Couple of Smith questions: 686/586/581/13

[Storm]

To round out my Smith collection I just put a 4" M586 no dash (obviously a pre-lock) on layaway. The gun is 99%, no box, and was very lightly shot. I paid $499 for it and considered the price fair. This gun will join a 6" 686 (pre-lock) with an unfluted cylinder and a 2.5" 686 Plus. I will eventually add a 8 3/8" 686 to replace one foolishly sold years ago, and am also considering adding a 3". I'm looking to experience the gun in in it's numerous forms and am wondering whether the 3" will provide a significantly different shooting experience beyond what I have already with the 2.5", 4" and 6". The collector in me says to add the 3" no matter what, but these guns are no longer cheap, if they ever were. I started buying pre-lock Smiths a bit over a year ago and I have seen prices jump in a big way.

Also, I have a pre-lock 4" 581. I paid next to nothing for it and the gun is in great condition. The gun sat and sat in the shop I think largely due to the fact that it is double action only. While I enjoy shooting DAO I wouldn't mind having the gun SA/DAO. I'm only inclined to convert the gun to SA/DAO if that's how it came from the factory, or could have come from the factory. Does anyone know whether the 581 was produced as a DAO, or is it probably an aftermarket conversion? The DAO configuration leads me to suspect it might have been produced by Smith that way for a police contract although the gun isn't marked as such and I see no reference to DAO production in the Standard Catalog. Same question applies to a 4" DAO Model 13.

BTW, I am well aware of the Smith Forum but am unable to register there and have found very knowledgeable Smith owners here.

 

[cottonmouth]

I'm sure there were some DAO 581's back in the day, not sure about 13's. If it's not in the catalog you could get a Jinks letter but the price has gone up from $30.00 to $50.00, a little high to me but I have two or three that I wand to letter. It could help sell the gun in the future, just ad $50.00 to the price!

J.B.

 

[glockman19]

Congrats. I too am looking for a 586.

 

[Storm]

I really like the SS of the 686, but there's nothing quite like a blued gun like the 586. Smiths can have that deep aqua black when a bright light shines on them, and I get lost in that finish.

I know that the M13 in the 3" version was FBI issue (was just talking to a retired FBI Special Agent yesterday, should have asked him) but have never heard whether the gun was issued DAO.

I've gotten pretty good with some of these DAO revolvers/pistols and many of them can be had at really good prices.

 

[redneckrepairs]

Ok ill chime in from the front of a long time concealed carrier . The mod 13 or its stainless counterpart offers a lot more for carry than the 68xx or 58xx does. You know that 2.5" mod 19 or 66 that was " the gun " , well it wasent . I carried several , and ditched them all for some 3" fixed sighted k frame pistols ( and at least two of the 3" j frame lol ) . There is not much in the world of pistols that will work any better than a 125 grn .357 load . Its a hot load loaded to standard sammi and it hurts when you shoot it . Way back in the clinton days my regret is that i only bought 4 mod 10 revolvers . they were cheap then , so cheap i gave them to friends .

 

[Storm]

Way back in the clinton days my regret is that i only bought 4 mod 10 revolvers . they were cheap then , so cheap i gave them to friends .

I have to agree about the Model 10. I just picked one up and it is sweet. I paid $199 for it and that's about the best price I've seen for a pre-lock in excellent condition for a good while.

 

[Majic]

You know that 2.5" mod 19 or 66 that was " the gun " , well it wasent . I carried several , and ditched them all for some 3" fixed sighted k frame pistols

Not everyone likes a fixed sighted revolver and appreciates the adjustable sights.

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

A number of police departments purchased or modified their revolvers to DAO to prevent the "hair trigger effect" (lawsuit talk). I believe the LAPD and the Miami-Dade Police did that back in the "olden days."

ECS

 

[Storm]

A number of police departments purchased or modified their revolvers to DAO to prevent the "hair trigger effect" (lawsuit talk). I believe the LAPD and the Miami-Dade Police did that back in the "olden days."

That is my understanding as well. It seems to have been fairly common (and with semi-autosm but that seems to have been factory models). Was this a mod done by Smith at the factory, or by department armorers, or both?