unusual front sight on 586 no dash

Nice gun. A 6" barrel, I assume? AFAIK, S&W installed Patridge sights on some 6" 586s.

Others will have to chime in about the absence of a pin. If it's original, there could be a barely-noticeable pin in the barrel rib, or the ramp/sight could've been press-fit or silver soldered in, or could've been made as part of the barrel.

Both of my 686s had the Patridge sight. It was a factory option and one choosen by many target shooters. In target circles, not all that uncommon but in the overall scheme of things? You would have to consult the production numbers to find out how "rare".

I know that a lot of the 6" 19's and a lot of 27's of all legnths had Patridge sights. Not shure about L frames.

i think you will like it if you give it a chance, better for target shooting than the ramp sight,

I feel that is THE front sight blade for a 6in revolver. They are far better for target shooting than a ramped blade. And since NO ONE really carries a 6in revolver for CCW drawing isn't really a concern.

A foot of snow might be a little too much

You might consider posting your question at http://smith-wessonforum.com
the folks there are S&W crazy & therefore very knowledgeable about this type of thing.

A 6" 586 with a patridge front sight? Now there's a .357 I could warm up to!!! I despise orange insert front sights.

My 6" 586 came factory with the patridge sight. I purchased mine new in either 84 or 85, when I was around 15 or 16.

I have two no-dash 586s, from '83 and '85. Each has the ramped front sight with the red/orange insert. I'd be quite a bit happier if they had Patridge sights.