The 586 is like a production version of what my gun is. Everything about the Smython I have is over the top. The way the barrel was fit and blended to the frame is the best I have ever seen on one of these guns, and it is not an easy thing to do right. When Wayne Dobbs declares the trigger the best he has ever felt,you know you have something special. Wayne, like me, just dropped his mouth open when he pressed it the first time. Jim Clark killed it with this one.. Now, with the grips that were made from scratch by Guy Hogue himself to perfectly conform to the hand, and the whole package becomes something uniquely special. It is a special unicorn and I will likely shoot it once with Wayne, and it will be preserved for what it is.
Then there is the mass produced equivalent. Take a 686 SSR or a Ruger Match champion and you get the same type of capability without the finesse and artistry of a set of a true master craftsman's hands fitting and fine tuning every single part. I love shooting my 686SSR. It is my primary dry practice gun, and its MIM parts trigger just gets better with use. Is it as good as the Smython....not even close. Is it really good.....yep. Accuracy wise....the SSR is okay (I think the ammo I shoot is more of an issue than the gun) and I have been able to ring 10 inch steel at a hundred with it(which is also more of an issue of me and my eyes not being able to see much at a hundred). I have a feeling that Wayne will be destroying 8" steel at a hundred with the Smython.
In the big picture I look at this much like cars. A mass produced Ford high performance Mustang with a little "GT" or Shelby logo, that is a super reliable monster that runs on pump gas and is maintained by a kid who plugs it into a computer is a great ride. And even though it is likely faster, better handling, and more reliable than its original predecessor, it will never be an actual Carol Shelby built and tuned Mustang or Cobra. Ideally, your garage would have an exquisite 1967 GT500 "Super Snake" to ogle, and a 2014 Shelby GT500 Super Snake to actually drive on the weekends and a Raptor to daily drive. I can't afford a 1.3 million dollar 67 Super Snake.....but I got a Clark Smython