Need info on the 681

[lihpster]

Saw one for sale. Didn't look too close as I was doing the paperwork on my second gun for the day. Looked shooter grade used. I don't remember the price. I'm thinking I'm gonna go back and look at it. What is a good price? Are there any that are more valuable than others? I know that at least some of these are sought after, but I'm not sure if those were special editions. I don't know much about these. I didn't even know they existed until I joined this forum. TIA.

 

[LPD256]

The 681 is basically a fixed sight 686 .357 Magnum. Some law enforcement agencies including the New York State Police issued them. But not all were LE guns. I have one that is a great shooter. I happen to have grown up on fixed sight guns. They seem to be sought after right now. You will see few for sale. As to price, I just don't want to guess. Good luck.

 

[S&W Fan]

The last one I saw locally was from the Ohio State Patrol. Only had minor scuffs, box, Pach grips in addition to a set of magnas and sold for $850 + tax/fees as it was in a shop. That was right before the pandemic madness on prices.

Don't know if that helps or not.

 

[dmthomp32]

For a long time the fixed sighted revolvers like the 64, 65, 681 were the non-collectible shooters of the S&W world. That has certainly changed! I'm a big fan of the fixed sighted revolvers and am ashamed that I missed the $500 days of the 681 about 3 years ago. They have never been a plentiful item on gunbroker or other auction sites but when they are available now they aren't cheap anymore.


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[hsmith9491]

I bought one and love shooting 38's and 357. Not LE.

 

[swagmeister]

If it is mechanically ok and the cosmetics of it are average or slightly above average with a few scratches and normal wear, I would guess $600 low end and $800 tops. If in pristine condition, probably $1000. Most of the LE models will have quite a bit of wear from duty use. Look it over good before striking on it. Don't see many of them for sale anymore and I would love to find one at a decent price (if there is such a thing these days.) Good luck.

 

[PatriotX]

The 681 is one of the Goldilocks guns, as in just-right.

Apart a few notable limited exceptions [PC, RSR, etc] they're all 4-inch perfection.

I have a few duty-issued guns, a few NYSP versions, and of course…PigPen.

Try it, you'll probably like it.

Some of the agency-marked guns, such as OHP and ConRail go for good bucks, and the NYSP guns have a Jovino connection…but prices are typically inline with common 686s.

Given the relative scarcity of the 681, these guns seems to be a tremendous bargain.

 

[spdguns]

An OHP 681 is coming to the symposium in Tulsa!

 

[ladder13]

I would say anything under $600 is BIN.

One of my 681's has been out for round butting, fitting of 7 shot cylinder and chopping to 3 inch.

I hope to get it back sometime soon.



Someone asked. Mark Hartshorne has the 681.

@Pinnacle High Performance.

 

[quikdraw67]

I have a 681, early no dash no M stamp. Like it a lot.

I'd love to get a ConRail marked one someday.

 

[kbm6893]

I shoot mg 681 better than any other gun I own or have ever owned.

 

[dmthomp32]

I would say anything under $600 is BIN.

One of my 681's has been out for round butting, fitting of 7 shot cylinder and chopping to 3 inch.

I hope to get it back sometime soon.



Someone asked. Mark Hartshorne has the 681.

@Pinnacle High Performance.

That sounds like a bad mama jammer! Please post pics when you get the work done!!


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[bloodandgutsmurphy]

I have three 681's, they are fun to collect and shoot. One is from the Ohio State Patrol, a second is from the Delaware State police, and my third one is from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol

 

[1sg]

I have a no dash with German proofs in near mint condition; apparently sold in Germany in the 80s via US military sportsman program so an obviously an interesting relic. Fit and finish like most earlier Smiths is superb and I can attest to awesome balance and natural point ability. I have rarely see them for sale; I'm assuming those who have them are incline to keep them. Personally I would not sell mine for less than 1K...

 

[gerhard1]

The 681 is the handgun I'd keep if I were reduced to owning just one. It is rugged and reliable, yet also reasonably lightweight. I have owned and carried one off-and-on for nearly 40 years.

It is my favorite handgun.

 

[Sully8548]

681 no dash, M stamp. Picked up on Gun Broker a few years back for 4 bills. As with all of my Smiths it's a great shooter and I love the L frame for shooting 357's. From what I can see now it's probably worth close to double in today's market. Good luck finding one but if you do you won't be disappointed.

 

[ladder13]

Try finding a 581.

 

[mikerjf]

Just got a -1 and while I like it, compared to a J frame it's a GIGANDO gun that feels like it's made from plutonium. Let's hope I never have to use an N frame...

 

[diyj98]

I can't speak on current market value, but never had any personal use for larger fixed sighted guns. I want adjustable sights on anything other than a pocket/belly gun. Now collecting is a different story, I'm just talking for my own personal use. It's one of a limited number of issues I agree with Elmer Keith on.

 

[klind45]

Try finding a 581.

Well if we're playing hide and seek I haven't found a 681 but I did find one of these. Got lucky last year. It too is a no dash.

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[cowboy4evr]

I have had my 681 for quite a few yrs . It's stamped " CAI " on the barrel which is " Century Arms Int'l " . It's been exported for use , then was imported back here . My fiance will say , " are you taking that gun that you shoot so well " ? It's that accurate for me .
For those interested , my std every day load is the Ray Thompson designed cast bullet , 358156 but mine is plain based instead of gas checked . Tom @ Accurate Molds made 2/ 4 cav molds , plain based for me . Using harder alloy they weigh 158 grs , using softer alloy 163 grs . For powder I use 7.5 grs of Winchester Super Field all loaded in a 357 case . This has been my " go-to " load for 357's for many years . It has plenty of power , clean shooting and is deadly accurate . Regards Paul

 

[PatriotX]

I have had my 681 for quite a few yrs . It's stamped " CAI " on the barrel which is " Century Arms Int'l " . It's been exported for use , then was imported back here . My fiance will say , " are you taking that gun that you shoot so well " ? It's that accurate for me .
For those interested , my std every day load is the Ray Thompson designed cast bullet , 358156 but mine is plain based instead of gas checked . Tom @ Accurate Molds made 2/ 4 cav molds , plain based for me . Using harder alloy they weigh 158 grs , using softer alloy 163 grs . For powder I use 7.5 grs of Winchester Super Field all loaded in a 357 case . This has been my " go-to " load for 357's for many years . It has plenty of power , clean shooting and is deadly accurate . Regards Paul

I have a CAI-marked gun, and the person with whom I spoke thought they came in from Australia.

 

[Ameshawki]

I have had my 681 for quite a few yrs . It's stamped " CAI " on the barrel which is " Century Arms Int'l " . It's been exported for use , then was imported back here . My fiance will say , " are you taking that gun that you shoot so well " ? It's that accurate for me .
For those interested , my std every day load is the Ray Thompson designed cast bullet , 358156 but mine is plain based instead of gas checked . Tom @ Accurate Molds made 2/ 4 cav molds , plain based for me . Using harder alloy they weigh 158 grs , using softer alloy 163 grs . For powder I use 7.5 grs of Winchester Super Field all loaded in a 357 case . This has been my " go-to " load for 357's for many years . It has plenty of power , clean shooting and is deadly accurate . Regards Paul

I have it's twin. My research indicated Australian Federal Police issue but I can't swear to that. Mine is a no dash.