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681 or 65

H

harleydrivinglawnerd

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I've been looking for a 6 shot 357 mag. LGS have both a used 65 and a used 681 available. Prices being equal, which would you choose?
 
Easy. Get both, that's what I did. The 681 is by far my smoothest, best shooting DA revolver. The 65 is a great CC companion to it.
In moments of wild fantasy, I even considered using them as a BBQ with the little 65 worn crossdraw.

681.jpg

65-5.jpg
 
This is a very good question. My first S&W was a 4" 681.
It shot great, balanced well, and I loved the integral sight.
However, after I got a 66 in the same length I found I shot more consistent groups from the K-frame.
However getting both probably isn't economical. In my opinion go with the one that feels right in your hand.
It'll probably treat you better.
 
Hey Krehmkej. That's a nice pair you got there. I'd get both if I could. Hopefully someday I'll have both. Collecting S&W revolvers is somewhat addictive.
 
If you can get only one gun, get the 681, you can shoot full house mag loads all day, all week and all year. The 65 not so much with certain loads(notably the 125 gr hot load).

If you are going to carry and not shoot a lot of hot mag loads then the 65 would be my suggestion. I have both and my kids will have to pry them out of my cold dead fingers-which they will.
 
They are both excellent revolvers, but if it were me, it would have to be the 65. I like the K-frames, but mostly like the semi-lug, heavy barrel M10 style, too bad S&W still doesn't do that for the L-frames, and only briefly did that (and I've got one). The full lug just never balance right for me, but as always, YMMV.
 
I would vote for getting the 681. Simply because it was made in far fewer numbers than the model 65.

Both are excellent examples of everything you need in a revolver and nothing you don't.

Shooting hot 110 grain 357's is a hoot with a 681. 38+P is like plinking with 22's, for me. The 681 is my favorite L-frame. Regards 18DAI
 
They should not be priced the same the lovely Lady Smith aside. I had a 681, now a 686 and a 65. The 65 totes easier but it is a K frame and the L was designed to overcome some perceived shortcomings in the K.

Money and condition being equal I'd go with the 681. You can always pick up a field grade 65.
 
M2MikeGolf said:
They are both excellent revolvers, but if it were me, it would have to be the 65. I like the K-frames, but mostly like the semi-lug, heavy barrel M10 style, too bad S&W still doesn't do that for the L-frames, and only briefly did that (and I've got one). The full lug just never balance right for me, but as always, YMMV.
Click to expand...
Not true. S&W makes a L frame model 619. This is a fixed sight half lug revolver. This is a option if a person wants a heavier version of the 65.
With that being said, if I had my choice between a 65 and a 681 I would choose the 65. I will give the edge to accurately to the K frame everytime.
Howard
 
I have owned two 681s and two 65s and the 681s had the smoothest triggers of any of my guns. I still have one of the 681s and no 65s.
000_1128.jpg
 
S&W makes a L frame model 619. This is a fixed sight half lug revolver
Click to expand...

You mean made, I think. My guess it looks something like this:

619wAhrends.jpg




I bought one a year ago, because I thought it was kind of interesting that S&W would make a L frame version of the 65. Your chances of finding a 65 are better than that 619 these days.

I love that 619 and will never, and I mean never, sell it. It's the most accurate revolver I've ever owned (that may change here in a month or so. Don't know why they dropped it and the 620.
 
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