SmokewagonSD
Member
I see 681's popping up for sale now and then. Doesn't seem to be a common or popular model. What's the good, bad, and ugly on the Model 681?
Enlighten Me on the Model 681
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00Buck2
Member
I don't know of anything bad about a 681. Its a stainless version of the 581 and 686 without adjustable sights
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The 681 is simply the 686 with fixed sights. Rugged and reliable, designed for a steady diet of Magnums. Hard to find a better revolver for rugged duty.
junglefighter
US Veteran
When police depts upgraded to 357 mag.,most depts. went to model 66.Getting in and out of a squad car with all your stuff,it was easy to bang your rear sight on the door.S&W had come out with the L frame and somebody requested a fixed sight version,and they did,the 681.It is a great revolver if you can qualify with it,most could not.I cannot remember the dates they were issued,early 80's I think.Hope this helps.
681ismyfavorite
Member
its the best damn wheely you can get.
I picked up a 681-1 that had left the country and been imported back in. It has the CAI import stamps on the barrel that detract a bit but I bought it as a range gun anyway. I had it bead blasted and a trigger job done by a local revolver gunsmith and I think it came out well. The double action trigger is butter smooth and the single action is almost scary. So far it's been great money spent on my part and its a keeper as far as I'm concerned.
JCS&W
US Veteran
I will echo what others have said, great Smith. I am a fan of fixed sight S&W revolvers. The M581/681 is one of the best.
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So the 681 is the L frame equivalent to the 65 K-frame, basically?
Dave T
Member
The only down side I see with the 681, and to a lesser extent with the 581, is the stingy sights. I know they are intended to be low profile so they don't snag or become damaged but my aging eyesight makes them nearly impossible to see, particularly on the stainless 681.
When I got the idea for a 3" RB version of this model I had the gunsmith doing the work put on a more visible front sight that turned the sight picture into something actually usable, even at my age. (LOL)
Here's a picture:
The only other complaint about 681s would be that the factory didn't make one like the above custom. I think it would have sold very well, maybe better than the 4" service model.
Dave
When I got the idea for a 3" RB version of this model I had the gunsmith doing the work put on a more visible front sight that turned the sight picture into something actually usable, even at my age. (LOL)
Here's a picture:
The only other complaint about 681s would be that the factory didn't make one like the above custom. I think it would have sold very well, maybe better than the 4" service model.
Dave
That is awesome. I like night sights on revolvers. That revolver makes a lot of sense.The only down side I see with the 681, and to a lesser extent with the 581, is the stingy sights. I know they are intended to be low profile so they don't snag or become damaged but my aging eyesight makes them nearly impossible to see, particularly on the stainless 681.
When I got the idea for a 3" RB version of this model I had the gunsmith doing the work put on a more visible front sight that turned the sight picture into something actually usable, even at my age. (LOL)
Here's a picture:
The only other complaint about 681s would be that the factory didn't make one like the above custom. I think it would have sold very well, maybe better than the 4" service model.
Dave
I've been starting to casually look at 681's for the past month or two, might be one of my future purchases. Seems like three quarters of the ones seen on GB lately are import marked though. I've got a few import marked long arms, but to me it detracts from something like a 681. I dunno.
Dave T
Member
Thanks for your service, Marine.
That's a Novak Mega Dot Tritium, .165" high if I remember right. Got it from Brownells so look in their catalog. It's a 1911 front sight but my gun smith said he could do an installation that would work...and by golly, it does! (smile)
Dave
That's a Novak Mega Dot Tritium, .165" high if I remember right. Got it from Brownells so look in their catalog. It's a 1911 front sight but my gun smith said he could do an installation that would work...and by golly, it does! (smile)
Dave
snubbiefan
Member
I may be the odd-ball here, but why would you buy a gun with no adjustable sights on it (built that way on purpose) and then install some adjustable sights. Just playing the role of the Devil's Advocate I guess.
Not bashing the gun....very nice looking piece.
Not bashing the gun....very nice looking piece.
snubbiefan
Member
No it doesn't.....the front sight is in a dove-tail cut which is adjustable for windage.
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