Idea for custom 681

[TxCol]

I recently found a 681 in fair condition. I am thinking of having it round butted and the barrel cut to 3". The RD Butt is no problem, but I do not know the difficulty or cost of cutting the bbl to apx 3". Has anyone done this with a 581, 681, 586 or 686? If so, what issues did you have.

Thanks!!

Doc

 

[TxCol]

I recently found a 681 in fair condition. I am thinking of having it round butted and the barrel cut to 3". The RD Butt is no problem, but I do not know the difficulty or cost of cutting the bbl to apx 3". Has anyone done this with a 581, 681, 586 or 686? If so, what issues did you have.

Thanks!!

Doc

 

[10-12]

Good question. I had given such a conversion some thought myself. I would imagine the only limiting factor would be the housing for the plunger that secures the ejector rod. You might try posting this question in the gunsmithing section. There are a lot of savy folks that tune in there.

All the best on your project.

Bill

 

[Bwilli88]

I have a 581, a very very early one and that is what is stopping me from doing that to mine, A 5/681 with a 3" barrel and round butted would be a great carry piece.

 

[safdt17]

I can't add any knowledge on how to do it, but I think it's a great idea!
ben

 

[whitecoyote]

Interesting thread.
I was recentally thinking of doing the same thing to a beater S&W mod. 581 that I have.
I showed the 581 to a local gunsmith, and told him what I wanted to do. He said you could not go shorted than 3" without affecting the housing plunger, but if you went shorter, 2.5", which is what I wanted. You would have to put a ball bearing in the crane for the cylinder to lock closed.
Then there is the front sight, what to do with that? Then the revolver has to be refinished.

 

[TxCol]

I have been thinking 3" and going to a "BIG DOT" night sight. I am interested if anyone has tried that arrangement.

Doc

 

[robotoid]

I too have a old police trade in 681 that I had thought about round butting. Brownells has a jig for it. I was surprised at my success with removing the bad hand engraving job on the back of the grip frame when I got this gun, and would perhaps try a RB job myself with the jig if it would not hit the S/N.

 

[TxCol]

Robotiod

Nice job! I have had 2 K's, 2 L's, and 2 N's round butted over 30 years. All left the serial numbers readable. My 681 only has 6 or 7 characters, so this should be no problem.

I have had bbls shortened, but not full lug, so I do not know if that will work out.

Thanks for sharing!

Doc

 

[TN RAT]

Originally posted by whitecoyote:
Interesting thread.
I was recentally thinking of doing the same thing to a beater S&W mod. 581 that I have.
I showed the 581 to a local gunsmith, and told him what I wanted to do. He said you could not go shorted than 3" without affecting the housing plunger, but if you went shorter, 2.5", which is what I wanted. You would have to put a ball bearing in the crane for the cylinder to lock closed.
Then there is the front sight, what to do with that? Then the revolver has to be refinished.

Sell that beater to me before cutting on it and go buy a 3 inch.

 

[TxCol]

On the 681 I can either go polish or bead blast. Not shure which would give best results.

 

[bronco45]

Cut to 3" and have a Novak nite sight dovetailed in. Nitesites plus windage.

Round butt it and bead blast. Had a polished Stainless gun once and liked it until I shot it in bright sunlight or car headlights. Didn't care for the glare.

 

[DC7]

Originally posted by TxCol:
On the 681 I can either go polish or bead blast. Not sure which would give best results.

I can't help with any info about cutting down your existing 681, but I do have experience with a three-inch barreled round-butt 681 with bead-blast finish. This Performance Center 681 has that exact configuration, and it's by far the best .357 Magnum I've ever owned:

The only way it could be improved would be to add an easier-to-see front sight, especially a tritium night sight. I agree with bronco45's suggestion--a dovetailed night sight would be a great addition to the gun.

 

[Joe Kent]

DC7, I fully agree with you, I have used/carried revolvers for over 40 years and find that the 681 perf. center 3inch has become my favorite "heavy" carry gun over my 3in. K's.

 

[TxCol]

DC7 - Thanks for the photo . . that is beautiful!

I think bronco45s right about the dovetail night sight.

When it is finished (it may take a while) I will break down and learn to post photo's.

Thanks for all the post! All other ideas gratefully considered!

Doc

 

[TxCol]

Does anyone have a photo of a L-frame with a dovetailed night-site?