Model 19 S&W vs 586

Get the 586 for what you describe. The model 19 is a .38 SPL gun with .357 capability they do not stand well to heavy loads for long. The biggest advantage to the K frame is weight and size savings. I would just get the 586. If your talking about newer models of the 19 I have no experience with them.

The Model 19 is a K-Frame, and really a .38 revolver frame.

The 686 and 586 are L-Frames, and designed to handle .357 Magnum.

Here's an article on the S&W frame differences by the late Stephen A. Camp

https://hipowersandhandguns.com/Smith & Wesson J, K, L and N-frame Comparisons.htm

For a few dollars more buy a new L frame .

Huntolive said:

586 -1

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Current model is (i think) a 586-8 . It features a redesigned and improved yoke. Newer and better?

Huntolive

Think of the L frame as being slightly larger, stronger, and more durable over the long run, with a steady diet of .357 loads, over a K frame like the Model 19. For hunting and target shooting I would go with the Model 586.

For your intended use I would go with the 586. They are both fine revolvers but the 586 is a bit more robust and will be better for a steady diet of 357s which I assume you would be practicing with for your hunts.

Howdy

Here is the difference. About 1905 or so S&W put a clearance cut on the bottom of the forcing cone of their K frame 38 Special revolvers. The clearance cut was there to provide clearance for the gas ring on the cylinder. As you can see, the clearance cut thins the metal in that area of the forcing cone. This worked fine for many years with the 38 Special cartridge, but when they began chambering their K frame revolvers for 357 Magnum the thin section could cause problems. Please note: This is not a guarantee there will be problems. But sometimes with high velocity, light weight bullet 357 Magnum loads the forcing cone would split at the thin spot. This is a photo of the clearance cut on a Model 13-2.







By enlarging the cylinder slightly, the L frame revolvers put a little bit more distance between the gas ring and the bottom of the forcing cone. This is a view of the forcing cone of an L frame 686. Notice the metal is full thickness all the way around.






For the record, I've had my K frame Model 19-3 for over 40 years and it is still going strong.

243winxb said:

For a few dollars more buy a new L frame .View attachment 858934 View attachment 858935

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All things being equal, I prefer the hammer mounted firing pin to the current frame mounted. A direct strike ignition system imparts more Kinetic energy directly to the primer, as the hammer fall energy is not dissipated through transfer bars and transfer mechanisms. In marginal conditions a direct strike mechanism will ignite a primer when a frame mounted mechanism won't.

See the difference:



My 586, the previous owner shot over 60,000 rounds of 148 LWC and 2.7 grains Bullseye in PPC competition. Besides finish wear, the main spring needed replacing.



Having both K frame and L frame pistols



The K frame is more compact and easy to carry. The greatest problem the K frames had was with 125 grain full bore 357 Magnum loads. The heat and probably pressure, were such that forcing cone cracks became a problem. I know one shooter who was shooting major loads in his K frame and his forcing cone cracked. If you fire 38 Special level loads the pistol will last, effectively, forever. The same shooter, a 10 times PPC Champ, has fired over 600,000 rounds of 148 LWC 2..7 grains Bullseye in another K frame S&W. He has had to replace a broken firing pin, an extractor star and cylinder hand. The cylinder and frame are still fine. Barrel still groups 2 inches at 50 yards. I have fired cases of 38 Special +P through this pistol, outside of massive lead rings in the cylinders, everything is still perfect. I have fired ammunition cans of 158 grain L or JHP with 13.5 grains 2400 and had no problems what so ever.

If on your selection criteria, compactness rates higher than high rate of fire durability, than the M19 is the better choice. But, I will say, given the same price, and if compactness is not a particularly high issue, I would go for the M586.

243winxb said:

Current model is (i think) a 586-8 . It features a redesigned and improved yoke. Newer and better?

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Can't speak to the regular production but I had a 586 L Comp with a three inch barrel there was nothing wrong with it and it was a dandy.

As some have pointed out the primary advantage, or disadvantage depending on your point of view, is the weight difference. At the end of a long day you can get to feeling a bit more weighted down with the L frame in a holster. There is quite a bit of chatter on this and other forums about Smith & Wesson revolvers not standing up to prolonged use of magnum loads. Don’t you believe it! Smith & Wesson has been making revolvers longer than anyone on this site has been alive. They know what they’re doing and their products are durable

I’ll second the 6” 586 for hunting, it is an extremely capable revolver for your purposes.

Stay safe.

Slamfire said:

hammer mounted firing pin

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Called a hammer nose. I replaced mine on the M28 after a few pierced primers gas cut it. Easy to do.

I'm a major fan of the S&W M19. I've even killed deer with mine. But the 19 and the 686/585 were not designed to do the same job. The M19 is as fine a carry gun as has ever been produced. I've carried one as a LEO and seldom fire any full power loads through it. Can it stand up to a lot of mag shooting? Yes it can. One particular load - the 125 grain high velocity magnum - was the culprit. The 5/686 revolvers are stronger and heavier, lending themselves to serious hunting; also target and LEO use.

Hanshi said:

One particular load - the 125 grain high velocity magnum - was the culprit. .

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I cracked the forcing cone on my Model 19 with a steady diet of full power 158 grain JHP ammunition. Don't think just the hot 125 grainers are the culprit. Fortunately, S&W replaced the barrel on their dime circa 1983. Don't expect that service today.

Huntolive said:

Interesting
So how would you compare the model 19 to an older model 65 - 2 for example? I have one of those and it may have the best trigger of any pistol I own. Of course it has fixed rear sights. Does the model 19 have adjustable rear sights?

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The Model 65 is the fixed sight, stainless, k-frame version of the Model 19.

Yes, the Model 19 has adjustable sights.

The stainless equivalent of the Model 19 is the Model 66.

With the latest version of the Model 66, S&W redesigned the frame and barrel to eliminate the weak spot of the forcing cone on all previous versions of the Model 19 and Model 66.

The grip frame on the L-frames is the same as the grip frames on the K-frames so they should feel the same in your hands except for the greater weight of the L-frame revolvers.

Huntolive said:

Thanks Guys, especially cfullgraf
So my model 65 is a k frame, my 686 is L frame, and my 629's are N frame?
Are there any n frame 357?

Are there any L frame 44 Mag s worth having?

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Yes there are N frame 357s. Model 27, 28 and 520. Although all command a premium as they have been out of production for quite some time. They only made 3000 of the 520s. Smith does make a current production 44 magnum that is built on the L frame...the model 69 Combat Magnum. My preference is for the older “pre-lock” Smith’s. Just pick up an M&P 38 Special revolver that was made in the late 40s or early 50s and inspect it. Cock it a few times and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Smith & Wesson has come a long way over the last 100 years. Not all of it good IMO.

whatnickname said:

Yes there are N frame 357s. Model 27, 28 and 520. Although all command a premium as they have been out of production for quite some time.

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The Model 27 and some of its' variations is still in the line-up.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/revolvers

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/model-27

S&W makes a handful of N frame .357’s. The 27 is still being made and there are a couple of 8 shot model 627’s.

To throw another fly into the ointment, Colt just reintroduced their Colt King Cobra with a 4.25” barrel and adjustable sights.

4.25” and 4.2” barrels...nothing more than U.S. companies catering to the Canadian gun control crap. I would tell the Canadians to pound sand until they fixed their liberal BS gun laws. Meanwhile back in the U.S. most of the holster manufacturers aren’t keeping pace with the 4+ inch. I just love the last fraction of an inch of my revolver barrel sticking out the bottom of my holster.

It depends on how many 357s you plan to shoot. As others have said, the Model 19 is closer to a 38 Spl that can shoot 357s occasionally. A 586 will eat 357s for breakfast.

Also, if you are planning on shooting any thermonuclear Buffalo Bore type hunting loads, I would probably go with the 586. One cylinder of hot loads isn't going to kill the 19, but I'd feel a lot more comfortable hammering a 586 with those things.

As far as the L frame 44 Mag, never shot it, but it seems like an interesting idea. 44 Mags get my attention out of an N frame, so I wonder what the smaller gun would be like as far as recoil.