Smith & Wesson 586 & 686
By B.B. Pelletier
The June 15th post was titled Shoot in style with Gamo's wheelgun. I compared the Gamo R-77 revolver to the Smith & Wesson 586-6, but at the end I waffled and said the S&W was an all-metal gun, so the comparison wasn't fair. Today, I'd like to look at the airgun that sets the standard for revolvers.
They don't come any better than S&W!
Smith & Wesson is a leader among revolver makers. Their 586/686 .357 Magnum revolvers are a clear statement of why that title is deserved. So, when Umarex decided to make a CO2 revolver, they were wise to choose this one.
I was very skeptical that Umarex could achieve as good a feel as an S&W firearm, but I'm darned if they didn't! The airgun weighs almost exactly the same as the firearm, and the grips are rubber - the kind you have to buy as an option on the firearm!
The airgun's cylinder swings out to the left side on a crane, but it also detaches from the gun. It holds ten .177 pellets and can easily be replaced with a full cylinder for faster reloading. Extra cylinders are available in packs of three, though they are only available in black, and nickel revolvers have to use them, too.
Super accuracy!
I think the big story is the super accuracy you can get with the CO2 revolver. I found it more accurate than any other Umarex pistols, by a wide margin. At 33 feet, I was able to hold groups under one inch, and the best I can do with any other Umarex pistol is an inch and a half.
The rear sight is adjustable in both directions, so you can zero your pistol for exactly where you want to hit. And, the trigger is a real surprise, being pretty close to the trigger on the firearm! Double-action is lighter than the firearm, and single-action is close but not quite as crisp.
The Powerlet is housed inside the grip without making it too fat. You'll be surprised to find these grips are thinner than the ones on the firearm. I like that because my hands are on the small side, and these rubber grips fit just fine.
Quality costs money
If there is a downside to the gun, it's the price. Quality doesn't come cheap, and I've seen these same airguns selling for over $225 in gun stores, so the prices you see here are very reasonable. The ability to change barrels is one of the greatest features, but I always opt for the 6" barrel as a starting point.
posted by B.B. Pelletier @ 4:30 AM
61 comments
61 Comments:
The S&W sounds like a great gun to practice shooting at airborn targets with. When i lived in wide open spaces i used cartridge pistols to shoot at cans or dirt clods tossed into the air. Later i had to change to air pistols. Paper targets bore me fast. I need to see my targets react.
Denny,
It SURE IS! If Ed McGivern were alive today, I bet he'd be practicing with one. In fact, I have often though that the S&W airgun is a cheap way to get some great double-action practice.
These days, there are reactive targets like Daisy's Shatterblast disks that will give you the same kind of thrill you mention. Not as cheap as dirt clods, but the holders they sit on can be stuck in the ground for safe shooting.
B.B.
does the 586-4 have a screw on the bottom that screws in the co2?
-damon
damon,
No. All S&W 586 and 686 revolvers have a lever that snaps shut, piercing the powerlet inside the grip. That's why you can't see anything hanging down under the grip. The lever has a small thumbnail slot (like a battery cover) to open it when the gas is gone. There is a thumbwheel adjustment for this lever that's hidden inside the grip. All you see from the outside is a clean Hogue-like rubber grip.
B.B.
is it as good as they say it is?....and if you were to compare the CROSMAN 357GW Kit and the 586-4
wich of them would you prefer?
damon?
I think the S&W is worth the extra money. But I also think the Crosman 357 is a wonderful gun for the price, and you've read what many owners think.
I like the S&W for a better trigger, heavier weight, all-metal construction and better accuracy. I find it the most accuraqte of all the air pistols Umarex makes.
B.B.
is the steel high quality?
damon,
The steel barrel certainly is. Nnd I'm sure any other steel parts that are in the gun are spec-ed to the appropriate levels for the tasks they do. But if you are referring to the frame of the gun, it's made of spelter or pot metal.
B.B.
how many rounds per c02? can you buy grips for it?
About 50 shots per powerlet and no other grips will fit the S&W 586/686.
B.B.
out of the 1911 and the 586-4 which one do you enjoy more?
does the smith&wesson 586-4 come with front sites?
-vinney
vinney,
Did you look at the picture on Pyramyd's website? The front sights are clearly visible.
Or are you asking a different question?
B.B.
i recently bought one and i was wondering if their is any way to increase the fps on it without changing barels..
~dan
i heard that spelter can not be blued but only painted is the true?
Dan,
Shoot lighter pellets.
B.B.
Bluing spelter is out because it's a caustic process, but there are things other than paint that work.
B.B.
so what is the 586-4 finish?
~vinney
so what is the 586-4 finish?
~vinney
vinney,
It's shiny black. I don't know the process.
B.B.
is the finish easy to scratch?
It's about like a blue firearm in most respects.
B.B.
thanks, for all the answers...sry about all the questions!
B.B.
Smith & Wesson 586 6 or
BERETTA FS92? Having a hard time choosing them. Any suggestion will be great.
Also what kind of pellets you recommand for both?
Thanks alot. John
John,
I would definitely say the S&W. It's quite a bit more accurate than any of the pistols that look like semiautomatics.
I'm sure the Beretta 92FS is just as nice as all the other Umarex pistols I have tested, but the action on the S&W is different. It has a MUCH better double action pull and a nearly flawless single action pull. Just a hint of creep in single action. Please read my post on the S&W.
As far as pellets go, I tend to favor Gamo Match. I like the price and they are accurate.
B.B.
charles in england !
the best way to increase the power / pellet speed / wich will allow a much heaver pellet to be used wich in turn will incerase the accuracy of the smith and wesson 586 ,,i have done it !!
first you must restrict the amount of co2 thats escaping between the back end of the barrel and revolving cylinder and the the other side of the cylinder ,,if you hold the gun up to the light looking sideways on you will see the gaps ,,better sill load it with a pellet hold your hand over the top of the cylinder then fire the gun ,,you can feel the pressure escape ,,,now to me that should be behind the pellet ,theres more to do ,,,but i have to go out so will finish this later charles
I recently purchased an S&W 586-6 air pistol. When I removed my new air pistol from its original box I noticed that the entire finish of the gun was cloudy and was dull in color. It appears that the plastic bag in which it was stored reacted chemically with oil and the guns finish. Note - before I returned the gun for replacement I cleaned the gun with alcohol. Then I applied a product called F21 from Turtle Wax. (Vinyl restorer/protectorate) With one application the original finish was 90% restored. With a second application the finish was 100%. Each application involved spaying the product on a paper towel - wiping the product on the gun avoiding the grip panels. Wait 10 minuets - wipe off. I believe that this type of product could be used to keep your new S&W like new.
Thanks for that great tip!
B.B.
hi there! i was just wondering if the S&W is a good fire arm to have around the house for protection...i have 3 kids and a bad neighborhood so plz leave a cooment back thanks
Andrew,
Andrew,
Yoo need a firearm for self defense. Get a shotgun for the house. Never rely on an airgun, because if you threaten you must be prepared to have your bluff called.
B.B.
hello there i have a smith % wesson bb gun, model 6906 and im goin 2 try explain this now, well the actually mechism inside the gun wich is air tight wich produes the air that alows the bb 2 b shot at sum great speed, well the mechanism has broken and ive had the gun years now and have always wanted it fixing, so if any1 has or knows how i can get this fixed can you please get in conact with me, and if you are still puzzled i will send you sum pictures, my email is james_frost_1985@hotmail.com and would really love 4 sum1 2 help me with this, many thanks james
James,
It sounds like you have a S&W model 80 CO2 gun. There aren't too many places that fix them, but you might try this one.
John Groenewold, PO Box 830, Mundelein, IL 60060-0830, (847) 566-2365
B.B.
Hi,
For this S&W, is there any laser/red dot sight that can be mounted under the barrel? (not on the top, since I also want the stock front & rear sights available)
Thank you
DN
DN,
A red dot sight is never mounted under the barrel. You have to be able to see the dot to use the sight.
I'm not aware of any laser for the 586. I'm sure a gunsmith could mount almost anything for you, and I recommend you get the smallest laser you can find that has good quality. The gun will have to be altered of course.
B.B.
Chuck:
The guy who was talking about wastage but trailed off :(
Please finish what you were saying! I really want to know where you are going with this.
If not can B.B comment on any ways to safely increase the power of my S&W??
might it ever be possible to get the 8" in nickle finish.
also how much of a increase of accurecy do you think you will get from the larger barrel
I fond some thing cool (at lest to me), a 8inch nickel barrel! Can you please respond if this will work and when will you sell it i would buy it
http://www.r4us.co.uk/toys/product_info.php?product=5468791&category=Air%20Guns%20and%20Pistols
of course for a better price
please sell this because I like the nikel but I want the option of a 8 inch barrel
I think an 8 inch barrel on a 686 is wonderful. It adds both velocity and accuracy.
On the other hand, the 8-inch nickle barrel may no longer be available. In fact the whole gun may go away soon.
B.B.
I have question about co2 revovlers. Is there some special technique to shooting them? I picked up a crossman 3576W the other day and when I got to shooting it I couldn't get groups under 4 inches at 25 feet and I can easily put five shoots on a quarter at this distance with my 1377. Am I expecting too much from the gun or is there something Im missing.
No special technique is required. It sounds like you have a loose barrel or sight.
B.B.
I livew in MN what is the min temp for this gun? 40 degrees?
It will work at 40, but it will work better at 50.
Don't shoot rapidly until the temp. gets up past 70.
B.B.
On avg. how long do you think the SMITH & WESSON 686-6 will last without repairs and how could I make it last longer? And last would you recomend it because the company is going out of bulliness if so would you choose the SMITH & WESSON 686-6 or the SMITH & WESSON 586-8?
For me a Smith & Wesson 586 would last at least 20 years, but more likely 40. That is essentially a lifetime.
I oil all my powerlets with Pellgunoil and I don't abuse my guns.
For someone who wanted to "see how it works," I'd give it about two weeks.
Who is going out of business? The model is being discontinued, but nobody of going out of business.
I choose the 586 because I prefer blued guns over nickel or stainless.
B.B.
it is being discontinued? when is that? Does it apply to the whole umarex s&w range?
From what Umarex told me, the 586 and 686 do not sell well enough for them to continue the line.
B.B.
oh no :(
I assume that means the 8" and 4" models as well then?
If it happens it means every last one of them.
B.B.
BB.
Whats the difference between the 586-6 and the 686-6 that sell on Pyramydair. What advantages does the longer barrel on the 586-8 have?
thanks
Maly
Maly,
The 586 is black the 686 is silver. That's the only difference.
The longer barrel offers a longer sight radius that gives better accuracy. It also increases the velocity.
B.B.
BB.
Which would you consider the best and most apropiate barrel length for informal target shooting and plinking?, What are the main differences (non-esthetic) beetween a S&W 586 and a Wlther Cp88?, and which one yould you choose for the same purpose?
Also, is there a way to mount a dot sight on the S&W or the CP88, if so, what do i need? and finally, what dot sight would you recomend if im mainly intersted in the highest quality and reliability?
Thankyou
Lars
Lars,
The six-inch barrel has always handled best, but the eight-inch is the most accurate.
As for dot sights, I don't know of any easy way to mount one on this gun.
A CP88 can be nearly as accurate, and of course they do accept dot sights, of which I think the Walther sight is best.
I don't use optical sights on handguns, so my choice for plinking would be the 586. However, I don't currently own one and I do own a CP88.
B.B.
BB.
How more accurate is te 8 inch barrel over the 6 inch barrel.
Lars
BB.
One more question, are the sights on the cp88 adjustable?
Thanks
Lars
Larts,
The CP88 sights are adjujstable for windage only.
Long barrels are not more accurate than short barrels. What makes the gun they are mounted on more accurate is the greater separation of the front and rear sights. That allows for greater sighting precision.
So the question is, how much more accurate will YOU be when shooting a handgun with a longer barrel? The answwer will be a very small amount - perhaps 1/8" at 10 meters for an 8-inch vs a 6-inch, and 1/2" for an 8-inch vs a 4-inch.
B.B.
From the owner of a Gamo "wheel gun"...
I have the R-77 6" Classic with the walnut grips. While it is a great gun (especially for the price), & I will not get rid of it...
I do plan on getting the S&W 586-8
Why?
All metal, 8" barel, 10 shots instead of 8, PLUS quick change clips as opposed to reloading a non-removable cylinder, and a little more power.
While as I said, I DO like my Gamo very much, especially for the price & for the reasons above...
I think the S&W is worth the money, & if I had it to do over... I would have just bought the S&W.
However, I will still keep my Gamo R-77 6" Classic, as it is a good looking, fun to shoot, & VERY accurate gun!
Single action & resting, I put 7 shots in the 7/16 bullseye, & only TWO barley blead into the next ring, & 1 (the 8th shot) 1/4 of the way into the 7/16 bullseye & 3/4 into the the #8 ring of a Daisy "Official 5 Meter Rifle Target" at 15 feet!
FYI... If you were to hit the small bullseye dead on, you wouldn't sing the ring surrounding it as it is exactly the same size as a .177 cal. pellet!
The second/larger ring/bullseye that I am reffering to is only 7/16 of an inch, & while I'm guessing that it would represent the 9 point ring, it doesn't have a number in it, so I'm calling it the bullseye & the .177 cal. ring the double bullseye. lol ;)
Any way you slice it, EVERY shot hit at least part of the bullseye, if not were almost dead on!
There wasn't one single bridge!
It looks like one keyhole shot, that is less than 1/2 an inch!
Not bad for a gun thats under $100!
The bottom line;
If you can afford the S&W... GET IT!
But if the S&W is too expensive for you, get the Gamo!
- The Big Bore Addict -
Hi guys. I see that you all say that the S&W line of umarex is going down but if you go to www.umarexusa.com al the pics have been updated in this year.I know that umarex always sold their S&W's under the crosman name.but crosman ended their line of S&W and on their web it is gone but umarex stil have it.
Loose talk. Some of it directly from Umarex.
B.B.
Ask them and see.I did.
Hi B.B.
how much noise do the 8" make cause im in a resedential erea
Thanks
Miskruier
Miskruier,
Probably 102-105 dB, measured at 10 feet. Maybe a loud hand clap?
B.B.
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