Smith & Wesson question

[peachhead]

Yeah I know this is a Ruger forum lol. But of course, I value your opinion.
I have a Smith 586-2, blued, 6". It shoots great, the trigger is fantastic. The problem is, it's been factory laser engraved and frankly I hate it.
I've been looking this up for years and I really haven't found a whole lot on it. I don't think the value is really enhanced by the laser work.
What I'm trying to decide is, should I sell it (really don't want to) or should I send it back to Smith or to Ford's to have it reblued?
Also I have some good target stocks for it, I don't like these but when I was thinking about selling it I put these back on it because that's what was on it when I got it.
This is not the best picture but it serves the purpose.

Your thoughts?

 

[The Preacher]

Personally I don't think it looks that bad, and I'm one who isn't really into engraving. I'd keep it as is.

 

[WAYNO]

It is what it is and I think it looks quite fine. It's a shooter. I would leave it alone and keep it.

 

[Bob Wright]

Ir it were mine, I'd get some better looking stocks for that gun. As far as I'm concerned, the Model 586 is the finest DA revolver to be had today. Even over the vaunted Model 27. I bought a 4" 586 when they were first introduced, than later bought a 6" version. Even prefer them over the haighly acclaimed Python.

Bob Wright

 

[pawncop]

I carried a nickel plated 586 as my duty sidearm for several years until we transitioned to self loading pistols. I would leave your 586 as it is, but if I was forced to make a change, I would have it nickel plated. Your revolver, your choice.

 

[fiasconva]

You can always sell it and buy an unengraved one or trade it for one not engraved. You shouldn't have any trouble selling it. 586's are one of the favorites of S&W owners.

 

[JohnL]

Leave it be. I think it looks fine. Not worth marring, that will reduce its value if you ever want to sell it.

 

[RC44Mag]

Not a fan of laser etching either but I’d likely keep it. Being done in factory should raise the price some especially on an early -2 version. Did you check prices of these particular revolvers current selling prices? Might have a little premium added. Maybe you can flip it and buy a newer S&W .357 or something else with the cash.
Check with Smith mothership and see what they would charge you for the refinish, or Ford whoever that is! Might be better to sell unmolested.

 

[PinnedAndRecessed]

Merely refinishing it will not eliminate the engraving. Unless you intend to have Ford's file down the surface. Whatever, it will be far cheaper to sell it outright and find something you like.

 

[hittman]

Shouldn’t be hard to find a Smith nerd or engraving lover to dump that on.
Or, trade it for something you like better. The 6 inch GP is a better gun in almost every respect anyway.

 

[The Norseman]

A shooter grade S&W, blued, 357Rem
Mag, and with nice trigger pull; shoot
it and enjoy it.

It’s not like people are just standing
around gawking at what your shooting.

Put some black shoe dye, black sharpie
and Rub some black shoe polish on it
and buff out and call it good.

 

[BULL'S-EYE]

Looks fine to me...I've always prioritized accuracy over appearance in my guns.
If it shoots well, I'd just keep it as is and enjoy it.

 

[RC44Mag]

Merely refinishing it will not eliminate the engraving. Unless you intend to have Ford's file down the surface. Whatever, it will be far cheaper to sell it outright and find something you like.

When I mentioned refinish I meant take it down to remove etching as it's not nearly as deep as tool engraving and much less intrusive and less expensive I'm sure. Selling as is I mentioned also as that's another route to go and would likely add a premium over a run of the mill 586-2

 

[peachhead]

Ir it were mine, I'd get some better looking stocks for that gun. As far as I'm concerned, the Model 586 is the finest DA revolver to be had today. Even over the vaunted Model 27. I bought a 4" 586 when they were first introduced, than later bought a 6" version. Even prefer them over the haighly acclaimed Python.

Bob Wright

Yes sir. I'm not a Pachy fan. I have a set of good wooden targets that work just fine. This is one of two 586s that I own and I love them both.

 

[peachhead]

When I mentioned refinish I meant take it down to remove etching as it's not nearly as deep as tool engraving and much less intrusive and less expensive I'm sure. Selling as is I mentioned also as that's another route to go and would likely add a premium over a run of the mill 586-2

Merely refinishing it will not eliminate the engraving. Unless you intend to have Ford's file down the surface. Whatever, it will be far cheaper to sell it outright and find something you like.

Y'all that's actually something I did not think about. I knew it wasn't regular engraving, it's just this gold leaf, but I'm sure it would have to be polished in order to get any of the etching out. Probably not worth that aggravation. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the way it shoots. I will just have to put up with it. Lol

 

[peachhead]

Shouldn't be hard to find a Smith nerd or engraving lover to dump that on.
Or, trade it for something you like better. The 6 inch GP is a better gun in almost every respect anyway.

I have one of those too I'm not sure that it's better though but that's a personal opinion.
One of my flaws is, I don't like to sell or trade anything if I don't absolutely have to.lol especially something that shoots as good as this one does.

 

[kmoore]

You used the words "you hate it." Then sell it and get one you like. I won't never have a gun in my gun safes that I hate. It would be replaced with one I like, and I like to shoot.
Personally, I don't see anything that causes me to hate it at all except that outdated grip. If you want a shooter, try a Hogue Mono grip in your hands or about any newer style grips. The S&W target grips look great but lack a lot of for a grip, they just don't fit many human hands well. The S&W service grips allow better grip for shooting if hands are medium to small but, slip far too easy when firing.
But heck it's your gun do what you want with it.

 

[eveled]

I’m curious what it would look like re blued with out removing the engraving first.

 

[rugerguy]

You like how it shoots, you like the trigger, just hate the "looks" so be it, it is what it is and as noted above to someone it would be entirely "appreciated", the looks AND how it shoots......use it for trade bait when you find another you "like" the looks of, as to the refinish never now what you ( they ) may run into as to the depth of the 'lazer etched' engraving, may not blend in with the surrounding 'logos, etc. so would have to take off a bit more, or even restamp it??? may get costly, me , I'd leave it be and use it put BETTER looking and useful grips on it, them "rubber baby buggy bumpers" don't do it, that what we put on all the departments carry guns, back before semi autos became the vogue.....you said it, you have two of them and love them both...hhhmmm

 

[Bennj1]

I'm not a fan of engraving either, but I wouldn't go through the expense of having the engraving removed and then reblued. I
agree that the stocks you are going to put on it will be an improvement. For what it's worth, I don't think it's that bad, and you don't see the engraving when you shoot it anyhow.

 

[Cofaler]

There are people out there that love that sort of thing. If it were mine and it bothered me that much, I would sell it to one of those who loves it and buy something you like. Or just shoot it. I wouldn't spend any money refinishing it though.

 

[contender]

Since it's a factory laser etching,, I'd leave it alone. And if you dislike it so much,, find another one,, buy it,, test it,, and if it's as good then sell off the etched one.
I wouldn't sell one until I had it's replacement in hand.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Well, I'm with you.....as for the engraving....YUCK! Not my taste at all. I see why you are inquiring. I'd feel like I needed to wear a fancy bull fighters outfit to shoot that thing. The cost to refinish that would probably not be worth the squeeze....maybe Cerakote could fill in the engraving? If so that's what I would do. Also, for the record I love Pachy's.....therefore, I'd look into a dull/flat black Cerakote, and just clean those Pachy's up. Be a nice range toy and woods gun.

 

[peachhead]

You used the words "you hate it." Then sell it and get one you like. I won't never have a gun in my gun safes that I hate. It would be replaced with one I like, and I like to shoot.
Personally, I don't see anything that causes me to hate it at all except that outdated grip. If you want a shooter, try a Hogue Mono grip in your hands or about any newer style grips. The S&W target grips look great but lack a lot of for a grip, they just don't fit many human hands well. The S&W service grips allow better grip for shooting if hands are medium to small but, slip far too easy when firing.
But heck it's your gun do what you want with it.

You like how it shoots, you like the trigger, just hate the "looks" so be it, it is what it is and as noted above to someone it would be entirely "appreciated", the looks AND how it shoots......use it for trade bait when you find another you "like" the looks of, as to the refinish never now what you ( they ) may run into as to the depth of the 'lazer etched' engraving, may not blend in with the surrounding 'logos, etc. so would have to take off a bit more, or even restamp it??? may get costly, me , I'd leave it be and use it put BETTER looking and useful grips on it, them "rubber baby buggy bumpers" don't do it, that what we put on all the departments carry guns, back before semi autos became the vogue.....you said it, you have two of them and love them both...hhhmmm

Let me clarify lest I seem schizophrenic.
I love the gun, it shoots great. The action is slick as owl snot. It cannot get any better.
I'm not a fan of the etching/engraving whatever you want to call it.
I'm sure I can live with it, I've lived with it this long.
If I known I would get this many comments about the grips I would have put the regular grips back on it before I took the picture.

 

[Johnnu2]

It looks like a "pre-lock" to me.....THAT alone would influence any decision I would make.

J.

 

[Win64]

I would change the grips and keep shooting this puppy.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Save the Pachys!.....hey nice wood grips are pleasing to look at but Pachy's feel great and.......have that sentimental 80's appeal....a great decade!

 

[wproct]

I would leave it as is, whether I was going to keep it or sell it. I've had a couple of stainless steel revolvers with that engraving and I thought they looked nicer than the same thing on a blued steel revolver. Bottom line, I would not try to remove and re-blue this revolver, either keep it as is or sell it. JMHO.

 

[Hondo44]

To me it’s a “no brained” unless you have money to burn. Some refinishers may even refuse to do it. Those that will probably would charge a lot! You can replace it virtually at no out of pocket cost and more likely a little profit! Why spend the cost of another gun and have the same gun with a less than an original factory quality finish?

There’s plenty of plain blued versions out there to replace it with and if not as nice of an action, an action tune up is a lot less expensive than a refinish!

Time for you to go shopping.

 

[pyth0n]

Yeah I know this is a Ruger forum lol. But of course, I value your opinion.
I have a Smith 586-2, blued, 6". It shoots great, the trigger is fantastic. The problem is, it's been factory laser engraved and frankly I hate it.
I've been looking this up for years and I really haven't found a whole lot on it. I don't think the value is really enhanced by the laser work.
What I'm trying to decide is, should I sell it (really don't want to) or should I send it back to Smith or to Ford's to have it reblued?
Also I have some good target stocks for it, I don't like these but when I was thinking about selling it I put these back on it because that's what was on it when I got it.
This is not the best picture but it serves the purpose.
View attachment 59012
Your thoughts?

Shoot it clean it & when the occasion arises, put some pearl/ivory like grips on it & you have a Bar-B-Q gun.