Tale of a 581 restoration/customization

DHart

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Sonoran Desert~Arizona
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...

SW_581_Ck3235.jpg


SW_581_L3221.jpg


SW_581_LF3243.jpg


SW_581_R3222.jpg


SW_581_RF3223.jpg


SW_581_RR3242.jpg


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.
 
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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
 
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
 
That is a gem! Is the front sight soldered in? I do not see a pin.
 
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.
 
Wow that is awsom
May I ask how much it set you back for the work?

Pete
 
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! :)
 
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