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Hey, all;
I have an '80s S&W 586. It is getting up there, and although it has not been shot a great deal, and with handloads/cast bullets, or been really beaten with hot factory loads, I have been wondering lately if I might be ahead to get a few spare parts, like hammer nose and spring, and main and rebound slide return springs? Is there anything else I should consider, that would be a fairly easy DIY replacement, in case the unthinkable happens?

I have also thought about getting it Hard Chromed, but the cost of that is about half the cost of a new gun! Plus there is a question of getting a quality job.

Any suggestions? Thanx

Hard chrome is good by a quality refinisher, spare parts....they will be available for years yet.

Any recommendations for hard chroming?

Robert Wilson in Ocala FL, 352-622-9109

Accurate Plating in Alabama

Accurate Plating will do an excellent job, but unless you are in a very humid environment, or around salt-water spray regularly, I wouldn't spend the money to have the gun hard-chromed. Just keep it clean and wiped down and you'll be fine.

As for spare parts, you could lay in a supply of springs but you likely will never wear out the firing pin or main-spring. How much are you shooting? If the number is under 5-figures per year, you'll likely never have need of a spare hammer or major internal parts.

Second that one, sent a few customer guns there and never a problem or compliant.

One advantage to HC is the fact that wear becomes pretty much a non-issue after the application of the finish. Get the gun like you want it and it'll stay that way for a loooong time.

I worked with a guy that did a really good action job on his S&W Mod 19 before getting it chromed about 40 years ago and that action hasn't changed one bit, and it's been carried and fired extensively.

As previously stated, wear and tear isn't too much of an issue with Smith revolvers unless you shoot them a lot. The parts thing may not be as stable as we would like to believe as I understand S&W has already stopped supporting some parts inventories for the older style (pre-lock) revolvers. Worn springs won't shut the gun down but a broken hammer nose or a worn sear will turn it into a paperweight pretty quickly. I'd stock those two parts along with a cylinder stop and a hammer nose rivet if I was making contingency plans.

I've had half a dozen guns chromed at APW and I've been completely satisfied with the work.

Thanks for the info. I contacted Smith & Wesson, and they told me they no longer carry parts for my "ancient" revolver...definitely pre-lock. I didn't even think about a sear or cylinder stop.

another thumbs up for the GunWizard. Robert Wilson has done all my gunsmithing for over 30 years now. He hard chromed two for me, a S&W 25-5, and a Colt's Combat Commander. After 15+ years hard use and CCW, they still look like new.

Good info, Sam. Did not know Robert had done the 25-5 for you.

Have other friends who have sent him work. Funny how the word gets around on the good guys.