S&W 586 or 686 357 Combat Magnum?

[Michael A Ferber]

I'm thinking about the 586, 4", Combat Magnum. I've already owned an early version of a 4", 686. Here is a photo, wish I still had it!

 

[Michael A Ferber]

I believe this is what I want. The 4" 586! Sample photo.

 

[Riomouse911]

Basically the same gun made with different steel.

Some say blued guns are more accurate and smoother. I’ve never been a good enough shot to see an accuracy difference, and my stainless revolvers are (to me) as smooth as my blued revolvers.

In carry guns, holster wear will slowly take the bluing off of a blued gun... and they can rust a bit faster if carried in a wet, humid/sweaty or sea-air environment a lot. (My 2.5” Model 19 lost bluing from being in a Bianchi shoulder holster too long) Stainless will rust, too, but usually at a slower rate.

I prefer the look of blued guns, but I like the ease of cleaning and finish-durability of stainless..

Both are great choices, I think you’ll never go wrong with ether one. My 4” 686+ is a former (temporary) duty gun I carried, I had it bead blasted so it was non reflective.

Stay safe.

 

[gotboostvr]

I've owned almost 30 various S&W wheel guns, the smoothest of all of them is a 4" 686-0, second place being a 4" 681-2. I'd say the SS guns being rougher isn't correct.

That 4" 686-0 is probably my all time favorite handgun.

 

[DDDWho]

My 686 dash none 4” I bought new in 1986. I still have the receipt ($310), box and papers. It was my one and only handgun for many years but has lots of company these days. Simply said it’s a great gun.

 

[Sneakshot92]

I'm thinking about the 586, 4", Combat Magnum. I've already owned an early version of a 4", 686. Here is a photo, wish I still had it! View attachment 924860

A 4" 686 is next on my list for the simple fact that, while i'm a die hard Ruger fan, the GP100 just doesn't do it for me.
Beyond that I may pick up a 586 too. Just because of those gorgeous lines.

 

[alfsauve]

Stainless is easier to care for. Put ~400 rounds though my 4" every month. Had several "spares" but sold them off. Thinking I need to buy a backup.

 

[shoebox1.1]

Micheal.. one word... stunning.

 

[OrangePwrx9]

I have a 686-4 and a 586-3. The 686, a 6 incher, is and was well nigh perfect out of the box (bought 'em both new 20 some years ago). The 4" 586 was a constant problem that dragged on for years. It would shoot patterns, not groups. Went back to Smith 3 times as I recall.

Finally PAID THEM to make it right. Cost me around $150. Wasn't happy about this, but the gun now shoots as good as it looks. They may build them better now and the next guy might have a sad tale about his 686, but for me the 586 was never worth the hassle. Like some women, its looks are what kept it around.

 

[Pat Riot]

Hmmm...I wish I had the money to take on the challenge of testing a 586 and a 686 just to see which one would be better. Of course that test would take years and lots of sacrifice in ammunition and having to go shoot the darn things...but I would do it, just for you Gents. It would be hard but I would do it.

 

[bannockburn]

Back in the day I never saw all that many Model 586s around. Bought a Model 686-no dash as it had the best out-of-the-box trigger pull (both double and single action), of any S&W revolver I have owned or used. Great balance and handling with the 4" barrel and just the right size for a .357 Magnum.

 

[bearman49709]

I sold my last blued handgun about 10 years ago and don't plan on buying another.

 

[Pat Riot]

More for those of us that like blued guns.

 

[Sneakshot92]

More for those of us that like blued guns.

^^This.

 

[Riomouse911]

I sold my last blued handgun about 10 years ago and don't plan on buying another.

I’m about 60/40 stainless/blued in the revolver department. My 3 Dan Wesson’s are blued, my Smith&Wesson’s are almost even at 5/4/1 (317 is neither stainless or blued), both Taurus are stainless and my Rugers go 5/1 stainless.

Autos, that’s a different story. I only have five stainless ones, the are outnumbered roughly 4-1 by blued guns.

Stay safe.

 

[Snake Plisskin]

I Iike my 586 and my 686 so if I where you I would get both, they are awesome

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Boils down to personal preference.
I like wood and blue so the 586 would be my choice.

 

[Bama59]

I have a 686 snub if could buy another would be a 586 4" , even better a model 27

 

[bearman49709]

More for those of us that like blued guns.

You can have them, more stainless for us that like them.

 

[Pat Riot]

You can have them, more stainless for us that like them.

It’s a deal!

 

[Pat Riot]

Don’t get me wrong, I like stainless guns too. I just like blued a little more.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

For looks, 586.

For business, 686.

That being said, I only have the 586:

 

[Fiv3r]

I agree. As a carry gun that will be sweat upon or dragged out in the wilds, I like the clean up of the 686 better. The 586, especially with a really high gloss polished blue, is probably the closest thing in my mind as the perfect .357.

So if I am just shooting it and enjoying the looks, the 586. I carry a 686+ frequently though. You can't go wrong with either.

 

[Sneakshot92]

I Iike my 586 and my 686 so if I where you I would get both, they are awesome

View attachment 925169 View attachment 925170

I've got my eyes on a similar pair of 4" guns.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

Some revolvers really need to be in blue, like a Python, and some revolvers really need to be in stainless, like a GP100. But the 586/686 is one that I could take either way. I'm a little partial to stainless, but would be just as happy with a 586.