Being a big fan of fixed-sighted, pre-lock S&W revos, I had in my possession a couple of 4" 581 revolvers. One of which was particularly worn and tired-looking when I bought it. I had a re-make in mind when I clicked the Buy button on Gunbroker for the sad looking 4" 581.

I wanted the barrel cut to 3", the square butt frame re-profiled to round-butt, the cylinder edges mitered, chambers chamfered, the action smoothed and refined, and the finish refreshed and reblued. I selected one of the country's most respected Guild revolver-smiths for the work: Mark Hartshorn of Pinnacle.

Mark had the gun for close to a year. By the end of my wait, I was quite anxious. But when I finally received the once worn, tired 581 back from Mark, I was simply amazed at the quality of the work he had done. The detailed work is mind boggling. The work on the gun in indistinguishable, to me anyway, from factory original work. It's that exquisite.

I've posted these images here before, quite some time ago, but some recent requests to see the gun again have prompted this post. Here are some images of the gun...













Thanks to Kim Ahrends for contributing the gorgeous and marvelously crafted grips to this custom.

The once-tired 4" 581 has become my most valued SW revolver. The size, weight, barrel length, and sleek sculpture of the body make this an absolutely superb defensive revolver. It is a joy to shoot and to behold. Thank you, Mark, for your magnificent work on this revolver.

Mark returned the original 1" end piece, cleanly cut from the barrel, with front sight and all. I keep that beautiful 1" 581 barrel end-piece on my desk as an ornamental paper weight to remind me of the great transformation.

First time seeing this one. That's an amazing revolver!

Thanks, Darnell. Glad ya like it, buddy! :-)

Dang man all I can say if wow! !!!! That is a work of art!!! I work on these things for a living also. You picked a very nice model to customize, and I love it. It does look factory original, and that right there is how you tell is who is worth their salt in our business. The people who are not skilled and talented will not last. Granted you will never get rich building guns, but I never ever hate getting up in the mornings to go to work. I have loved doing it everyday for almost 13 years now. I am very happy you got a really nice packin' pistol there man enjoy it in great health.

Dan

Love the mods, looks like you put a lot of thought into it and picked one of the best to do the work, that revolver is drop dead gorgeous, I bet it handles and shoot likewise,
thanks for sharing it with such great photos

That is outstanding! Almost looks too good to shoot.

Mark does good work BUTTT he had mine for a simple bore job to allow it to shoot 9x23's and had it for a year.
It was always on the bench after waiting for 5 months before I started calling him.
Blessings

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TEXAS, by GOD

It just looks right, very very nice piece

Just plain sweet! Thanks for the pictures.

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Pisgah

That's one pretty piece!!

That is a gem! Is the front sight soldered in? I do not see a pin.

This is a HOOT.... here's what the gun looked like when I received it after the purchase on Gunbroker. I knew it wasn't long on looks when I bought it... but I had other plans for it from the get go.



It's life was totally renewed!

Gorgeous - but I disagree, I think it is distinguishable from factory - it looks considerably better than any factory 581!

Your 581 is stunning and proof you get what you pay for, even though it took a year for the work to be completed. It has to be nice knowing you have a one of a kind revolver, thanks for sharing.

I bet that did feel like a short stretch of forever but I say it was well worth it to get the end result. Pinnacle should just show pics of your gun as a package for what they can offer.

Holy guacamole! That is fine looking gun!

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But then, what do I know?

Wow that is awsom
May I ask how much it set you back for the work?

Pete

I just soiled myself...

AND, that would be in 2009 dollars.

Thanks folks for your thoughts and comments!

As for the cost, I haven't a clue. I just don't usually remember stuff like that. Not cheap, not terribly outrageous either. Whatever it was, I was happy to pay it!

Love that thing! I too would like to know how that front sight is attached. My 581 is in similar shape to how yours started, but the action is smoother than any revolver I've ever shot, as easy to shoot as a well-tuned 1911. Id like to get it transformed into something like that beauty you've got there Dhart.

Fantastic piece

I'll take it. PM sent.

I remember you posting pics of this gun many moons ago and now as back then thought it was a nice gun in 3". When we customize a S&W to something the factory didn't offer, its fun. Couple of pics of my Andy Horvath 5 inch .32 long. Its previous life was a model 17-6". Anyone know the grip maker? Larry

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A minty 3-inch 586 is a grail gun for me. Holy wow, that is a beauty. And it goes without saying that your photos show as much craftsmanship and attention to detail as the renovation.

Sorry, had to bring this one back from the dead.

One of the slickest revolvers I've seen.

I'm going to be sending a 681 to Mark for the chop,RB treatment and other enhancements, though it won't look quite that good being stainless.

Wow! I can see I'm going to need to replicate this.

Now that is what a fighting handgun is supposed to look like! Blued steel and wood.

Very nice!!!

Thanks, Ladder! I'm glad that you like it.

I'll bet your 3" 681 will come out great!

I sent a tired 4" 681 to S&W back around the time (2009) Mark was working on my 581.

The top revolver guy in S&W's Custom Shop (I've forgotten his name now) was kind enough to scrounge around for me and was able to come up with a 3" Performance Center barrel (non-ported, as I would have wanted it). He cut the square butt to round for me and installed the 3" PC barrel, did an action job, and polished. Apparently, they won't do this kind of custom work at S&W any more, so I was fortunate to be able to get it done. Here's the before and after on my 681

Before


After


It's not quite the "looker" that my custom 581 is, but it's every bit as nice to shoot and even more practical for finish.

Vito?

Like it? I love it. I always enjoy your collection and pics.
I saw your 681 displayed here a few years ago, and called Smith but they had no 3 inch barrels.
Numrich had some PC 4 inch barrels for awhile but those are gone also.

I'll be in PA, about 2 hrs from Pinnacle next weekend, and could make a side trip to drop the gun off instead of shipping it, but Mark posted on his website no walk ins unless you live local. Maybe I'll call him tomorrow to check on that.

The man's work on my 581 sure was exquisite. It looked like a factory 3" barrel when he was done with it. I still keep the 1" muzzle end piece, that he cut off, on my desk as a conversation piece.

Outstanding, really outstanding!

I'm usually not a fan of modified guns, but that one looks fantastic. IMO, the stock 581/681 models are among the most beautiful guns ever made by S&W.

Beautiful work, that 581 came out fantastic. I remember seeing this one when it was originally posted. Mark has worked on several revolvers for me, the first one was a 9mm conversion on my 360J, which is now a convertible thank to him fitting a titanium .38spl cylinder to it a couple of years ago, that gun has a ton of carry miles on it now. Most recently he took a beater 28-2 I sent him along with a titanium .41mag cylinder and 4" M58 barrel and turned it into a 3" RB .41mag 28-2. It's not nearly as pretty as that 581 but, it's destined for a life of field and farm carry hence the utilitarian finish. As always, Mark's work is impeccable, he's a master at turning sow's ears into silk purses.

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

Now that is a beautiful piece of work.

Well done!

I'm thinking you may have just given Mark Hartshorn of Pinnacle a new customer.

When I had "Project 616" built and labeled "the gun S&W should have built and didn't" it was understood that it should look like factory offering, and it does. I think a custom "factory looking" gun has its own quiet elegance.

Froggie

I don't even think that "FANTASTIC" describes it well enough! Bob

Wow that's one beautiful job by Mark Hartshorn did om the S&W 581,it looks brand new.Congratulations!

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Life is short,live it fully.

[QUOTE=DHart;136946114]Being a big fan of fixed-sighted, pre-lock S&W revos, I had in my possession a couple of 4" 581 revolvers. One of which was particularly worn and tired-looking when I bought it. I had a re-make in mind when I clicked the Buy button on Gunbroker for the sad looking 4" 581.

That’s sweeeeet!
I was going to do the same thing with my 681, but ended up selling it first. Didn’t regret it until this very moment.

Here's my bubbafied conversion, of a beat up model 64, from 4" to 3".

Wow that is one amazing 581. I'm glad this thread was brought back from the dead

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-Matt

Thanks, guys. It is certainly my most valued of my S&W revolvers.

Very Beautiful alterations on all of those revolvers.

Did it cost an arm or a leg?

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Deaf

DHart, if you’re around, I finally sent my 681 up to Mark today.
Only took a few years.
I’d love to find a finished challenged 581 and do the same.

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Sure you did

That's fantastic, ladder. Mark is the man when it comes to precision revolvers. What does the project entail?

Please let's see it when it's done!

Good to see you around.

Chopping it to 3 inches, round butt, fitting a 7 shot cylinder, milling the front sight for a brass or gold beat.
Action job.

Maybe slab siding the barrel and installing a crane ball lock? Bead blast or just polish?

I have time to think of what else.

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Sure you did

Wow... that's going to be amazing. I like that you went with a 7-shot cylinder also. Nice move.

Can't wait until you unveil it!