681 NYSP Issue

[JRo]

Hello All,
I am new to the Forum and just wanted to get my feet wet with a first post. I am a retired NYSP member and was initially issued a 681 back in the 1980's. As an organization, we transitioned to the Glock 17 in 9mm in the early 90's, then again to Glock 37 in 45GAP, and since my retirement, they again transitioned to Glock 45 ACP.
When we did the transition from wheel to semi-auto at the range, muscle memory kicked in, and due to my grip, I cut the hell out of my left thumb, from the slide recoil back. I never again gripped the semi that way again. The Glock was a fine weapon, I felt a little more comfortable with the 45 GAP. Its just that the 681 felt like a REAL weapon. When NYS was a little more gun friendly, we were able to purchase the Smith, when we transitioned into the Glock. Like many you people, I had just been married, bought a house and was starting a family and money was tight, regrettably, I did not purchase my issue weapon. It was brand new, when I was issued it, and it is out there somewhere. Upon my retirement several years back, a close friend bestowed a NYSP issue Smith to me as a retirement gift, that was located locally. It currently as the Pachmyr presentation grips on it. For the life of me, I am not sure what came on it originally. Its been 30+ years since, I was issued it and I had put Pachmyr Combat type grips on my original one early on. I have not bothered to look it up and was wondering what it had. The one I have now, has holster wear at the muzzle in the stainless. Mine is a AAK serial range. Thanks for reading my rant. Stay Safe everyone !

 

[kbm6893]

When did the troopers go to .45 ACP? I remember the GAP was the compromise for a decent amount of rounds while not having such a big grip to accommodate smaller statured troopers and women.

 

[federali]

Welcome to the forum

I'm an X-New Yorker and I didn't know that the NYSP were using the .45 GAP for a time.

 

[Old_Cop]

Welcome to the forum from NW PA. As manufactured the 681 was equipped with magna stocks. Now if the NYSP ordered or issued it with something else, I don't know.

 

[ladder13]

Welcome to the forum JRo. Just a wild guess, I was not a Trooper, maybe the 681 came with factory PC magna’s and were switched out. I have one with Pachy’s down below.

Btw, originally a city boy, but my last residence was up in Troop K Zone 2 before heading south.



My other 681 came with PC magna’s.

 

[cmansguns]

Welcome to the Forum from Virginia.

The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (SCSW) 4th Edition has some basic info about your NYSP marked gun.

Approx 500 of Model 681 were shipped on June 18, 1981 to John Jovino. They were marked NYSP on the left side below the cylinder. The gun is known as Distinguished Service Magnum. The book just states that the stocks were checkered walnut service stocks. If you swing open the cylinder there may be (should be?) an M stamped right after the 681 on the yoke. According to SCSW the M was stamped right over the dash 1 and was because of a S&W factory recall for "modification".
It does not give any further details regarding the recall or type of modification.

Regarding your AAK serial prefix, SCSW lists that prefix as being 1982, but I for one do not know if the State Police ordered more than the original 500 that went to Jovino so only a factory Letter would show the actual ship date and where it was shipped to for your exact gun.

Hope some of this helps. I too am an ex-New Yorker, but long ago (sixties/early 70's) and from the Southern Tier. Used to hang around with a lot of Staties when I got my first CCW permit (remember the blue paper "lifetime" permits). I remember shooting pool in the BCI and NYSP Patrol barracks with the guys coming off shift.

 

[JRo]

Thanks for all the replies. Mine does have the M stamped above the 1. The GAP, as I was told, was for smaller statured members hands. I was stationed in the Northern part of the State adjacent to Vermont and Canada, for my whole career. I'm glad its over! I'll be lurking. Thanks again

 

[LPD256]

Thanks for all the replies. Mine does have the M stamped above the 1. The GAP, as I was told, was for smaller statured members hands. I was stationed in the Northern part of the State adjacent to Vermont and Canada, for my whole career. I'm glad its over! I'll be lurking. Thanks again

Welcome to the forum. I hope you see fit to join the SWCA. That will get you a shipping date request capability from Roy Jinks, our historian. And it will get you a discount on a letter that will confirm the history of your gun. Of course you’ll be hooked into the fold like the rest of us. My most recent purchase is an NYSP 28-2, the immediate predecessor to the 681.

 

[kbm6893]

I'm an X-New Yorker and I didn't know that the NYSP were using the .45 GAP for a time.

I would imagine the troopers using it kept the GAP going. Is it even still being made? Kind of a flop if you ask me. A new cartridge chambered does one make of a weapon. But it was designed for more stopping power and for smaller hands. I knew a trooper who carried a Glock 17 and he was pretty annoyed at the choice of the GAP. Less rounds than the 17.

 

[transit]

Thanks for all the replies. Mine does have the M stamped above the 1. The GAP, as I was told, was for smaller statured members hands. I was stationed in the Northern part of the State adjacent to Vermont and Canada, for my whole career. I'm glad its over! I'll be lurking. Thanks again

I am not a Division member, but I've spent plenty of time over many years training with them.

I remember the switch to the GAP. That was when? Around '06? Something like that. The word at the time was that it was chosen for the larger caliber that was essentially the same size gun as the then issued G17. I think they even kept the same leather gear...?

The switch to ACP is more recent, just in the last couple of years.

The primary driver behind that seemed to be cost of ammunition. Word was that NY made a deal for PA's GAP ammo inventory when the latter switched, and then moved on themselves. No idea if that one is the real story, but it was scuttlebutt.

 

[Bob L]

Welcome to the Forum from SW Ohio! Glad you decided to join us.

 

[hittman77]

I was stationed in the Northern part of the State adjacent to Vermont and Canada, for my whole career. I'm glad its over! I'll be lurking. Thanks again

Welcome to the forum.
Thank you for your service.

I have relatives in Plattsburgh, NY ..... beautiful country up there.

 

[gerhard1]

Welcome to the forum JRo. Just a wild guess, I was not a Trooper, maybe the 681 came with factory PC magna’s and were switched out. I have one with Pachy’s down below.

Btw, originally a city boy, but my last residence was up in Troop K Zone 2 before heading south.

~snip~

My other 681 came with PC magna’s.

This is what my 681 looks like except for a Tyler grip adapter and a gunsmith-installed hole for a Hogue lanyard screw just behind the serial number .

 

[usmc2427765]

Welcome aboard from Texas. It's always good to have another Lawdog on the forum. Brian Jefferies

 

[elm_creek_smith]

My 681 is not a NYSP; it's a Tulsa PD issue. It had Pachmayr Grippers on it when it was given to me. I put hard Crimson Trace grips on it. My wife said, "Thank you," loaded it with .38 +P ammo, and took it away from me.

A "little gun for my wife:"

Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Welcome aboard from Texas.

I hope you are not still in NY or, I HOPE, not NYC!!!

I left there long ago. I visit family there a lot but I don't like the place.

Welcome to the campfire.

 

[S&W Oldtimer]

Welcome to the forum.