S&W Model 586 Wooden Grips and blued

[TacticalCanuck]

Hi folks,

I guess what I'm looking for is information. I got my hands an 586 blued, with wooden grips .357/.38 special revolver. I had the chance to check it out, it's used but its very solid. The bore is minty. Owner said he shot IPSC with it for a while back in the day. Been sitting in his safe for years collecting dust.

I think it was a good deal for me in terms of value. But, I know very little about these guns.

I heard that there may be some recalls, or mods required. But no idea on how to figure out which I may need/desire to do, or much about it other than it was, at one time, 'the' pistol to have.

 

[red_bailey]

The only recall (so far as I know) was in 1987, when the 586-2 up-date was introduced. Same for the 686, and the rather less likely to find here 581/681. Previous -1 and no dash models can have the -2 hammer nose (firing pin) and bushing fitted, which prevents potential binding when using high pressure .357 loads and soft primers.

Those guns sent back for recall service will have an M stamped inside the frame by the model number to indicate they were modified, making them a 586-M. S&W still does this, though I can't imagine it's a quick turn-around for Canada.

Great guns, they have a little more heft with the beefier frame and full barrel lug, and the same grip frame as the Ks for nearly endless availability of stock replacements. Much nicer in blue, and I bet yours has some nice deep bluing too. Which model designation are you talking about?

As to modifications, depends what you want to use it for. Speed shooting or slow target work, single or double action, holster draw and situational shooting or one-handed Olympic, you get the picture. Apart from gunsmith work to smooth and lighten the trigger/sear/hammer, you can pick up some drop-in springs from Wolff (gunsprings dotcom), but I bet the DA/SA trigger is already quite excellent. If it's early enough that the recall is a consideration, I doubt you need to de-horn the internals; only new Smiths arrive from the factory with lacklustre fit and finish.

Being shot in IPSC maybe the previous owner tried to grease up the trigger pull by loosening (or modifying) the strain screw on the main spring, or mucking about even worse. Turn that sucker in as far as it'll go and keep it there.

 

[Sleeper]

I have owned several that did not have the modification done. with the harder primers these days i doubt you will have any issues.

These are fantastic pistols that can outshoot 99% of the people squeezing the trigger.

If the crane (hinge part that allows the cylinder to swing in and out) is tight to the frame when closed its not been abused by somone flicking their wrist to close the cylinder Hollywood style. If you #### the hammer as slow as possible with your thumb slightly dragging on the cylinder, then when the hammer is fully cocked see if the cylinder needs to rotate more for the cylinder stop to lock in place in the bottom of the cylinder coming up through the frame. if it locks in place without any need for further movement the timing is good. After that see if it shoots, if so you have a gem that will in all likelihood outlive you.

 

[TacticalCanuck]

Thanks RB, lots to take in for sure.

I know that this is an early model, there is a dash after the model no. -AB14 or something to that effect, according to the seller. I trust the seller, I've know him a long while and he is a really good guy. Anything he's done has been disclosed - which is nothing other than shooting it a whole lot

Once I get it home I'll give it a complete go over, cleaning, degrease, oil the whole 9. I would like to get the newer style molded rubber grips.

As far as shooting styles, for now I want to work on getting to know how it shoots. I'll probably be doing slow, bullseye style shooting, working it like its a single action. Once I get to know the weapon a little better, I'll start to work it double.

I've shot a tight group with .38 having had a chance to shoot it already. I was pleased indeed. I'm looking forward to spending time at the range with it!

 

[albayo]

I had my 686 out yesterday for the first time and it worked great. I have small hands and the K frame grip is about the maximum size grip I can handle.
I always take the huge wooden grips off and put them away, I install Pachmayr Professional Grippers.
The Pachmayr grips have an open back strap which allows my finger to get closer to the trigger, and the grip flares out at the bottom.
If the previous owner used it for IPSC he may have had it smoothed out or tuned it should work well.

A friend of mine had a New Ruger GP 100 Match Champion slab sided barrel and half barrel lug. I liked the sights especially the front Fiber Optic sight.
I would like to get one installed on my 686.