Model 581, help with purchase offer?

MJFlores

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Hi everyone. I've never seen of held this revolver but, a friend that I work with is selling some guns and said this particular one might be one I'd like. I have no idea what the age is so I may be posting in the wrong forum but I'm guessing early 80's. It's a model 581 4" .357. The seller has told me it's single/ double action. It belonged to his father in-law and has probably 20 to 50 rounds through it wich I'd believe from seeing the picture of it and the turn ring on the cylinder. Grips looks like almost never used, bluing looks good. What is a fair and honest price to offer him for this revolver? Obviously I'd like a great deal on a pre-lock Smith but I'm not looking to undercut anyone, especially a friend. Tell me what you think is a fair price. I'll include the picture that was sent to me. Thanks in advance!
Bob_581.jpg
 
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It is probably fair to both parties at $550 if it is mechanically sound and has no finish issues. Some areas might run higher, but this is just my opinion for my area. Good luck :)
 
I agree with SAFireman's guesstimate. I don't see a lot of these for sale, but they are desirable. Enough mass to handle 357 just fine. Fixed sight, which means nothing to damage or snag on clothing when drawing. A good utilitarian revolver, sort of like a grown up Model 10. It should last about 100 years or so without drama. With a serial number and a dash number - as in 581-x - someone here could date it for you.
 
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The early M586/686's shipped with Target Stocks. I believe the M581/681 shipped with Magna Stocks. So, it's likely the stocks it wears now are original, which adds value. I don't know when S&W ceased M581 production, but I've never seen one newer than 1984.

These guns were subject to a voluntary recall. If there is a letter "M" stamped on the frame above the model number the work has already been done. If the "M" is not there S&W will still will fix it for free, if you so choose.
 
Interesting, I'll check with him and see if it has the "M" stamp, any idea what the recall was about?
 
Making a Deal with a Friend

Making a deal with a friend can be difficult or easy, depending on what you choose to do. Personally, I like doing these kinds of deals as it should make you "better" friends. Since the seller is someone you should know a lot about, I like to offer a decent sum of money, say $550, and then tell him that you will supply the 100 .38 SPL rounds for both of you to go shoot the 581 at the range and have some fun. Then you tell him that your going out for pizza and beer afterwards and you will pickup the check. Alternatively, another scenario could be to offer him the $550 and tell him you will throw in a brick of .22 LR ammo (or something similar) as you know he likes to shoot his M&P 22 or model 18, for example. I think a deal with a buddy that doesn't just involve money can be better for both of you, make it more memorable?
 
Thanks, I did see those and was hoping they were just finger prints. I also see something in the front of the trigger guard. I had planned on inspecting the gun first, I want to see what the crown and cone look like, and how tight the crane is. Hopefully nobody has been "hollywooding" the cylinder shut.
 
From what you write I imagine you know this - everyone else knows this - so you might advise your friend that describing a double action S&W revolver as single-action/double action is incorrect. If there is a hammer to cock then unless it's been tampered with or the factory eliminated the cocking ability all of these revolvers can be fired single or double action - nothing is gained by using the terms; it's almost misleading to do it because it implies something different instead of the norm for all these modern era guns. Not a gigantic crime; just incorrect terminology.
 
In the case of this particular revolver, I specifically asked him if it could be fired single action. Since the model 581 was primarily a duty gun, there are some out there that were altered by S&W to be DAO. Some departments indeed ordered them like that. It matters to me as I would have no desire for this revolver if it was in fact DAO (my personal opinion only).
 
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