Just as there are a lot of used guns in this model line. Since the S&W 586 has been around for more than 30 years, there are plenty of accessories available. Shooting freehand, three-inch groups at 25 yards should be possible for any good shooter using this gun, and bench-rest shooting likely offers even better accuracy at 50 yards or longer. The four-inch 686 shot for the BBTI tests was very accurate – about as good as any full-sized handgun I’ve shot. Plus, I like having fixed sights for carrying purposes. Though it has been a while since I shot one, but I remember the sights to be quite good. There are S&W 586 and 686 models that have been offered with fixed sights. The 586 “L-Comp” variant, however, is probably superior for carrying because of its three-inch barrel and seven-round cylinder.
The ones with the longer barrels are better balanced and more suitable for target shooting. In terms of handling, the 586 has excellent ergonomics and it is easy for me to shoot it well.
But, true, it could be a reasonable alternative to the Python, depending on what one wants to use it for.Īs you may have guessed, the S&W 586 has a robust design and is less likely to develop timing problems if you shoot a lot of full-house. While I’m a Python fanboy, I just consider the S&W 586 to be a very good revolver. Many people compare the 586 to the Colt Python. This could be due to a slight design change in the trigger group, or it could just be the fact that older guns have probably been shot more, so they’re smoothed out. The trigger is good, but there are some minor modifications in the variants over the years – a lot of people consider the older guns to have a smoother, more reliable trigger. As one would expect from Smith & Wesson, the S&W 586 is well made. The Smith & Wesson Model 586 is a good gun and was quickly welcomed by the firearm-shooting public. 357 loads overtime, so it would wear on both the gun and the shooter. The main concern was that the less robust K-frame wasn’t capable of handling the hot. While the description is not an exaggeration, what it isn’t saying is that the L-frame, or S&W 586, was intended to resolve some minor problems and complaints folks had with the K-frame, the forerunning S&W frame-design for.
As police officers and hunters will attest, this firearm is made to withstand heavy use.” The S&W 586 was built on what Smith & Wesson calls its L-frame, which the company defines on its website as “a strong, durable frame and barrel built for continuous Magnum usage. That particular handgun had a six-round cylinder and the more characteristic target sights, meaning a front ramp with red insert and rear notch fully adjustable. The original tests were for the Ballistics By The Inch tests of both the. I have had the opportunity to shoot a number of these guns over the years, but this review is based on that general background supplemented by shooting a S&W 686 with a four-inch barrel. The S&W 586 is the blued version while the S&W 686 is the stainless steel one. There were two models available with the difference being the external finish. Most are designed with a six-chambered cylinder, but some with seven chambers are available too. It has been offered with various barrel lengths from 2.5, three, four, six to 8.375 inches. The Smith & Wesson 586 was introduced in the early 1980s and the overall design has gone through several slight modifications since then. However, if it’s not in your interest to buy it at the new asking price, the used models are still certainly a viable option. 357 Magnum revolver the Smith & Wesson 586 ( 686) would certainly be suitable for most needs and will remain that way for some time, as the company announced that they will be re-releasing it.