New to Me 581 Questions

[Juniour]

Hi,
I got this 581 recently. It is in pretty nice shape but not perfect. I considered selling it but It's really grown on Me and I am going to keep it and use it.
There is a few things I'd like to know about it and I've searched the internet and there is not much information on this model out there.
It came in the original box. I'm curious if I have everything in the box that the gun was shipped from the factory with?
I am told it does not have the correct grips on it. The grips that are on it now fit poorly and move around some. What would I be looking for as far as correct stock grips?
Is the gun rare? Or considered valueable? Any idea what it's actually worth?
It appears to have not been shoot much at all if it even was? Is there anything special I should now about the care of the nickle finish or the gun itself if I was to start shooting or carying it regularly?
Thats a lot of questions. But like I said I couldn't find much info searching.
Thanks for any information / help.
Larry

 

[Cpt. Obvious]

Typically, they came with PC magnas, those are regular magnas. PC magnas are a bit rounded at the bottom. Looks like all the docs are there.

Thats a real neat smith you got there. I wouldnt go so far as to say its rare, but certainly uncommon, a nickel 581 being even more uncommon. I havee a blued 581 and the stainless version, a 681. Both are fantastic shooters, I can understand how yours has grown on you. This series of guns came out at the beginning of the start of law enforcement switching to autos from revolvers in large numbers, so they kinda got left behind in the switchover. I see them as a sort of modern version of the 38/44 Heavy Duty. Everything you need, nothing you dont. I love both of mine, they are never leaving my arsenal of freedom!

 

[TAROMAN]

Looks like you have a nice 581 there.
The stocks on it are not correct.
This gun would have shipped with (most likely) with modified (plainclothes) magnas with the rounded bottom. These were normally issued on fixed-sighted guns. My 681 had similar ones on it. They now grace my NY-1 Model 64:

As for the nickel finish, rule #1 is never use Hoppe's or similar ammonia solvents. CLP, Kroil and many others are fine. And don't use green scouring pads or other stuff that can scratch it.
The gun would have been wrapped in S&W logo brown VPI paper.
In my area, this one would bring at least $450, likely more.

 

[Juniour]

Thanks For the Information. I'm glad I asked because a couple Guy's around here told Me hoppe's wouldn't hurt the nickle but I wondered about that. Seemed to remember seeing not to use it on Nickle. I'll be hunting for grips also. Lots of grips I see say for K/L frames. Would that be true? Or is there a difference between K and L? I hope the snow goes away soon soI can get out to shoot this thing.
Larry

 

[sodacan]

My first "L" frame was a used blue 581, no dash. I resisted them for a long time, being a big fan of the P&R revolvers. I wouldn't say that I like the "L" frames better, but they are are nice guns in their own right. You have a solid $600 gun, maybe more based on your area or how motivated a buyer you might find. The nickel finish bumps up the price, and the correct grips will help. Mine is a keeper. Enjoy yours.

 

[Cpt. Obvious]

same grip size, different cylinder/cylinder window/frame size. So yes, if it's for a K frame square butt, it'll fit your 581 fine.

I've read both opinions of using hoppes on nickel smiths. a lot of companies use copper as a base before applying nickel, so if there's a pin-hole in the nickel, the hoppes will start eroding the copper, thereby undermining the nickel finish. I've read that Smith doesn't use copper as a base, so hoppes should be fine. Err on the side of caution, DON'T use hoppes. With so many other solvents/cleaners out there, there's no reason to risk your gun just because one happens to have a ton of hoppes.

Enjoy that 581!!!

 

[Chuck Jones]

First off no Hope's No.9 on nickel! It will eat the finish.

99% of L frames I've ever seen shipped with K Frame Target stocks so unless your Magnas are numbered to the gun (highly doubtful) they're not original, and you'll need to find a correct pair.

The good news is: the correct target stocks for your gun are not hard to come by and there are some with very nice wood.

Also, your gun is rare for an L frame. It's rare for being a fixed sight carbon steel 581, adjustable sight Stainless Steel 686s being the vast majority of all L frames made, and it's rare for being nickel.

In fact I doubt if 15% of all guns that ever left the S&W factory were nickel.

That said it's not so rare or collectable that I would hesitate to shot it. It's just rare enough that when you pass it down or decide to sell it in your old age it'll be worth more than the typical L frame.

Happy Shooting!

/c

 

[Cpt. Obvious]

PC magnas were the norm for 581/681s, targets for 586/686.

 

[bgrafsr]

It should have the cleaning tools also. Rod with curved end, bronze or brass brush, and the mop.

 

[mike4570]

581 Nickel grips

Your 581 looks just like mine...right down to the Magna (non pc) grips. Maybe this was the thing with the nickel guns. What's on the box?

 

[Sixgun100]

A blue Model 581 was my first personally purchased duty revolver. Magna grips would be the correct grip. Sold mine, but eventually got it back and it is staying with me now. Kind of view it as a big brother to my Model 13 3"....Need to get some correct replacement grips.

 

[sodacan]

One just sold in the For Sale section for $600.