Ok here goes. I have owned a 686 in the past and am wanting another 2 1/2" .357 revolver. The wife wants another 686. Since I have only owned two revolvers (686 and Taurus Tracker) in the past (have all semi's now) I am kinda unfamiliar with the different S&W models and frame sizes. Tell me the difference between the 686, 586 and the model 19 in .357.
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S&W 686/586 and 19 difference
- Thread starter Lennyjoe
- Start date
Marko Kloos
Inactive
The Model 19 is built on the K-frame, the 586/686 on the beefier L-frame. The 19 is a bit lighter and skinnier than the 686, and the cylinder has less mass and circumference. The K-frame does not stand up infinitely to a steady diet of full-house Magnum loads, whereas the L-frame will endure Magnum poundings indefinitely.
The L-frame is a bit meatier in many areas, and it has a bigger and uncompromised forcing cone. You'll notice that the forcing cone on a K-frame is flattened at the bottom to allow the crane to lock into the frame. The L-frame has more generous dimensions in that area and does not require the lightening of the forcing cone, which has a tendency to delevop cracks in a K-frame when using lots of hot Magnum loads.
That said, a K-frame revolver will tolerate a significant amount of Magnums, and a Model 19 is one of the best-balancing and most graceful revolvers ever produced anywhere.
The L-frame is a bit meatier in many areas, and it has a bigger and uncompromised forcing cone. You'll notice that the forcing cone on a K-frame is flattened at the bottom to allow the crane to lock into the frame. The L-frame has more generous dimensions in that area and does not require the lightening of the forcing cone, which has a tendency to delevop cracks in a K-frame when using lots of hot Magnum loads.
That said, a K-frame revolver will tolerate a significant amount of Magnums, and a Model 19 is one of the best-balancing and most graceful revolvers ever produced anywhere.
juliet charley
New member
I believe the K-frames' problem with the .357 Magnum was the hot 125s not .357 in general (that being said, I wouldn't shoot any Georgia Arms "Deer Stoppers" through a K-frame). The L-frames (586/686) are actually heavier than the N-frames (large frames) in the same barrel length--never really had much use for the L-frame. If I wanted a smaller/lighter revolver, the K-frame was just right. If I wanted a large revolver, it's hard to beat a N-frame.
I had a class with a guy who had been an armorer for a State Police Dept that used S&W Model 66's. He claimed that the K frames didn't handle a steady diet of the +P 38's well, let alone the full 357's. May not be an issue if you shoot mostly 38's and use limited amounts of the magnums. Even if the gun does shoot loose, the K frames have been pretty good buys and you could replace one without too much trouble.
The 586/686 grip frame is the same size as the K frame, the N frame grip size is larger. Trigger reach may be an issue also.
The 586/686 grip frame is the same size as the K frame, the N frame grip size is larger. Trigger reach may be an issue also.
Mike Irwin
Staff
Unfortunatly the 586/686 will not stand up to an indefinite amount of .357 Mag. ammo.
I've worked on too many of them that haven't.
They will digest more full-bore .357 Mag. than a Model 19, but nothing indefinite about it, unfortunatly.
I've worked on too many of them that haven't.
They will digest more full-bore .357 Mag. than a Model 19, but nothing indefinite about it, unfortunatly.