681 vs 686 Value?

[wesson1911]

I was checking to see the value of a 681 vs 686? I found a 681-3 4 inch in excellent condition and I was curious of value vs the same gun with adjustable sights. I was curious if it is valued less, more, or the same as a 686? I have a 4 inch no dash 586 and was wanting another L frame. How are the fixed sights at the range vs the adjustable sights? Thanks in advance.

 

[mike from st pete]

I'm quite happy with the 681 I've had for a couple of years almost. POA -v- POI are spot on to 15 meters the longest I've shot it. I do load my own ammo so I've adjusted loads to suit the sights with 158grain bullets.
Fewer 681 were made and while not rare in any sense. Value may be less than the 686.

 

[old bear]

As fewer were made the 681 should have the edge in collectors pricing. I've never owned a 581 or 681, but one of them is working its' way onto my short list.

 

[TAROMAN]

When I snagged my 681 it was in the midst of a gaggle of 686s.
All were ex-sheriff deputy revolvers. All were priced the same ($450, IIRC).

 

[lowriderfxr]

When they were first introduced, the 681 was priced a good bit less than a 686, about the difference between a 65 and a 66, or a 13 and a 19 for that matter. I still see a difference in 13s and 19s, as well as 65s and 66s, (excluding the 3" 65s of course ), but I don't see much difference in the 681s and 686s. If there is one is very slight and getting smaller all the time.

 

[Usmc5811]

For what it's worth I picked up a nice 4" 586-3 without original grips for $545 less than 2 months ago. And next week I will pick up a 4" 581 no dash, no M stamp in excellent condition and original stocks for $600. I think on the 4" I would rather have the fixed sights, and 6" and up I will take adjustable sights.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I have both.....I think most LGS would price the 581/681 lower because of the fixed sights.... and that's been the pattern with S&W guns for 115 years...with the 10/15, 13/19,65/66 and 681/686 and so forth and so on.

But of the 8 models the 581 is, in my experience, the least common (note: it's gotten hard to find any nice used S&W revolvers in LGSs around here)....

Introduced as a Police officers duty gun in the early 80s it suffered from the "Wonder 9" transition........ most departments went directly from a K=frame revolver to a 15 rd. 9mm.

If you have a 586...... grab it "variety is the spice of life"...... and a 4" .357 magnum L-frame fixed sighted revolver is everything you need and nothing you don't!

A good price..... varies around the country........I think at between $400-500 I'd grab a second......

 

[jackvs1]

When I started with the NYS Police in 1983 my first issued revolver was a 681, 4 inch. Love it and I thought it was very accurate. Looked great too. Thirty years later I repurchased a 681 stamped NYSP from a forum member here, even love the revolver more today.

 

[S&W Fan]

I've got a no dash 686 my dad bought new in 1981. I watch the L frames out there and lately it seems to be very little difference in what they sell for, at least in my area. The premium prices appear to apply more to the 2.5" and 3" versions as well as the CS-1(either barrel length).

It seemed to me for a while the L frames were not as popular as the K and N but in the past few years have garnered the accolades they deserve.

On price, condition is very important so that will determine which is more "valuable" over the particular model.

 

[bananaman]

I have 2 fixed sight Smiths (36 & 64) Everything else has adjustable sights. I shoot the 64 well, but like adjustable sight option. Have a 4" 586, and a 6" 686. Would have no problem buying a 581, or 681 at the right price. Bob

 

[johnny3]

m581

I found this one at a LGS about 6 yrs. ago, appears to be unfired, I've not run across another one in any condition, it came with magnas, I put the targets on for pictures.