S&W 4586 -- good deal?

[ACP]

My customized Colt Combat Commander has been giving me fits lately re: feeding failures. I imagine it is magazine related, but before I go and invest $75 for some new "supermags" (Novak, Wolff, Wilson's, etc.) I thought I'd consider some alternatives (I have some tax refund money to burn.)

I want stone cold revolver-like reliability and, since I was considering a Glock but am no longer, a double-action trigger pull. Hence the 4586.

My local gun shop (I'm in the Northeast) has a slightly used 4586 with the standard white three dot sights, with ONE magazine (yellow follower), NO BOX, for $390 out the door (tax included).

Thoughts, suggestions?

This gun is to replace the Colt as a fall/winter/spring carry gun in an OWB or IWB. I plan on replacing the recoil spring and probably the firing pin spring; I live close enought to S&W that I can take the gun in for a "check-up" if need be.

 

[Randall]

I have had a 4506 for years, they are accurate and reliable. The only problem I have had was with the recoil spring wearing out, replaced it with a Wolff and have never had a jam or any problem since. The grip is a little different feeling but easy to get used to. I use the arched back grip on mine, but you may prefer the flat one.
Randall

 

[Kramer Krazy]

1911

Hmmmm....I'd give 1911Tuner a crack and working the bugs out of your Commander.

I've got six 1911s, and the wife has two 1911s AND a S&W 4566. The S&W is a nice gun, but feels absolutely nothing like the 1911s. Her 4566 has a weird trigger pull in SA, and the night sights take a little while to get used to. The grip is a bit larger than the 1911 format, and she has some problems with getting a comfortable feel when shooting it. The 4566 is a police trade-in and has performed flawlessly in the short amount of time that we've had it. Personally, if I were you, I'd get it to 1911Tuner, if you're anywhere near NC, and take that $400 +/- and buy another 1911 like a RIA or throw in a few more bucks and buy a Springer GI......oh wait.....my fever is high again. This 1911 virus has me wanting to buy another one, again.....

 

[Devonai]

I have a 4566 that gets a lot of holster time. I owned a 4506 and decided it was too big, and a 457 and decided it was too small. The 4566 handles like it's big brother and conceals almost as well as the compact, so I'm very happy with it.

I may yet get another 457 or a 4516, since the 4566 isn't great for shorts/t-shirt weather, but if it's cool enough for at least a vest the 4566 gets the nod.

I paid $425 for mine with box, papers, and three mags. $390 seems reasonable even if you need to spend another $40 on two more magazines and $5 on a box.

 

[mainmech48]

I have a 4586 that was an LEA trade-in from somewhere in the Boise, ID area. In about 90% condition OA with tritium sights and Hogue grip I paid $350 for it. I've been very satisfied with its performance and consider it to have been a good bargain. Purchased from Kiesler's about five years ago.

The DAO mechanism lacks second-strike capacity, but since I've trained to use the "tap, rack, bang" drill in the event of FT fire with any semi-auto, I don't see that as a minus. The trade-off gives a relatively short, smooth and consistent stroke and reset which makes it fairly easy to learn to shoot well quickly with. Frankly, it's never really been an issue with mine, as I've yet to have a malf with it.

It's not a tack-driver by any means, but it'll keep eight rounds of about anything inside of 3.5-4" at 25 yds., even with my dodgey eyes. About par for most "service-grade" autos and not all that shabby for a used piece that's likely seen fairly extensive use, IMO.

I replaced the recoil spring with a stock unit from Brownell's. SOP, though it might not've needed it. The tritium is getting a bit dim, so they'll be replaced as soon as I decide what I want from among the options. Not unexpected in a piece about 10 years old when I got it.

As it was designed for LEO use, it has a magazine safety feature. While I have my own opinions, I can see where having a "kill button" on a slick slide duty/carry piece could be useful if you found yourself on the losing end of a retention struggle.

Mine lives in the drawer of my nightstand with a Surefire next to it. I sleep pretty well.

IMO, it'll make a very nice carry piece and the price doesn't seem to be unreasonable. It's rugged, reliable, simple to operate, and in the same size and weight ballpark as what you're used to.

 

[Soybomb]

My s&w 1076 will feed empty brass from the mag and hasn't failed yet. I think they're some of the best bargains in used guns you can find. Not flashy and not fancy, but reliable.

 

[buckshott]

S7W 4586

The 4586 is a very good choice. S&W semi's are great and reliable pistols. I have a 4516 that is my bedside companion. I didn't like the spurless hammer on it so I installed a hammer for a 4506 which has a spur. This was about 10 years ago and never a problem.

 

[ACP]

Thanks guys! I picked it up today. I was told by my longtime friends at the gun shop that a wealthy lawyer purchased it some years ago directly from S&W for about $780, shot it for a month, then traded it in for "something new."

It as practically no wear on it -- just a few shiny spots atop the barrel hood. The grips are mint; not a scratch on the finish; the white dot sights are immaculate. I just need some new magazines.

It fits my hand like a glove and the sights are centered at whatever I point to with my eyes closed. I'll post pics ASAP and will give you a range report within a week or so.