Any opinions on the new S&W 520's/586-7's

[flip180]

I want to get another wheel gun. After selling off all of my previous .357, I would like to have at least one in my meager collection. I went to mt local gun shop and was offered 545.00+tax for one. I don't consider that too bad since the cheapest I've found them on-line was 519.00+s&h/FFL fees. I'll still pay a little bit more locally but, I'll have the piece of mind that I'll be supported by my local gun shop should it need to have work done on it. They are good people and have helped me out in the past when I needed to have a gun shipped back for warranty work. Here is a link to S&W's web site concerning the new gun.
http://www.firearms.smith-wesson.com/store/index.php3?cat=293600&item=1408005&sw_activeTab=1

They also have a 586-7 limited production with 7 shot cylinder and checkerd finger grooved grips for 575.00+tax. I was interested in that gun also but the price seem kinda high. It's cheaper here than on the internet if I remember right but I can get a six shot 586 and slap some nice grips on it for cheaper than that. It is a pretty gun though and I could have it today if I wanted but, I want to see what your opinions of both would be.

Thanks, Flip.

 

[flip180]

Well hell!

I said screw it. I call the gun shop and ordered the 520. It will be here tomarrow. Out of my tax return, I've used a third of it for repair/improvements on my home so, I figured I'd use a third of it to buy the pistol I wanted. This apparently is a new gun for 2005 so, I figured I probably wouldn't get too much input on it here. In fact, their distributor said it was the first one he sold so, I guess I'm going to be a guinne (sp-?) pig. I'll post close up pics of it as soon as I can and will post a range report when I get it out to the range. I'm a traditionalist when it comes to S&W pistols. I like blued steel and wood grips with pinned barrels and recessed cylinders. There aren't many of the new smiths comming out that have caught my eye but, this one has. I really like the matte black finish on the frame and barrell with the gray titanium cylinder and wood grips. At 37.9 ounces, it will have some heft to it and won't fly out of my hands when shooting .357 loads. Anyway, that was the story of my wild hair. I really need to shave that thing :banghead: .

Flip,

 

[Rangie]

I've got a new 520. I think it might be the greatest full size .357 revolver ever.

The S&W website is wrong about it's weight. Mine weighs 34.5oz.- lighter than a model 19.

The new two piece barrel is a big improvement over the older crush fit system.

 

[Rangie]

 

[Brasso]

They look nice, but this whole "lightweight, titanium" thing S&W has going on really leaves me cold unless it's a J-frame.

 

[Rangie]

The only Titanium part is the cylinder.

Remember the old N-frames were beating themselves to death with a lot of fast DA shooting because of the heavy cylinders spinning quickly and slamming into the bolt. Problem solved.

 

[flip180]

Well, I'm a little dissapointed

I got it home and found a few blemishes. I was looking at the barrel and noticed a series of distinct pits on the right side of the serations on the top of the barrel. On the lug on the side of the ejection rod, there is a groove that extends to the end of the under lug that isn't machined right. it is straight on the top of the groove but the bottom goes at an upward angle the closer it gets to the ejecting rod. I know these are cosmetic issues but they're on a brand new gun straight from the factory. I wouldn't think much of it if I had bought the gun used and at a good price. On the good side, this really is a nice gun. I had a pristine 3.5in 27-2 and I know that it isn't that level of fit and finish but, I really like this gun. It has different look to it that is really appealing. As far as the "flyoutofmyhandium" thing; other than the titanium cylinder, this gun is carbon steel and has some heft to it. I called S&W and they are going to send me a pick-up slip to have it shipped back to them se they can evaluate the problem and fix it if needed. I would think that they would fix it. This is obviously a QC thing and a new gun and I think that they would take care of it instead of sending it back to me with the problems unaddressed. Awyway here are some pics. the pic of the pits are unfocused but all of the white specs ae the pits.



Flip.

 

[SnWnMe]

Seeing how it has fur on it, I'll say it's a dog alright

Kidding. It's nice. Can't go wrong with an L frame

 

[flip180]

Thanks,

but it's frustrating to see something like this. I really hope S&W makes it right though. There isn't a thing about this gun that I don't like except the issues as presiously stated.

Flip.