S&W Model 586
| Smith & Wesson Model 586 | |
|---|---|
 586-7 Revolver with 7-round capacity and factory wood grips
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| Type | Revolver |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Smith & Wesson |
| Variants |
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| Specifications | |
| Barrel length |
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| Cartridge | |
| Action | Double action |
| Feed system | 6 round cylinder |
| Sights | Adjustable rear open sights |
The Smith & Wesson Model 586, is a six- or seven-shot double-action revolver chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge.
It is essentially the same weapon as the S&W Model 686, but the 586 has a blued steel construction, while the 686 has a stainless steel construction. Also, since the 586 was directed more to law enforcement, most have shorter barrels than the 686.
It will chamber and fire .38 Special cartridges, as the .357 Magnum was developed from the .38 Special. The magnum case is slightly longer (0.1 in) to prevent magnum rounds from being chambered and fired in handguns chambered for the .38 Special. The 586 has been available with 2½ in, 3 in, 4 in, 6 in, and 8⅜" in (64, 76, 102, 153, and 214 mm) barrel lengths as standard models and other barrel lengths either by special order from S & W's Performance Center custom shop, or acquired from or built by after-market gunsmiths.
The Model 586 uses S & W's L (medium) revolver frame, with a K-Frame sized grip mated to a larger diameter cylinder. During the 1980s, Smith & Wesson developed its L-Frame line of .357 Magnums: the Model 581, Model 586, Model 681 and Model 686. The Model 581 had a fixed notch type rear sight, whereas the 586 used a target style adjustable rear sight. These handguns had a major effect on both law enforcement and sporting markets. The 586 was introduced in 1980 and the 581 was discontinued in 1988.
According to Jim Supica and Richard Nahas in their book Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson; 3rd Edition (Gun Digest Books, Lola WI. 2006)
The K-frame .357 magnum revolvers became immensely popular as police revolvers. However some felt that extensive firing of full power .357 ammunition in the relatively light framed guns was wearing on both gun and shooter. There appeared to be a demand for a .357 that handled like a K frame but offered the heft and durability of an N frame. The L frame was introduced as this compromise size, with design input from Roy Jinks (official S&W company historian), and quickly established itself in the law enforcement and hunting markets. L frames also generally feature a full-length under-barrel lug, which adds recoil-absorbing weight to the gun.
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