Picked up a pristine S&W 581

[Relic Hunter 451]

I found this totally unmolested 581 in the original box with original grips and paperwork.
Only 581 I've seen in my neck of the woods. Sure is a nice piece, what say you about it?

 

[PatriotX]

Um, gorgeous?

 

[oysterer]

best revolver ever made and the fixed sights are accurate for me. need to find some correct speed loader cutout targets

 

[22hipower]

Almost never see them where I shop; passed on the only one I remember a year or two ago because of condition. Nice buy, enjoy.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[LPD256]

I saw a guy that had 3 in Tulsa at the big show. No boxes and none were nearly as nice as yours. Great find. They were $850-$1050 as I recall.

 

[markeb]

I say, wish it were mine. Very Nice. Been looking for one that I can't afford.

 

[StakeOut]

Relic Hunter.are you going to shoot it or make it a safe queen.

 

[waffles]

I'd buy that for a dollar!

I love the 581 (and to a slightly lesser extent the 681, for aesthetic reasons only). To me its a really neat example of the ultimate refinement of the "fighting revolver" while they were still widely relevant. 4" barrel, L frame, .357, fixed sights. Everything you need, nothing you don't.

Only a few years after it's introduction the police market began the switch to autos that is almost complete as of today, and while there have been some debateable improvements (rails, capacity, materials) to revolvers since, they were never enough to gain back their former market share. The 581/681, to me at least, represent the high water mark of the service revolver. Doesn't hurt that they look and function beautifully either.

 

[quikdraw67]

Very, very nice. Congrats!

 

[BAM-BAM]

Nice ...... I like L-Frames .... I think the 4" is the best utility/general purpose revolver going.

I had 581 for a couple of years......it was too nice to carry.... always opted for a 4" 686 I'd had round-butted in the 80s. Later added a 681 which does go into the woods! Still have a 586-5 factory round butt w/ Spegel extended Boot Grips in Birdseye maple ... that I keep for looking at!

Also had a 3" one.... wish I'd kept that one; but again never used it.... always opted for a3" K-frame! So got traded for a Performance Center Shorty-9...... which does get used and carried!