Model 681 6 inch barrel

[awayguy]

Hello Fellas,
I'm new to the sight here and would like to ask for help.
I have a model 681 357 mag. in very good shape. It has a 4" inch barrel on it and fixed sights. I would like to deer hunt with it but here in Ohio you must have a 5" inch barrel or longer to pistol hunt deer.
I've looked around the web and can't find a longer barrel for this gun.
Questions:
Is there a place to get a longer barrel for this gun?
Is it worth the money to make the change?
Should I just trade it off for something else or keep it and buy another pistol.

I know that last question will be hard to answer, but I have no idea what this gun is worth or much of anything else about it.
It is a square butt design with walnut grips. Full lug barrel and no "M" from a recall I've read about.
Thanks for any help,
WS

 

[awayguy]

Hello Fellas,
I'm new to the sight here and would like to ask for help.
I have a model 681 357 mag. in very good shape. It has a 4" inch barrel on it and fixed sights. I would like to deer hunt with it but here in Ohio you must have a 5" inch barrel or longer to pistol hunt deer.
I've looked around the web and can't find a longer barrel for this gun.
Questions:
Is there a place to get a longer barrel for this gun?
Is it worth the money to make the change?
Should I just trade it off for something else or keep it and buy another pistol.

I know that last question will be hard to answer, but I have no idea what this gun is worth or much of anything else about it.
It is a square butt design with walnut grips. Full lug barrel and no "M" from a recall I've read about.
Thanks for any help,
WS

 

[Ignatz]

The 581/681's are pretty popular and would be easy to sell on this site. You might even find someone on this site to trade you a 6" gun for your 681. If you get rid of your 681, it might be a while until you see another. If you go with a "hunting" only pistol maybe you might consider something bigger (44 spl, 44mag or 45 colt). Dare I say you might also consider a Ruger for hunting. If you think you might play combat sports like IDPA or whatever...keep the 681. Ballpark...$375.00 and up according to condition.

 

[handgunner356]

You would probably be looking at a $150 plus for a barrel. The only 5+" barrel I can think of for the L-frame would have taller front sights. That would require the sight to be milled off and replaced with a lower one. Do to their lower production numbers the 681s' are a pretty quick seller so I'm guessing for less than you'd have with a change over you be way ahead to sell it and put a little extra towards a longer barreled gun. Due to the differant hunting loads out there I'd want a adjustable sight also.

 

[awayguy]

Thanks a bunch for the help guys
I think I'm just gonna have to keep it for awhile and get something else to shoot at the deer.

I know this is a S&W forum but do any of you have experience with the Taurus Tracker model 627 or similar guns?

Thanks again,
WS