S&W 586 - 686 question

[Pilgrim]

What is the difference between the S&W 586 and 686? Is the frame for these the L?

[garandsrus]

Stainless (686) VS blued (586). Yes, they are L frames.

[Pilgrim]

Thank you...I thought they were both SS. Pilgrim

[MtGun44]

The guns are very accurate, in my experience. I have a 586 +1 (seven shot cylinder)
and it is an extremely good pistol, smooth, accurate and good looking. I highly
recommend the design, if you avoid the earliest of the stainless versions.

Early 686s had some issues with durability if fed a steady diet of max loads for
many thousands of rounds, the stainless steel alloy used for the cylinder pivot tube
(part of the crane) was a bit too soft and the guns could eventually develop end
shake of the cylinder. Later versions - not sure, but roughly the -3 or -4 guns and later
had this solved and are very durable. The carbon steel versions of the guns,
the 586s, never had any problems. The end shake on the early 686s is very easily
repaired by having a good gunsmith "stretch" the crane tube to remove the clearance.


Bill

[captain-03]

LOVE my 686 ... best handgun I have ever owned!!

[txsnowman2k2]

S/W also made a Nickle version 586. I got a low serial number in 6"... Great shooter...tx.

[bobthenailer]

For the 357 mag the L frame is my favorite frame size . Have them all except J frame

[Green Frog]

To the OP: Any time a S&W model # begins with a six (6X or 6XX) it should be expected to be a stainless version of that series. If it has a 3 digit # that begins with a 5, it is probably carbon steel (blue or nickel finish.) Just a general rule of thumb that makes your question easy to answer out of hand.

Regards,
Froggie

[NSB]

I had two custom guns built by Bill Davis in 357mag. One was a Ruger Security Six and the other was a S&W model 27. They were nothing short of perfect...in every way. The most accurate revolvers you could ever imagine. My 686 is probably 98% as good after getting the trigger refined a little. The trigger was good out of the box, typical of S&W but I wanted it just a little bit better. I've owned a lot of different 357s over the last forty years and dollar for dollar, nothing is as good as the 586/686 (owned both).

[osteodoc08]

Basically what has already been said. The only thing I have to add was that the no dash and -1 models had a firing pin bushing recall. You can tell if the recall wsa done because a small 'M' will be stamped by the model number when you swing the cylinder open.

I regrettably sold a 8-3/8" no dash 686. I picked up a pristine 686 no dash with box and docs for a song and intended on flipping it. It is super accurate and I'm not so sure now.

[Digger]

A big 10-4 on the "586" ... the gun is much more accurate than I am ....
Really fun to shoot with Miha's 180 gr hp's ..did I say accurate ??

[Petrol & Powder]

And to supplement all of the prior good info:

S&W 581 = Carbon steel, fixed sights, L-frame
S&W 586 = Carbon steel, adjustable sights, L-frame
S&W 681 = Stainless steel, fixed sights, L-frame
S&W 686 = Stainless steel, adjustable sights, L-frame

Law enforcement agencies tended to prefer revolvers with fixed sights and the stainless steel models were a little more popular for L.E. The 686 with its adjustable sights, lives on.

[randy_68]

Love my 686 plus. Very accurate and easy to shoot. Going to pick up a 1988 629 .44 Classic Hunter with unfluted cyl today at my LGS. I will then have a sorta matched pair.:mrgreen:
Here is my 686. 7 shot unfluted cyl, 5" barrel. Kinda rare.
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h81/randy_68/SW%20686/photobucket-4445-1358686351444.jpg

[robertbank]

Just picked up a very nice, almost pristine 686 no dash with a 105.14mm barrel. (A barrel of 105MM or less is a prohibitive firearm up here - stupid Liberal gun laws). I have not shot it a lot and intend to use it as a back up to my GP-100 for IDPA. The latter gun is about as good as a revolver gets. I am hoping the 686 is as good. Both guns have excellent triggers. With Hogue grips on the Smith it weighs in exactly one once lighter than the Ruger.

Take Care

Bob

[Fergie]

I picked up a 686PC from my LGS a few years back and love the pistol. The SA trigger pull is very crisp and light, with the DA pull just a slight bit more weight.

I like the size, the look and the feel of the gun to the point that it comes with me to the range every time I go.

[Leadmelter]

My 586 is my go to pistol. I am thinking of Cerakote coating this winter. The blue is worn and minor pitting but can put 50 rounds of 170 Keith bullets in the black.
Any comments on the Cerakoting??
Leadmelter
MI