What makes the Model 581 so rare?

[gerhard1]

The story as I know with the M modification was some police agencies ( this applied to all L frames as I recall) could potentially have the gun lock up when shooting full house magnums and the problem was referred to as primer flow- the hot load would cause the primer to back out some of the primer cup deform and get lodged in the firing pin bushing, preventing cylinder rotation.
Unless the gun is depended on for defense with magnum ammo there is no need to send it in. As others have mentioned it was an isolated problem and a lot of non M guns have not exhibited any issues. If it were mine I would NOT send it in.

That happened to me with a 3" M13. The cylinder was stuck and the gun was tied up until I had a gunsmith look into it. I asked him what he did and he said that he gently tapped the cylinder open with a rubber (or was it a wooden?) mallet.

It functioned fine after that.

 

[PerryLane]

My Thoughts: The era of production of which you speak will soon become the shooter grade collectables regardless of caliber or material ( stainless vs blue steel), and unexpectedly condition, within reason. I will forever prefer a traditional S&W M10 type police fantasy revolver over any hollow trigger, f pin in frame, MIM, Namby Pamby space age rattle trap tool box gun. It ain't the gun I like; It's the movie prop. and just aside, can anyone identify the handgun The Dain used in the movie "Miller's Crossing" I hope it is a Triple Lock 44 Special.

The Internet Movie Firearms Database says "Eddie Dane, aka "The Dane" (J.E. Freeman) carries a Webley Mk VI chambered in .455 Webley throughout the film" Miller's Crossing - Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games

 

[SJshooter]

I've got a 681-1 and love it. It's a bulkier, more sturdy but perhaps less elegant version of the 66-2. Great trigger and a tackdriver.

 

[80sgyrene]

I loved fixed sights, but hated the full lugs.
So I found one cheap and turned it into what I thought of as a true fighting revolver.

Unfortunately, with age, my eyes prefer adjustable sights now.

Gotta agree with those that think of it as a more modern Heavy Duty.

 

[hkcavalier]

Usually when someone comes on this forum asking "Should I buy this gun?" the response is a resounding "YES! BUY TWO!"

But I gather that you are asking "Will this be a sound investment?"

That's a lot harder to answer. In the past, conventional wisdom was "Guns are a poor investment." I'm not so sure that's true any more. I just saw a completed auction where a 3" round butt M13 went for more than $2,000. A few short years ago, they were bringing $700, and I thought that was high!

Not all guns will appreciate like that, but it looks to me that they at least keep up with inflation.

When someone talks about a gun he just bought on this forum, he often starts out with "I always wanted one of these ..." That is, most of us buy a gun because we like it and enjoy owning it. If it goes up in value, that's a nice perk. Speaking for myself, I probably would have made a higher rate of return if I had put the money in a good mutual fund.

So it's really just up to you. It's unlikely you will lose money on that gun (unless something is really wrong with it) but it is unlikely that it will be your path to wealth and early retirement.

Firearms are excellent stores of value (like precious metals or real estate) but they're only investments in a loose sense. The strict definition of an investment is something that will generate income, either immediately or at some point in the future. No one gets a dividend or earnings check from their gun safe. Sure, some stores of value can also be investments (real estate returning rental income is the most common one).

The wave of making big returns on pre-'86 machineguns is over, if you're starting from scratch right now. The guys who made big money on banned items during AWB, well that's been over for almost 20 years, at least nationally. Most punitive gun/magazine laws now prohibit secondary market sales too, making any big stockpile of receivers or magazines bought retail pretty pointless from an investment perspective.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

What makes the Model 581 so rare? I know!

What makes the Model 581 so rare?

From a cop perspective: The 581/681 and 586/686 hit the market at the same time.

By 1981 S&W had perfected making stainless steel revolvers or so was the word on the street. For most gun enthusiasts in the Police Locker Room, the 686 was the most desired. Of course the purists went with the blue 586.

For all models their was a Waiting List at Chesire & Perez the Southern California Distributor for S&W. My first was a six inch 686 and later I got called again and managed to get the four inch 681. If I was guessing in Patrol about 80% choose stainless steel and only 20% blue.

 

[brendonjames65]

Here’s a couple of my 581’s. A nickel 581 no dash and blued 581-1. Neither have the M modification and I’ve not had any issues shooting 357 but I’ve not fired a great number of rounds. The nickel 581 has an AAD prefix with logo on the right side. I do have the original box but have to dig it out of storage. It’s the newer blue cardboard box common in the 80’s.

 

[Chuck Edwards]

Those are from Craig Spegel (who else )... the wood is Cocobolo, the grips are his Boot grips, with plus extension (short extension below the grip frame) with checkering.

The "extra" set of those that I bought from you about 15 years ago is on my M67-1.

My 681-2 wears a set of his Boot Plus grips, but smooth and with no finger bump thingie.

 

[Chop]

Model 581 no dash. AAD prefix. Has has the “m” repair.

Not the best photos…but outstanding blueing. Very accurate nicely balanced revolver.

 

[ladder13]

I've got a 681-1 and love it. It's a bulkier, more sturdy but perhaps less elegant version of the 66-2. Great trigger and a tackdriver.

I like the look of the L frame better than the K.

I’m odd.

 

[Sixgun100]

When I began in LE in 1984 in South Florida, the Model 686 was very popular. I found a Model 581 in the case of the now defunct Oshman’s Sporting Goods. Carried it for many years. Later switched to a Model 67. It was Stainless and much lighter. Still have the Model 581 and wish I still had the Model 67…..

 

[BAM-BAM]

Had a 4" 581..... carried it into Penn's Woods once ...... it was mint...... too nice for anything but a safe Queen. traded it for "something". Cus I had two 4" 586s; one a -5 from 1995/96 w/ a factory round butt. Spegel grips on both.

Today still have a 4" 681, just about the best duty/utility/general purpose revolver you can own IMHO!!!!! shotshells to full power .357 magnums and every .38 special in between!
Like Smithnut's, mine too wears Spegel extended Boot grips. generally rides in a Bianchi 111 Cyclone cross draw holster when we head into Penn's Woods.

 

[gunbarrel]

Gosh, I remember Oshman's Sporting Goods on W Hillsborough Ave. in Tampa. I loved going in there. And it was on the way to the Police Range in Oldsmar where I competed at the Mid-Winters in '91 & '92. Thanks for the memories!

 

[Norton 750]

My 581 is nickel plated...with the stainless model available, I wonder how many buyers went nickel? Super rare! Extra valuable!

 

[CollinCountyLawman]

I just picked up a 581 no dash. I plan on qualifying with it as my duty weapon. My buddy that I work with just picked up a 681. Great pistols!

 

[silicosys4]

While a low production, high condition, in box example of any prelock S&W revolver will appreciate over time, I wouldn't spend a great deal of money on even a NiB 581 and expect it to appreciate much. They are kind of an obscure gun that was still produced in decent numbers.

For instance, if I had a NiB 581 and a NiB 627-0 sitting in front of me, I'd take the 627-0 and I'd pay more for it expecting it to appreciate better because it's a more sought-after gun, IMO.

 

[Grayfox]

Being a fan of the L-frame guns, a 581 has been on my wish list for many years. To date, I've seen exactly two for sale. The first was a badly abused and rough gun. The second was priced just plumb stupid. I passed on both.
Maybe someday I'll find a nice one I can afford.

 

[SWFan27]

Plain jane version of the more popular adjustable sighted brethern.
They didn't sell as well because they lacked the features more people wanted, making them now less common, aka "rare."

Yesterday's stepchild is now today's "collectible."

Thank you for the information. I was just about to create a post yesterday asking about the Model 681. It looks like sellers on GB are looking for around $1200 for those. Not sure if they are selling for that. Only a few were listed.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFnCAXpFqzI"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFnCAXpFqzI[/ame]

 

[kbm6893]

thanks for the thoughts. I am not sure if it is a first year model now. The owner said S&W said it was, but I agree that AAA is 1980 and AAC appears to be 1981 - 1982. I will go look at it in a while and see for myself and then make the decision. Thanks again!

The logo being in the sideplate does indicate a first year production. I recall the logo was moved in 1982. I have a 681 that was made in May of 1983 and the logo is under the cylinder latch.

 

[spad124]

I don’t know if the OP sent his in for the M modification as this is an Older thread, but I did send my 686-1 in. As I recall the problem as certain Federal primers in some hot .357 loads would flow back into the hammer nose bushing causing lock up. I bought my 686-1 new in 1988 and didn’t send it in until 2017. S&W did an absolutely great job with my 686-1. The work was excellent. And I would swear someone at S&W cleaned up and smoothed the action while it was in. I had absolutely no problems. I considered the whole “unmodified in the future” thing, but decided just to have the M mod done and not have worry about it. My son may lose a $100 or so after I’m gone, but I’d rather we enjoy shooting the 686 now.

Sending my 686 to S&W was the second time I sent a gun into S&W for warranty work. I followed S&W’s shipping instructions and had no problems. On the return I did pick up my 686 up from the FedEx terminal instead of arranging home delivery. Again, all went well-as it did the with the first time.