What makes the Model 581 so rare?

Draw4u · Jun 14, 2023

Looking at a 1st year production model 581 and being told they are “rare” and “hard to find”, which seems to be somewhat true when you search Gunbroker and Armslist, but what makes them so rare and hard to find? Do they hold their value, will they appreciate in value? I don’t own one and curious of your thoughts before I get to serious about this one.

ralph7 · Jun 14, 2023

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."

Abbynormal · Jun 14, 2023

Pretty much the last gasp for fixed sight revolvers. Most preferred adjustable sights at a slight cost. Don't see many 681's either for same reason.

Draw4u · Jun 14, 2023

Thanks for the info. Is this one that would be worth picking up and holding onto for a long time? Something that will be collectible?

Venom6 · Jun 14, 2023

Not being a smartass when I say they're rare because they didn't make many of them. The irony - not restricted to the 581 - is that guns that did not sell well during their time of production resulted in limited numbers of same; thereby making them strangely desirable long after their discontinuation.

The L-frames were introduced to meet the law enforcement communities' demand for a heavy-duty service revolver that would stand up to large numbers of .357 rounds which were causing significant wear on the .357 K-frames. (Remember that S&W brought out the Combat Magnum nee Model 19 at the behest of Border Patrolman Bill Jordan, who advocated zeroing and familiarizing with .357's, but practicing with .38's. Twenty years later many agencies decided to "train like you fight," so began shooting many more .357 rounds.

Because most agencies (and most officers) are pretty pragmatic when it comes to hardware, the vast majority of both chose the stainless versions over the blue. I was the lead firearms instructor and armorer for an 800-man agency when Smith first offered the L-frames. Officers at that time had to buy their own guns, and those choosing the L-frame selected stainless guns over blue ten to one (the few guys preferring the blued version did so either because they were more traditional, or felt the stainless would be more visible at night, thus giviing them away). And the adjustable sight versions were preferred roughly five to one over fixed. Just my experience.

SmithNut · Jun 14, 2023

Regardless of whether they were popular or not, the M581 and M681 were pretty cool models.... The M681 below is one of the super rare CRPD marked models. The ConRail (Continental Railroad) models were chambered in 38 Special and so marked.

Pretty cool....

Eddietruett · Jun 14, 2023

A true fighting handgun. Personally I prefer fixed sights

raljr1 · Jun 14, 2023

Eddietruett said:
A true fighting handgun. Personally I prefer fixed sights

I was strictly a target sight guy until a fixed sighted 32 HE and a 44 HE showed me why adjustable sights didn't really matter. First two shots with the 32 were dead center aim. Balance were 6 o'clock hold.

Draw4u · Jun 14, 2023

So, they are “rare” because people didn’t like them and didn’t buy them. Think it would be a good one for a long-term collection? I know rare doesn’t always mean valuable and collectible, which is why I’m asking

quikdraw67 · Jun 14, 2023

SmithNut said:
Regardless of whether they were popular or not, the M581 and M681 were pretty cool models.... The M681 below is one of the super rare CRPD marked models. The ConRail (Continental Railroad) models were chambered in 38 Special and so marked.

Pretty cool....

Just for the record, ConRail stood for Consolidated Rail Corporation, a quasi-government entity started on 04/01/1976 that folded in the assets of 6 bankrupt NE US railroads (Penn Central, Erie Lackawanna, Reading, Lehigh Valley, Jersey Central, and Lehigh & Hudson River).

ConRail became a profitable entity in the 1980's, and issued it's own stock. In 1999 it was sold split up between Norfolk Southern and CSX railroads.

They also issued 4043 pistols in the 1990's, which I've never seen in the wild.

MajorD · Jun 14, 2023

Both the 581 and 681 were not made for very long. I would love to trip over especially a 581 at a decent price ( I don’t care for the look of stainless at all, and don’t buy in to the easier to care for and more rust resistant hype)
As mentioned they were introduced intended for primarily the law enforcement market. Your typical civilian shooter wanted the adjustable sights and red ramps of the 586/686
Also right about the time they were introduced came the sea change to semi auto pistols for police use, putting a nail in the coffin

Mike SC Hunter · Jun 14, 2023

I guess cuz I never liked or wanted one. Still don't.

pantannojack · Jun 14, 2023

Draw4u said:
Looking at a 1st year production model 581 and being told they are “rare” and “hard to find”, which seems to be somewhat true when you search Gunbroker and Armslist, but what makes them so rare and hard to find? Do they hold their value, will they appreciate in value? I don’t own one and curious of your thoughts before I get to serious about this one.

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.

Tanners Owner · Jun 14, 2023

@SmithNut

What grips are those? Recently picked up a 581 & am seeking a decent set of grips

SmithNut said:
Regardless of whether they were popular or not, the M581 and M681 were pretty cool models.... The M681 below is one of the super rare CRPD marked models. The ConRail (Continental Railroad) models were chambered in 38 Special and so marked.

Pretty cool....

Muley Gil · Jun 14, 2023

pantannojack said:
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.

According to this link, the Dane was armed with a Webley & Scott MK VI .455 revolver. It has pictures of the firearms used.

Miller's Crossing - Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games

Jack Flash · Jun 14, 2023

Draw4u said:
Thanks for the info. Is this one that would be worth picking up and holding onto for a long time? Something that will be collectible?

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.

sodacan · Jun 15, 2023

I've never thought of the 581/681 models to be rare, but very few of them come up for sale. Here is a very early one with a AAA serial number prefix These are pretty rare, although I've seen others posted on this forum. This one has the box and original stocks. One of the prettiest guns to ever come out of the factory, IMO. Yes, I do shoot it.

SmithNut · Jun 15, 2023

Tanners Owner said:
@SmithNut

What grips are those? Recently picked up a 581 & am seeking a decent set of grips

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.

SmithNut · Jun 15, 2023

quikdraw67 said:
Just for the record, ConRail stood for Consolidated Rail Corporation, a quasi-government entity started on 04/01/1976 that folded in the assets of 6 bankrupt NE US railroads (Penn Central, Erie Lackawanna, Reading, Lehigh Valley, Jersey Central, and Lehigh & Hudson River).

ConRail became a profitable entity in the 1980's, and issued it's own stock. In 1999 it was sold split up between Norfolk Southern and CSX railroads.

They also issued 4043 pistols in the 1990's, which I've never seen in the wild.

Record updated, Thanks.....!

Draw4u · Jun 15, 2023

The one I am considering has a serial number that starts with AAC. The seller contacted S&W and was told this is a 1980 first year production BUT I emailed S&W last night with the serial number and I was told today that it's from Aug 1982. When I look in the Standard Catalog S&W book on page 491, it shows that AAC started in 1981. Thoughts on this and when it was actually made? Does it matter and make it more collectible if it's a first-year run vs. a second or third year?

And I just called S&W and spoke to a lady that said it was made in 1981. Now I am really unsure since she said 1981, the SCSW says 1981, the seller says 1980 and another S&W rep said 1982. LOL! I am going to assume 1981.

What makes the Model 581 so rare?

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