I have an opportunity to pick up a L Frame S&W Model 581 (no dash) pretty cheap. However there are a few issue with the pistol. First, it will need to be re-blued as there is a lot of rust from sitting in a foam plastic storage container for the last 6 years. Really not an issue as the pistol can be set out for cosmetic changes. The real issue is that the owner says it will not fire. He says it needs a new firing pin. In examining the hammer I noticed that the nose is broken and is considerably shorter than normal. I'm wondering if replacing the nose would fix the issue? Any Ideas?

Also, it appears that the factory recall on this pistol was never done as I see no "M" stamped above the model number.

So do you thing this is a pistol worth purchasing and sinking a few hundred dollars into it?

Rooster

Depends on price.

The firing pin is no big deal to me. Of course I know someone just down the road who can fix that in a few minutes.

Really depending on how much you can get it for, you can send it back to Smith for all it's problems. They will do the modification so it has an M stamp, reblue and firing pin in one trip.

I'd pay $200 or less for it, then send it to S&W for re-finish and firing pin

I got these for under $350 each, don't overpay for a gun with issues.

I wouldn't pay more than $150-200 for it, I would rather pay $400 and get one with no headaches attached. A gunsmith can pop in a new hammer nose, probably a $50 job, and it also depends on how bad the finish damage is. Bluing loss, no big deal......heavy pitting is a deal breaker.

S&W will charge you to fix it, in the end you will have a reblued 581 that costs you more then one with honest holster wear that works.

I believe I can pick this up for $150.00 to $175.00. But will not go over the 200.00 quoted here. Has anyone ever sent their pistol back to S&W for re-bluing? I checked the web site an I didn't see any pricing.

Rooster

Have a look at this link, refinishing is done via the Performance Center:

Precision Gunsmithing Services - Smith & Wesson

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

$200 or less would be a good deal, for a total of maybe $50 you can have it fixed and use it as a utility gun, trainer, range shooter, etc.

If it were me, I wouldn't bother with the reblue......unless you really want to spend the money for pure cosmetics. Again if it were me a blued gun with lots of holster wear doesn't bother me.

Today must be my day to show my ignorance. Just had another question answered on another feed. After reading the thread, I agree with the comments about refinishing, as long as it is working, honest blue wear is not an issue.

After reading above I had to go dig out my old 581 police turn in to check for the "M". Mine has it so the mod was done. The whole issue is new to me, can someone kindly enlighten me as to what the recall/mod was for and the time frame of the recall. Something else I didn't know. The older I get the less I know for sure. Keep shootin'

That's what I was looking for. Thanks for the link.

Rooster

Here is the link to the article.

http://firearmsid.com/Recalls/FA_Recalls%205.htm

Rooster

Here are a couple of Smiths that I sent in for refinishing. I'm happy with their work. Note that prices may have changed since my original posts.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-rev...5-12-pics.html

Model 58, refinished by S&W

It's one thing to have a gun that has wear on it from honest use - that's "character". It's another to leave it ugly when the finish was ruined by negligence.

Thanks to Rooster Cogburn for the link. Now I have to dig out my 686CS and check it. Good info to know that had excaped me.

Keep Shootin' galena

I'd pay $200 or less. And only if you really, really want it and have an idea of what you'll use it for.

Does it come with the original grips and box? (In what condition?) Because if not that's another deduction to the value.

What you'll wind up with at the least has to be repaired, and then you'll have to decide if you want to restore it, or use it as a base to build into something. Either way you'll have to spend more money.

And you'll play hell getting the cost of the re-blue back if you want to sell quickly. As a build you may never get your money out (few do). Just remember a $200 gun with a $200 dollar re-blue is still a $200 dollar gun.

Now if its a factory re-blue done 35 years ago and it's still 100% (ok 95%+)... it still won't be worth what a 90% condition original blue gun would bring.

So whether you decide to restore or build you'll have to really like the results. Because you'll have to hang on to it for quite a while before it will appreciate enough to break even, if it ever will that is.

/c

TomK...

Thanks for the pictures and testimonial. The pistol I'm looking at is pretty close to your model 58 as far as surface rust and pitting. I called S&W today and they are sending me some info and quoted me around $200. for re-bluing. They will fix the recall and then send me a price on what it would be to re-blue. I guess at that point I'll know to re-blue or not.

Chuck Jones... When I purchase a firearm I hardly ever resell or trade. If I can bring an old firearm back and can afford to do so, within reason, i try to do it. I love S&W revolvers.

Rooster

I have a more recent S&W factory refinish on a 28-2, marked with the "RE" in an oval.

I am not too happy with it, S&W polished the blue and ruined the "matte" finish and also some of the polishing bleeds over into the bead blast on the topstrap and backstrap. S&W did not make the gun look good.

Overall, it does not add "value" to the gun and I got it for a good price anyway, so to me it's just a refinished shooter grade piece.

Pulled the trigger today (no pun intended) and purchased the 581. Got it for $150.00 now I'm waiting on S&W for their shipping info so I can at least send it in for the recall. I'll have to see what they say about the re-bluing.

Rooster