The "81s" - fixed sight L-frame pics

[BCDWYO]

Although never nearly as popular as their adjustable sight brethren, I for one am a big fan of the fixed sight L frames. I just acquired this very nice nickel 581 (center) to go along with my 681 (left) and blue 581 (right). I need to find some better shooting stocks for the nickel 581.


Here is my full set, including the customized 3" 681PC, and customized 2.5" 581:


Any other fans out there?

 

[75Vette]

Wow, just wow! Great set there. There's something special about the clean lines of a fixed sight Smith!!

 

[Sixgun100]

Impressive!

That is an impressive collection of L Frames! Congrats! I have posted this one before, but my first personally purchaed duty revolver.

S&W Model 581

 

[CWH44300]

This is gonna be a good one.
Nothing to add but my anticipation and to note that a cat loving cop should be along, with his fixed sight beauty's.
...
I've a wedding to attend shortly but has soon as I can find a comfortable seat to sip a little beefeater and tonic, I'll check back in.
Post'em up boys

 

[bodyarmorguy]

I began the Police Academy in 1984 with a 681 and abouot halfway through traded for the 686 (which I still have). I wish that I still ahd the 681 and am always on the look out for a suitable specimen. A couple of years back I did happen upon a very minty, but no box, 581 for under $450, which I snapped up quick. I am currently on the lookout for a used 581 or 681 to use as a base gun for a custom project...rounding the butt, shortening the barrel, etc.

 

[jjbrewst1]

I'm a huge fan. Here are mine. Both QUADPORTs from the performance center. 1 is a Lew Horton 1 of 300 and the other is a Camfour.

Lew Horton

Camfour

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jackvs1]

I would like to play & display. This photo has been posted on another thread but it fits this one perfectly. My first issued revolver when I worked for the NYSP was a Model 681, stamped NYSP. here you go.

 

[KLYDE]

WOW, is right. I remember awhile back looking at a post of a sweet custom short barreled 581. I couldn't remember for the life of me who posted it. I'm glad you posted. Just an outstanding collection of 81 series guns. Please, post a few close ups of the custom for the members. Great thread.

I love the K frames but the 81 series have become one of my favorite guns. Just enough weight and mass to let you know you are holding something, coupled with the K frame grip. Best of both worlds.

Only have two. 581 and CRPD 681 special caliber variant. Still hunting for a nice 681.





Kernel, here's the box for your records.

 

[ladder13]

I'm sure he wouldn't mind me posting this.

About the nicest 81 I've ever seen is owned by member DHart. I remember this gun from back in the day, customized by Mark Hartshorn @ Pinnacle.

Impeccable work.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...91096-tale-581-restoration-customization.html

 

[BCDWYO]

Here are a few close-ups as requested Klyde:
581:



681PC with Robar NP3 refinish:

 

[KLYDE]

I'm sure he wouldn't mind me posting this.

About the nicest 81 I've ever seen is owned by member DHart. I remember this gun from back in the day, customized by Mark Hartshorn @ Pinnacle.

Impeccable work.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...91096-tale-581-restoration-customization.html

Thanks Mike, that is the gun I was referring to. Although the custom snubby posted by BCDWYO isn't too shabby either. A bit more of a working gun.

 

[KLYDE]

Here are a few close-ups as requested Klyde:
581:




BCDWYO, That 581 is outrageous. Beautiful carry setup. May I ask who did the work? What really sets it apart is the roll marks are centered which is not usually seen on the short modified barrels. Any info on how this was accomplished. Thanks.

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

Very, very nice! That 2.5" especially.

I think I've added a new gun to the got to get list.

 

[BCDWYO]

Klyde, you are not the first to ask about that 581, and I wish I could tell you, but I really don't know much about how this gun came to be. The modifications I know of are the new barrel (not cut), round-butt modification, DAO and bobbed hammer, and polished trigger. I saw it a few years ago on GB and thought it looked interesting. The seller didn't know a lot, but he THOUGHT the smithing work had been done in California. If anyone recognizes it, let me know!

 

[Nedroe]

Here's mine......

681 NYSP 3" round butt

That's what happens when things sit around here too long. That one was here about an hour.

Ned

 

[one eye joe]

THIS IS A TERRIFIC THREAD ! ! ! THE PHOTOS ARE OUTSTANDING. THERE IS A SMOOTH, UNCLUTTERED AND GRACEFUL LOOK TO A FIXED SIGHT SMITH. I DO NOT OWN ONE. I GOT MY FILL OF TRYING TO ZERO IN A COUPLE OF FIXED SIGHT HANDGUNS, BACK IN MY EARLY DAYS, WHEN MY VERY LIMITED BUDGET PRECLUDED ME SPENDING THE EXTRA MONEY FOR ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS. AFTER THAT, AND FOR THE LAST 50 YEARS, IT HAS BEEN ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS FOR ME (EXCEPT FOR MY BELOVED COMPANION, MY 642) FIXED SIGHT HANDGUNS ARE JUST NOT BUILT FOR TARGET SHOOTING, WHICH HAS BEEN MY MAIN PASTIME...

I USED TO KNOW THIS BUT IIRC, S&Ws ARE ALLEGEDLY ENGINEERED TO SHOOT PARTICULAR WEIGHT .38Spl BULLET, AT A CERTAIN RANGE, POA TO POI. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THAT IS, OR EVEN IF IT IS ACTUALLY TRUE ? ? ?

SINCE I DID NOT HANDLOAD, AND I NEVER COULD FIGURE OUT HOW TO ADJUST FOR WINDAGE--EXCEPT KENTUCKY STYLE, ZEROING A FIXED SIGHT FIREARM WAS A VERY FRUSTRATING TASK. TO THIS DAY, I CANNOT MAINTAIN INTEREST IN A FIREARM THAT I CAN'T DIAL IN TO SHOOT ONE RAGGED HOLE OBLITERATING THE SLOWFIRE X RING @ 50'. IF A HANDGUN IS CAPABLE OF THAT, I WILL KEEP IT, AS IT IS CAPABLE OF COMBAT, OR HUNTING ACCURACY…..

 

[2hawk]

WOW, the cream is sure rising...

Not even in the same class as some of the fantastic guns posted, but they are mine:
My trusty 681:

My "shooter" 581:

And, a 581 that went back for a beauty treatment. Trust me, it was the right thing to do




Fine guns, some of my very favorites

 

[jackvs1]

681 NYSP 3" round butt

That's what happens when things sit around here too long. That one was here about an hour.

Ned

I had no idea the NYSP had a 3 inch? Mine was a 4 inch & I do not think our BCI carried the 681's. Beautiful revolver.

 

[nyeti]

I had no idea the NYSP had a 3 inch? Mine was a 4 inch & I do not think our BCI carried the 681's. Beautiful revolver.

If you look at the lettering on the barrel, it was obviously cut. I have several PC and custom cut "81's". I ll try to get pics up on Monday.

 

[jackvs1]

If you look at the lettering on the barrel, it was obviously cut. I have several PC and custom cut "81's". I ll try to get pics up on Monday.

I just noticed that thanks, the barrel is cut off right at the S. I looked at mine and there is an inch from the to the end of the barrel. Closed by Investigation.