# Smith & Wesson Model 586

The Smith & Wesson Model 586 is a six- or seven-shot double-action revolver chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge; it will also chamber and fire .38 Special cartridges. The Model 586 has a carbon steel construction and is available in a blued or nickel finish; it is essentially the same firearm as the Model 686, which has stainless steel construction. It is also known as the Distinguished Combat Magnum.

## Description

In addition to being able to chamber and fire .357 Magnum cartridges, the 586 will chamber and fire .38 Special cartridges as well as .38 Special +P (overpressure ammunition). The 586 has been available with 2+1⁄2, 3, 4, 6, and 8+3⁄8 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 Smith & Wesson Model 581, Model 586, Smith & Wesson 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, while the 581 was discontinued in 1988.
The K-frame guns, though popular with police departments, were felt to be too light for full-power .357 ammunition, and a heavier and more durable gun was desired, in the same frame size. (This would avoid the complaints attaching to the larger, heavier N-frame Model 29 and Model 58.) Designed with input from official S&W historian Roy Jinks, the L-frame was the result, and it quickly gained praise from policemen and hunters.
The 586 was discontinued in 1999. After a 13-year absence, it was reintroduced in 2012 with the aforementioned safety modifications, plus an improved yoke, as the 586-8 variant. These are produced with 4-inch (100 mm) and 6-inch (150 mm) barrel lengths, as part of Smith & Wesson's Classic line of revolvers.
Controversy rose when Smith & Wesson cooperated with the Clinton administration to modify their line of revolvers with an internal locking mechanism, colloquially dubbed the "Hillary Hole", and other changes. That agreement resulted in a boycott by many firearms enthusiasts, which led to a dramatic drop in stock price, and nearly bankrupted the company. Smith & Wesson was sold to Saf-T-Hammer for a fraction of its true value.

## Engineering and production changes

| Model | Year | Modifications |
| 586 | 1981 | Introduction. |
| 586-1 | 1986 | Radius stud package, floating hand |
| 582-M | 1987 | Product warning by S&W: M over stamped to signify a modification by factory or warranty station for 586 and 586-1 |
| 586-2 | 1987 | Changed hammer nose, bushing and associated parts |
| 586-3 | 1988 | New yoke retention system |
| 586-4 | 1993 | Change rear sight leaf, drill and tap frame, change extractor, Hogue grips |
| 586-5 | 1997 | Delete 8 3/8" barrel/change to MIM thumbpiece/Ship with Master trigger locks |
| 586-6 | 1997 | Change frame design to eliminate cylinder stop stud, eliminate serrated tangs, MIM hammer and trigger, change to internal lock |
| 586-6 | 1999 | Model 586 Discontinued |
| 586-7 | 2004 | Performance Center .38 Super, 6-Shot unfluted cylinder, 4 in (100 mm) barrel, Stainless Steel, 250 Made, seven shot with internal lock |
| 586-8 | 2012 | Reintroduction as a Classic Series with internal lock 6-shot 4" and 6" RR, WO TS SB |

## Recall

In 1987, seven years after the release of the Model 686, there were reports of cylinder binding with some types of standard .357 Magnum ammunition for L-frame revolvers manufactured before August 1987. S&W published a product warning and authorized free modification to the revolver. All affected revolvers repaired for this recall were stamped with an M on the yoke near the model number. Thus it is known as the M modification for all 686, 686-1, 586, and 586-1 revolvers.