Square to round butt

[Ron In MD]

Ok guys, this was just a thought. I will just put Hogue's or Pachmayr's on it. For me, with arthritis, it easier to shoot anyway.

Thanks for the replies and some nice pictures.

Just bought an S&W 681 no dash (no M, modifications).
Will converting it from square to round butt diminish its value?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[CH4]

Probably, but if it's done properly by Magnaport or other pro, it could increase the value. I was going to have mine round butted, hammer bobbed and barrel shortened to 3", but ended up selling it first.

 

[BillyMagg]

Just bought an S&W 681 no dash (no M, modifications).
Will converting it from square to round butt diminish its value?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

oh man, I thought you were talking about your girlfriend?? I was gonna say they all do, now old guys?? they all go the other way...

When I worked for a Hospice, I had an amazing idea for a foam buttox for us old dudes, boney butts equal pressure wounds, I was imagining some sort of conformal foam to keep the old tail bone from bearing weight???

anybody do cad/cam or more likely 3D printing, we could make a krapload of cash!

 

[kaaskop49]

S-RB: diminish the gun's value? It would for me. In fact, I probably wouldn't even buy it, worrying about what else may have been done inside. Also, (perhaps a S&W armorer could chime in here), I understand there are issues with the strain screw/mainspring tension when this mod is done.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Nedroe]

It Wouldn't Bother Me......

I kinda' like 'em that way.


Here's a round butt 53, just for good measure

Not to mention a round butt 17


Now it's a RB 17/19

It's your gun. If you are worried about collector/resale value, leave it alone.
If not, grind away. For every guy that won't buy it, there's a guy that will.

Ned

 

[Texgun]

nedroe,
I agree. Fix it the way you want it unless you are a dealer and plan on selling most of the guns you buy.

 

[jughed440]

Someone has converted this 681 to round butt, and replaced the original barrel with a 3" PC barrel. Looks good.

 

[Jessie]

Someone has converted this 681 to round butt, and replaced the original barrel with a 3" PC barrel. Looks good.

And reduced value or not( to me, not) that is a fine looking revolver

 

[Hapworth]

Purely from a collector's standpoint: yes, any alteration from factory original will diminish value.

But that begs the question in your case: what's the value to begin with? Is your 681 pristine, unblemished, as-new with everything it came with from the factory?

If so, and you're thinking about collector value, don't alter it, don't handle it and don't shoot it.

On the other hand, if your 681 is a shooter (in whatever shape), collectibility value is already drastically reduced (in a model not much sought-after by collectors anyway), so make it the gun that pleases you -- which might make it a little more valuable to the right buyer down the road if they have the same tastes.

 

[Eddietruett]

While you don't run across a 681 every day, I wouldn't call them "collectible". I see them here and there in the $550-650 range. How much could it hurt the value? If I wanted mine a RB, I wouldn't hesitate. I've had several guns modified for different reasons knowing I wouldn't get my money back if I sell it, but I got what I wanted.

 

[max503]

Major George C. Nonte illustrated the procedure in his excellent book, Revolver Guide. I have a police trade-in Model 19 I would love to have round butted. Maybe some day after I retire...….

It don't look that hard to do.

 

[oink]

It seems to me it would be easier and cheaper to sell it and buy an appropriate gun that already comes as a round butt.

Many years ago I read an article on how to round but an old (now collectible I'm sure) smith. At least I think it was a Smith. It involved cutting bending and welding or brazing. I don't recall what if anything they had to do to the spring. It had to involve a lot of hours (= money). It might have been in the American Gunsmith magazine but I'm not sure. Like I said, it was many years ago.

 

[murphydog]

It is your call. From previous photos and posts, just make sure the conversion does not alter the serial number, which will really ruin its value and may prompt a visit from your local BATF agent...

 

[Bumpus13]

S-RB: diminish the gun's value? It would for me. In fact, I probably wouldn't even buy it, worrying about what else may have been done inside. Also, (perhaps a S&W armorer could chime in here), I understand there are issues with the strain screw/mainspring tension when this mod is done.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

My thoughts exactly.

But, then again, it's YOUR gun, OP. Do what makes you happy.

 

[80sgyrene]

Do it OP, you won't regret it. Unless it is new in box.
581

681

 

[jughed440]

And reduced value or not( to me, not) that is a fine looking revolver

It sure is. I'm looking for a prelock 686 or 681 on which to put a 4" un-ported version of that barrel (these 4" PC barrels are in Stock at Numrich). I recently bought a 4" 686-4+, but have since realized that it's somewhat scarce, so it's staying as is.
If I happen to find a good deal on a 681 for a project gun, it WILL be converted to round butt.

 

[NCBeagle]

It do not make a habit of round butting classics but this Model 28-2 was in rough shape. So, had it bead blast blued and round butted. Looks "all business" with the rubber grips. Combats look okay too. This is a great hiking gun.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ladder13]

Someone has converted this 681 to round butt, and replaced the original barrel with a 3" PC barrel. Looks good.

One of DHarts guns.

A 681 custom

There are no more 3" non ported PC barrels, I already asked.


I have a 7 shot cylinder on backorder with Brownells. When it comes in one of my 681's is going to Mark Hartshorne @ Pinnacle.
I just spoke to him 2 weeks ago. He's going to round butt, fit the 7 shot, chop to 3 inches and install a brass bead front sight. Nedroe will approve

He did the work on DHarts 581. The 581 is one of a kind and simply gorgeous. It's below


A very special 581 Custom

 

[smoothshooter]

It seems to me it would be easier and cheaper to sell it and buy an appropriate gun that already comes as a round butt.

Many years ago I read an article on how to round but an old (now collectible I'm sure) smith. At least I think it was a Smith. It involved cutting bending and welding or brazing. I don't recall what if anything they had to do to the spring. It had to involve a lot of hours (= money). It might have been in the American Gunsmith magazine but I'm not sure. Like I said, it was many years ago.

Years ago a really good gunsmith friend of mine round-butted a couple of Smith revolvers for me. Was not a lot to it.
He mounted a set of Smith two-piece thin wooden grips, traced around the edges of the wood with a scribe, removed the grips, ground the grip frame almost down to the scribe marks, filed and polished away the file marks, sharp edges, etc., and I think did something with the hammer spring tension screw ( I could be wrong on that ) and was done. I think it took him less than 2 hours for the whole operation.
Have been shooting both guns a lot for the 25 years since the work was done. No problems.

 

[SLT223]

I kinda' like 'em that way.


Here's a round butt 53, just for good measure

Not to mention a round butt 17


Now it's a RB 17/19

It's your gun. If you are worried about collector/resale value, leave it alone.
If not, grind away. For every guy that won't buy it, there's a guy that will.

Ned

What a fantastic snub 17! Sleeved 19 barrel I assume? I love to stocks on it. Hell, if S&W won't make what you want, then do it yourself. Let me know if you ever grow tired of it (I know you won't, but need to throw that out there).