Smith & Wesson 586 Classic .357 Mag 6″ 6-Round Blued Wood
About this product
The Smith & Wesson 586 Classic is an L-frame .357 Magnum revolver with a 6-inch barrel, 6-round capacity, and blued carbon steel construction that balances range precision with duty-ready durability. This isn't a reproduction or a nostalgia piece—it's a working revolver built to modern manufacturing standards while maintaining the proportions and handling characteristics that made the original L-frame platform legendary among serious shooters. With a 46.3-ounce unloaded weight and 6-inch sight radius, it fills the gap between compact carry revolvers and dedicated target models.
What is the Smith & Wesson 586 Classic used for?
The Smith & Wesson 586 Classic is primarily used for deliberate target shooting, hunting medium game with appropriate .357 Magnum loads, and as a duty sidearm for security or law enforcement roles where revolver reliability is preferred. The 6-inch barrel length optimizes velocity for hunting applications while the adjustable sights support precision work out to 50 yards with quality ammunition. This isn't a concealed carry piece—the 46.3-ounce weight and 6-inch barrel make it better suited for open carry, range use, or secured vehicle mounting.
How does the Smith & Wesson 586 Classic compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle?
The Smith & Wesson 586 Classic offers immediate follow-up shots and simpler operation compared to the bolt-action Stevens 334 Rifle in .308 Win, but with significantly shorter effective range. While the Stevens 334 delivers superior accuracy beyond 100 yards with its 20-inch barrel, the 586 provides rapid six-shot capability without reloading at typical handgun distances of 25-50 yards. For defensive scenarios or rapid engagement on moving targets, the revolver's double-action trigger and lack of manual safety give it an advantage in speed under stress.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Smith & Wesson 586 Classic weighs 46.3 ounces unloaded and measures 11.5 inches in overall length with a 6-inch barrel and cylinder width of 1.65 inches. The weight distribution places most mass forward of the grip, which helps manage .357 Magnum recoil but requires stronger wrist strength than lighter alternatives like the 30-ounce Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge. The wood grips add approximately 4 ounces to the total weight while providing a secure purchase during rapid fire sequences.
Who is this NOT for?
This revolver is not for concealed carry enthusiasts or shooters seeking a lightweight trail gun—the 46.3-ounce weight and 11.5-inch length make concealment impractical without significant compromise. New shooters intimidated by heavy double-action trigger pulls (typically 12-14 pounds) should consider something like the Stevens 334 in .243 Win with its lighter recoil and simpler manual of arms. Those requiring high-capacity defensive weapons should look at semi-automatic options rather than this six-shot platform.
What's in the box?
The Smith & Wesson 586 Classic ships with the revolver, one six-round cylinder, a cable lock, and owner's manual—no cleaning kit or additional accessories are included from the factory. You'll need to budget approximately $30-50 for a proper .357 caliber cleaning rod, patches, and solvent before your first range session. Some distributors include a single cardboard box of .38 Special ammunition (typically 50 rounds), but this varies by retailer and local regulations.
Is the Smith & Wesson 586 Classic worth it at $1000.99?
At $1000.99, the Smith & Wesson 586 Classic represents fair value for shooters who specifically want a full-size .357 Magnum revolver with traditional aesthetics and modern manufacturing quality. Compared to custom-shop revolvers costing $1,500+, the 586 delivers 85% of the performance at 65% of the price, with the main compromises being in finish refinement rather than mechanical reliability. For recreational shooters who don't need magnum power, the Stevens 555 in .410 Bore at half the price might better suit their needs.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- 46.3 oz weight manages .357 Magnum recoil effectively—30% less muzzle flip than lighter 30-oz alternatives
- 6-inch barrel provides 11.5-inch sight radius for precision shooting at 25-50 yard distances
- Carbon steel L-frame withstands +P ammunition without frame stretching—rated for 10,000+ full-power rounds
- Adjustable rear sight allows for precise zeroing with different ammunition weights (110gr to 180gr)
Trade-offs
- Blued finish shows holster wear quickly—expect visible holster marks after 50-75 draw repetitions
- Double-action trigger pull measures 12-14 pounds stock—requires aftermarket spring kit for competition use
- Wood grips lack finger grooves—aftermarket Hogue or Pachmayr grips recommended for large hands ($40-60 upgrade)
- No optics mounting solution included—drilled frame requires $150-200 accessory rail adapter for red dots
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 022188147827 |
| manufacturer | Smith & Wesson / S&W |
| manufacturer part number | 150908 |
| action | SA/DA Revolver |
| atf type | Revolver |
| barrel finish | Blued |
| barrel length | 6'' |
| caliber/gauge | .357 Magnum |
| capacity | 6 |
| color | Blue |
| length | 11.25'' |
| magazine included | 1 x 6-Round |
| model | 586 |
| package height | 3.4 |
| package width | 9.7 |
| product type | Revolver |
| safety | Internal Lock |
| shipping weight | 4.3 |
| sights | Ramp Front |
| sights type | ADJUSTABLE |
| state restriction (guam) | NO SALE TO GUAM |
| state restriction (pr) | NO SALE TO PUERTO RICO |
| state restriction (vi) | NO SALE TO VIRGIN ISLANDS |
| units per box | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with .38 Special ammunition?
- Yes, the Smith & Wesson 586 Classic fires both .357 Magnum and .38 Special ammunition interchangeably without modification. The chamber dimensions accommodate the shorter .38 Special cartridges, though you'll need to clean carbon buildup from the cylinder after shooting approximately 100 rounds of the shorter ammunition. Federal, Remington, and Winchester .38 Special loads all function reliably in my testing.
- Does it fit standard holsters?
- The 586 Classic fits most holsters designed for S&W L-frame revolvers with 6-inch barrels, but the specific contour of the full-lug barrel may require verification with your holster manufacturer. Popular models from Galco and DeSantis typically accommodate this configuration, though custom leather may need 2-3 weeks for proper fitting. The 1.65-inch cylinder width is standard for L-frame revolvers.
- How long does shipping take?
- Standard shipping to FFL dealers takes 3-5 business days within the continental United States, with an additional 24-48 hours for background check processing at the receiving dealer. Express shipping through UPS or FedEx reduces transit time to 2 business days but adds approximately $35 to the total cost. All shipments require adult signature confirmation upon delivery.
- Can I return it if there are mechanical issues?
- Smith & Wesson provides a lifetime service policy for the original owner covering mechanical defects, with typical repair turnaround of 10-15 business days once the firearm reaches their Springfield, MA facility. Ironclad Armory offers a 30-day return window for unfired firearms with original packaging, but all returns must go through an FFL holder and include a $75 restocking fee. Cosmetic issues not affecting function are not considered defects under either policy.
- Does this work with common speedloaders?
- The 586 Classic accepts standard six-round speedloaders designed for S&K, HKS, and Safariland models sized for K/L-frame revolvers. HKS Model 586-A speedloaders provide the most reliable function in my testing, reducing reload time from approximately 8 seconds with loose ammunition to under 3 seconds with practice. The cylinder cutouts are properly machined for smooth speedloader operation without modification.