Picked up my first L Frame

t4halo

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First off, I wouldnt call myself a collector, Im more of a shooter. I purchased a very nice nickel 4 screw 27 years ago and was smart enough not to trade it away. I have shot the 27 a few times but keep it in a display case except for special events. I inherited a 13 from my dad a few years ago and like it but it’s in pretty rough shape. The 13 shoots nice. Last month I was forced to purchase an older Browning 92 in 357, it was too good of a deal to pass up. So, Im on a 357 kick. Had to have a Colt SAA clone to go with the cowboy lever. Bought a 4 click Pietta, like it a lot. Thought I needed a Ruger Service 6 and was on the hunt. I asked a few different guys I knew if they had a Ruger to sell, nothing. Finally asked a guy on a different forum, a guy I had dealt with before who’s a straight shooter. He tells me he doesnt have a Service 6 but may have something Id like. I like and wanted fixed sights. He sent me pictures of my new 681. The rest is history. Picked her up today. I’ll take her out back tomorrow and give her a go. It’s actually a 681-2 made in 87, the year I graduated Ranger school so that works for me.

T4
 

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Like I say, it's hard to go wrong with a 357 Magnum L-frame. The 581/681 were intended to be the ultimate law enforcement 357 revolvers. Sadly, by the time S&W introduced the L-frame, law enforcement was well down the road of switching to high capacity semi-auto pistols, so the 581/681 did not make it into LEO holsters in the numbers enjoyed by the K-frame 38's and 357's in the 1970's. I think production of the 581/681 ran from 1980 to 1988, but their production numbers were far fewer than their adjustable sight 586/686 counterparts.
 
Excellent choice. I started carrying an L-Frame in LE shortly after they were introduced. I've had several since; never a bad one. Still have a couple, a 686 no dash and a dash 5.
 

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I picked up my first L-frame 686 6" in 1994
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Second was 586 4" in 1995
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Both I have sold or changed to another guns in 1990s.
I can't know or remember dashs.
(Poor old scanned picts, sorry)

1996 I bought 586 8 3/8" (no dash)
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Now it's little shorter
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Last L-frame I bought 2019, 686-3 4"
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I would like 586/686 2.5"/3" and 581/681
All those are rare here.
586/686 6" is available in plenty, at a cheap price
 
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I love these and think personally that it would’ve been the bees’ knees with a round butt 2-1/2” in 581/681 series….I have a few 686 and 586 revolvers and think they are the finest that S&W offered for my uses. I have a 2-3/4” Ruger Speed-Six and it is nearly the perfect carry magnum though.
 
I was in line with a lot of cops when the L frame came out. The 686 four inch was my favorite Duty Revolver.

It is still my Home Defense gun and loaded with 357 Magnum bullets.

IMHO the 4" 686 is the Goldilocks of all the S&W revolvers. Not too big, not too small. INSANELY accurate and just a beautiful piece. It was my first belt gun in my former life in 1985 and no other handgun since has ever outshot that old 686.

Today I have a 686-6 in 4" and 3" and LOVE them. The 3" is a 7-shot and is by far my most-carried sidearm nowdays. I have a Glock 19 but I reach for the 3" 686 far more often for my daily EDC. I just prefer revolvers.
 

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