Model 681, odd ball?

otis24 · #1 10-23-2016, 12:37 AM

Local gun store has a Model 681. It is chambered in .38 Special, NOT .357. I thogught the L frame was built for the magnum cartridge. Is this an odd ball? If so, value as such?

TAROMAN · #2 10-23-2016, 12:50 AM

Conrail railroad police had a special run of 681s chambered in 38 Special.
Read it here.
Can't help you on value, but my guess is that it would bring more than a 357.
681s and their brother 581s are less common than 686s.
Mine is likely my favorite 357

lowercase · #3 10-23-2016, 02:02 AM

What's the price?

I'd probably get it. I've been looking at a Ruger GP100 oddball in .38 at the LGS and have been trying to keep from buying it.

I own a 681 (in .357) and it is a great gun.

otis24 · #4 10-23-2016, 09:29 AM

Want to say it was priced at $789. Would love to have a fixed sight L frame, even in .38 Spcl. Way out of my budget range and I don't find Cabela's willing to deal too much.

retiredbadge8091 · #5 10-23-2016, 10:09 AM

There is definitely some dickering money in that price even at Cabela's. A friend of mine who works at Cabela's tells me that the longer they hold onto a gun the more willing they are to talk price.

The problem with it is I'm not sure if you go back the gun will even be there. The Model 681 is fairly desirable and the fact it's one made specifically for the .38 Special probably makes it more so. Think about it, I went to a gun store the other day and there was a run of the mill Model 686 for about the same price. And it has no where near the wow factor that Model 681 with a .38 S&W Special ctg. roll mark would have at the range.

But if cost is an issue keep looking, and looking and looking...

SmithNut · #6 10-23-2016, 10:58 AM

As noted above, the Conrail PD guns were chambered in 38 Special. The gun would have CRPD stamped on the left side under the cylinder.

here's a pic of one:

Florida Guy · #7 10-23-2016, 11:21 AM

I've got the more common 357 magnum and it is stamped NYSP (NY State Police).

otis24 · #8 10-23-2016, 05:33 PM

Just checked, this is a 681-3, price was $769. Trying to get pics to come up to see if there are any stampings. Still out of my price range. Sounds very like a desirable piece. If anyone is interested, PM me and I will give you the location of the store that has it. It's looking like it could be stamped CR??

307-Niner · #9 10-23-2016, 06:22 PM

Love my 681. You should get it.

otis24 · #10 10-24-2016, 11:12 AM

I would love to, but it's just not in the budget right now. Still mad that I missed a 15-3 for $249 a couple of months ago!

g5m · #11 10-24-2016, 12:54 PM

Budget always counts, but that's a very neat revolver!

sac-gunslinger · #12 10-26-2016, 12:44 AM

Many departments specified 38 Special over 357 Magnum for fear of public reaction to their officers carrying "magnums." My guess is that you one such example here. The 581/681 bravely carried on the tradition of the service revolver in the face of unrelenting sales pressure from Glock and S&W to replace revolvers with semi-autos. Then look to see how many times the departments have changed again.

IMHO, most officers were better-served with revolvers. Revolvers require fire discipline, something I do not see in many after-action reports on police shootings.

What, revolvers are old fashioned and 38 Special is outdated. Read up on Jim Cirillo, Bill Jordan, and the like and tell me they were outgunned. Skill (and determination) trump magazine capacity every time.

Denver Dick · #13 10-26-2016, 01:22 AM

If it's .38 Special it's probably a Conrail Police pistol. According to Roy Jinks in the factory letter on my 681-3 CRPD, "A special group of 465 units of Model 681-3 were manufactured for sale to Conrail Police and other agencies in April of 1989. These revolvers were chambered in .38 Special rather than the standard .357 Magnum caliber." He goes on to state that the serial number range is BDT0605 and BDT1069.

You should buy it! When I found one back 2008, I did, box and all.

Very cool with the Tyler-T Grip, right?