W&A Wesson Arms

S&W 686+ vs. 586: The difference is more than just metal

The S&W 686+ and Model 586 look like close relatives in a firearms display, yet the choice is not simply between two finishes. Both are full-size Smith & Wesson N-frame .357 Magnum revolvers, but they differ in cylinder capacity, weight and the way they carry or handle a shooting session.

The Model 586 is traditionally associated with blued steel and a six-shot cylinder. The S&W 686 Plus is the stainless-steel branch of the family, best known for a seven-shot cylinder, although S&W has offered several configurations that need careful checking.

For Australian buyers, the comparison also involves firearms licensing, ammunition access and realistic stock at licensed dealers. The real distinction extends well beyond metal, with the practical differences often mattering more than the finish.

Shared foundations in the N-frame family

Both revolvers share the broad N-frame layout: a substantial all-steel frame, a traditional double-action design and a cylinder sized for .357 Magnum. That common foundation makes the 586 and 686+ easier to compare than a revolver with a pistol or an aluminium-framed compact.

However, 686 and 686+ are family labels rather than complete specifications. Cylinder capacities, barrel lengths, sights, grips and special editions have varied across production runs. A sound comparison therefore starts with the full model number, not simply the number stamped on the barrel.

Because these are full-size N-frame revolvers, they sit above the smaller S&W 642 and 340 in size and weight. Buyers moving from a compact .357 or a larger-frame .44 Magnum revolver should expect different balance and a different grip, even when the cartridge is familiar.

What the plus sign changes

The plus in the 686+ identifies the enlarged-cylinder version of the original 686. Its familiar configuration holds seven cartridges, compared with six in the standard Model 586. S&W has also offered a 586+ with a seven-shot cylinder, and eight-shot 686+ variants exist, so neither name alone settles cylinder count.

Capacity has a straightforward benefit when shooting: there is one more cartridge available before the cylinder must be reloaded. It also adds weight and alters balance, particularly on longer-barrelled versions. Eight-shot configurations add still more mass, making the extra round anything but free.

That distinction is meaningful for recreational target shooting and collecting, but it does not change the calibre or licensing category of the revolver. Any capacity advantage is useful only if suitable ammunition is available and the owner can comfortably handle the larger frame.

Stainless, blued steel and barrel choices

Stainless steel is the 686+’s most visible trait, but it does not automatically make the revolver stronger or more accurate. It resists surface corrosion and generally shows wear less dramatically than the blued finish on a 586. The main trade-off is added mass, not an automatic performance advantage.

The 586’s blued steel has a traditional appearance and can remain serviceable for many years with sensible care. Barrel options commonly include four-, five- and six-inch lengths across these families, while some Performance Center editions add adjustable sights, special grips or a heavy barrel. Those specifications need to be considered separately from the core model difference.

Finish can also affect the practical experience of ownership. A stainless revolver remains comparatively free of the edge wear and finish changes that can make an older blued example look heavily used, although neither finish eliminates the need for basic care and safe storage.

How the revolvers handle differently

The N-frame gives both revolvers room for a substantial grip and a full six- or seven-shot cylinder. That makes them capable platforms for many shooters, but less convenient to carry than compact revolvers such as the 642. A short barrel does not make an N-frame revolver a small-framed one.

Fit can depend more on grip shape and sight height than on cylinder count. A standard fixed-sight 586 and an adjustable-sight Performance Center 686+ may suit different hands and preferences, even when their dimensions look similar. Grips, holsters and other accessories should be matched to the exact frame and generation rather than assumed to interchange.

The .357 Magnum also produces more recoil than the .38 Special, and a heavier stainless model can feel different from a blued one with the same barrel length. A supervised handling session through a qualified instructor is more informative than a specification sheet when deciding whether the size and balance suit an individual shooter.

The Australian buying context

Australian ownership rules are state- and territory-based. A buyer in NSW, Victoria or Queensland needs the appropriate firearms licence and must meet local registration, safe-storage and transport requirements. Neither an interstate sale nor an overseas website bypasses those obligations, and rules can differ between neighbouring states.

New South Wales generally requires an ammunition purchase permit and limits quantities available in one purchase. Checking ammunition early is sensible. Dealers in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are useful starting points for specialist .357 Magnum stock, while stores in regional Queensland, South Australia or Western Australia may have fewer choices, and availability changes regularly.

International prices need an Australian perspective. Wesson Arms promotes worldwide shipping, but that does not remove customs controls or the need for appropriate import approvals. Travellers should also check temporary export and re-import rules before taking a firearm out of Australia. Currency movements, card fees and freight can change the final AUD cost substantially.

Phone and email support can help confirm whether a particular 686+ has a seven- or eight-shot cylinder and what condition a discounted blemished unit has. A blemished description should be read closely rather than assuming the revolver is merely cosmetically imperfect. Local dealers may also have configurations absent from an overseas catalogue.

Practical guidance for choosing between them

The 586 makes sense for someone who values its traditional blued finish, familiar six-shot format and often a slightly lighter carry weight. The 686+ suits a buyer who wants the stainless finish, additional cylinder capacity and a broader selection of sight and barrel configurations.

Neither name removes the need to compare specifications, because 586, 586+, 686 and 686+ variants overlap in some respects. The most reliable buying process is to work from an exact listing, then match that revolver to local law, ammunition availability and the shooter’s preferred handling.

Price should be considered alongside those details, not in isolation. A discounted model can represent good value when its specification remains desirable, while an unusual barrel length or sight arrangement can be harder to source or resell.

The distinction that matters

The 586 is primarily the traditional blued, six-shot member of this N-frame family, while the 686+ is the stainless branch associated with greater cylinder capacity. Both provide the established handling and .357 Magnum character of a large-frame Smith & Wesson revolver.

The choice should therefore rest on documented specifications and Australian ownership conditions rather than the assumption that a newer label or larger cylinder automatically suits every shooter. Cylinder capacity, weight, sight options, finish and exact variant availability are the details to remember.