Just picked up a 586 6 inch. Current owners opinion

[ANATION]

So I just picked up a 586 6 inch. Was gonna hold out for the 6" Python but was impressed with the fit and finish of the Smith, current thread on this forum non-withstanding, and didn't feel like dropping the extra cheddar on the Pony. Anyways, current owners, how accurate and or finicky has your 586 been with hand loads? Does your prefer 158 or 180 gr bullets?

 

[JDeere]

I have one but have only loaded 158 coated swc in both .38 and .357. Accurate with my loads. Nice revolver and no issues...

 

[derek45]

"finicky " ????

The 586/686 is a classic

they were designed from the ground up to handle a lifetime of hot 125gr loads.

I feed mine 125-170gr

win231 for mild loads
UNIQUE, Universal, power pistol, or HS-6 for warm
H110/win296 or 2400 for max loads.

 

[scotty]

I have a 686+ 7 shot revolver that I bought 20+ years ago. It is not finicky at all about rounds that shoot well. 125gr jacketed, 158gr jacketed or lead, .38 loads, they all shoot well. I used it for USPSA competition for a while shooting .38 158gr LSWC loads using speedloaders. I did rather well. The only issue was that with .38 lead loads was that a lead ring would build up in the forcing cone. This was cleaned religiously after each shooting session and was never a problem.

 

[cfullgraf]

I have several 586/686's with barrel lengths of 4", 6" and 8-3/8". All shoot well and more accurately than I can shoot. But, except for the 4" 586-0, none have had full power loads through them while in my possession. (Only the 8-3/8" 686 was purchased used).

I generally load and shoot 158 Grain semi-wadcutters in 357 Magnum cases. I get velocities from 950-1000 fps. A bit hotter than 38 Special +P but none of the noise, muzzle flash, or wrist snapping recoil of full power loads.

I also have a new production 6" Python. Except for the mystic of being a Colt Python, I do not feel it performs any better than my S&W's. Time will tell on the reliability of the Python.

 

[duwayne potter]

I've had a 6" for probably 25 or more years. Lots of rounds of all weight and configuration. Absolutely no problems and more accurate than I am.

 

[entropy]

Ya done good. I always liked the blued 586 over the more popular 686. I do plan on buying a 3 or 4 inch new Python, but I learned a long time ago they don't appreciate a steady diet of hot .357. I'll mostly be putting light .38 loads through it.

 

[Riomouse911]

That is an outstanding revolver. No matter how much you shoot it, when its time that S&W will be a great hand-me-down to a worthy heir someday .

My 4” 686+ has been a great gun. I actually carried it as a duty gun around 2003 as I rehabbed a thumb ligament injury in my right hand (I couldn’t operate a mag release or slide stop but i could push a cylinder latch). I had it bead blasted to reduce glare.



The 686 is the only .357 I have that I will shoot some stout 165 gr coated LRN loads I cooked up using AA#9.



Let us know how it shoots for you when you get a chance to exercise it.

Stay safe.

 

[P5 Guy]

"L" frames gotta love 'em
696, 681, 686.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Anyways, current owners, how accurate and or finicky has your 586 been with hand loads? Does your prefer 158 or 180 gr bullets?

I own both an old Python and a 686. I used to carry a 586 as a duty gun and shot it extensively.

The 586 will shoot 158gr-170gr bullets a bit better than the 180gr. Hot loaded 180gr slugs are almost as abusive as hot 125gr loads. The 170gr bullets will give you a bit more accuracy as distances beyond 40 yards.

The twist of the old Python barrels made them superior with the 148gr hallow based wadcutter which were the load of choice in PCC competition. The S&W L-frame guns were created to give the Python some competition in the Distinguished category (non-bull barreled); besides taking the pounding of a full time diet of .357 Mag loads.

The Python action (trigger and hammer travel) are longer than the S&W, which makes the Colt a bit easier to shoot deliberately

 

[Thomasss]

Picked up a nickel S&W 586, 6 inch 2 years ago and is a lovely gun to shoot. I've shot .38 wad cutters, 158 SWC in .38 cases, and now playing with 158 Rem HP in .357 case medium loads. The heavier load appears to shoot better POI, or is it just me?

 

[9mmepiphany]

The heavier load appears to shoot better POI, or is it just me?

The twist rate of the barrels are better matched to the 158gr bullets than lighter ones

 

[Jim Watson]

I haven't loaded anything but 158-160 gr bullets in a long time. I had a cleanup of 148 wadcutters a few years ago and still haven't shot them all, not even with an M52 to plink with.

 

[Thomasss]

The twist rate of the barrels are better matched to the 158gr bullets than lighter ones

Would this also be true for Colts?
My brother has a 4 inch trooper.

 

[Jim Watson]

Would this also be true for Colts?
My brother has a 4 inch trooper.

Colts have typically had a 14 twist vs Smith 18.75, making them theoretically superior for the low velocity wadcutter.
In ordinary use, there is no difference. The PMA once did a side by side comparison, the SW was slightly more accurate. Two guns, one load, YMMV.

The twist rate of the barrels are better matched to the 158gr bullets than lighter ones

This would be news to nearly everybody in the 9mm business, 10 and 16 twists for dinky little 115s.

 

[ANATION]

Wow. Just had the new 586 out at the range. Only put three cylinders through it but I was able to hold a 2 inch group, hand loaded 124 gr, at 15 yards standing and a 3 inch group from the bench at 25 yards with PMC 158gr. I understand that there are certainly better numbers but this was the first 12 shots. Really excited to see what I can do with this piece and my other hand loads

 

[tominboise]

I had an early 6" 586 back in the '80's, that I managed to shoot enough to get it out of time badly. Most of the loads were max charges of WW296 and jacketed bullets. I eventually sold it as it was so unpleasant to shoot. I now have a 4" 686+ that seems to be holding together. I don't load everything to the gills anymore, so that likely helps.

 

[GooseGestapo]

In 1998 I shot a National record in PPC with my 686 2.5” that still stands!!!
OFF DUTY Service revolver, 480/480-37x.
What else is there to say?

158gr Star SWC over 3.6gr HP38. Starline brass, Federal 100 Small pistol primers.

 

[Ru4real]

…and a 3 inch group from the bench at 25 yards with PMC 158gr…

That’s about how my 2020 made 586 shot. So I went to work, and now it’s a one inch 6 round gun at 25 yards. Bottom gun with target.

A few weeks ago, I picked up a 1982 made 586 silhouette with 8-3/8” barrel. Someone’s ex safe queen. Shown with a 1 inch 6 round 25 yards group also. But this one came from the factory that good.

View attachment 1117157

 

[buck460XVR]

Anyways, current owners, how accurate and or finicky has your 586 been with hand loads?

While I don't have a 585, I do have 4 686s. 3", 4", 5" and 6". I believe you will find the accuracy of your new 586 will far exceed your own. You will find that as time goes on the trigger will get better and so will your shooting. Combine that with S&Ws great customer service and you have made a great investment. I shoot 158s for the most part, even when used for deer hunting. Have not shot any factory .357 ammo in several decades.