Posted: 6/10/2026 10:47:55 PM EDT
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My neighbor and I do a crazy amount of horse trading and have the same interests (guns, tools, beer, etc). He brought this over tonight, apparently it’s mine now and is in my safe. I know it’s a S&W 357 and has old Pachmayer grips. Other than that I really am out of my depth other than him telling me it was his truck gun many years ago. What exactly do I have here model-wise?Attached File Attached File |
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Congrats! Nice find! That indeed does look like a S&W 586, the question is now what "dash" (what version) is it? As already mentioned, open the cylinder and you'll see a "586-_ " stamp on the frame. You'll also find the serial number in there as well. If that is a 586 with no dash, then it was manufactured in 1980 (its first year). Some of us have the "S&W Catalog" and can look up serial numbers that will tell you a more specific date of manufacture. I recently purchased a 6in 586-1 made in 1981, it is in mint condition and fired very sparingly. It came with the original matching #'s box and all the papers too. I paid $800 shipped and I feel I got a good deal. That gun deserves a nice set of S&W wood grips instead of those fugly rubber things. The EE here or the Altamont company are both good places to start for nice wood grips. |
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Looks like no dash: Attached File Other markings: Attached File I agree this needs wood grips, it needs a good cleaning too. Came with 350rds of Golden Saber and a few hundred rds of mixed 357. I’ve got a bunch of .38 already so I’m good for ammo for awhile, I’ll likely test fire it this evening. |
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The bottom pic is just assembly numbers. For future reference, the older revolvers don’t have model or serial numbers in the crane. A lot of people make the mistake of not getting the serial off the butt of the gun, and try to record an assembly number as a serial number. |
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Originally Posted By 80sgyrene: The bottom pic is just assembly numbers. For future reference, the older revolvers don’t have model or serial numbers in the crane. A lot of people make the mistake of not getting the serial off the butt of the gun, and try to record an assembly number as a serial number. Good to know, thanks! Getting more interested in wheelguns as I get older and have a lot to learn about them. |
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Early S&W L frames (like yours) had a recall. Yours isn't "M" marked above the model number, so it hasn't been sent back to S&W for the recall. You can call or email S&W to verify that it hasn't had the upgrade. Read this article below and decide if you want to send it back to S&W for the recall. Some do, so don't. I did it on mine about 6 months ago, so they are still honoring it. And did it just to make sure it would work with any ammo I tried in it. It took about 3 weeks. They'll email you the shipping label & ship it directly back to you if you decide to send it back. The 1987 L-Frame Recall Here's my 1987 586-1. The stainless version 686 was my duty gun for about a year before I went to a Glock 17. Attached File Here's the "M" denoting it went back for the recall. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By d4xycrq: OP, ‘No Dash’ pistols are somewhat collectible. Don’t let go of that one. I won’t- I learned my lesson on that with a beautiful 65-2 former Tennessee Highway Patrol in excellent condition I got in a trade a couple years ago that sometimes the perfect gun comes to you. I traded it off with a buddy who is a local deputy and have regretted it since. I intend to shoot this and keep it in my rotation. |
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Originally Posted By PAESAN: That’s a nice addition, congratulations. If you don’t mind, what did you have to give up for it? That's a great question, I'm not quite sure yet! He and I horse trade a lot, sometimes guns, sometimes tools, etc. He wants me to build him an AR, so by the time I get it to the specs he wants maybe $800 or so (not counting $ on parts I already have, maybe $1200 in reality?). This deal included 350 rounds of Golden Saber and another 250 plus rounds of mixed 357 mag so I'm not worried about going over in any way. Him and his wife have keys to everything my wife and I own and vice-versa so there may also be a Milwaukee tool or battery or a case of beer going one way or the other before we're done! No luck on the factory grips, unfortunately. |
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Originally Posted By DerDritte: Looks like no dash: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/477126/IMG_3093_jpeg-3776936.JPG Other markings: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/477126/IMG_3089_jpeg-3776937.JPG I agree this needs wood grips, it needs a good cleaning too. Came with 350rds of Golden Saber and a few hundred rds of mixed 357. I’ve got a bunch of .38 already so I’m good for ammo for awhile, I’ll likely test fire it this evening. Per the "Standard Catalog of S&W", your 586 was manufactured in 1984, and the "no dash" does give it the "first generation" tag. The "586-1" version came out in 1986. I would NOT send it back to S&W for the modification. Just shoot it. It sounds like the problem was far and few between and only involved HOT 125gr loads that allows the primer to "flow" back in to the firing pin hole due to the hole being .0009 too big. I've fired the typical 125 gr and 158 gr loads in my "non-M stamped" 586 or 686 guns (no dash), and there hasn't ever been an issue. I only fire the hot stuff out of my newer 686's. Nice gun! Let me know if you want to sell! :) |
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IMHO the 4in L frame is good all around gun. My first 586 was 6in Nickel plated one. Way back in the early 80's. I shot the snot out it. Then I got 4in 686. I shot about 1000rds of HOT 357 125gr JHP rounds. A max load of h11o was the powder. A gas cut developed on the top strap. I sent it back to S&W to be checked out. When all was said and done the gun was replaced. Now I have 686 and 586 both 4in. Tuned actions. To the OP. Enjoy your new addition. |
jme and I am a NRA Endowment Member
Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
R W Emerson
Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
R W Emerson