586 ND Round butt

[18DAI]

I'm looking at a round butt 586 no dash, with 4" barrel. The serial number is AUBXXXX. This is the first round butt 4" 586 I've come across.

Any S&W collectors able to give me more info on this one? Thanks! TJ

 

[Leaky Waders]

Is it an AVB?

 

[Oro]

That would have been produced years before the rb variant was the standard production model for all bbl. lengths - that came about in 1996 or so. So my next move in that case would be to check the butt under the grips and see if it is a factory RB or was a conversion. Comparing tool marks, finish, and mark placement should make this obvious. I checked the SCSW and no RB 4" variant is listed before the 1996 change, so I would strongly suspect an aftermarket conversion. It may be a special order, but one not documented yet. It could also be a 2.5" variant that was aftermarket "up-barelled." Yeah, sounds weird, but I've seen it done.

Closely examining the butt of the gun with the grips off is the next step.

 

[18DAI]

Thanks fellas. I will have an oppotunity to examine the 586 again this weekend. There were no box or docs to look at, but I thought something was odd about that early serial and a round butt.

This 586 is not going anywhere soon, due to the $595 asking price. It is only 90% or so, and the owner only knows it's a S&W 357.

Thanks again! TJ