I was at the Gettysburg, PA show yesterday to look at a nice 27-2. Couldn't justify the $1100 purchase but then I noticed a 681 in the next case. Nice shape priced at $579. It had a PD engraving that I didn't recognize. Not seeing many of these. Was that a decent price? And no, I didn't buy it. Almost forgot, do police dept. markings significantly lower the value?

I'd say it was a reasonable price for a great gun, especially if you could have gotten it for $500-$550 OTD.

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

Agreed with this comment. There have been several posts lately on the 581 and 681. Nice revolvers and if you can get one in great shape for 500-550 you can't go wrong. I see them sell on GB consistently 550-600 for nice examples even more with box/docs.Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Here in Northern California in the past year I have seen 2 681’s for sale by private parties in good used shape in the $700-800 range. Over here anything below that would be a steal.

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Accuracy supercedes Speed

Great gun at a fair to good price.

FWIW ..... I don't see many ...... OK only one in the past 5-6 years which I bought for about $500 OTD IIRC..... for sale in LGSs at this end of Penn's Woods.

Fair price, imo. They go for $600-$700 in my neck of the woods. There’s one that’s been on the local gun show circuit for 2 years now at $900. It looks like the owner drags it from show to show on a chain behind his truck. It’s quite possibly the most scratched up handgun I’ve ever seen. I don’t know that I would even consider it for $350-$400, but it doesn’t matter because he won’t budge on the price anyway.

Compared to 686's the 681's are downright scarce. For a solid revolver in used and totally lovable condition but not mint, that is a decent price for a model that is tough to find.

It would be my opinion that in such a condition, yes -- the police markings would either "enhamce" value or more realistic perhaps is that the marking would make for a bit more demand or saleability. Certainly doesn't hurt.

I paid $440 for one in 2014. I would pay $550 for one today if I didn't already have one. It's one of my favorite shooters. A PD engraving would not bother me in the least.

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Inconsistently consistent

I don't see hardly any 686s worth having let alone a 681. I figure my chances of getting one are slim to none.

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-Matt

Guess I should have bought it. Oh, well.

Probably. I found one a couple years ago locally for $550. Wasn’t mint but in good shape. I really would like to find a 581

I just bought one 2 weeks ago for $550 OTD. In excellent shape. Looks barely fired. It’s a no dash with the M stamp from 1982, but the original grips were gone. It has rubber Uncle Mike’s on it.

A year ago I picked up a beautiful 681 with box and goodies for $580 and flipped it for $800 a couple weeks later.

I picked up a nickel 581 yesterday. No box or accessories and it has not been back for the recall. I traded a 640pro for it so I've got about $650 in the 581. I had never even heard of the 581 prior to seeing this one so i figure it was a good deal. I can get another 640pro if I end up missing it but how many more chances would I have at a 581?

No box, wrong grips the 681 I bought a couple years ago was $400 cash out the door of the gun show.
So far that's the only 5/681 I've seen.

The 581/681 series sort of came out at the wrong time, since they were designed for the police market and were introduced just a few years before the mass change to semi autos. Most civilians wanted the 586/686 version with the adjustable sights. I am not big on L frames but if I found a 581 at a decent price ( don’t care for stainless at all) I would jump on it

I sold my CRPD marked 681 ( in 38 special) last year for $675 without box. I was happy and the buyer was happy. You don't see a lot of these around.

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Dave