six inch barrel when I looked in the display case and noticed it had already been MAGNA PORTED. I tried the trigger and had to buy it. It was just perfect for a double action, even if the gun was long and heavy with the 6 inch barrel. I still have that one as well. The K-frame was just not up to a steady diet of .357 magnums, while the L-frame could be shot all day with them.
The only problem that the L-frame ever had, as far as I was concerned, was the weight. I wish S&W would consider a scandium 696 with a 5 inch barrel or bring out a a . 41 Special. I think a 10m.m. would be fine if someone brough out a 10m.m. AUTO-RIM round. I just do not like the moon clips.

Jim
 
I hurt the ligaments in my right thumb in a fight with a stolen car suspect many years ago, and had trouble pressing down with it for some time. You have no idea how hard life is without a working thumb; you cant button pants, can't shift a lot of cars into gear because you can't depress the little button, can't open doors with a thumb-latch, etc. I also had trouble with mag releases and slide-stops on semi-autos...but I could push a cylinder release with it...so I bought a 4" 686+ and carried that for about 8 months. Our duty load for .357 mag was the Winchester Super X 125 gr JHP.

I had it bead-blasted to a matte finish, and it wore the Hogue finger-groove rubber grips. It was a great gun, and every once in a while I wish I could carry it now...

Stay safe!
 
How much weight can you possibly save as a half lug I have a 19 with a python barrel and it’s still way lighter and better balanced com pared to my 586
 
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