A Nice 581

[dockmurgw]

Giving my 581 (no dash) its semi annual wipe down today, thought I would share it with everyone. Bought it used in the early 80's, shot 6 rounds and put it away, never used since. My guess is the first owner didn't like it and traded it in soon after buying it new. Not crazy about the Pachmyr's that a previous owner put on it, but that's what I'm stuck with. Some day I'll try to find a set of original grips. If it wasn't for the grips, this one is as close to factory new as they come for a used gun...condition wise. Serial number is AAD3XXX, am I close in thinking it's from 1981?

 

[Coaltminer]

Nice 581

I think you’re right. I traded AAP recently and I figured ‘81-82.

 

[Piwo]

I bought mine new in 1983, AAH prefix. I don't know how long it was in the display case. These are great guns. I have put thousands of rounds through mine, mostly(90%) 38 spl. ammo. Very slick action. I sent it back to the mothership for the "M" recall. Got it back a month ago after 3 week wait. They put in a new hand, bolt spring, and adjusted the yoke all on their dime. Fantastic service for a 35 year old gun. It's ready now for another 35 or more years even if I'm not.
Does anyone remember that these were heralded as the "Magnum of the 80s" when they came out? They also specified in the early articles that the timing was "optimized for double action firing." I believe that these were the last newly designed service grade magnum revolvers before the wondernine revolution.
These fixed sighted beauties were designed to be used. IMHO I think you should take it out and get acquainted with it. I love mine. Simple rugged workhorse that puts all 158 grain bullets to POA with boring regularity, Magnum or special. That is the only weight bullet I use in my 581.

 

[dockmurgw]

I bought mine new in 1983, AAH prefix. I don't know how long it was in the display case. These are great guns. I have put thousands of rounds through mine, mostly(90%) 38 spl. ammo. Very slick action. I sent it back to the mothership for the "M" recall. Got it back a month ago after 3 week wait. They put in a new hand, bolt spring, and adjusted the yoke all on their dime. Fantastic service for a 35 year old gun. It's ready now for another 35 or more years even if I'm not.
Does anyone remember that these were heralded as the "Magnum of the 80s" when they came out? They also specified in the early articles that the timing was "optimized for double action firing." I believe that these were the last newly designed service grade magnum revolvers before the wondernine revolution.
These fixed sighted beauties were designed to be used. IMHO I think you should take it out and get acquainted with it. I love mine. Simple rugged workhorse that puts all 158 grain bullets to POA with boring regularity, Magnum or special. That is the only weight bullet I use in my 581.

Yea, I need to take it out and clear the cobwebs. I loved it when I bought it, time to love it again. My daughter is a State Trooper, she turns her nose up at it and says to heavy, not enough rounds. Kids these days...they just don't get it.

 

[Narragansett]

Very nice example OP. if that were mine, the goodyears would be gone, and a spiffy new set of combats would be mounted on it

 

[swagmeister]

Great looking gun! As the old saying goes: "they don't make 'em like that anymore." I don't remember the last time I saw one locally for sale in the past several years. However, it needs some 125 gr .357's through it to keep it in shape!

 

[MCQUADE]

To the OP, nice 581!! The 581/681's are the epitome of a fighting revolver. No frills, shoots POA with 158 grn. ammo, durable with a steady diet of magnum loads, and the full lug comes in handy as a baton....I'll never feel naked with mine by my side.

 

[old bear]

dock, remember rubber grips can and will trap moisture, so remember to remove them from time to time so you can give the grip frame s wipe down with a silicon treat cloth.

A 4" 581 is about the only L frame I really would like to have.

 

[Walter Rego]

I think the Model 581 and stainless equivalent 681 are real sleepers in the S&W line. You sure don't see them come up for sale often, I suspect they were slow sellers compared to their adjustable sight versions.

 

[80sgyrene]

Yup the 581s and 681s are great. Rumor has it Smith went the extra mile on tuning the actions, and in my experience, I believe it.
I ended up modding mine and have the original grips if you're interested. It's now a round butt.

 

[D1911]

Yup the 581s and 681s are great. Rumor has it Smith went the extra mile on tuning the actions, and in my experience, I believe it.
I ended up modding mine and have the original grips if you're interested. It's now a round butt.

That looks cool. Can we get a couple of more pictures of the barrel mod?

 

[Laketime]

I’ve knew more than one cop state the 581/681 was the best fighting revolver for police duty.

 

[Kframerbluvr]

I was issued a confiscated 581 briefly in the '80s. Great shooting and handling revolver. Sadly, it's number came up and it, along with a second confiscated 581, went to the grinder. Damn shame. Have been keeping my eyes peeled for one to buy at a good price.

 

[dockmurgw]

Yup the 581s and 681s are great. Rumor has it Smith went the extra mile on tuning the actions, and in my experience, I believe it.
I ended up modding mine and have the original grips if you're interested. It's now a round butt.

Yes sir I would love to get your original grips. I'll send you a message...thanks.

 

[dockmurgw]

I was issued a confiscated 581 briefly in the '80s. Great shooting and handling revolver. Sadly, it's number came up and it, along with a second confiscated 581, went to the grinder. Damn shame. Have been keeping my eyes peeled for one to buy at a good price.

Every time I think of the works of art that are yesterdays firearms, that get destroyed every year my stomach turns. Truly a shame.

 

[Sixgun100]

Nice!

That’s a nice Distinguished Service Magnum! Here’s mine from the early 80’s. Carried it on duty for many years. Please put some proper PC Magnas on that beauty and put some rounds through it !

 

[BAM-BAM]

Yup the 581s and 681s are great. Rumor has it Smith went the extra mile on tuning the actions, and in my experience, I believe it.
I ended up modding mine and have the original grips if you're interested. It's now a round butt.

Is that cut to 3 1/2" and the underlug reshaped? Or did you swap for another barrel?

 

[80sgyrene]

Is that cut to 3 1/2" and the underlug reshaped? Or did you swap for another barrel?

Cut down, recrowned, reprofiled the lug, and had a dovetail cut for Novak Tritium.
Like I said, it's now a round butt.

When Smith doesn't make what you want, you have to roll your own, lol.


She hasn't been cleaned very well in a while.

 

[Thunderbolt84]

I’m also a big 581/681 fan. I recently sold a shooter grade 581 and purchased this LNIB 581 from a forum member for a very fair price. I wished I would have kept my shooter as this new one has never been shot except for the factory. I know these guns are meant to be shot and I’m sure I’ll shoot it when it warms up outside, but until then I’m content to just admire it.

 

[Texas Star]

That M-581 with Pachmayr Grippers is a mean lookin' gun!

I prefer stainless, but the M-681 is just a super service gun.