New (to me) model 681

[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!

 

[blatwell]

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

I love the 681. I actually prefer it to the 686. The only difference is the 681 has fixed sights. That means that you never have to worry about adjusting them. This is the gun I carried as a police officer back in the 1980s. Our department had both models but I really preferred the fixed sights.

Have some fun at the range with it and it will make an excellent defense weapon.

 

[Kframerbluvr]

I was issued a 581 in the '80s that was seized as a result of a criminal case. Fantastic shooting revolver. It was a sad day when I had to turn it in to go to the grinder.