Andy Taylor
Member
Absolutly beautiful.
A very special 581 Custom
- Thread starter DHart
- Start date
5BeansintheWheel
Member
That is quite stunning! Glad to see your great photos again.
Thanks for the welcome back, everyone! And I'm glad you like the gun...
I really have a "thing" for 581's (and fixed sight S&W's period!)
I just came across the "before" pic! WOW. I had been scouring the internet for months trying to find 581's and only found the two 4"ers that I bought. One was is great shape and I left it stock. The other is the one I had customized and here's how it looked when I bought it.
BEFORE
I didn't really mind how this one looked because they were so hard to find in the first place (I was just happy to have found it) and I knew I could turn it into this:
AFTER
And here's my other 581, kept "stock".
I really have a "thing" for 581's (and fixed sight S&W's period!)
I just came across the "before" pic! WOW. I had been scouring the internet for months trying to find 581's and only found the two 4"ers that I bought. One was is great shape and I left it stock. The other is the one I had customized and here's how it looked when I bought it.
BEFORE
I didn't really mind how this one looked because they were so hard to find in the first place (I was just happy to have found it) and I knew I could turn it into this:
AFTER
And here's my other 581, kept "stock".
Bwilli88
Member
That is one great looking 581. I have a very nice one and I have thought of doing the same but it is SN # AAA42xx which makes it very early.
doublesharp
Member
Hey DHart, long time no see. Hope all is well. I love seeing your pictures and they played a big part in hooking me on 581s, 586s and Spegel grips. Glad you are on the forum.
Mark Hartshorn (pinnacle-guns.com) did the work. I'm not sure if Mark is taking any major work at this time. Can't hurt to inquire, though. The Announcements area of his website states that no specific completion times can be given for full custom work, which makes me think you should be ok with being without your gun for a long time. Mine was gone for around a year, if I recall correctly. Mark's amazing beautiful work was worth the wait to me. But if timeliness is more important to you, that could be a decisive factor for you.
Doc.... I can't imagine why anyone would say it isn't practical to do this mod... for me it made the gun much more valuable and cherished. I don't recall the cost, but it wasn't outrageous (nor was it bargain basement either.) Just be sure whoever does the work that they are a very seasoned, professional specialist with revolvers. Mark is a member of the American Pistolsmith's Guild... an very honorable membership in an extremely select guild (the best of the best). But I'm sure there are a number of other superb revolver-smiths who can do work of this level for you.
Doc.... I can't imagine why anyone would say it isn't practical to do this mod... for me it made the gun much more valuable and cherished. I don't recall the cost, but it wasn't outrageous (nor was it bargain basement either.) Just be sure whoever does the work that they are a very seasoned, professional specialist with revolvers. Mark is a member of the American Pistolsmith's Guild... an very honorable membership in an extremely select guild (the best of the best). But I'm sure there are a number of other superb revolver-smiths who can do work of this level for you.
Bacon
Member
DHart - Do you plan to carry that fine 581? If so, what holster would go well with it?
girvin02
Member
How do you make the barrel stampings disappear? Weld?
Bacon... it is not a carry gun for me, though it would make a good one, for sure. I carry semi-autos.
girvin02... the rollmarks are ground or sanded off. I've removed rollmarks from the barrel of my GP-100 with great success. I used the sanding drum on a dremel, followed by hand sanding with progressively finer grit, then Scotchbrite pads, and finishing with Flitz on a cloth.
girvin02... the rollmarks are ground or sanded off. I've removed rollmarks from the barrel of my GP-100 with great success. I used the sanding drum on a dremel, followed by hand sanding with progressively finer grit, then Scotchbrite pads, and finishing with Flitz on a cloth.
Dale53
Member
Dhart;
I feel so badly for you. Here you are with this itty bitty revolver that has that OLD firing pin in the hammer and NO lock. Tsk!Tsk!Tsk! I'll bet you feel just AWFUL!! (Thoroughly tongue in cheek, of course
)
Fine piece, indeed! Congratulations! If you ever get tired of it, I have an old "owl head" that I'd swap you even for...
Dale53
I feel so badly for you. Here you are with this itty bitty revolver that has that OLD firing pin in the hammer and NO lock. Tsk!Tsk!Tsk! I'll bet you feel just AWFUL!! (Thoroughly tongue in cheek, of course
Fine piece, indeed! Congratulations! If you ever get tired of it, I have an old "owl head" that I'd swap you even for...
Dale53
Darnell... ya know, I feel that a centennial-style revolver is absolutely indispensable for many types of defense preparedness and that there is no other weapon that can take it's place for certain defense applications. But I am gravitating toward one of my 640-1's for that use rather than my 642. I like the extra power and the extra weight.
Here's where I apply my 640-1 (or 642):
There are many times when you may suddenly find yourself encountering a deadly aggressor up-close-and-in-your-face when you least expect it. Like walking on the beach, on a dark city street, on a trail in the woods... an approaching person or persons who may appear non-threatening initially stops to ask you for "directions" or "for a light" or for whatever and then suddenly, they turn hostile or deadly.
In these cases, there can be no time to draw a weapon from a holster. BUT, if you had a centennial-style revolver in your coat pocket, you could be holding the gun, ready to fire right through the coat if necessary, before the person turns aggressive, without the aggressor even having a clue that you are armed and able to fire INSTANTLY, without even pulling the weapon out. Basically, you can "get the drop" on an aggressor without them even having a clue what's coming. That extra second can save your life. Usually aggressors always have the advantage of surprise because only they know what they're about to do to you. But the 640-1 in the coat pocket can enable you to have a return surprise of your own that can save your life. The "surprise that saves" I like to call it.
So when I'm downtown doing cityscape photography at night, or taking a walk on the beach, or on a trail... in addition to a G23 or G30 in an IWB holster at 4 o'clock, I will also carry the 640-1 in a coat pocket. If anyone approaches that looks like potential trouble, I will hold the weapon in my hand, inside the coat pocket. 99% of the time, there is no need for action... but should things suddenly turn really ugly up-close-and-in-your-face, the ability to fire instantly if needed can be golden.
So yes, the 640-1 is an integral part of my self-defense strategy.
Here's where I apply my 640-1 (or 642):
There are many times when you may suddenly find yourself encountering a deadly aggressor up-close-and-in-your-face when you least expect it. Like walking on the beach, on a dark city street, on a trail in the woods... an approaching person or persons who may appear non-threatening initially stops to ask you for "directions" or "for a light" or for whatever and then suddenly, they turn hostile or deadly.
In these cases, there can be no time to draw a weapon from a holster. BUT, if you had a centennial-style revolver in your coat pocket, you could be holding the gun, ready to fire right through the coat if necessary, before the person turns aggressive, without the aggressor even having a clue that you are armed and able to fire INSTANTLY, without even pulling the weapon out. Basically, you can "get the drop" on an aggressor without them even having a clue what's coming. That extra second can save your life. Usually aggressors always have the advantage of surprise because only they know what they're about to do to you. But the 640-1 in the coat pocket can enable you to have a return surprise of your own that can save your life. The "surprise that saves" I like to call it.
So when I'm downtown doing cityscape photography at night, or taking a walk on the beach, or on a trail... in addition to a G23 or G30 in an IWB holster at 4 o'clock, I will also carry the 640-1 in a coat pocket. If anyone approaches that looks like potential trouble, I will hold the weapon in my hand, inside the coat pocket. 99% of the time, there is no need for action... but should things suddenly turn really ugly up-close-and-in-your-face, the ability to fire instantly if needed can be golden.
So yes, the 640-1 is an integral part of my self-defense strategy.
winter1857
US Veteran
Perfection. I WANT ONE. (At least one. Maybe two.)
Don- very sound logic.
I ususally have my Glock 27 or S&W 442 on me but not both at the same time. I'll have to give that a try. What holster have you had the best luck with for the Glocks? I'm still trying to find one that's comfortable for me.
I ususally have my Glock 27 or S&W 442 on me but not both at the same time. I'll have to give that a try. What holster have you had the best luck with for the Glocks? I'm still trying to find one that's comfortable for me.
Darnell... as for holsters, sheesh, like most of us here, I have a closet full of them.... nearly all unused. Until I found HighNoon. Now I only use HighNoon BareAsst and Mr. Softy holsters. FINALLY, I found holsters that don't feel like I have a holster inside my pants! Of course with any Glock, you MUST exercise proper care and caution when holstering. I am so thankful to have found holsters which feel like NO holster, are inexpensive, factory-ready-to-ship instantly, and work like a charm! (Now if I can just find more appreciative homes for all the other leather and kydex in my closet!!!
)
http://highnoonholsters.com/Pr...e_the_waistband.html
http://highnoonholsters.com/Pr...e_the_waistband.html
Found this old thread and immediately became intrigued to the extent I went on the search for a 581/681 for such a project. Yesterday, I happened to find the perfect donor and contacted Tussey Customs to do the work. The only differences will be to angle the lug back toward the ejector rod (jovino style), checker the blackstrap, possibly bob the hammer, and beadblast it for a frosted finish. I kinda want to keep the stock front sight as is...
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ericrlarson
Member
Man that is beautiful!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
No, I sold it. Felt guilty molesting a beautiful 681, especially since I have a few 2.5" 686s.
