686 Versus 681 - Input

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ChoochGambino

ChoochGambino

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Wanted to get some feedback on the difference between these 2. Have an offer to buy a 681 ND at a nice price. Not as a collectible, but as a shooter. I know the main differences between the 2 on paper but am looking for a contrast from folks who have shot both.

Thanks!
 
The 681/581 was the last of the hard use fixed sight police duty guns as autos took over. They are far less common than the 686/586 adjustable sight guns. I have always wanted one, but they are hard to find at a fair price. I would grab it up, it may be a long time before you come across another.
 
The 681 has a fixed rear sight (groove in the frame) and a low profile front sight, otherwise, it is identical to the 686.
 
I have a 581 nd and a 686-1, both are 4". I don't see much difference out to 15 yards. Beyond that the 686 sights work better for me.

I avoid stainless and nickel revolvers with fixed sights, since 99.9% of my shooting is done on an outdoor range in sunshine.

Good luck.
 
For much of my life I have felt that I didn't want any handgun that didn't have adjustable sights. I have come to have a different opinion in some cases. As mentioned above, if your shooting is going to be done at closer ranges there is something to be said for the ruggedness of fixed sights, plus they make for an attractive clean and simple appearance, and I kind of like it.
 
The 681 I owned shot point-of-aim. That's critical in a fixed sight gun. If not, you might be scrambling to find the ammo that it likes. Or you can just adjust where you're holding the front sight on. Only you can decide if that juice is worth the squeeze.

Wish I had kept mine. I do have a 586 4", which I've never shot, sadly.
 
Were the 581 sights regulated for 158 grain loads or the 125 grain loads?
I have a line on a nickel 581 (no dash/no M) that I am debating whether to buy or not.
 
Last edited:
jimcox said:
Were the 581 sights regulated for 158 grain loads or the 125 grain loads?
I have a line on a nickel 581 (no dash/no M) that I am debating whether to buy or not.
Click to expand...
158 grain full power loads.
 
bobsguns said:
The 681 I owned shot point-of-aim. That's critical in a fixed sight gun. If not, you might be scrambling to find the ammo that it likes. Or you can just adjust where you're holding the front sight on. Only you can decide if that juice is worth the squeeze.

Wish I had kept mine. I do have a 586 4", which I've never shot, sadly.
Click to expand...
C'mon Bob, get the 586 smokin!
 
wproct said:
For much of my life I have felt that I didn't want any handgun that didn't have adjustable sights. I have come to have a different opinion in some cases. As mentioned above, if your shooting is going to be done at closer ranges there is something to be said for the ruggedness of fixed sights, plus they make for an attractive clean and simple appearance, and I kind of like it.
Click to expand...
I lean toward adjustible sights but acknowledge that a 2” with fixed sights that hits to the sights between 7 and 15 yards is A ok. For a coat pocket gun the cleaner frame makes better sense.
 
ChoochGambino said:
Wanted to get some feedback on the difference between these 2. Have an offer to buy a 681 ND at a nice price. Not as a collectible, but as a shooter. I know the main differences between the 2 on paper but am looking for a contrast from folks who have shot both.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
It took me 20 years to locate a 581 and a 681.
There's not many clean ,non import models around.
And when they were in production, so were the 586/686 's.
And the difference in price was so small that who wouldn't get a 586/686 with adjustable sights and target stocks over fixed sights?
If you like fixed sights,get them.
Trust me,if you don't like them, there's a old fart like me that will take them off your hands
 
DAT85 said:
It took me 20 years to locate a 581 and a 681.
There's not many clean ,non import models around.
And when they were in production, so were the 586/686 's.
And the difference in price was so small that who wouldn't get a 586/686 with adjustable sights and target stocks over fixed sights?
If you like fixed sights,get them.
Trust me,if you don't like them, there's a old fart like me that will take them off your hands
Click to expand...
Well, the one I just acquired is going to the range this weekend. Then will decide. Unless someone buys it beforehand.
 
If you like fixed sight revolvers,you will like it.
Remember,bullet weight matters.
As my 581/681 combo is above " shooter grade" I haven't popped the cork on either . But every fixed sight Smith I have owned is spot on with 158 gr loads
 
I have a 581, found it just as capable as my 686 ( both. 4”). I used it in my ICORE games well. IMO, it comes down to preference.
 
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