[paulwv]

Guys....finally acquired something I wanted for a very long time. I have be lusting after a S&W 686......but......
Unfortunately my uncle by marriage passed away couple months ago and my Aunt and cousin are selling his guns. He had this S&W 581....
I had to have it.......

Never had a 357mag. I read that these 581's are getting hard to get a hold of....I hope she shoots good.
This one appears to have been a duty weapon. Has holster wear and pach grips are going to get replace. Has the wear but she seems tight.....heck may send it to Smith & Wesson for a going over one of these days.

Any recommendations on ammo? I read that the 158gr bullets shot pretty much dead on at 25yards......

 

[ohiosam]

I'm jealous, a 686 is high on my list of guns I want.

 

[geezer II]

Can't beat S&W wheel guns for the price got two 686 Stainless 4 & 6 inch - a 19 and 17 - their keepers - the 19 and 17 are from back in the day when they were priced under $150 or something like that - the papers i got with the 19 & 17 state that i could sent them back for a factory reblue for $19 - heh heh - they all in like new condition dang :mischeif:

 

[BillH]

Load for 357

158 SWC works fine in mine, reload using 3.5 gr Unique for general shooting.
Why use heavy load for target shooting.
Have used Bullseye in 2" barrel since it burns faster but it is dirty.

 

[paulwv]

Now you can shoot 38 specials in these to...right?

 

[at1010]

Now you can shoot 38 specials in these to...right?

yes

 

[antiqucycle]

you can even shoot 38 S&W rounds if you want to cut down the noise.

no doubt that was issued as a duty gun. fixed rear sight.

Keep the pachmyrs but shop the gun shows for the nice original wood grips. avoid ebay as you never really can tell the condition till you receive them.
next suggestion, a couple hks speed loaders.

 

[paulwv]

Range Report on the 581 & concerns

Went to the range today to try out the 581 Smith. Need some input.
I stopped at wally world and found some Remington 38 special, 130gr MC ammo.
I groups were shot in the off hand position at 15yds and 25yds. No bench so hard to really test out it's accuracy....

15yds...(best groups)

25yds.....(best groups)

Ammo.....

Concerns are I do not know if there might be any issues in the lock work/cylinder gap...a few times....firing in single action...the hammer would not cock back...had to swing out the cylinder...snap it back in and then I could cock the hammer back. Anyone have any ideas on what's going on here.....
Like I said...I may send it back to Smith & Wesson have them to go over it and reblue it....

 

[FredT]

you can even shoot 38 S&W rounds if you want to cut down the noise.

I have not personally seen a .357/.38 SPL chamber a .38 S&W round. The brass is much fatter. Not saying there isn't one out there, I just have not seen it happen.

 

[FredT]

Went to the range today to try out the 581 Smith. Need some input.
I stopped at wally world and found some Remington 38 special, 130gr MC ammo.
I groups were shot in the off hand position at 15yds and 25yds. No bench so hard to really test out it's accuracy....

15yds...(best groups)

25yds.....(best groups)

Ammo.....

Concerns are I do not know if there might be any issues in the lock work/cylinder gap...a few times....firing in single action...the hammer would not cock back...had to swing out the cylinder...snap it back in and then I could cock the hammer back. Anyone have any ideas on what's going on here.....
Like I said...I may send it back to Smith & Wesson have them to go over it and reblue it....

Your groups look good. The ammo you are using is not premium by any strech.

Timing? Take your pistol, unloaded, and thumb cock the hammer back VERY slowly and watch the cylinder turn and see the cylinder lock underneath the cylinder snap and lock the cylinder just before the hammer is all the way back. It should lock in the little slot for it just before the hammer is all the way back as I said. Do it for all 6 chambers. Slower is better. Try to see if you can go slow enough so it will not lock. That should not be the case if timing is correct.

Now do it double action as slow as possible. Again the cylinder should turn and lock up before the hammer falls forward. Do all chambers. If turning and lock up is always perfect then the timing is right on.

Let me know the results.

 

[Deehntr56]

Sounds like it needs a good cleaning to take care of that problem paul. Just take it apart-clean and oil it well, and that should be able to take care of it.

If a good cleaning and oiling doesn't do it, call S&W. They most likely will fix it for you and even pay the shipping.

Just don't wait a couple of years to try these suggestions, like the 1100.:cheeky-smiley-022::biggrin:

 

[ohiosam]

I have not personally seen a .357/.38 SPL chamber a .38 S&W round. The brass is much fatter. Not saying there isn't one out there, I just have not seen it happen.

Dad had a model 10 38 S&W, they won't chamber in a special. Iirc .38 LC will chamber in a special.

 

[paulwv]

Sounds like it needs a good cleaning to take care of that problem paul. Just take it apart-clean and oil it well, and that should be able to take care of it.

If a good cleaning and oiling doesn't do it, call S&W. They most likely will fix it for you and even pay the shipping.

Just don't wait a couple of years to try these suggestions, like the 1100.:cheeky-smiley-022::biggrin:

LOL......:biggrin: Woo--kay....

 

[paulwv]

Fred....looks to me she passed the timing test
Thanks....

 

[FredT]

Great! Now give it the scrubbing Deehntr56 suggested.

 

[paulwv]

Got any pet 357/38 spec. loads?

 

[Malainse]

Someone say 686 ???