Dave T
Member
About a year ago I had a guy at the range tell me the ideal 38/357 revolver for old pharts to CC was the 3", RB K-frame. Got to thinking about that and even looked for one to try in that capacity. Dang! Everybody else was looking for the same thing and the prices were through the roof.
Since I wasn't convinced of the idea and just wanted to try it I got to mulling it all over and decided S&W had really missed the ball in not bringing out a 3", RB L-frame. Now that would be the ideal carry revolver in 357 Mag/38 Special, with enough weight to give a little more control in rapid fire with real magnums but not enough more size or weight to really be a problem.
Talked it over with my out of state gun smith friend a couple times and started looking for a 581/681 for customizing. The best deal I came across was a very clean 681 that had been Magna Ported. That seemed to keep the price down and I won the auction with an opening bid. I had the guy I bought it from ship it to my gun smith and after sending a list of specifications I set back and waited.
I wanted it cut to 3", which conveniently did away with the Magna Ports. Wanted the butt rounded, the hammer spur cut off because the action was to be DAO. I also asked for the front edge of the cylinder to be beveled and each of the chambers be chamfered. Trigger work was to put the emphasis on smooth, with positive ignition being of the most importance. As for sights, regulating the hight with that low rear sight was a bit of a problem. I first thought of a X-S Sight System front but they looked to be too high. Settled on a Novak front that was made for 1911s but could be dovetailed into the minimal rib on the 681. Novak calls it their MegaDot Tritium. I also asked that the rear notch be opened a bit and cut just a tad deeper. Finally I wanted a fine bead blast finish.
Well it got to my local dealer Friday and I picked it up Saturday. Turned out exactly the way I wanted it and gun is a complete delight. My friend did a superb job and this revolver is as nice and anything I've seen out of the S&W Custom Shop (I've owned 3 of those).
Hoping the weather cooperates for me and I can get out to the range without risking heat stroke. If I can I'll add a range report to this thread and a few more pictures.
Dave
Since I wasn't convinced of the idea and just wanted to try it I got to mulling it all over and decided S&W had really missed the ball in not bringing out a 3", RB L-frame. Now that would be the ideal carry revolver in 357 Mag/38 Special, with enough weight to give a little more control in rapid fire with real magnums but not enough more size or weight to really be a problem.
Talked it over with my out of state gun smith friend a couple times and started looking for a 581/681 for customizing. The best deal I came across was a very clean 681 that had been Magna Ported. That seemed to keep the price down and I won the auction with an opening bid. I had the guy I bought it from ship it to my gun smith and after sending a list of specifications I set back and waited.
I wanted it cut to 3", which conveniently did away with the Magna Ports. Wanted the butt rounded, the hammer spur cut off because the action was to be DAO. I also asked for the front edge of the cylinder to be beveled and each of the chambers be chamfered. Trigger work was to put the emphasis on smooth, with positive ignition being of the most importance. As for sights, regulating the hight with that low rear sight was a bit of a problem. I first thought of a X-S Sight System front but they looked to be too high. Settled on a Novak front that was made for 1911s but could be dovetailed into the minimal rib on the 681. Novak calls it their MegaDot Tritium. I also asked that the rear notch be opened a bit and cut just a tad deeper. Finally I wanted a fine bead blast finish.
Well it got to my local dealer Friday and I picked it up Saturday. Turned out exactly the way I wanted it and gun is a complete delight. My friend did a superb job and this revolver is as nice and anything I've seen out of the S&W Custom Shop (I've owned 3 of those).
Hoping the weather cooperates for me and I can get out to the range without risking heat stroke. If I can I'll add a range report to this thread and a few more pictures.
Dave
