681 engineering changes
- Thread starter Vartex
- Start date
The 681 was introduced in 1980
681-1 in 1986, radius stud package and floating hand
681-2 in 1987, changes to the hammer nose and bushing (i.e., the mods involved in the recall, see below)
681-3 in 1988, new yoke retention system
Discontinued in 1992
681-4 and 681-5 were special production 7-shots for Lew Horton and Camfour, respectively.
The no dash and -1 models were part of the recall that included the 581, 586 and 686 to replace the firing pin (hammer nose) and bushing due to some guns locking up when fired with hot loads. Guns that have been modified will have an "M" stamped in the yoke cutout, usually between the serial number and model number.
Value depends a lot on condition and location, probably somewhere around $600 in good condition.
681-1 in 1986, radius stud package and floating hand
681-2 in 1987, changes to the hammer nose and bushing (i.e., the mods involved in the recall, see below)
681-3 in 1988, new yoke retention system
Discontinued in 1992
681-4 and 681-5 were special production 7-shots for Lew Horton and Camfour, respectively.
The no dash and -1 models were part of the recall that included the 581, 586 and 686 to replace the firing pin (hammer nose) and bushing due to some guns locking up when fired with hot loads. Guns that have been modified will have an "M" stamped in the yoke cutout, usually between the serial number and model number.
Value depends a lot on condition and location, probably somewhere around $600 in good condition.
loeman
Member
As Flyfish said, value depends in a huge way on condition. Another factor would be the grips. It was probably shipped with magna wood stocks and if it still has them, that would be a small plus. How about original, box, papers and tools? If so another plus. Having or not having the M stamp would be a neutral as you can send it back and get the M for no charge. With all of the above and in superb 98% or so condition this gun might command well more than $600.
The majority of these guns were produced for various law enforcement and other governmental agencies. Therefore finding a non LEO or non-import example in great condition is not very common
The majority of these guns were produced for various law enforcement and other governmental agencies. Therefore finding a non LEO or non-import example in great condition is not very common
Great guns...... I've had one (686) since about 1982..... the best of the K and N frames!!!!!!
Up until about 5 years ago the L frame .357s were..... cheap around here ($300to $400 tops).... considered big and heavy and OMG only 6 shots... and fixed sighted 681s were at the bottom of the heap....today a nice 4" will be $600-700+
As leoman said really nice 4" guns are hard to find.... by 1980 6 shot .357magnum revolvers were "cop guns"....and Dirty Harry was so 1972.
Everyone wanted 15 shot wonder 9s. Think Mel Gibson or Bruce Willis in Diehard ......... Beretta's were so cool and never missed or ran out of ammo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Up until about 5 years ago the L frame .357s were..... cheap around here ($300to $400 tops).... considered big and heavy and OMG only 6 shots... and fixed sighted 681s were at the bottom of the heap....today a nice 4" will be $600-700+
As leoman said really nice 4" guns are hard to find.... by 1980 6 shot .357magnum revolvers were "cop guns"....and Dirty Harry was so 1972.
Everyone wanted 15 shot wonder 9s. Think Mel Gibson or Bruce Willis in Diehard ......... Beretta's were so cool and never missed or ran out of ammo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
snubbiefan
Member
Agree with all the above, but I "think" the -3's may have came with rubber grips. I see most all dash-3's with rubbers, but that may just mean they got replaced a lot. I put service grips (magna) on my dash 3. I just think that's what the gun ought to look like.
I sought-out a dash 3 because that was the last of the "original gang" and I wanted the features installed in that engineering change. I had to settle on a LEA gun, but that's all I've every seen in a dash 3 and only from one particular agency. I have seen some unmarked ND and dash-1 guns but few and far between and I have never seen a dash 2.
Most of the guns you see are imported and have been in the $500-$600 range. If you find an unmarked gun....the value/cost will be higher. I gave $475 for mine. These are GREAT guns. I don't know why, but they just feel better to me than a 686. I have one of those as well, but the 681 is my favorite L-frame.
I sought-out a dash 3 because that was the last of the "original gang" and I wanted the features installed in that engineering change. I had to settle on a LEA gun, but that's all I've every seen in a dash 3 and only from one particular agency. I have seen some unmarked ND and dash-1 guns but few and far between and I have never seen a dash 2.
Most of the guns you see are imported and have been in the $500-$600 range. If you find an unmarked gun....the value/cost will be higher. I gave $475 for mine. These are GREAT guns. I don't know why, but they just feel better to me than a 686. I have one of those as well, but the 681 is my favorite L-frame.
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