Opinions on S&W Model 581

[SEIndSAM]

I have an opportunity to pick one up in a trade. I can't find much info about them searching in house here. Do you have one??? If so, what's your opinion???

Not a carry piece or anything, just as a range gun.

 

[gkitch]

A fine service revolver that came along just as the trend in LE went to autoloaders. Perfect for everyday holster wear. Solid gun in a real caliber with a bit of collector potential to boot. Price would affect the level of temptation, of course. Most are boxless and bearing aftermarket grips, thus somewhere around the $350-$450 would be about right, depending on actual condition.

 

[Jack Flash]

I have a 4" M586, which is the adjustable sight version of the M581. Personally, I would gladly trade mine for an M581 as I prefer fixed sights on revolvers.

The M581/586 were made on the L-Frame which is a compromise between the lighter K-Frame and the heavier N-Frame. Apparently S&W was getting some feedback that the K-Frame was a little too light for extensive use of full-power .357 Magnum loads. How much of this was fact and how much was fiction is often debated. The N-Frame had no problem standing up to steady use of any sane .357 Magnum load, but many in the LE community considered it too heavy to comfortably carry all day long.

So S&W came out with the L-Frame as a compromise. Note that the grip frame is the same as a K, so stocks for the K-Frame are interchangeable with stocks for an L-Frame. I believe the M581 could be ordered with a choice of blued or nickled finish but the only barrel length offered was 4". The stainless steel version of this revolver is the M681 which also had a 4" barrel only.

Most people who own one love it, some of them going so far as to proclaim that it is the perfect .357.

 

[SEIndSAM]

Wow, that's great info Gentlemen!!! Thank you for the quick replies.

 

[Candyman]

... Most people who own one love it, some of them going so far as to proclaim that it is the perfect .357.

I have a 681 4 inch stainless & a 686 4 inch stainless & honestly I believe the 681 is a better gun (maybe I just like it better). I also have a 4 inch 581 & 6 inch 586, both blue & both great but I think the 581 is the better of the two.

I want to get the 581 & the 586 in nickel one day & hopefully I will. "I think" the L frame 357's are the best that Smith & Wesson offer in this caliber.

 

[gkitch]

The 357 was adapted to the N-frame in 1935, then adapted to the 38 SPecial friendly K-frame in the late '50s. It was not until the early 80s that S&W built a frame around the super popular 357 Magnum...and thus the L-frame was born.

 

[nipster]

A fine service revolver that came along just as the trend in LE went to autoloaders. Perfect for everyday holster wear. Solid gun in a real caliber with a bit of collector potential to boot. Price would affect the level of temptation, of course. Most are boxless and bearing aftermarket grips, thus somewhere around the $350-$450 would be about right, depending on actual condition.

That's fairly accurate except the valuation. Think of it as a 586 with fixed sights. You will rarely find them for under $450. Usually in the $450-550 range or more depending on condition.

Comparison would be 586 is to the model 15 what the 581 is to the model 10

 

[TAROMAN]

Another big thumbs up on these fixed-sight L-Frames.
Grab it while you can!
Mine is a 681, the SS version, is functionally identical to the 581.
Its a dream, smooth as a baby's butt, and the most accurate 357 I own.
Snatched it out of a pile of 686s, ex-deputy sheriff revolvers.

 

[deanodog]

That is one to grab if you can. I also like fixed sights even with poor eye sight. They just look right. I have the stainless version and think highly of it. This is the 2nd one I have owned and they both had very smooth triggers. Maybe law enforcement and a little trigger work.

 

[rbmcmjr]

Comparison would be 586 is to the model 15 what the 581 is to the model 10

Or the 586 is to the 19 what the 581 is to the 13 (sticking with magnums).

 

[Rapidray]

I also...

Have the the 681...but I did have the 581 first. The 681 is the perfect 357 revolver in my book! Either way you go you can not go wrong. Enjoy!

 

[nipster]

Or the 586 is to the 19 what the 581 is to the 13 (sticking with magnums).

Yea, not sure what I was thinking there.

 

[palmetto99]

I have a 581 and think of it as a "hefty" model 10 (or 13 if you like). It is a straight foward combat revolver. It was not in production for long as stated before.

It would make a great range, home defense or truck gun.

 

[Cpt. Obvious]

my opinion is get it. info has been provided by others. I've got a 681 and a 581... they are fantastic.

 

[bananaman]

I have a 586, 4" no dash. It just fits my hand so well! ( have smooth targets on it ) To me, it is only second to my 28 no dash.
I wouldn't mind having a 681, like Taroman's beauty! Bob

 

[mag318]

I found this nickled 581 at a LGS a few years back and it has been a great revolver.

 

[JCS&W]

I have both the M586 and the M581. To me, I like the clean look of the fixed sights on the M581. As far as function with me shooting them, I cannot tell any difference between the two. Both are great pieces, but the M581 just looks better to me.

 

[2hawk]

I like mine...

Pale brother

Functionally the same as their sighted siblings, but not found as often.

 

[BCDWYO]

I love Smith L frames in general, and the 581 is one of my favorites! I've got two. First photo shows the unmodified (except for stocks) 4" standard version, next to a heavily customized (round butt, 2 1/2" barrel, DAO) version that I found.

Second photo shows the 581 side by side with a 4" 586 for comparison.

 

[Denny Crane]

Is $625 a decent price for a 90% nickel 581 in the original box?