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. The 586 has been available with 2½ in, 3 in, 4 in, 6 in, and 8⅜ in 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 barrel has a twist rate of 1/18.75 for the 158 grain bullet. The Model 586 uses S&W's Lrevolver 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, 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. 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- and 6-inch barrel lengths, as part of Smith & Wesson's Classic line of revolvers.
Recall
For L-frame revolvers manufactured before August 1987, there were limited reports of cylinder binding occurring with.357 Magnum ammunition using a lighter weight bullet and loaded to a high velocity. S&W put out a product warning and authorized a no-charge upgrade to make modifications to all 586, 586-1, 686, 686-1, and 686CS-1 revolvers.
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 put out a product warning and authorized a no-charge upgrade to make modifications to the revolver. All recalled and reworked guns were stamped with an M marking, signifying that they had been recalled and fixed; thus it is known as the M modification for all 686, 686-1, 586-1, and 586-2 revolvers.
