It's Home! Model "691" is back...

[RidgwayCO]

I sent a 681-3, along with a S&W 5 round cylinder and hand, to David Clements last year to have him convert it to .44 Special. I wanted this gun to be in my favorite caliber with a four inch barrel, and to be a no-nonsense working gun (which also explains the Goodyear grips). It arrived back home this morning and I'm extremely pleased with it.

Here's what I sent David, with gouges and stray markings aplenty:

And here's what David sent back to me:

A custom .44 Special revolver that weighs 37 oz empty (1 oz more than my 696-1), with a crisp single action and smooth double action trigger, a custom front sight that's extremely easy to see, and a bead-blasted finish that looks like titanium. I've read about one of these being done in the past (but can't find the link now), and the owner called it his "691" (the rationale being that if the 686 became the 696, then a 681 would have been a 691). I can't wait to get this one to the range. Life is good!

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Very nice gun, so what did it set you back to have the work done?

 

[Jeroenw114]

Wow, that's cool!

My I ask, was that a 357 5 shot cilinder? Was that an option for the 681 and 686?

Jeroen

 

[RidgwayCO]

Bullseye Smith, the whole project cost a little less than a grand. Not much more than a 696, but it's exactly what I wanted.

Jeroenw114, as far as I know most 681's have 6-shot cylinders, with the rest having 7-shot cylinders. All were chambered for .357 Magnum. This conversion required me to purchase a 5-shot stainless steel .44 cal cylinder with 5-shot hand directly from S&W (which took a while). Interestingly, David Clements told me that the cylinder hadn't been completely reamed for the .44 Special, and he had to complete the reaming for all five chambers.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

What I see it was worth the wait and the cost. Hope it shoots as good as it looks. I have a 696 same as NIB, but that would make a dang good project.

 

[okie john]

I've owned a couple of Clements guns. The work is superb and the price is right.


Okie John

 

[panamajack310]

WOW!!! that is way cool....

 

[VonFatman]

I like it!!! Congrats. Let's have a range report!!

Bob

 

[4864]

That is way cool. Thanks for the pics!

 

[Landric]

Excellent revolver. I've had the same sort of thing in mind myself, but my "691" would have a round butt, a 3" barrel, and a front night sight. I know that is basically a 696 with fixed sights. Which is, exactly what would work for me.

I'm also a huge fan of the .44 Special.

 

[Wisent]

Hello RidgwayCO,
congratulations to this very nice gun; I own a696 (pre lock) and am very satisfied with. (I use it for SD and hunting (as a finisher if I need one).
It's only a three incher, but I do not know any gunsmith here in Germany with the skills and will to build up am four incher. Anyway, your gun's great, be proud of it !
Best respects from Germany

 

[deanodog]

I always liked my 681 but it will never seem the same anymore. Every time I handle it I will see and think of what it could look and be like. Great gun. Big thinkers can come up with great things.

 

[tekarra]

That is a cool conversion. Now we look forward to a range report!

 

[meh92]

Good looking gun. Details on the front sight? How about a few close-ups?

 

[OLDFED]

I've recently resurrected my .44s and love them more than my .357s. Now my problem is trying to get the .44 cartridges to fit in the .357 cylinders. Guess I need a bigger hammer! A 5 shooter? WOW!

 

[OLDFED]

To Wisent...

...isn't that the name for the European bison? Can you tell us a bit about owning guns in Deutschland...restrictions, calibers, carry permits, etc. I think we'd all like to hear what you experience. Thanks!

 

[Wisent]

To scotsbrae

...isn't that the name for the European bison? Can you tell us a bit about owning guns in Deutschland...restrictions, calibers, carry permits, etc. I think we'd all like to hear what you experience. Thanks!

Good Morning Scotsbrae,
Good Morning America,
You are totally right, Wisent ist the name of the long gone european bison. They try to reinstall it in Poland, Bialowiece and - asfar as I know - with great success.
In Deutschland (Germany) the average citizen is not allowed to keep and bear any modern firearm, except one-shot Muzzle loaders and all kinds of tear gas guns. To carry the latter one must have a concealed carry permit for tear gas guns.
As a hunter you are allowed to own as many rifles and shotguns as you can explain to the police as necessary for your special hunting and exercising needs.
Hunters are also allowed to own (only) two handguns, no matter what caliber, they just have to deliver a muzzle energy of 200 Joules. Hunters may use the handgun for SD and - above all - as "finishers" and defense against agressive our wounded game, especially red deer and wild boar.
Hunters are allowed to carry only during the hunt and in tthe defined region where they have hunting permission given by the land owner.
To hunt you have to pass a real difficult examination, that lasts for three or four days and ist about the subjects biology of game and other wild animals, forest managing,
guns and security, environment laws and the like....
Marksmen may own as many handguns and guns (shotguns and rifles) as they are able to explain to the police as necessary for the (exactly defined) shooting sport disciplines they do exercise in.
To carry in "normal life" and daily routine you must have a special carry permit wehich is very difficult to obtain because German police is on the opinion that police and state are able to deliver any kind of public safety concerning crime (hahaha..).
So far a short view of the German Gun Laws, of course there are exceptions to these rules, but only a very view.
I hope this will do for the moment and I want to express that most of us hunters and other law abiding legal gun owners are on the opinion that America is really the land of the free concerning gun laws and we would be happy to see our own right to keep and bear arms as you have it written down within your second amandment. I, personally , feel, that no government may call itself a real free and liberal one when at the same time they have a law that makes it impossible to the average citizen to defend oneself agains violent crime with guns.
In addition, it's important to know that in Germany it is forbidden by law to carry even a one hand operated knife like the Spyderco and others alike. You may own it, but you must not carry it! Ridiculous, isn't it ?
Apologizing for my poor English I will answer any question, please don't hesitate to contact me.
All the best to all of you law abiding and legal gun owners in the U.S.