S&W 586 vs. 686

[2dswamp]

Need some help from you Smith officinados. I like the 686 in a 2.5" barrel and am considering buying one...but...I'm not crazy about the stainless finish.

Are the 586 models still around? I read that the 686 models replaced the 586 models but the 586 was in blue finish.

So should I search for a 586 with a 2.5" barrel or buy a 686 and Duracoat it?

Help

 

[Silvanus]

I prefer the look of a blued S&Ws too. But the 586 is not produced anymore, so it would probably be harder to find. Especially in a not quite as common barrel lengnth like 2.5". If you have the patience to look for one though, that's what you should do.

 

[Deanimator]

Summit Gunbroker has had both 586s and 686s in the recent past.

 

[ArmedBear]

The recent 586 was pretty, but didn't sell well at all from what I could see. A blue snubbie is a rather impractical carry gun, which becomes clear whenever you see an old police revolver on the collectible shelf. They tend to look like crap, all worn and scratched up, with rust here and there.

I'd get a 686 and have it blackened, or you can duracoat it. At least it won't rust underneath like a carbon steel gun will.