Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns S&W 586: The Poor Man's Python?

Recently acquired this nicely preserved S&W Model 586 Distinguished Combat Magnum, it's a dash-4 so a mid-1990s gun with the hammer mounted firing pin and no internal lock. These revolvers are wonderfully balanced and the action on this particular specimen is very smooth. As much as I like Colt Python's, if I'm going to be shooting thousands of rounds of .357 Magnum (and I plan on doing just that with this gun over the summer) I prefer the S&W

I like them better, too, except for that S&W red ramp fetish. I do better with all black sights, never did like the red ramps (or any other color than black).
Ks & Ls fit my hand, the Colts, not so much.

There is always the Python's better, the S&W model 27. However, your 586 is a very nice looking revolver!

Yeah, but I'd prefer not to beat the heck out of my Model 27. It's older than my Dad

For a gun that will be shot and used a lot I would pick the 586 over the Python, regardless of price.

Ernie

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Beautiful! I'd go 586 as well for a high volume shooter. The older I get, the more I warm toward revolvers, and stag grips are the answer to any question!

Those grips were made from Elk by Patrick Grashorn, who posts here under the screen name "Executioner."

The various L Frame S&W revolvers are fine shooting, well made, and durable 357 Magnum handguns. They are among my favorite double action revolvers.

The whole thing about Python's being fragile is complete BS, they're VERY strong revolvers. The frame and cylinder are larger and stronger than even the L frame S&W. But, I have to admit, I prefer the S&W also. The DA pull on a Python is nice, but I prefer the constant pressure of the S&W over the stacking pressure of the Python. Python's generally have an edge in accuracy since they have about the best quality barrel you can put on a revolver, but I've never found the L frame S&W's to be far enough behind the Python to really matter.

Even though they made a bunch of 586's, you just don't see a ton of them these days. I'm betting because people tend to hang on to them, rather than letting them go.

Enjoy your 586, that's a GREAT revolver there.

Very true, Kevin, but I do think Colt's are more prone to getting out of time than S&W's.

I'd love to have a Python, but the prices are still too steep unless you luck up on a real deal.

I do really like the 586 though almost as well, but the rib just add a special touch on the Python.

MM

Older Smiths for "go", Python for show. I've had several Pythons over the years, never found one that I could consistently shoot as well as the Smiths. The additional accuracy potential of the Python is an academic discussion to me. My 5" M27 that I bought new in 1981 has stayed, while several Pythons were temporary boarders. And by the way, you can't wear it out...I've tried.

Man that's a good lookin' revolver! I think that blued revolver looks better than its stainless steel counterpart.

There was a photo in Shooting Times in the early 80's, I've got it in a box somewhere in storage, that was the first page of an article called something like, "Smith & Wesson's Longest L-Frames" that was just awesome. It showed two 8 3/8's barreled guns, one a 586 and the other a 686. I drooled about those for years as a teenager.

I never could warm up to the L-frames. The full length barrel lug of the Python looks natural there - not so to my eye on the S&W. I had a Python and sold it because the grip was too large for my smallish hands and grip options were too few for me back in the pre-Internet days in my rural Ozark neighborhood. I also had a bit of trouble getting accustomed to the long Colt action as opposed to my more familiar S&W guns. I tried the L-frames when they first came out and even packed one on duty for awhile. No doubt they are beefier than the K-frames, but they just didn't seem to point as well for me and I went back home to my old friends in the K-frame family.

A poor man's python would more likely be a original Model Trooper; it too is an I frame with Python action, and they cost a lot less than a Python. I know a spendy gun shop here that has a mint 6" model, and only wants $650 for it.

I inherited a 4" from Dad, at some point I'll try to get some photos of it.

That's my take on it as well. To top it off, I knew the introduction of the L-frame signaled the demise of the K-frame, and I've held that against the L's ever since. Yep, I'm a vindictive bastid.

The K-frames are great guns, and I own several of them, but I prefer those made before 1965 or so and, consequently, limit the number of rounds I put through them, particularly jacketed loads at high velocity. I have no similar compunctions with regard to this 586

I don't worry about it. If the day comes when I shoot a K-frame loose I'll cough up the $75 to have it tuned.

Although, I do stay away from light bullets. Part of that is the K-frame's forcing cone, but mostly because I don't have a reason to.