New (to me) model 681

[Gunnerdogg005]

New member here, I recently just purchased a 681 revolver. I had my heart set on a new 686 4 incher until I ran across this girl at a LGS. I'll admit I might have over paid a little ($700) but in my mind I would have roughly the same in a new 686 and this one might hold its value a little better. I was told it was never fired, but who knows. Came with the origional box, docs, and cleaning rod. I put about 100 rounds through it las night and it shoots like a dream. Any idea on the age? It's a no dash 681 serial number ADP07xx. Let me know how I did.

Thanks,

Nick

 

[Gunnerdogg005]

Trying to figure out how to add pictures

 

[gwalchmai]

Send it to me. I'll post pics. The 681 is great - everything you need, almost nothing you don't.

I'd say you did OK.

 

[BAM-BAM]

$700 for a 681....... wow........ who would have ever thunk it in Oct/Nov 1983............ $700 for a 681!!!!!!!

Bet you paid about 3x what the original buyer paid...maybe a tad high....but... well worth it today

Great gun one of the last and IMHO the best police revolver made...... a tad heavy;yes ....but will handle .357s all day and comes with its own built in "sap". LOL I would have prefered a half lugged barrel!

Introduced in 1980 general production began April of 81 with AABxxxx and ended in 1992 w/ 53180 units built ( 10x the number of Registered Magnums produced from 1935-40) according to SCS&W p.269

 

[Jack Flash]

I would have guessed that price is a little steep, but LNIB runs the price up in a hurry. When you see one you really like, you have to act fast. Waiting and haggling may mean losing out.

I would much prefer the 4" barrel to the 6", but each to his own.

 

[BAM-BAM]

The 681 only came in 4" IIRC

 

[Hapworth]

Welcome to the forum Gunnerdogg005.

Your serial approximates '83-'84. If NRA "perfect" or "excellent", with correct box, tools and docs, your price was fine.

Enjoy.

 

[Gunnerdogg005]

Thanks for the info guys! It's cool it was made right around the time i was born (Oct. 84) maybe that's why it spoke to me. I just prefer older models of everything that have been taken care of. This includes women and cars. I recently bought a ruger super blackhawk and I was pretty disappointed in the quality. Front sight was tweaked, screws kept coming loose, grips about rattled off a few times. Needless to say I returned it. I hate to be a snob but I expect quality when I buy American made and spend my hard earned money. I think I'm becoming a smithaholic.

 

[Sailfish 40]

I recently bought one too. aak00, 1982 i think. seller claimed it was unfired but it is now. yours looks like late 1983. i think you did well. i would rather have yours than a new one with a lock.

 

[Gunnerdogg005]

Let's see a picture of it sailfish 40. What did you give for yours if you don't mind me asking. I plan on shooting the heck out of this gun and also doing a little hunting with it too.

 

[4506517]

I own both, and I enjoy my 681 MUCH more than I enjoy my 686. The 681 is from the Ohio Highway Patrol. I often wonder if mine could talk, what would it say?

 

[4506517]

I just prefer older models of everything that have been taken care of. This includes women and cars.

YES!!!!!

This post is full of win!!!!

 

[Sailfish 40]

Let's see a picture of it sailfish 40. What did you give for yours if you don't mind me asking. I plan on shooting the heck out of this gun and also doing a little hunting with it too.

I paid $650+ transfer. it came with the box and stuff too. it did have a couple of handling marks.

not quite as advertised, but good enough for me.

 

[Pizza Bob]

I hate to be a snob but I expect quality when I buy American made and spend my hard earned money.

So maybe now wouldn't be the best time to tell you about the recall?

Check under the crane on the frame where the serial and model number are stamped - if there is an "M" stamped there, the recall has been done. If not, you can still have it done on Smith's dime.

The firing pin bushing gets replaced with one with a smaller hole to prevent primer flow back into the bushing with hot loads and soft primers, which will tie up the cylinder.

Good luck with your new acquisition.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

ETA: Born on date would be late 83, not 84.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Any idea on the age?

Post a picture of the box end label and I can tell you the day, month, and year.

 

[jackvs1]

Your revolver is beautiful and with the box, tools and paperwork the price paid is great. I was a young NYS Trooper back in 1983 and the S&W 681, exactly like yours was issued to all of us, over 3000 troopers. Ours had NYSP stamped on the left frame just under the cylinder. I am fortunate to have one. Congratulations on your new revolver. You will love it.

 

[Gunnerdogg005]

I am familiar with the recall. Mine isn't stamped with the M however I called S&W today and asked them about it. They told me to dry fire the gun and with the trigger held back, to pull back the hammer. If you are able to pull back the hammer it is fine, if it sticks we it needs fixed. Mine seems fine. Please chime in if you have any info. I shot some hot rounds and a bunch of 38 spl yesterday and it seems fine. Sounds like S&W would have no problem sending me a pre paid box and fixing it for no cost. What do you guys think?

 

[kaaskop49]

Welcome to the Forum. Always great to have new members. Especially if they have a great gun like yours! I envy you your 681. IIRC, other members have said the issue about primer flow back with the original 681 and 686 was the 125gr Federal .357 Mag. load.

That was a new one for me: hold the trigger back and retract the hammer. I tried it on my original 686: like yours, the hammer retracted. I would not send it back. I would shoot it until I got tired, and then I would shoot it some more. Remember to clean the chambers properly after using the shorter case .38 ammo.

BTW, this is a gun I would never sell. It is just that good, and NIB? Please! Enjoy your gun.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Gunnerdogg005]

I have no plans on selling it, how would I replace it? the 686 is a sweet gun too, as long as it doesn't have a lock.

 

[Sailfish 40]

I sent mine in and had the recall work done. It was fairly painless.

 

[Gunnerdogg005]

i may eventually send it in. I plan on shooting it for a while though.

 

[mike from st pete]

Will unmodified 681/686 be valued more then those sent in for the recall?

 

[Pizza Bob]

Will unmodified 681/686 be valued more then those sent in for the recall?

Only if we're an absolutely NIB, unfixed, complete example, and even then it would be a negligible difference.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[jackvs1]

The OP asked me to attach a photo of my 681 which was issued to us a Troopers from the New York State Police. I received mine in 1983 when I came on the job. Note the NYSP stamp under the cylinder.

 

[sodacan]

Enjoy that 681. IMO, along with the 581, one of the most beautiful revolvers ever made by S&W.

 

[loeman]

Congratulations and welcome to the forum. I love it when 681s and 581s get some attention and love and I'm confident your are going to love yours.

I've had my 681 for over two years and it has become my all-time favorite revolver. I use it to qualify for CCW and I open carry whenever I'm doing light hiking or fishing in remote areas. It has the best trigger I've ever had and its accuracy is amazing. I also prefer the fixed sights. Mine came with the service magnas like yours. They look great but they don't work for me. I changed to factory targets but they were too big. I now have on Ahrends Retro Targets and they seem just perfect for my medium sized hand.

Thanks for the info on what you learned from S&W regarding the recall. My 686 no dash and my 681 have not been sent back and I don't plan to do so.

In case you missed it, here's the other 681 link that is running now.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/412384-md-681-my-favorite-revolver.html

 

[BCDWYO]

Nice 681! I know you will like it! Welcome to the Forum! Price isn't too bad for like new condition complete with box IMO.

 

[willb1961]

Nice gun. Is that a 6 shot? Here's my 681PC but it's a 7 shot. Sorry for the bad pic.

 

[GB]

I will start by saying that I have never owned a 681. I have owned a grundle of 686s (own 3 now). Frame wise, the perfect platform for a 357. I never saw, for sale, a 681/581, back in the day, when I was wearing a duty belt. I always thought that for a city cop, the non-adjustable sights were just the ticket and carried a 65,by choice, for most of a decade.

Do I think you paid to much? Probably/Yes, (but all used Smiths are over going for way more than I think is reasonable) but after looking at your pictures, I would have paid that much for that gun! (I saw a 581 for sale, at the last gun show and it was highly holster worn with goodyears and no box and he was trying to get over 700 for it.)

You are a lucky son of a gun! Enjoy GB

 

[jrod]

A 681 was the first S&W I ever bought. I got it as a close out at Western Auto for $129.00 back in 1987. A friend that Joined the Border Patrol just had to have it. I turned him down repeatedly. Finally he offered 4 times what I paid for it and I took the money. One of my biggest mistakes ever! I still regret letting it go! Hang on to it Gunnerdogg005!