Whats the difference between a S&W 586 and 586-2 ?

[afvoo52]

I have a friend looking at both, the 586 is more than the 586-2 and he is wondering what the difference is. I believe they are both 6 inch barrels.

 

[SDC]

All a "dash" number indicates is some type of manufacturing change, usually to make the revolver cheaper or easier to produce; the 586 was introduced in 1981, and the 586-2 was introduced in 1987. Depending on the model, it can mean the difference between flat or counter-bored chambers, left- or right-hand threads on some parts, and so on.

 

[.41Dave]

SDC is correct, the dash # indicates an engineering change. In respect to the 586, these are:

586 1981 introduction at AAA 000x serial prefix
586-1 1986 Radius stud package, floating hand
586-2 1987 Change hammer nose and associated parts
586-M 1987 Product warning by S&W: M overstamped to modification by factory or warranty station for models 586 and 586-1
586-3 1988 New yoke retention system
586-4 1994 Drill and tp, synthetic grips, change rear sight, change extractor
585-6 1998 Change in frame design to eliminate cylinder stop stud-eliminate serrated tangs, change to MIM hammer with floating firing pin. Change internal lock works
Discontinued in 1999 except for a special production run of the 586 L-Comp in 2000

 

[Checkman]

I purchased a 586 back in November of 2005. I contacted S&W and they provided me with a shipping number for FedEx. I packaged it and called FedEx the day before Thanksgiving. The Friday after Thanksgiving the FedEx guy came to my house and picked it up. I had it back the following Friday with the modification work all done. Didn't even have to go through an FFL to get it back.

Didn't cost me a single penny. Yes the recall is still in effect and S&W will eat the cost for shipping and doing the modification to the associated parts and hammer nose. Even after the lawsuit 20+ years later.

I went ahead and had it done just for peace of mind. It now has the M stamp as well.