Kicking myself over 586...again!

T

Tom68

New member
Some of you may recall that I sold my first handgun, a 586, over 20 years ago and am still bent out of shape about it. 10 years later I bought a 686, but it's still not a real replacement. So I've been on the lookout for a nice 586 in good shape that isn't stupid expensive.

so yesterday I found one in a pawn shop for $500. It looked wonderful, with the bright mirror bluing and almost no holster wear. Almost too good to be true at today's prices... so I paused, and went to re-read a paper on checking out used revolvers. The gun had been in the store for about a month, so I was very disappointed to return and to find that it had been sold 30 minutes after I had left only a few hours earlier.

My only consolation is that, armed with my enhanced technical ability to check lock-up, timing, and trigger, that perhaps I would have found that the gun wasn't in the best mechanical shape, or had been modified and would have needed re-work in order to work properly....which may have influenced the price. I see folks bidding on GB right now well above $700.

So, still looking... but a little more resolved to act quicker if something like that crosses my path again!
 
Tom, It’s frustrating when you find exactly what you want at a price you can afford, only to have someone buy it out from under you.

Sadly in today’s semi-panic market the old saw, “if you snooze you lose” is even more valid than ever before. Best of luck next time.
 
Probably because it was the first handgun I ever bought (686-3), but L-frame Smith & Wesson revolvers -always- have my attention in the used case at any gun store and I'm always drawn to them at every gun show. I simply don't "miss them" when I'm at any venue offering used guns.

I have no idea what the production numbers would say, but it's long been my experience over many, many years that there seem to be FAR more 686's out there than 586's. (and, FWIW, there are far, FAR more x86's out there than the 581's and 681's, which seem to be as rare as hen's teeth)

If a 586 is what you must have, you will need to be a little less passive, IMO, than you would for many others.

Are you the Gunbroker type? Prices aren't what I'd call "low", but there are lots of 586's on there.
 
What you probably should have done was offered to put $100 down for him to hold it for 2 hours for you. Either tell him the truth about wanting to check your cheat sheet or give him some other excuse. Tell him you are 90% want it but if you don't take it he can keep $10 bucks of the deposit. No big loss on your part if you don't pick it up and most businessmen would not give up a sure $10.
Of course in the future you should memorize what makes a good use revolver vs. a bad one or carry a cheat sheet on you.:)
 
Mike on "American Pickers" says that the time to buy an item is when you see it. I guess he was right. Hope you find the right one and jump on it soon.
 
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Thanks for the encouragement guys. Memorizing the cheat sheet is probably the best advice for anyone looking to buy a used revolver.

Willikers, I just don't dig those locks. My 686-4 is a pre-lock... and someone on here will correct me if I am mistaken, but I think mine is among the last to not have that "feature". I'm far from an S&W expert, but they rank tops with me among the DA revolvers (I'm partial to Rugers for the SA types... got my eyes out for the right SBH 7" BBL .44 Mag).

like most of my list, this isn't something I need... it's just a want. So, i'll keep looking. I'm not opposed to GB, but next time I make a GB purchase it will come with a guarantee or I won't buy (easy for me to say now when I'm not looking at something I just have to have). My last GB purchase turned out to be much less than advertised.

at any rate, I'll get another one eventually.
 
He who hesitates is lost. I hate to sound like a jerk, but you said you owned revolvers before. I would think that you should have had an idea of what one was supposed to feel like if it was operating correctly.

Good Lord, all you have to do is cock it. If it indexes correctly when you pull the hammer back slowly it is fine. S&W L frame are tough guns, I guess you could wear one out, but it would be hard to do. The chances of a gun in the condition you describe being worn out are almost nonexistent.

Around here, $500 for a 586 is a very good deal. I think you may have a hard time finding another for that price, or even another one period. I have seen a few 686's available used, but I have never seen one of their blued cousins turn up on the used market.
 
I'm not a revolver expert, but I do have had an idea of what one is supposed to feel like if it is operating correctly. However, I have learned there is more to checking out a revolver just by feel, and that's what I didn't have committed to memory, such as checking for cylinder shake while the piece is in full lock-up, or checking timing, or estimating cylinder gap without a feeler gauge. Just trying to avoid buying a used gun which requires work in order to operate properly... something I have experienced in the past.
 
I've still got the one I bought 17 yrs ago, paid $250. Best deal on a gun I ever made. Was looking at a new 586 and there expensive.
 
LOL, the last old S&W I bought I didn't even open the cylinder or try the trigger. Then I freaked out a little on the drive home, realizing I hadn't performed even a simple function check.

I just knew from careful inspection of the finish that the gun had been properly cared for with a very low round count. I needn't have worried. The gun was pristine inside and out. 40 years old and looked factory fresh.
 
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